hittheboards19

Intriguing question about the Highlands and Holy Cross defenses. It appears they've had 11 common opponents. Assuming that the scores as listed are accurate, and that I haven't made a mistake in tallying: Holy Cross held eight of those teams to lower point totals (Dixie, Brossart, Newport, Notre Dame, Cooper, Holmes, Beechwood and St. Henry). The noteworthy disparities are Brossart (18 fewer v. HC as compared to one of its games against Highlands, and 24 fewer than in its other game against Highlands) ... Notre Dame (18 fewer v. HC) ... Holmes (22 fewer v. HC) ... and Dixie (22 fewer v. HC). Highlands held two of those common opponents to lower point totals (Boone and Conner). The only big disparity was Boone (17 fewer v. Highlands). The 11th common opponent was Newport Central Catholic, which scored 40 against Highlands and then 39 v. Holy Cross on a neutral court and 62 against HC on the Hill. Looking at their season, three Holy Cross' games stand out: During the Republic Bank Classic tourney, Holy Cross held 18-6 George Rogers Clark to 33 points. Outside of that game, GRC is averaging 63 a game, and the team's previous low (against 21-5 Whitley County) was 42. I saw the HC-GRC game. It was one where every possession counted. Also, HC held NCC to 39 in one of their games. Outside that game, NCC is averaging 59. Until the Notre Dame game of this week, that was NCC's low point total for the season. Again, a game where every possession counted (especially the last possession for NCC!) And finally, this game the other night, (Brossart, 27 points.) Outside that game, Brossart is averaging 53 with a previous low of 40. Note that HC was missing a starter (its "other" big), who is the team's defensive quarterback. She's missed an array of games, played just a couple of minutes in the 6-point loss to Notre Dame and played hurt in the games against NewCath. Highlands held NCC and Boone County each to 40. Other than those games, I can't ascertain from mere scores what Highlands' most impressive defensive effort was. They played tough against two great downstate opponents: 19-6 Sacred Heart and 18-7 Mason County, but neither game appears to have been a defensive gem (SH averaging 61, scored 59 v. Highlands) and (Mason averaging 58, 56 v. Highlands). But I'm probably overlooking something. In the Holy Cross v. Highlands matchup early in the season at Highlands, if I remember correctly, HC held Highlands to 10 points in the first half -- all foul shots. In the second half, a couple of Highlands' good shooters got hot from long range, HC got itself in foul trouble and HC hurt itself with missed late foul shots, and Highlands won by 4 in overtime. (The caveat to all this, of course, is that scores on a game-by-game list don't speak to the myriad and important single-night intangibles like foul trouble ... match-up woes ... injuries or girls playing "sick" ... home-court advantage ... or another team's player getting hot one night.) The bottom line: Both Highlands and HC have great defenses. Both coaches stress defense, and it's obvious that the girls from both teams buy into the philosophy and really work at it. I'm not as familiar with Highland's offense, but Holy Cross plays at such a measured pace offensively that its defense benefits. Kudos to both the Indians and Bluebirds. Thanks.