Divided House

97' Mud Bowl Cov. Cath vs Highlands. If you don't believe me just You Tube it.

Not sure if you realize. Each coach gets to nominate 5 players from their own team. Are you questioning Highlands coaches?

So let me color this in crayon for our NEERfan. There is no jumping up and down year to year. 4yrs ago Beechwood played in the large school division and went through those teams like warm butter. It is easy to do with the likes of Stringer, Combs, Slusher, etc. The following year they played in the large school division because that was the only division with ~15 players all year. They physically took a beating with teams that had ~25-35 players. The year after that 2014 the coaches association decided to have a big school and a froshmore league. Due to size Beechwood was put in the smaller because they cannot forecast the numbers they will have each year. They are a 1A school with ~40 boys in the 9th grade competing with soccer, band, and cross country. So they are lucky if they get 20 players. Last year they lost to CCH and Scott twice with all of the other games fairly competitive. Again this year it was decided by the coaches association to keep the big school/froshmore schedules the same as last year since both were considered a success. Beechwood is fortunate enough to have a very talented freshmen class this year with the small numbers. They could compete in the larger division if that was where they were placed. Who would have thought the likes of Scott, NCC, etc. would not be very good even with playing sophomores. Some of the smaller schools have backed out of playing them in the next 2 weeks. I would believe there is an open invitation to any of the larger schools SK included if they would like to play. Beechwood does not jump up and down divisions as you may think. They are placed in the divisions the coaches association sees fit. If the froshmore division were to go defunct I would guess you would see the tigers in the large division again. Don't displace how good the freshmen tigers are due to the scores you see. They are a very good team. Just ask any of the CCH fans that got to see first hand. Ask one of the CCH fans if they think Beechwood could compete with the big schools this year. My guess is that they would say yes. My Top 5 1. Beechwood 2. Highlands 3. CCH 4. Campbell Co. 5. Ryle

The fact that CCH plays on Saturday's and it gets everyone worked up is exactly why they should not stray from tradition. Playing on Saturday gives them an advantage in that the coaches can scout on Friday's for the next game and the players know how to get themselves ready for a Saturday game (mentally and physically). If the current players do not like the Saturday schedule they do not understand the tradition and/or have selfish reasons.

If you don't think that the coaches used the younger girls to better their program you need to think again. Scott was a much better team with the younger girls than without. Every varsity coach understands that there is a chance a middle school player can go elsewhere. However if those players give them a better opportunity to win they will play them. It's like saying Coach Cal shouldn't play the freshmen because they are only going to be there for one year. You play the best players on the team and in the program until they are not there anymore.

Biggest question for SK is going to be pitcher. Lang threw some last year but has had some arm injuries in the past and no one know if she will pitch. They return 5 starters but if they cannot find someone to take the mound it will be rough. This is uncharted territory for SK. Having the Morgan's for the past 6+ years was a huge luxury.

Koors from Cooper IMO is the best all around in NKy. She hits and plays great defense. The Finke girl from NDA is an excellent hitter and will be noticed more for her catching having Smith throw to her. Although not 9th region but from NKy is Baugh from SK. She will be starting her third year behind the plate and has a better than average bat.

Consistently would be every other year or every third year to beat HHS. I am not naive enough to think they could beat them for a 4 or 5 year period. Being able to do that will go hand in hand with winning a state championship. We all know that the best team in 4A will more than likely be the favorite for the state title.

Dave Wirth is the best thing that happened to that program since Lynn Ray retired. Sure he wants to see what is out there. As some of you may or may not remember Lynn Ray could of had the Ryle job and a number of college jobs. Coach Wirth will make the best decision not only for his family but for the Covington Catholic football program. He has strong ties to the community now and his wife is a NDA alum. I believe he feels there is some unfinished business in Park Hills and will remain there until he can consistently win a state championship and beat HHS.

Yes Simon and Walton graduated a lot of key players but as long as the Thacker girl is on the hill they will have a chance to win every game. Simon will have to depend on hitting and hope that Lang can pitch enough for them to be competitive. Both teams return 4 or 5 starters but any time you lose a Ginn or Morgan it is hard to find replacements. As far as the 8th region goes the 2 girls I remember from Anderson Co. will be forces for some time. I don't know their names but it is the catcher and shortstop. If I recall both are very young but they are very talented girls.

If it is ok for coach Marksberry to take his daughter to NDA open house then why is it not ok with the Racke's going to CCH open house. I don't think the family has ever said that Cameron was not going to SK. I would be willing to bet that they just wanted to see what the school was like since Cameron plays basketball with Cole VonHandorf. If I were a betting man I would say Cameron will wear SK blue for the next 4 years.

Easy path to the state title really!! Easy competition huh? BW's schedule is one of the more competitive schedules you will find. They go out and look for the bigger tougher teams to play. They have not dodged the likes of CCH or the Birds. And as far as winning the state title it has been a few years since they have won it. I don't think your beloved school could match up with Mayfield either. I would be willing to say that every year BW has won State they were the 2nd best team in NKY behind only the Birds.

If everyone posting and/or reading this thread is foolish enough to think that this does not happen at every other school around take off your blinders. Teenagers have ways of finding alcohol with or without a parent's help. It is unfortunate that teenagers make such bad decisions at times. I applaud Coach Rash for holding his players accountable and I wish more coaches and schools would hold their students and players more accountable.

Ohio Hawks

Abby has pitched her summer team to back to back national championships 12U and 14U. She will be a nice compliment to Hayley.