Birds12

Was there at the JV game, but had to leave unexpectedly early due to my son dislocating his finger in the first half. Was playing a pretty good game too.

I think it is way to early to begin bashing the program. Willie is a first class act, IMO. He demands alot from his players and will persist on his style of play until the team responds. So, for all that are down on the program, lighten up a little, it is still very early in the Birds season. Remember too that Anderson is much bigger school than Highlands, I thought they hung pretty tough. If Simpson could have hit some shots, it's a whole new ball game.

That is correct crunch, it is JV/Varsity boys only. I hope to see the JV turn things around. The soph class is gonna have to work hard to gain the respect that IMO, they deserve. I personally would like to see these 5 sophs get to be close friends, that would make them better on the floor as a team. Geisting could be a real force in the paint, he just needs to understand his role and want to be the boss down low. Fair is a player, but could use to hit the weights, which he should have started in the off season. Messer, IMO, would better at the off guard spot, not seeing the floor well enough. He grew up playing 2 guard, so I think he is just uncomfortable running the point. Kyle is seeing the floor really well, just need guys to finish whem he dishes off or he needs to finish the drive himself. Preferrably a mixture of both. Turner is just flat hustler. He will do whatever is asked of him. I think he has some good moves on the base line. Just needs to understand when to take the shot or try to pass it off to an open man. All in all, they have some talent, but the players need realize what their roles are. IMO, Coach Feldman will get them playing well together as a team, just a matter of sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.

Being a Bluebird fan, I hate to admit it, but the CovCath Crazies are so much fun to watch. They are very creative, to say the least. Is CovCath that good or is Ryle that bad, for early in the season?

I'll go with the Birds 62-54

According to my son, Highlands frosh beat Campbell Co. last night, but did not know the final score.

Newport lost to Highlands by a pretty good margin, can't remember the final. I think it was about a 20 point win for the Birds at home. I'm not sure how PC is this year, but I would have to take PC in a close one, 54-51.

Does anyone have the results from the Campbell co. at Highlands? They played at 7:30 last night.

There is 5 sophs, I think 8 jrs and 4 seniors. I believe this is correct.

I would rather not name people. I just think that jr. bodies would give the JV guys a lift.

I'm happy for Nate to be ruled eligible. Parents need to put in alot of thinking before allowing their kids to make decisions on where they want play and go to school.

My only question about officials is, why isn't it a requirement to have 3 officials? At least at the Varsity level, if not JV too.

I have mixed feelings about this subject. The Sweet 16 is a great tradition, but the smaller schools are very hard pressed to win a state championship without having a huge "phenom". Usually if there is a kid that is a basketball "phenom", they end up transferring to a school that they believe will get them more publicity. IMO, if a player is that good, he or she, will get noticed no matter where they are.

The Birds need other players to step, can't always expect Simpson to score in the 30's. That was not enough as we saw Tuesday against St. Henry. McGraw will probably bring his scoring up, but it would be nice to see some biggins step it up.

Towles is the lone JR on theJV squad. IMO, Willie is working on the future. I personally think the coaches were counting on a couple soph FB players to come out, but they decided to concentrate on FB. I would like to see a couple from JR class to come down and play JV. They would at least get more play time that way.

HHS JV has 5 sophs and 1 junior, they use the freshman to fill in for the rest. Kowolnek did get to start against St. Henry, mostly because 2 regulars did not start because of certain issues. Will not go in to these at all.

I don't think they want to play football.

I think that would be a key, to push the ball up the floor. They will not shut dowm Keirnan, but if they can limit the touches he gets, I think the Birds could pull this one out.

Big game for both teams. Can anybody on HHS stop Kiernan? Can anybody on NCC stop Simpson?

Frosh won pretty impressively. Kowolenek played a heck of a game.

JV lost by 5, I think. Played ok, but got out rebounded. Nobody boxing out. Geisting had a pretty good game. He scored about 7 of the first 8 points. Messer played his usual point guard, had some trouble getting by defenders. Frsehman players got alot of play time too. Biggest thing IMO, was not finishing when a player received a great pass down low. It happened on more than 1 occasion and more than 1 player, in too much of a rush. Fair hit a couple of shots. Kyle hit a big 3 when we were down by 7 or 8 maybe, not exactly sure, off a screen by Grubbs.

Highlands frosh have St. Henry at 4:30 today, followed by JV then Varsity.

IMO, the birds are going to be better than most people think. They will play tough defense, and have some guys that can score, especially Simpson and McGraw.

So far this year, Jordan has not been shooting all that well. In the past couple years he has been able to shoot pretty well. They have him playing the point which, IMO, is not his best spot.

Highlands has played 1 game, beating Newport by 20 or so. Good passing and good defense.