MyOpin

Hey Stang ... probably just means that parents from his current team are floating the rumors :lol2:

Was impressed by Raider’s interior passing ... quick crisp passing ... when they get to the lane they find a good shot. Birds (and everybody else) will have to find a way to deal with their athleticism.

Second half both teams went zone and both offenses struggled a little bit.

I hear ya. But the guys that go both ways did it last year as well, and did it very well during the playoffs.

Seems reasonable to think that Eddie's experience at NCC ... where two way players were a necessity ... has helped shaped an approach for managing it at CC. In the previous game his two-way guys did not play every down.

It's been 43 years since a small school won the boys' state soccer title (KCD in 1975).

 

It's been 20 years since a small school played in the championship.

 

It's time to classify soccer folks.

Seems the All A Tourney helps to address the concern. But a two or three class system might be interesting to debate. Even more interesting if the classes aren’t just based on the size of the school! Systems that consider the competitiveness of the program provide the best sporting experience. I wouldn’t want to adopt the football class structure. Too watered down. Especially after some of the smaller schools dropped football ... five or six first round byes.

Any insights? I didn't make it out ... maybe not a bad thing since KHSAA set the ticket price at $10. Price of success I guess.

The cake eaters forking out a lot of dough this year with both teams playing in the tourney.

Question: Does the post game NDA prayer circle only include the opponent when NDA wins?

Disclaimer: The following comments refer to small groups of people and not intended to be blanket commentary on either side.

I was standing behind the NDA cheering section during the "prayer circle" ... the negative comments from the NDA group regarding their assumption that Highlands opted out was silly ... sore loser comments.

Moments later, and equally as embarrassing IMO, were the comments from the Highland's supporters suggesting that NDA didn't extend an invite or proceeded without them.

At that point in time, there was no way either group of supporters could have known what caused that situation. Preconceived hatred for the other program ruled their thoughts. I hope the God the kids were praying to can smile at the irony! We provide a lot for Him to laugh at.

Hellacious group of athletes being discussed in this thread. I really respect the multi-sport success! Smith and Jacobs even having the opportunity to do it in college is impressive.

Mayer is definitely a big dude. Does he have the frame to add the size needed to be an NFL TE prospect? Is there any chance he winds up as DE/LB ... like Connor Barwin.

Congrats to both for taking care of business. Sets up for a great final.

Are both teams at full strength?

Even with recent regular season upsets and ties ... I'd be surprised if NDA and Highlands weren't playing for the regional title on Thurs. Possible that one of the other regional teams bunkers in and gets a W against either NDA or Highlands ... especially with the talent in the goal for teams like St. Henry, NCC, and Dixie ... but for third party observers, an NDA v Highlands final would be entertaining.

It'll be interesting to see how this continues to develop.

The connection to the men's DA initiative is relatively straight forward. Build a pipeline for talent to their MLS team. Economic model is clear.

With no pro women's team in Cincy the connection isn't as clear. But there is some evidence of a connection ... they provide a sponsorship as stated above and also evidenced by FC Cincinnati being on the front of the Cincinnati DA jersey's. Berding was heavily involved in women's local club soccer when he was with Hammer and helped with the Kings - Hammer merger. The girl's DA wear the same colors ... doesn't seem like a coincidence.

With the new training facility maybe they'll be able to offer additional support via access to their facility. That's got to be a big expense for the DA club.

If the NWSL can grow/develop (or at least stabilize) it would be great to see a women's pro team in Cincy.

Yes, it is a coach’s decision, but those 2 girls would likely start on every high school team in NKY.

My gut reaction to this statement was "pump the brakes" ... but after considering it, I think its accurate. I'm not convinced they'd start at CB or up the spine on every NKY team ... but that's a different claim.

Wondering if they were open to letting a smaller school (one that typically meets the All "A" criteria) play in the Kentucky 2A?

1. Having District & Conference scheduling requirements can handcuff schools from putting together a more challenging schedule. Non competitive matches is the result.

 

You bristled at the suggestion that your plan was aimed solely at the higher level teams yet you make this statement that clearly does not consider the middle to lower level teams in terms of talent. Is a more competitive environment ONLY for what you consider to be the "upper level" teams? I coach at one of the perceived "have nots" and we absolutely relish the opportunity to play against the local powers. We get better EVERY TIME we play a game like that. Yes, we've taken some absolute beatings, and we're better for it. EVERY TIME.

 

Small schools were basically shamed into voting FOR district seeding (I voted in favor by the way) and now the resulting match-ups are being questioned by some (specifically you) as to the value for those teams that are stronger. It cannot be both ways. Don't like the Conference set-up? Easy answer, drop out. But when you do, remember that the school drops out in ALL sports, not just soccer. An occasional blow-out is hardly worth being concerned about. Play the back-ups, work on skill development, work on defense, bring up freshmen. there are plenty of alternatives when you have a program that is that strong.

