Not off the Press: Another week of basketball
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This past week of high school basketball consisted of 17 games (18 if you count last Saturday) combined for all five Highland County teams (at the varsity level).
As of right now (Sunday night/Monday morning), seven of the 10 varsity teams (five schools) have at least one win with a combined record of 7-12 (HHS and MHS girls played against each other).
Here are the records after one week of games (Nov. 26-Dec. 3):
Boys:
• McClain 1-1
• Whiteoak 1-0
• Hillsboro 0-2
• Lynchburg-Clay 1-0
• Fairfield 1-1
Girls:
• McClain 1-1
• Whiteoak 0-3
• Hillsboro 0-2
• Lynchburg-Clay 1-1
• Fairfield 1-1
To say I'm surprised with some of the results of this past week would be correct.
Again, it is early, and it is easy to tell there are still some kinks for every team to be worked out, but that is early season basketball.
A fun fact: Counting all of last week, there will be at least two basketball games per night through Dec. 23 (excluding Sundays) involving teams from Highland County. Can you say coffee?
• Here are a few thoughts about the past week of games:
- I still like what the Hillsboro boys have the potential of becoming as the season continues. In the league, not many teams had much luck in winning games, except for the McClain Tigers, who defeated Jackson by 19 points Friday night. The SCOL boys basketball teams are 1-7 after the first weekend of games. (Clinton-Massie at Little Miami has been rescheduled for Jan. 5.)
- The SCOL girls basketball standings look a little different as well with the Miami Trace Lady Panthers, the defending eight-time league champions, at 0-1 in league games. From what I was told by people who attended the game, it was fun to watch, and free-throw shooting hurt the Lady Panthers. This is just my opinion, but I don't see any team in the SCOL going undefeated in league games, so it will be interesting to see how the games play out as the season continues, especially in the early part of this season. This season, the SCOL championship could be won with two, possibly even three losses within the league.
- As for the boys, I've only seen Hillsboro live in an actual regular-season game, but again, from what I was told about the McClain Tigers … this team doesn't let anything bother them. Also, I think it is important for this team to get a win early so losses won't add up like a season ago. I'm excited about games within the league when they start this coming Friday. We get rivalry games early with Hillsboro hosting McClain, Madison-Plains at London and Miami Trace at Washington. An exciting weekend ahead, to say the least.
• A look ahead at the week
- On Monday, the Lady Lions of Fairfield travel to Ripley. Last week, I covered Ripley when they defeated the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats. FHS and WHS are similar in terms of varsity experience, and Ripley played well against the Lady Wildcats last week.
- Also on Monday is the game of the night, so to speak, with McClain hosting the Lady Mustangs of Lynchburg-Clay. Each team has a similar record of 1-1, and each team has a similar loss for their first two games of the year. This will be a competitive game full of defense. Again, just from what I think will happen, it will be a close, low-scoring game full of tough defense. Both of these teams live and die by their defensive games. Bench play in this game will be very important as well, possibly the difference in this game. Can't wait for the tip-off.
- Tuesday, it is easy to know I'll be covering the Hillsboro Indians boys team when they host the Fairfield Lions. (Whiteoak and Lynchburg-Clay will be on the road.) I see this as a game of Hillsboro's offense against the defense-minded Lions. In the past few years, these games have been enjoyable (remember, the Lions and Indians were the first boys regular-season game at the new HHS gym), and this year won't be any different.
- Wednesday will be interesting with the MHS Lady Tigers at Clinton-Massie. CM has no seniors this season but were one of the preseason favorites in the SCOL. McClain has no juniors and are coming off a win against Hillsboro on Saturday, but have the aforementioned game with LC on Monday. CM is coming off a win against North Adams on Saturday (who defeated Lynchburg-Clay last week), so they will be entering the game with some momentum. What stands out about CM is they have three ladies who are 6-0 or taller (Kasey Uetrecht, Sydney Brackmyer, Erin Fair), which will be an advantage for them as MHS has one player who is 6-0 (Tara Karnes) and she splits time between the JV and varsity level. If I'm correct, these two teams split their two games last season.
- Following their Monday game, LC will be back at their home court on Thursday when they host the Fayetteville Lady Rockets. This for sure will be a pivotal early season SHL contest just in terms of where teams stand early on this year.
- Friday will be full of boys high school basketball with LC hosting Ripley, WHS at West Union, FHS hosting Eastern Brown and the game of the night for Highland County with Hillsboro hosting cross-county rival McClain. HHS has won the last eight meetings against the Tigers (including two sectional tournament games). All I can say about this game is … I know I said it before about earlier games this week, but I can't wait for this game. Hopefully there is a packed house at HHS on Friday night.
