The Divisions are divided up basically by enrollment, I do believe they are intended to act like conferences, but it requires the DIII schools to play each other in a home and home round robin each year thus taking up 14 games of your schedule. Since coach Shumate took over at Beechwood, they are 55-1 at the varisty level and I think they have only three losses at the JV level. I think the feeling was that Beechwood needed to be able to free up some games in order to get better prepared for the post season run. Watching the teams play over the past few years from a fan stand point I think Beechwood will miss playing the DIII schools, but in order to get over the hump to be competitive night in and night out they had to move up.

IMO their year depends on the development of the McKenzie kid.

 

IMO he has a long, long way to go and I think there is too much growth required for him to be a key to next season. Two players to watch are Chase Maus and Max Nussbaum. Chase is way ahead of McKenzie IMO. Chase is big (6'5" and wide frame), has very good hands and a real nice shooting touch. He is close to being a factor every night. Keep working hard and get stronger then play physical next year and he could be something. If Max can work hard on his shot and get it going, then he too will be tough to stop. Just needs to get more under control on the floor. His speed and quickness are so good he needs to learn that when he plays at 85% of his speed he is still the fastest player on the floor most nights. Get a shot to make them play him honest and he could be something special.

 

We all have our opinions on coaches. I think Rick does a nice job with BW. I've always like the offense he runs. I just don't think he usually has enough basketball players.

 

That isn't a problem these days. Shumate has plenty of good athletes focused completely on basketball. Beechwood is much like a lot of other schools now in that more and more athletes are one sport focused. On the basketball team, I believe only three players also played football and maybe one or two play baseball. The other 12 kids or so on the JV/varsity roster are basketball only.

 

The Divisions are divided up basically by enrollment, I do believe they are intended to act like conferences, but it requires the DIII schools to play each other in a home and home round robin each year thus taking up 14 games of your schedule. Since coach Shumate took over at Beechwood, they are 55-1 at the varisty level and I think they have only three losses at the JV level. I think the feeling was that Beechwood needed to be able to free up some games in order to get better prepared for the post season run. Watching the teams play over the past few years from a fan stand point I think Beechwood will miss playing the DIII schools, but in order to get over the hump to be competitive night in and night out they had to move up.

 

Good move by Beechwood. A nice move to the next level of challenges. Upgrade the schedule. Beating up on 2/3 of the teams on the schedule isn't helpful at tournament time. I like this move.

It's actually size driven as I understand, but some schools petition to play up. Holmes has always played up, but now is moving back down to D-II where their current size dictates. Schools like Brossart & NCC moved up to D-II years ago to better the competition, and allow for more flexible scheduling. This year D-II consists of Holmes, Highlands, Holy Cross, NCC, St. Henry, Brossart, Newport and now Beechwood if I'm not forgetting anyone?

 

How can Holmes be a division II school? How many kids do they have in the high school? what is the requirement for a DII school?

How can Holmes be a division II school? How many kids do they have in the high school? what is the requirement for a DII school?

 

Check out the KHSAA enrollments and you will see why Holmes is in the DII. They just dropped back down, and the DII does not have a weak road, Highlands, NCC, St. Henry, Newport, Holy Cross, Lloyd, Beechwood, Holmes.

 

Remember these divisions are only for NKY conference play! It gives the teams something to brag about if they win the division is all it is, maybe put a banner in the gym!

Just saw Beechwoods schedule for next year, 1st of all sorry to Bishop Brossart for leaving them off the DII list earlier, Tigers have a interesting 1st month of the season!

 

12/10 Conner; 12/13 Pendleton Co.; 12/14 Dixie Heights; 12/16 Mason Co.; 12/28-12/30 Pikeville INVT.; 1/3 Bishop Brossart; 1/6 Covington Catholic; 1/7 Shelby Co.

 

The rest of the schedule is more of the same! Sounds like the Tigers are going to be bringing it every night from here on out!

Just saw Beechwoods schedule for next year, 1st of all sorry to Bishop Brossart for leaving them off the DII list earlier, Tigers have a interesting 1st month of the season!

 

12/10 Conner; 12/13 Pendleton Co.; 12/14 Dixie Heights; 12/16 Mason Co.; 12/28-12/30 Pikeville INVT.; 1/3 Bishop Brossart; 1/6 Covington Catholic; 1/7 Shelby Co.

 

The rest of the schedule is more of the same! Sounds like the Tigers are going to be bringing it every night from here on out!