Regarding first question ... No, I don't think so. Realigning the conferences, on a sport specific basis, adds competitive balance across all three levels. As mentioned, they did if for football ... why not other sports.

Regarding use of term "have nots" in quotes. Those are your words not mine. I played at a school that took more than its fair share of mercy rule games. I wouldn't refer to my team or teammates as "have nots". With hindsight and putting bravado aside, I wish my HS coach had more freedom to schedule games against competition that more closely aligned with our level of play. It would have been better for everyone. Promotion/Relegation systems work and they are used in almost all soccer environments ... Pro (except for MLS...another thread maybe), club, etc. Why not use them in HS?

To be clear ... after asking the question and getting a better understanding of the District alignments, I've backed off making an adjustment to Districts. Leave it to whatever you guys decide is the best for your district. I do think there's an opportunity to make an adjustment at the Conference level.

Regarding dropping out of conferences ... I'm not looking for "easy answers" ... like dropping out. I'm offering alternative ideas to consider. Maybe I'm way off base, but given your Bulldog alias, I'd be willing to bet your AD is a huge supporter of conferences.

I'd be sincerely interested in hearing what your AD thinks about conferences, why they were implemented, what problems they solved back at the time they were implemented, and if he thinks there is opportunity for improvement and/or tweaking on a sport by sport basis.

I don’t remember seeing a suggestion of promotion/relegation. Which doesn’t really make sense when you wouldn’t have to play every team in the conference? Is the promotion/relegation determined by the one or two games within your bracket of the conference?

 

And again, high school soccer isn’t about winning and losing or even that only the “best” team advance (see state tournament) it’s about participation. If a weaker team wants to play a stronger one it shouldn’t be the stronger team that gets to make the determination. It should be the weaker.

Admittedly the "proposal/idea" morphed as more was learned about the existing District and Conference alignments ... but here's the gist:

1. Having District & Conference scheduling requirements can handcuff schools from putting together a more challenging schedule. Non competitive matches is the result.

2. Since the District games have seeding implications, leave those to be worked out among the member schools.

3. Assuming there's good logic and reason behind the Conference affiliations (I'd guess they were instituted to solve some problems), let's look to improve how conferences are aligned. If the Conferences had better competitive alignment, I think schools would take them more seriously and we'd get the added benefit of reducing the number of non-competitive matches. It appears that the Conferences were aligned using the size of the school to set the Conference. I tend think other considerations could be evaluated. And I think they should be considered on a sport by sport basis. They did it for football ... so precedence has been set. Here are some ideas: (i.) realign the Conferences using competitive measures, (ii.) institute a promotion/relegation mechanism for future realignment (you win your conference you get to move up or you finish last you move down), (iii.) reduce the number of teams in the "top" conference so they are offered more schedule flexibility to add out of region competitive matches (OH, IN, or other KY schools).

Each of the top two conferences currently have eight teams ... so that's 7 conference games. I'd propose the top conference has six teams (could be convinced it needs to be seven). So that's 5 conference games instead of 7. So we've improved the competitiveness of the conference and we've added two flex game to schedule competitive games outside the region.

IMO, these ideas don't negatively impact the "participation", "winning/losing", or state tournament concerns. And I don't see the logic in the idea that the "weaker" team should get to determine whether they get to play a "stronger" team ... I think that's a mutual decision based on the best interest of the kids.

The problem with that is that it really only considers the upper teams. The lower skills may want to play better teams for experience. They deserve that right. High school sports is about participating, not winning.

 

Under the current system they can choose to take a loss in the conference if they don’t want to play. If they want to though, the “better” team shouldn’t be allowed to refuse.

I respectfully disagree with the bolded. Adjusting the conferences and using a promotion/relegation model to readjust in the future helps all three levels. Organize conferences so that the level you play is earned and at the same time you offer better match ups that promote development and improvement. I fail to see how the 10-0 blowouts help either team and I've been on the losing end of the 10-0 games...no thanks.

Cov Caths district traditionally did a “random” draw. Not sure that is still the case. Their district is stronger than it used to be.

 

While playing Ohio teams is good experience it shouldn’t make up the bulk of the schedule for a KY team.

I'm suggesting that a sport specific conference shake up could be interesting ... along with adding 1 or 2 additional Ohio games taking place of the 10-0, 7-0, etc. blowouts that District and Conference scheduling forces you to schedule. Not thinking of making it the bulk of the schedule. Currently teams play a couple Ohio teams ... would like to give them the flexibility to make that three to five.

Taking a look at your Division 1 grouping brought the following question. Why did Highlands not schedule Simon Kenton this year?