- If those games weren't enough on Saturday, there are three girls basketball games on the schedule with early games involving Fairfield hosting Adena and Hillsboro vs. London in a SCOL game. The night cap will be a non-league game between McClain at Eastern Brown, as we know they are both quality basketball programs.
• Non-high school sports thoughts
- Do I even need to get started on the BCS Bowl match-ups? I will at a later date, but I will say this … though I don't like how it turned out, I think LSU and Alabama are the two best teams, but when one team doesn't even make it to their conference championship game but makes the BCS Championship game, I do see a flaw in the system. But, I do see the argument that Oklahoma State has their chance to but lost to Iowa State this season. It is just a mess all the way around. (I'll have more on that at a later date.)
- I've watched Kentucky and Ohio State basketball on multiple occasions this season, and from other teams I've watched, they are the two best. But when March arrives, picking the national champion is like picking a team out of a hat … who knows what smaller school is the diamond in the rough this season.
- If the Gator Bowl isn't about making money, then I don't know what is. Really, it works out perfectly that Ohio State and Florida play each other, when more deserving teams with better overall records should be in that game … another reason why bowl games mean nothing. I'm renaming this the "Urban Meyer Bowl."
- At first glance … the best bowl name award goes to the "Famous Idaho Potato Bowl." I hope the trophy is a golden Mr. Potato Head.
- The Green Bay Packers are just amazing. Looks like I was wrong when I said Phillip Rivers was going to be the NFL MVP … this is the year of Aaron Rodgers.
- How does a coach "ice" his own kicker? Well my (and possibly your) 2011 Dallas Cowboys sure found out another way to lose a football game. It sure looked like that is what happened. Poor clock management overall. (Yes, I am just grumbling … bear with me.)
- At least Bengals fans have a bright future ahead. I say this every week, but they are finally doing things the right way and could possibly get the No. 6 seed in the playoffs. (I still think they are a year way from the playoffs.) Need another WR to play opposite of A.J. Green.
- We are 20 days away from the return of the NBA.
- The Florida Marlins are going to overpay for players, just to finish behind the Philadelphia Phillies and (possibly) the Atlanta Braves. I like Ozzie Guillen, but getting super-duper stars won't guarantee a World Series championship.
- The 49ers are in the playoffs … Jim Harbaugh should be the Coach of the Year … I think, or maybe John Fox because he has a college offense and his Broncos just won't lose lately.
• Stat of the Week
In their season opener on Friday against Jackson, the McClain Tigers were outscored 10-0 in the first quarter. They finished the game by outscoring Jackson 60-31, including a fourth quarter of 22-6.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Laney Lewis, a LC junior, totaled 28 rebounds in the first two games of the year. She had 20 against North Adams in a 42-39 loss on Thursday.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
More on LC … against Huntington, the Lady Mustangs scored 26 straight points (in the second half) during their season-opening win.
• A (fourth) Stat of the Week
Hillsboro (boys basketball) is averaging double figures in each quarter except for the second quarter at a nine-point average. In the first quarter (two games), HHS is averaging 15; in the third, 13.5; and in the fourth, 14 (all averages).
• Quote of the Week
"The girls (HHS) stayed after it, didn't quit. We got some good looks at the basket, but just couldn't finish it. Greenfield is bigger and stronger than us, but again, I was real pleased with our effort. Hopefully in a couple years we can become the type of program they have here, but that is a long ways down the road." — JR Moberly, head coach of Hillsboro girls basketball following their Saturday loss at McClain.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"This is an outstanding way to start the season. This is what I told the girls in the locker room after the game, 'There are people who sat in these stands that told me we wouldn't win a game all year.' I said, 'We've already accomplished that … we're ahead.'" — Matt Hodson, head coach Fairfield girls basketball following their win against East Clinton on Monday.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"The kids had great effort, and they are ready to practice. It's just getting that experience, and we understand we have a tough road ahead of us. We have a tough schedule, we're going to keep practicing and hopefully it pays off in February for us." — Mike Cooper, head coach Whiteoak girls basketball following their loss Thursday against Ripley.
