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8th Results

Pius over IHM big

Highlands over Ballyshannon by 13

Pius vs Highlands Thursday in the semifinals

To me at this point in the season, St. Henry, Highlands, NCC, Connor, and Beechwood seem to be rather evenly matched.

 

Sure, a case could be made for this team over that team, but I believe that on any given night anyone of these teams could beat the other, and maybe even at a 50/50 rate all around.

 

As some have said that it's a down year for the 9th, I ain't buying it. With these first 5 teams that I've mentioned there's some incredible talent all around. Sure CovCath is in another prep school league of their own, but aside from them, it's another exciting year in the 9th with lots of talented teams.

 

Same thing regarding being evenly matched could be said about Holy Cross, Holmes, Lloyd, Cooper, Newport, Ryle, and maybe even Dixie with their horrible w/l record.

 

There's also some decent talent that can be found with that bunch.

 

Boone hangs there alone in being lesser than the aforementioned teams, and better than the rest of the pack.

 

Then you have Ludlow and Villa pretty close.

 

Then Dayton

 

Then Bellevue and Heritage

 

Then there’s Covington Latin unsurprisingly sitting there in the far corner of the basement all by themselves.

Lol, you’re in trouble now! Haha!

I'm liking

Ockerman over Holmes

Highlands over Ballyshannon

Woodland over Summit View

St. Pius over IHM

Those four have been the best throughout the year, would make for an exciting semi-final night.

Summit View has beaten Woodfill once this year I believe and Bally played Highlands tough two weeks ago.

Chicken and egg discussion.

Success brings kids in from the outside or outside kids bring success?

CovCath has but five feeder schools, however, they have a total of 50 grade schools represented among the student body. That’s a mere 10%, while the basketball team’s starting five amount to 60% coming from feeder schools. It’s not just basketball and football that’s attracting so many non-feeders, it’s the stellar academics, facility, activities, etc.

As for the game, Highlands was the top scoring team in the state prior to Saturday’s game at 82 PPG. The Colonels held them to 39, less than half their average. Wow! This speaks volumes about Highlands’ schedule. I think a lot of Coach Listermann, however, I don’t understand why he doesn’t schedule tougher teams. It’s no way to prepare your team for tough opponents or tournament time. Vinson is one hell of a player, but IMO would be an even better player and better prepared for college hoops if he were averaging 15-20 and playing a tougher opponents.

They already have one prep school on their schedule, how many more should the Birds add?!?

That’s seems like a pretty cheap comment. Don’t know what Vinson’s stats were today but he has more than proven himself. Take that talk elsewhere, these are high school athletes that we are talking about.

Well said. Kid has a D1 offer as a junior, last time I checked they don’t just throw those around. Everyone has an off day. Sam will be better because of today. Wouldn’t surprise me if he was in the gym as we speak, he’s that type of worker.

8th Results so far...

Holmes over Gray by 10ish

Ballyshannon over Turkeyfoot big

Ockerman over Twenhofel big

Highlands over Conner big

It had nothing to do with parents of past players. Poll players the last 3 seasons and you would know the answer. Love the success for the boys now but you put Vinson on any team they are above 500. I can bury any three if it is delivered and kicked.

Eye roll...

It’s amazing the blinders people have on.

Coach: Work harder or lose your minutes.

Player: OK, Coach

Player doesn’t work harder, others do, player loses minutes, player and parents lose their mind.

Coach: We need you to come off the bench for a few games to get you and the team rolling.

Player: No, I’m not going to do that.

Player loses minutes, player and parents lose their mind.

This has been coming for awhile. To discount the work of the coaching staff because of one superb player is ridiculous. “Poll” players and parents in Park Hills, Union, or any successful program, they aren’t all happy. Those who work hard and buy in, are successful, those who aren’t, are disgruntled and looking to place blame on the coaching staff. The birds staff have put in the time, the kids have put in the time, enjoy....