I have no idea. But put them in the same conference and take it out of their hands!

Traveling to Ohio requires transportation from the school correct? Or has that changed in the last few years where kids can be transported by parents? How many games does Highlands have on their schedule this year that are outside of NKY? They have to play Bellevue, Dayton, Newport and NCC because the district seeds based upon the results of those games. And before you say it, Dayton beat NCC in softball this spring to advance to the regionals.

I don’t know whether HHS policy requires bus for Ohio games. Would seem odd that traveling to Anderson would be different than travel to a school like Conner or Boone.

Admittedly the district seeding is a hurdle ... but I’ve heard Cov Cath and their district has figured it out. It just takes ADs and coaches that are willing to think big picture.

But let’s not make this discussion specific to HHS. I think considering a change would be better for a lot of schools.

Care to elaborate on this a little? Based upon what I have read elsewhere, it would appear that there are some that are playing for themselves and not the team?

Was informed that the decision to sit players was related to minor discipline issues associated with tardiness and listening skills. Didn't seem like a significant issue and I applaud the coach for handing out a little discipline and still getting a result. And your second question/comment seems like an overstatement based on observing last night's game. Plenty of combination play creating chances. Take your axe elsewhere.

The thing that you have to remember about scheduling games outside of your area is the cost of travel. I can tell you from the perspective of the Highlands programs this is a very BIG deal and a big reason that many games against downstate competition do not occur. They will get a nice dose of good soccer in a few weeks when they head to Lexington.

That doesn't apply to possible match ups with teams like: Loveland, St. Ursula, Mason, Summit, MND, Indian Hill, Cincy Country Day, Sycamore, Anderson, Ursuline, Lakota East, Lakota West, Oak Hills, ... list goes on. A schedule with these teams instead of drubbing conference and district opponents is what I'm proposing.

Maybe add one more Louisville or Lex team ... home and home so you're only traveling every other year.

High school soccer needs more games like the Highlands v Summit Country Day game from last night. Two evenly matched teams with a result not determined until the very last second. NKAC needs to put this stuff on the table and find ways to help schools improve their programs by making their games more meaningful ... help it grow!

Birds head one home at the buzzer to get the 2-1 result. Ball crossed the goal line with 1 sec left on the clock. Quick throw in, one v one attack resulting in a shot off the cross bar, gets deflected, and left winger is in the right spot to calmly head it to the back corner.

Pretty even match ... both played similar styles. Summit scored first off a rebounded shot. Birds first goal came in second half from a PK ... handling in the box. Birds had more of the ball in the second half which created more chances. Summit had a few dangerous counter attacks but didn't capitalize.

Coaches decision left a few Birds on the bench to start the game and a few who didn't see time until the second half. When the team was at full strength in the second half they were more difficult for Summit to handle.

I think what Maher does is a very statistically valid approach to rankings. Best we have. But take them with a grain of salt. Designing an objective measurable approach for subjective qualities is difficult. At best they provide an idea of the level of your competition but more often they create a false sense of accomplishment. Teams and coaches that are often at the top of the rankings tend to blow them off and teams working their way up tend to put too much emphasis on them.

What really matters is that Calvary is having a great year compared to its history and expectations. Enjoy it!

I found their website () ... bylaws, etc. Seems they allowed alternative Divisions for football ... so dare to dream ... I'd propose the following Division realignment for Women's Soccer (maybe to be reassessed every year in promotion/relegation format):

Div 1

Dixie, Highlands, NCC, Notre Dame, Ryle, St. Henry, Simon Kenton

Div 2

Boone, Campbell, Cooper, Conner, Beechwood, Scott, Bishop Brossart, Holmes, Holy Cross

Div 3

Newport, Bellevue, Calvary, Dayton, Heritage, Ludlow, Villa, Silver Grove

Having fewer teams in Div 1 gives those teams an opportunity to add a few more OH or competitive Louisville/Lexington matches. Also attempts to add competitive balance across the other divisions.

Just an idea ... open to alternatives.

Division 1

Boone, Campbell, Conner, Cooper, Cov Cath, Dixie, Notre Dame, Ryle, Scott, Simon Kenton

 

Division 2

Beechwood, Bishop Brossart, Highlands, Holmes, Holy Cross, Newport, NCC, St. Henry

Thanks for the info!

Youch ... seven games locked into the Conference Division seems unfortunate. There can be a lot of variability from year to year, but Div 2 has a risk of producing a lot of mismatches for women's soccer. If I had a decent team, I'd be interested in removing the scheduling handcuffs or let me compete in Div 1.

There has to be some good reasons to have these conferences. Too many good guys/gals have served as ADs over the years to put this in place unless its serving a purpose. Does it help keep things (aka money) local? Does in ensure that schools don't get black balled from getting scheduled?