• One last item of business
The first week of high school basketball has been pretty exciting, to say the least. I can't wait for this week to begin. There are some good match-ups on the slate, so how can one not be excited? Best of luck to the Highland County teams this week. For results and standings, visit the HCP website daily as we will have the most complete standings and results possible throughout the season.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]
As of right now (Sunday night/Monday morning), seven of the 10 varsity teams (five schools) have at least one win with a combined record of 7-12 (HHS and MHS girls played against each other).
Here are the records after one week of games (Nov. 26-Dec. 3):
Boys:
• McClain 1-1
• Whiteoak 1-0
• Hillsboro 0-2
• Lynchburg-Clay 1-0
• Fairfield 1-1
Girls:
• McClain 1-1
• Whiteoak 0-3
• Hillsboro 0-2
• Lynchburg-Clay 1-1
• Fairfield 1-1
To say I'm surprised with some of the results of this past week would be correct.
Again, it is early, and it is easy to tell there are still some kinks for every team to be worked out, but that is early season basketball.
A fun fact: Counting all of last week, there will be at least two basketball games per night through Dec. 23 (excluding Sundays) involving teams from Highland County. Can you say coffee?
• Here are a few thoughts about the past week of games:
- I still like what the Hillsboro boys have the potential of becoming as the season continues. In the league, not many teams had much luck in winning games, except for the McClain Tigers, who defeated Jackson by 19 points Friday night. The SCOL boys basketball teams are 1-7 after the first weekend of games. (Clinton-Massie at Little Miami has been rescheduled for Jan. 5.)
- The SCOL girls basketball standings look a little different as well with the Miami Trace Lady Panthers, the defending eight-time league champions, at 0-1 in league games. From what I was told by people who attended the game, it was fun to watch, and free-throw shooting hurt the Lady Panthers. This is just my opinion, but I don't see any team in the SCOL going undefeated in league games, so it will be interesting to see how the games play out as the season continues, especially in the early part of this season. This season, the SCOL championship could be won with two, possibly even three losses within the league.
- As for the boys, I've only seen Hillsboro live in an actual regular-season game, but again, from what I was told about the McClain Tigers … this team doesn't let anything bother them. Also, I think it is important for this team to get a win early so losses won't add up like a season ago. I'm excited about games within the league when they start this coming Friday. We get rivalry games early with Hillsboro hosting McClain, Madison-Plains at London and Miami Trace at Washington. An exciting weekend ahead, to say the least.
• A look ahead at the week
- On Monday, the Lady Lions of Fairfield travel to Ripley. Last week, I covered Ripley when they defeated the Whiteoak Lady Wildcats. FHS and WHS are similar in terms of varsity experience, and Ripley played well against the Lady Wildcats last week.
- Also on Monday is the game of the night, so to speak, with McClain hosting the Lady Mustangs of Lynchburg-Clay. Each team has a similar record of 1-1, and each team has a similar loss for their first two games of the year. This will be a competitive game full of defense. Again, just from what I think will happen, it will be a close, low-scoring game full of tough defense. Both of these teams live and die by their defensive games. Bench play in this game will be very important as well, possibly the difference in this game. Can't wait for the tip-off.
- Tuesday, it is easy to know I'll be covering the Hillsboro Indians boys team when they host the Fairfield Lions. (Whiteoak and Lynchburg-Clay will be on the road.) I see this as a game of Hillsboro's offense against the defense-minded Lions. In the past few years, these games have been enjoyable (remember, the Lions and Indians were the first boys regular-season game at the new HHS gym), and this year won't be any different.
- Wednesday will be interesting with the MHS Lady Tigers at Clinton-Massie. CM has no seniors this season but were one of the preseason favorites in the SCOL. McClain has no juniors and are coming off a win against Hillsboro on Saturday, but have the aforementioned game with LC on Monday. CM is coming off a win against North Adams on Saturday (who defeated Lynchburg-Clay last week), so they will be entering the game with some momentum. What stands out about CM is they have three ladies who are 6-0 or taller (Kasey Uetrecht, Sydney Brackmyer, Erin Fair), which will be an advantage for them as MHS has one player who is 6-0 (Tara Karnes) and she splits time between the JV and varsity level. If I'm correct, these two teams split their two games last season.
- Following their Monday game, LC will be back at their home court on Thursday when they host the Fayetteville Lady Rockets. This for sure will be a pivotal early season SHL contest just in terms of where teams stand early on this year.
- Friday will be full of boys high school basketball with LC hosting Ripley, WHS at West Union, FHS hosting Eastern Brown and the game of the night for Highland County with Hillsboro hosting cross-county rival McClain. HHS has won the last eight meetings against the Tigers (including two sectional tournament games). All I can say about this game is … I know I said it before about earlier games this week, but I can't wait for this game. Hopefully there is a packed house at HHS on Friday night.
