Hoops Action

It took about a half of basketball to get back into the swing of things; if the weather holds up, I expect to attend several games in the next 10 days.

High School Hoops Wind Down

Last year, the weather really messed up the high school basketball schedule and compressed it into the last few weeks of February. This year, the schedule is normal, with maybe a game a week for most teams. Since I am the South Kansas City Observer, we always concentrate on the schools on the south Missouri side. So here are the remaining games for Ruskin, Grandview, and Center.

For Ruskin:

Today, 2/7 at North KC

2/10: Truman

2/14: at Central in St. Joe

2/17: Lee's Summit West

For Grandview:

Today, 2/7: Kearny

2/10: Platte County

2/14: at Oak Park

2/15: Park Hill

2/17: at Liberty

For Center:

today, 2/7 at Clinton

2/10: Smith Cotton

2/17: O'Hare

Take in a game--it is fun!

Update: All three teams won tonight--Center and Grandview are having very nice years with Center having lost just 5 games and Grandview on a 9 game win streak. Ruskin is playing .500 ball this year--a bit inconsistent...

High School Hoops Are Back!

Took in my first high school basketball this season during my travels--watching my alma mater win two (boys and girls) from a nearby rival. Every season when I start watching basketball closely again I remember what a love I have developed for this simple game of putting a ball through a hoop. The love affair is especially renewed by seeing a game live, even at the HS level. To see the strategy, the physicality, the style of the game up close is to remember.

More hoops photos will follow, and it will be fun right to the end.

P.S. My alma mater's boys team had not lost a game as of Friday.

High School Football Is Back!

The 2011 high school football season in Kansas City has started--you can't beat Friday night lights. I took in the Center-University Academy game at Center on Friday. UA had a very small number of players, but put up quite a fight until yielding late in the third quarter.

If you have never caught a high school game, check one out. Typically parking is free and the admittance fee is under $10.

Alas, Ruskin Lost 45-40

Just to catch up here--unfortunately the Ruskin Eagles did not get past the Lee's Summit North Broncos, losing 45-40. That final score makes me think that LSN, who had beaten Ruskin earlier in the year, kept the Eagles in check with slow play. Still this was an excellent way to begin the new era in hoops at Ruskin High School. We will be looking forward to next year!

Ruskin Boys Beat Rockhurst 63-61 In 2 OT Nail Biter

Tick, tick, tick. When's the bomb going to go off?

Happy Eagles celebrate District 13 Championship win.

This was really a terrific game to watch--close throughout with good basketball played by both sides. Rockhurst with their designed plays and strong outside shooting, Ruskin with its speed and quickness of hands and feet and ability to run the break and penetrate. However, I will remember this game for the way that each team handled stalling, or holding the ball.

There is no shot clock in Missouri HS Boys Basketball, and that leads to some different strategies when the game is close. At the end of regulation, Ruskin held the ball for close to 20 seconds. Rockhurst declined to defend closely, thus keeping the five second rule out of play. It was the first time we saw the full stall, but it would not be the last.

Rockhurst tried it later in OT when they had the ball and the lead. Ruskin came out and played defense. Rockhurst turned the ball over. It seemed the right strategy to me at this level of basketball. It's hard for young players not to get nervous when holding the ball for any period. Ruskin stalled later on and Rockhurst still declined to play close defense.

It came down to some clutch shooting in both the field and foul line for Ruskin as they were able to regain the lead in the second OT period after going down to Rockhurst a point or two at the beginning. A really nice win that is a tribute both to Ruskin's physical ability and their mental toughness and coachability too.

Next game on the road to State is Wednesday, March 2 at 6:30 pm at the Independence Event Center against Lee's Summit North.

Ruskin in District 13 Game

I can't think of any more of a contrast between Ruskin High School and Rockhurst High School.

The bird fight will be at 1:00 pm at the old Hickman Mills High School on Saturday.

Go Eagles!

Anticipating Lots of Basketballs!

It's all drawing down to a close. High schools will be in Districts shortly, with Ruskin looking good for their first season in the higher class.

Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State disposed of their opponents today. K State is now .500 in the conference, warming at the right time. Think if they had made a few more free throws at Colorado...

Oh, and TEXAS lost to Nebraska in Lincoln. How sad for the Longhorns! ::grin::

Observer pic of Ruskin High action against Truman High.

Preps: Ruskin Loses First Road Game

I don't have any pictures for you this week as Ruskin traveled to Park Hill for their game last week and I don't have extensive stats for you--I did look at the box score earlier in the week however and it's amazing what you can tell from a box score.

Ruskin was leading at half time (again). Ruskin scored nary a point in the second half. Ruskin lost the game in what looked like a rout but was probably only a rout in the last quarter.

Hard to tell why. Possible reasons. Offense not good. Defense not good--couldn't get off the field to let the offense have a chance to score. Penalties. Turnovers (it wasn't a full box score).

So...hopefully the boys learned something. It's hard to tell if their next game, against North Kansas City at NKC will be a hard game--don't know these teams in this division at all. We could use another W before returning home October 8.