 

 

Other than Dixie the other 9th region teams on that list are filled with unknowns and question marks. Conner will have only one player that didn't play JV last year. CCH returns very few points. Both could be good but it make take a while to get there. So BW may be getting them at the right time.

Other than Dixie the other 9th region teams on that list are filled with unknowns and question marks. Conner will have only one player that didn't play JV last year. CCH returns very few points. Both could be good but it make take a while to get there. So BW may be getting them at the right time.

 

Beechwood has always played those two teams in fact, since Shumate took over he is 2-2 vs. Conner and 2-3 vs CCH.

 

They also play , Holy Cross, Holmes, NCC, Boone Co., St. Henry, Highlands, Newport, Lloyd, ALL A, Bellevue and Villa, sounds like a pretty tough schedule to me. Minus Ryle in the 9th who arent they playing who will be in top 10, no one?

The Beechwood Tigers roll into the 2011-2012 season with a new coach, Mike Miller. Word on the street is he has his boys well conditioned, and is looking to make a run at districts and quite possibly regions. The team is lead by center Mitchell Mckenzie. He has gained 20 pounds this off season, and has learned an excellent jump hook. Him and his brother, Griffin Mckenzie a PF at Xavier, have been working hard this summer perfecting Mitch's game. Baker Prewitt will be commander and chief of the tiger's offense. Prewitt will be a good floor general. RJ Estrella at shooting guard has excellent form. He is very quick with the ball, and could make an impact this season. Starter since freshman year, Max Nussbaum, looks to have yet another terrific year. He drives to the hole with determination, which gets him a lot of good looks. Power Forward Corey Cruse will be the difference maker for the tigers this season. If he perfects his jump shot, and learns to body up against bigs look for him to have a breakout season. Corey has gained a lot of muscle and is stronger than ever. Chase Maus, also starter from freshman year, looks to be another impact player. Gage Erdman coming off the bench could be the X-Factor this team needs with his very agressive play. As of right now it looks like Beechwood star running back, Cameron Vocke, is going to play. He, of course, is very fast. He could be a slash player, and be a vital part of the Tigers attack. All in all, look for the Tigers to have a good season. Mike Miller is a great coach, and will do wonders for the Beechwood basketball program.

 

Thoughts?

No doubt that Coach Miller will do an excellent job with the Red and White Tigers.

 

The Tigers have made a huge jump this year in the NKAC Conference this season, going from Division III which they have won in recent years to Division II, home of Holmes, NewCath, Brossart, Holy Cross, St. Henry, Lloyd, Highlands, Newport. This will be a huge challenge for them. It will also provide them with a competition base that will allow them to become a better basketball program in the long run.

 

I wish Coach Miller and the Tigers the best of luck this season, and look forward to seeing them in Alexandria on January 3rd.

Big, big challenge in year one for Coach Miller. Coach Shumate was a heck of a coach and took the Tigers to a higher level. We know the Tigers of this year are not going to have the record we have seen the last few years because of the step up in schedule and class in the NKAC. The Tigers have size but where do the points come from? That is the big question. There is some talent. There is some size. Are there enough basketball players? It is going to be interesting to see. Best of luck to the Tigers and Coach Miller!

Big, big challenge in year one for Coach Miller. Coach Shumate was a heck of a coach and took the Tigers to a higher level. We know the Tigers of this year are not going to have the record we have seen the last few years because of the step up in schedule and class in the NKAC. The Tigers have size but where do the points come from? That is the big question. There is some talent. There is some size. Are there enough basketball players? It is going to be interesting to see. Best of luck to the Tigers and Coach Miller!

 

Couldnt agree more VOR. Cruse/Mckenzie/Maus have to be forces in the paint and Prewitt/Estrella have to distribute the ball and make shots. Monster Potential for this squad, hopefully it shows!

Edited November 16, 201114 yr by TheTigerZone
Grammar error

How big is Mitchell Mckenzie?

The key for BW is the development of McKenzie on the offensive end.

How big is Mitchell Mckenzie?

 

I believe 6'5".

 

Maus is 6'5". Cruse is 6'5". Eyckmans (if he plays) is 6'4".

I believe 6'5".

 

Maus is 6'5". Cruse is 6'5". Eyckmans (if he plays) is 6'4".

 

McKenzie is a good 6'8". He has been working very hard this year to improve his offensive game. I believe you will see a "new" Mitch McKenzie. His brother has been instrumental in his improvement.