Agree but I thought Kevin Listerman couldn't get it done? If you read some of the former player's parents social media rants, you would think he was a Criminal. Maybe their kids just eventually got outplayed or outworked by a younger player. It happens.

Those are usually the ones that are the loudest...

Right on. Sam Vinson is turning some heads. It's not often that a school comes to watch you play and offers you on the spot. [b]At least not at Highlands it doesn't. Furthermore not in Basketball.

That tide is changing. There are quite a few players in the program that will be playing in college. Sam is the best of the bunch, but Luke Muller and some of the younger birds, all have a future after Highlands. It's been fun to watch this program grow and change.

Who are your favorites going into the tournament?

 

Pius

Highlands

Ockerman

 

After that I would say it's pretty open. Woodland would have a shot at the finals pending when / if Giffen can get back from injury.

It will be one of those 4, big gap after those. Could see an upset but it would take a team playing well.

We are wrapping up the regular season this week. Who stood out as 8th graders this year? Any surprises? I know some of the programs suffered as a result of players playing up and I believe there are several other guys who could have played up but didn't.

Of the 8th graders playing 8th grade, the 3 that impressed me the most were (in no particular order)

Hussey-St. Pius

Class-Highlands

#35 for Ockerman (not Verax, although he too is good, but the 6'3"ish dark haired kid, sorry, I do not recal his name)

I guess you're right they will play again. Just seems odd that seasoned coaches wouldn't have the correct players in at crunch time. I'd like to get to the bottom of this is there something going on in Ft. Thomas? Are the Richey's trying to sabotage Highlands basketball? This whole things seems "odd" the turnovers the missed layups the poor defense seems like a plan to take down the program.

I am hoping this is an attempt at humor...

I’ll go Birds by 7. The Hill is worth +5.

Does anyone know where we can see the standings? I believe Pius leads the way with only 1 loss, then Highlands, Ockerman, & Woodland.

The seeding and standings are based on which division you are in. I believe Ockerman and Pius are 1/2 on one side, not sure the tie breaker because I believe they split.

Woodland would be the 1 with Highlands the 2 in the other division. Woodland beat Highlands twice. I am not sure of the rest of the standings.

Ockerman at Highlands

6th Ockerman by 10ish

7th Highlands by 10ish

8th Highlands by 11

Great games...

Good ones tonight in the Fort.

Ockerman at Highlands. Should be some talented middle school players on display!

NKMSAA Boys Basketball Tournament dates and locations (as listed on a couple of NKMSAA middle school websites)

 

1st round Saturday, February 1 - Games at 9, 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3

Quarterfinals Tuesday, February 4 - Games at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30

Semifinals Thursday, February 6 - Games at 5:30 and 7:00

 

6th grade games at Highlands Middle School

7th grade games at Turkey Foot Middle School

8th grade games at Conner Middle School

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finals for all grades are on Saturday, February 8 at Ockerman Middle School (Game times not listed, but Finals are generally held late afternoon-early evening)

Anyone know when this draw comes out? In the past it has been the day after last regular season games, but this year all seeded games have been played already if I am not mistaken.

Highlands beat St. Henry last night by 14.

Freshman Will Herald went 8/9 from 3. Present AND future bright in the Fort...

Highlands did not miss. They were hot from the 3-pt line . Boone had momentum in the second quarter but couldn’t come back . The first quarter was 22-2 . Herrman had their only basketball but was taken out due to foul trouble . Parker fields contributed a lot in the second .

Sam Vinson just doesn’t make a mistake with the basketball. Makes the best play 99.9% of the time. Whether it is to pass or shoot. Very impressive rebounder for a guard. And that tip dunk.....

Accidentally double post, please delete one...

Birds continue to roll, and score, and score, and score...

Birds continue to roll, and score, and score, and score...

Vinson is 6'5"?

Legit 6’3”

Not a cm taller...

Agreed when it is all said and done, I would not be surprised to see him at a UofL or even UK.

Let’s not get carried away. I could see him at UC or X. But knowing Sam, anything is possible with his work ethic.