Nice work for Towles tonight. 3/3, 5 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals.

Towles had one steal at the FT line and went coast to coast for a layup, somewhat routine for that type of steal. However, watching him leave McClendon in the dust was most impressive. Reminded me of him on the gridiron.

 

The most interesting part of HC's shooting was when they hit from behind the arc they were no doubters. But when they missed from the field they were ugly. I havnt seen that many airballs from not just behind the arc but also within 10 feet. Broering was the only shooter who had a few rim out. Burger, McClendon and Arlinghouse all had trey attempts that never drew iron.

Should be noted also that Pouncy and Ohara were 2/3 refs, not sure of 3rd guy but it looked like former Dayton player from late 80's Kenny Robinson. They called a superb game and IMO are 3 of the 9th Regions best.

Holy Cross was without starting PG Jalen Avery who sat out the game with a foot injury.

 

Stewart for Highlands had 26 pts, almost half the teams total and a lot of his buckets coming off layups when Highlands would beat the press. He has a very nice touch at the FT line for a taller kid. They better hope he scores that many every night because the rest of their starters are questionable at best IMO. HC forced 23 turnovers but Highlands shot 69% from the field. I guess when you shoot layups most of the night you are going to shoot a very high %. Highlands has no outside threats from the 3-pt line from what I saw. Burger 5/16 from the field isn't going to cut it, they need him to start shooting the ball better.

Holy Cross was without starting PG Jalen Avery who sat out the game with a foot injury.

 

Stewart for Highlands had 26 pts, almost half the teams total and a lot of his buckets coming off layups when Highlands would beat the press. He has a very nice touch at the FT line for a taller kid. They better hope he scores that many every night because the rest of their starters are questionable at best IMO. HC forced 23 turnovers but Highlands shot 69% from the field. I guess when you shoot layups most of the night you are going to shoot a very high %. Highlands has no outside threats from the 3-pt line from what I saw. Burger 5/16 from the field isn't going to cut it, they need him to start shooting the ball better.

 

How could HC lose this game? It sounds like the Birds are awful..Egan and Crowley are very good 3pt shooters. I think when you get most of your points off of breaking the press you don't have to shoot 3pointers.. JMO

Big Jack to the rescue - Crowley had a double/double. Too bad we can't even qualify for a box score in the Enquirer, let alone a small article. Nice win Birds, keep it up.

The Birds nearly imploded in the 4th quarter after starting the quarter off being up 14 or 15. There were a couple of guys that completely lost it in the quarter. I blame that on a lack of experience. Most of these kids for Highlands didn't play a ton last year especially in games going down to the wire. Highlands wingmen for some reason for jumping out on #23 for HC and leaving #2 or #4 I forget which wide open in the corner. I don't think #23 hit a jump shot all night. If the players don't recognize this the coaching staff should. Highlands did show tonight that when they get rolling they can certainly compete. They have a few games left to figure out how to finish strong. I certainly hope Alex Dean's injury was minor and he's back in the line-up Thursday.

Should be noted also that Pouncy and Ohara were 2/3 refs, not sure of 3rd guy but it looked like former Dayton player from late 80's Kenny Robinson. They called a superb game and IMO are 3 of the 9th Regions best.

 

I agree the refs did do a very good job tonight. I wish these three did every game.

Birds had a 13 or 14 point lead and HC came storming back with 3 Broering treys.

 

Nice job by the Birds to keep their composure down the stretch and win it at the end. Big confidence booster for Coach Flynn's bunch.

Holy Cross was without starting PG Jalen Avery who sat out the game with a foot injury.

 

Stewart for Highlands had 26 pts, almost half the teams total and a lot of his buckets coming off layups when Highlands would beat the press. He has a very nice touch at the FT line for a taller kid. They better hope he scores that many every night because the rest of their starters are questionable at best IMO. HC forced 23 turnovers but Highlands shot 69% from the field. I guess when you shoot layups most of the night you are going to shoot a very high %. Highlands has no outside threats from the 3-pt line from what I saw. Burger 5/16 from the field isn't going to cut it, they need him to start shooting the ball better.

 

Sounds like sour grapes to me. The Birds sliced through the HC press in the first half with Stewart attacking and converting. Crowley had 13/13 and Towles 3/3 4 assists, 4 steals at 6'5 230 oh and he blew by McClendon at one point clearly showing everyone how questionable of a player he is. Putting down HS kids clearly shows you have issues.

 

Whats questionable is a team that jacks up 35 three pointers and has to live and die by the press, 30%

shooting from behind the arc. Oh and Highlands' 6'6 frosh Nick True who typically logs 8-10 min a game didnt play either.

Bpiccolo hit it on the head. The kids in the game at the end lack close game high intensity experience and it showed. Luckily Egan stripped Burger and created the turnovet leading to Stewarts heroics.

 

Oh and I posted on the board several times early in Jan that you take Stewart out of the lineup like he was for 4 weeks and they are a different team. Just as NCC would be without Geisler and CCH would be without Thelen. Your darn right we better hope he continues to play like last night cuz the team is depending on him.

Regarding the Birds lacking 3pt shooters, 1/4 in the game is not a very good barometer. Not to mention it wasnt a necessity since they had superior size and attacked the rim. Egan is their best shooter and was 1/2 or 50% for those mathematically challenged. No need to shoot threes when you are busting a presa. HC's zone halfcourt defenae, when they could set it up was effective on the perimeter. Highlands had great patience, worked it well and converted when they had an open look.

 

Its the best Ive seen them play all year outside of those last 2 min when HC cranked up their press even more and got some ateals and layups.

Good luck to your Birds the rest of the way Qryche11.

It was the best 3 quarters I have seen the Birds play this season. The fourth quarter is another story.

 

Until Stewart's bucket with 1 second remaining, the Birds had 1 FG in the 4th quarter. They stopped attacking the rim. HC has some nice athletes and are quick, but they can not protect the basket on the backside of that press. Breaking the press and pulling the ball out to run some clock was just what the Indians needed to get back in the game.

Big Jack to the rescue - Crowley had a double/double. Too bad we can't even qualify for a box score in the Enquirer, let alone a small article. Nice win Birds, keep it up.

 

That was my fault. I did not call it in, because there was a reporter there. I do not know where he was from, but I cannot locate anything on print or on the internet. I wlll call the Enquirer tonight to see if they can put it in as a late box score, maybe a story, we will see.

Best of luck to Highlands, and another game between these two teams would be interesting. Stewart looked excellent. The Indians desparately need to find a way to adapt when the press and fast-paced game isn't effective.