- If those games weren't enough on Saturday, there are three girls basketball games on the schedule with early games involving Fairfield hosting Adena and Hillsboro vs. London in a SCOL game. The night cap will be a non-league game between McClain at Eastern Brown, as we know they are both quality basketball programs.
• Non-high school sports thoughts
- Do I even need to get started on the BCS Bowl match-ups? I will at a later date, but I will say this … though I don't like how it turned out, I think LSU and Alabama are the two best teams, but when one team doesn't even make it to their conference championship game but makes the BCS Championship game, I do see a flaw in the system. But, I do see the argument that Oklahoma State has their chance to but lost to Iowa State this season. It is just a mess all the way around. (I'll have more on that at a later date.)
- I've watched Kentucky and Ohio State basketball on multiple occasions this season, and from other teams I've watched, they are the two best. But when March arrives, picking the national champion is like picking a team out of a hat … who knows what smaller school is the diamond in the rough this season.
- If the Gator Bowl isn't about making money, then I don't know what is. Really, it works out perfectly that Ohio State and Florida play each other, when more deserving teams with better overall records should be in that game … another reason why bowl games mean nothing. I'm renaming this the "Urban Meyer Bowl."
- At first glance … the best bowl name award goes to the "Famous Idaho Potato Bowl." I hope the trophy is a golden Mr. Potato Head.
- The Green Bay Packers are just amazing. Looks like I was wrong when I said Phillip Rivers was going to be the NFL MVP … this is the year of Aaron Rodgers.
- How does a coach "ice" his own kicker? Well my (and possibly your) 2011 Dallas Cowboys sure found out another way to lose a football game. It sure looked like that is what happened. Poor clock management overall. (Yes, I am just grumbling … bear with me.)
- At least Bengals fans have a bright future ahead. I say this every week, but they are finally doing things the right way and could possibly get the No. 6 seed in the playoffs. (I still think they are a year way from the playoffs.) Need another WR to play opposite of A.J. Green.
- We are 20 days away from the return of the NBA.
- The Florida Marlins are going to overpay for players, just to finish behind the Philadelphia Phillies and (possibly) the Atlanta Braves. I like Ozzie Guillen, but getting super-duper stars won't guarantee a World Series championship.
- The 49ers are in the playoffs … Jim Harbaugh should be the Coach of the Year … I think, or maybe John Fox because he has a college offense and his Broncos just won't lose lately.
• Stat of the Week
In their season opener on Friday against Jackson, the McClain Tigers were outscored 10-0 in the first quarter. They finished the game by outscoring Jackson 60-31, including a fourth quarter of 22-6.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Laney Lewis, a LC junior, totaled 28 rebounds in the first two games of the year. She had 20 against North Adams in a 42-39 loss on Thursday.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
More on LC … against Huntington, the Lady Mustangs scored 26 straight points (in the second half) during their season-opening win.
• A (fourth) Stat of the Week
Hillsboro (boys basketball) is averaging double figures in each quarter except for the second quarter at a nine-point average. In the first quarter (two games), HHS is averaging 15; in the third, 13.5; and in the fourth, 14 (all averages).
• Quote of the Week
"The girls (HHS) stayed after it, didn't quit. We got some good looks at the basket, but just couldn't finish it. Greenfield is bigger and stronger than us, but again, I was real pleased with our effort. Hopefully in a couple years we can become the type of program they have here, but that is a long ways down the road." — JR Moberly, head coach of Hillsboro girls basketball following their Saturday loss at McClain.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"This is an outstanding way to start the season. This is what I told the girls in the locker room after the game, 'There are people who sat in these stands that told me we wouldn't win a game all year.' I said, 'We've already accomplished that … we're ahead.'" — Matt Hodson, head coach Fairfield girls basketball following their win against East Clinton on Monday.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"The kids had great effort, and they are ready to practice. It's just getting that experience, and we understand we have a tough road ahead of us. We have a tough schedule, we're going to keep practicing and hopefully it pays off in February for us." — Mike Cooper, head coach Whiteoak girls basketball following their loss Thursday against Ripley.
• One last item of business
The first week of high school basketball has been pretty exciting, to say the least. I can't wait for this week to begin. There are some good match-ups on the slate, so how can one not be excited? Best of luck to the Highland County teams this week. For results and standings, visit the HCP website daily as we will have the most complete standings and results possible throughout the season.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]