thisguy

The Conner vs Cooper game this evening is being played at Cooper as part of the JV tournament. Freshman and Varsity are playing tonight as well. The JV game was cancelled last week due to weather, so they are going to use this game tonight for tournament purposes. Should be a good game. Teams have split this year 1-1.

Adam Yeager and Jacob Gilbreath

Count me as one who was very surprised and disappointed with the Conner effort in this game. Up to this point, the Cougars had been playing some pretty good basketball up through the Lloyd tourney. This was a head scratcher. Been a long time since I've seen them that genuinely disinterested. I'm sure the layoff with the weather issues was a factor in their ball handling, shooting, etc. That said, no excuse for lack of effort. Kudos to the Crusaders who played well and obviously wanted this game more.

Andrew did not start in the game since he missed a week of practice while attending the festivities in San Antonio. However, he entered the game after a few minutes and did play significant minutes. Understandably, he looked a little off as did the entire Conner team since they were not able to practice or play for 3 days heading into this game due to weather cancellations. St. Henry played on Monday and I assume they were also "allowed" to practice on Tuesday and the difference in the two teams' effort level was evident. Very, very sloppy game for Conner.

Game will broadcasted starting at 630 pm on ConnerCougarFootball.com and also on Ihigh.com/connercougars. I believe Aaron Stamm, Terry Barker, and Chet Gambrel will be in the booth calling the game.

Landon is a great kid who plays as hard as anyone day in and day out. He is unselfish and a true team player. He has a decent shot, but he makes his living driving to the basket and offensive stick-backs. Could improve his defensive mechanics. Saw many times last year his man blow by him. I think part of that is that he sometimes plays too hard, if that's possible. His one negative is that he tends to be his own worse critic and beats himself up if he makes a mistake. Then one mistake quickly becomes two, then three, etc. As a senior, I am looking for him to mature and emerge as a leader of the team this year. I think he has the potential to be a very good player this year and could be the X-factor for Conner's success.

I think Cameron is well aware that he will have to battle not only for his spot but playing time year in and year out. True, they have a talented class coming in next year, as well as some stud receivers. If I know Cameron, and I think I do, that will further propel him to work his tail off. Competition can be a very good think and make each player, as well as the team, much better. I've seen many of these 3 and 4 star receivers play and I agree with Hellbird, he was just as good if not better than Timmons and many others who are on the way. That drive, along with a very, very big chip on his shoulder should ensure his success.

I really believe Cameron will make an impact during his time at UK. It is still mind-boggling to me that he didn't receive more (if any) D-1 offers. I can really seeing him excelling in this new offense and being successful in the Dickey Lyons/Derek Abney mold.

I'd throw Alec Garnett from Conner into this conversation.

Great kid who works hard. Agree, this is the first of many offers to come. Anyone know how his knees are these days? I know he had some issues in his younger days, most I which I believe we're attributed to his growing so fast.

I completely agree he has bigger and better things ahead of him, and it wasn't worth the risk to get more seriously injured with such a great opportunity in front of him. But to my point, you stated that he would not have missed a football game, which I think we can agree, is much more taxing and physically demanding on the body, especially with an injury. However, he did miss at least 10 baseball games, and I know Conner was 1-8 at one point in the games he did not play in at all. That just reiterates the fact that football is his true love and where is focus is, and there's absolutey nothing wrong with that. I do know he's been trying to find someone to throw to him and run routes and that is great. I love the dedication and willingness to work and get better. However, in baseball season I think you owe it to yourself and your teammates to be dedicated to that sport during that particular season, especially if you are nursing an injury. I did struggle commenting on Cam that way, because I know how tough he is and I know how hard he works at football, but I do think some of the kids knew he could play if he really wanted to and I think that added to some of the distractions. There was even some talk that if Conner made a deep run that they would lose Cam because he would be enrolled at UK and ineligible to play in state tourney. We are in 100% agreement that this was not an overriding factor on the disappointing season, but I felt it was worth mentioning along with the other factors I observed from my own personal standpoint. Again, HUGE Cameron Fogle fan here. I've enjoyed watching him for alot of years and am really looking forward to watching him at UK. I expect him to be a huge success there and play with a major chip on his shoulder.

Ditto. I've been to literally thousands of baseball games at all levels. I have never seen that.

