Royal Blue

Final 4 of the 10th is a solid season.

Any Highlands people who know Bert, ever talked to Bert, or heard him speak realizes he should already be the Highlands head coach. He’s what’s needed. He checked all the boxes. My understanding was one person on the committee was dead set against Bathiany. Why? Who knows? Did he have his own selfish reason? They went with the guy that didn’t fit in from Franklin that lasted all of an awkward press conference, the committee disbanded, and then the AD called his old coach. The rest is history. True or not? Anyone who knows someone on the committee will tell you the exact same story. Bert should’ve gotten the job! The hiring was botched!

I get it. Just felt like the game was in hand with a bit more guidance.

Highlands has the game in hand late 4th. Then turned it over, missed a couple ft’s, and a couple guys fired up quick, ill advised shots. Time and situation are crucial. Someone sitting by me said, “that’s how they play!” Ok, it’s still dumb and poor coaching if the coach encourages those type of plays at the end of the game. I don’t care how many wins you have. You’ve got the ball and the lead just over a minute left and within 5 seconds a guy throws up a 3 that maybe hasn’t taken but a shot or 2 all night. Wasn’t the same guy, but it happened 2x! Why!!! Highlands led the entire 2nd half and then to me they panicked because it got close at the end of regulation.

Oregon! Hands down!

The 18 turnovers will get you beat almost every time!

Definitely not a goal tending if you know the rules.

Great job by the 859 team.

There’s a lot of parity. It’s tough to predict the winners.

Only issue I encountered was trying to get into the gym in a timely manner. I get it was crowded. Was that a surprise?

Can’t find it on ESPN, where is it?

The born and bred have a deeper understanding of how it needs to run.

I just think Joat knows the expectations of the Ft. Thomas natives. Not worried about those just passing thru. That gets lost on some. But the program I’m worried about currently is the band. Why are the numbers so low now? And the uniforms don’t match the school colors. Unacceptable. Need more pep songs at the games too.

I often ask the same question. Highlands comes out with the “we do what we do” mantra. I see it as a lack of coaching effort to adjust. The Highlands style is enjoyable when it’s on, but it doesn’t come across as being very smart at other times.

Holy Cross is rolling! Definitely a contender for the 9th crown.

Thanks for the info. Don’t remember that one.

The experience with him when he was at Highlands was unpleasant for anyone who had to be around him. Found it surprising he always managed to bounce around and find another job. I doubt he has any supporters from any of his previous stops.

Tough? Have they ever lost out there?

Looks like they’ve lost 8 straight!! Not good.

So Kevin Bundy is no longer at Mason County? No surprise that didn’t last long.

I thought Highlands buckled down on defense when they needed it.

NewCath was the big game. Dayton and Covcath were a couple ducks to tune up for the big game.

Surprisingly no Beechwood? Did NCC drop Beechwood? Or was it Beechwood looking for a more competitive opponent? Historically this was a very good game most seasons.

From afar, it looks like NCC isn’t getting the volume and caliber of players they had in the past. Declining enrollment at all the feeder schools and at the high school will do that. The school must be about 1/2 the size of what it used to be in order to be single A in football. Only 8-10 years ago or less Highlands was getting run out of the gym by NCC.

Where did I say games should be in the 40’s and 50’s??? That’s right, I didn’t. If you’re giving up 85-90pts in a 32 min game, you’re not playing ANY defense. The state championship team had a transcendent player who had a solid supporting cast. They worked for better shots and they played much better defense than what I'm seeing now. Vinson actually blocked a lot of shots during that championship run. My opinion for whatever it’s worth, is this team won’t make any type of run without better defense. If the defensive intensity doesn’t pick up, you’re going to the region as a runner up. Then there’s a 66% percent chance of drawing and losing to Covcath or Conner first round. My idea of success is winning. Not whether a few people had fun watching.