Disappointing season for Conner, who was ranked as high as #1 in some pre-season polls. I try to stay too unopinionated on here, and just relay stats and facts, but here are a few of my thoughts on the season as someone who saw alot of Conner baseball this year. Injuries and distractions were their undoing. I applaud Arlo for letting Maines go, but it should have done a month ago, perhaps even after last season. The inconsistency of him in and out of the line up for suspensions and the theatrics that came with it were hard to manage. I was told last night that Shawnee State really wanted him, but have dropped him off their radar now (that is hearsay). Unfortunately, Blake Hart had his occasional melt downs, too, which led to a new seating policiy at the Conner field because of parent issues at one particular game (fans are no longer to sit behind the backstop). Injuries to Fogle, Henry, Hart, and Williams didn't help things. Fogle wasn't right all year physically with the hamstring. I also think he may have been a little more mentally focused on getting to UK in 2 weeks than baseball, which is natural, but that hurt the team, too (I say that as a HUGE HUGE Cameron Fogle fan). I think he was the best all-around player in the region when healthy, but I think we are all aware that his first love is football. When you lose not only your two best players (Fogle and Maines), but arguably 2 of the best players in the Region, it's gonna create a tough hill to climb. Padgett did not hit the way he did last year, and they missed his consistency at the plate, especially considering the factors above, although he did pitch well and played solid defensively. There were some bright spots. Cameron Ross really impressed me both at the plate and on the mound. He's one to watch next year. I thought Hart developed well behind the plate and threw out his share of baserunners. Austin Brake had a nice comeback season. Blaise Ostertag had a solid year as a sophmore. And I'd be amiss if I didn't congratulate Arlo on dropping 70 pounds this season, wow! Conner loses alot, I believe 7 seniors, so it will be interesting to see how some of the younger kids develop and how roles will be designated next year. Thank you to all the seniors for your hard work the past 4 years, and good luck to next year's players!

But I'm sad to say he won't.

Wasn't there but heard both Biegs and Hollis went nuts, and it was rightfully so. Heard Biegs was still going hard after the game and Arlo and Stellman had to intervene. Gotta love Biegs. Going down in a blaze of glory!

You aren't kidding. Here's what I have as the official tally: Fogle-has missed about 10 games with a hamstring. Has started to DH again but clearly isn't able to accelerate (starting CF) Maines-dismissed from the team about a week ago (starting 3B and ace of the staff) Henry-busted his ankle this week playing basketball and is in a cast (starting 2B) Hart-left game last night in the 5th inning after taking a foul ball off his forearm (starting catcher) Williams-did not play last night due to an injury which I am unsure about (starting SS) That is 5 very important pieces and they are still finding ways to win. Bats have been quiet but pitching has been excellent, which has been a huge in their wins. Felt bad for the Lloyd CF. As mentioned, pretty routine fly ball that was dropped to end the game. You don't want to see that happen to anyone.

Hunter "Indiana" Sutphin went the distance for Conner.

Just curious, but is this restricted to athletes only? Let's say a stellar student wants to get done a semester early and get to college ASAP. Has anyone ever heard of someone doing that? Seems the only time I've heard this it revolves around athletics, especially football.

Thank you for clarification. I was not at the game so my "texter" was incorrect. Didn't mean to slight Dustin. Been hitting the ball hard all year.

The Crusaders score 3 in the first and couldn't muster anything else. Conner chipped away and trailed 3-2 in the top 7. They scored 4 in the inning with the big hit being a 2 out, 2 run double by Jared Williams. Blaise Ostertag had 2 doubles on the night. Cameron Ross with another fine outing for the Cougars. Fogle sighting as he pinch hit. Was intentionally walked then was pinch ran for.

T Known Ray Ray a long time. Wish him all the best!

Conner was up 6-2 in the 5th. Ryle scored 5 runs on 1 hit. A lead-off walk and 5 errors in the inning did the Cougars in. Best of luck to both teams tomorrow in the finals!

Good catch. It was the top of the 5th.

And I will tell you #14 from Conner blocked the plate and had a Dixie player slide (feet first) into his glove which bent back his right thumb which was on top of the ball in his glove on the tag, and subsequently broke it. Again, not saying it was dirty. But, I'm sure the Conner coaches remembered it and perhaps that had something to do with them being a little more aggressive this evening in a game with a comfortable lead. Not to mention it was freshman baseball in the regional quarterfinals where anything can happen at anytime. And I don't need to say or do anything to make the Dixie coach look bad. He does a fine job of that all on his own.

Already asked him and confirmed. It was NO WAY a head first slide. Again, I saw it with my own eyes and have first-hand knowledge it was a foot-first slide. I will say it's controversial if it was a "dirty" slide, in fact, I'd say it was just a hard slide into home, but there's no way I will concede the Dixie player slid head-first nor will you ever convince me the ball was "tossed" into an "empty" Dixie dugout.