Nice thing: Left Kearney behind in class 4, and as usual, they took apart a southland team, this time Grandview. Center survived their trip to Grain Valley with a win.

Prep and College Round Up

The beginning of the winning play by Smith Cotton against Ruskin.

What a difference a week made for Kansas. The team that looked ill prepared and disorganized against a far inferior opponant got their crap together and upset a top 25 opponent, Georgia Tech. They did it with great defense and a power running game and steady play from QB. They are probably not this good, just as they were not as bad as last week. So everyone in Jayhawk nation, take a breath. Your football team does not stink. Meantime Missouri and Kansas State took care of business against cupcakes, both squads able to get lots of players playing time.

In the preps, a bunch of games were suspended and continued on Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful weather! Ruskin had its first close game for this combined team. Ruskin had quick strike offense and some defensive turnovers against Smith-Cotton. But the Eagles could never consistently stop the Tigers' run and penalties again reared their ugly heads, stealing vital yards from the offense and giving up yards for the defense. In addition, in the tensest part of the game, there was a short lived scuffle on the sideline between Ruskin players. Let me tell you, the crowd in the stands, which was mostly adults, shouted down the fighting players and urged them to stop and save it for the field. In the end the Eagles lost by two on a touchdown run in the last minute by Smith Cotton. My hope is that the coaches use this first close game extensively as a teaching opportunity for the team. At the end of the season, when winning the last couple games can give an opportunity to go to state play offs, this experience should serve the team well.

Weather Impacts High School Football

Weather postponed/suspended several high school football games this evening, including Ruskin-Smith Cotton. The Ruskin game will be resumed tomorrow at 3 p.m. Other games impacted by the weather include Grandview and Raytown. We at Hickman Mills District Stadium were bummed as we were leading 13-7 when play was suspended in the middle of the second quarter around 8 p.m. for lightening in the area.

People circulate as they head for shelter at Ruskin High School.

Once in the auditorium, the cheerleaders did some cheers from the stage. A talented young lady also played the piano and sung a little while we waited for the verdict on continuing the game.

Tough Night for Southland Football

The Park Hill Trojans proved to be tough foes for Ruskin Friday night.

Tough night for Hickman Mills C-1 football Friday. Park Hill thumped Ruskin 35-13. Ruskin was just plagued by penalties, especially a holding call in the waning moments of the second quarter that took a TD off the board. Park Hill held at the start of the third quarter, and the game was pretty much over at that point. Ruskin is now 1-1. In order to join the elites of the conference, the Eagles need to eliminate the penalties, running now in the double digits in both games.

Grandview took a thumping from Raytown South, and Center was beaten by St. Pius so a tough night for southland preps all around.

High School Football Is Back!

Truman and Ruskin captains meet for the coin flip Friday night.

Football! Football is back! First, Friday Night Lights, as the Missouri high school season started this past Friday. Next Saturday, colleges will start in earnest. Then the NFL will start up the weekend after Labor Day.

We had fun at Ruskin High. Our team, reflecting the merger of Hickman Mills and Ruskin High Schools, is bigger (in all ways!) and more talented. Now in Suburban Mid 6, our first game was against Truman High School. And we thumped them! People were walking around District Stadium with their mouths open, gaping at the 45-6 final score.

This is gonna be fun!

Reflections on the Game of Soccer

I'm no soccer expert, but I must admit I was disappointed in the skill level in the soccer played by the Hickman Mills and Ruskin girls yesterday. I realize, first, that it is hard to judge the state of soccer in the United States by one game, and particularly a game on the distaff side, and a game not in Johnson County, Kansas where I am sure the demographic is more agreeable to soccer. However...

Semi-informed ideas about what makes good soccer: 1. Ball skills--the ability to collect the ball, dribble the ball, and kick the ball accurately. 2. Spacing and smarts. The ability to realize that you don't aways need to be within 10 feet of the ball, especially on offense. 3. Speed and endurance. Not just running fast, but running fast when needed, and all game. Winning loose balls, especially after unforced errors.

The gal with the best ball skills, the best ability to stop a ball and collect it, to pass it and to dribble around opposition was a girl for Ruskin playing fullback, or defender. Interestingly, she was a big girl, much bigger then most of her peers. (OK, she was overweight.) But her ability to intercept a pass, control that ball, and start Ruskin's offense was superior to anyone else on the field. If she was of a normal weight, her skills would have had her playing halfback, the most important position on a soccer team. It also is the position that does the most running, so those of us a little undertall for our weights usually find ourselves playing forward or fullback.

There was also a lack of "soccer smarts". Maybe it's just coaching, but it seemed to me too often the girls were all bunched up around the ball. I can remember from my high school days our coach begging us to keep our positions and not clump around the ball. On offense we were taught to stay around the goal, especially if the ball was on the wing. A good centering pass from the wing often resulted in a score.

It was disappointing to see that it seemed that most players' skill levels hadn't progressed much since my high school days a million years ago, when girl's soccer was just getting started on the high school level. Especially in light of the youth leagues that have developed over the years. Makes a person wonder why. Just a few ideas: 1. Soccer does not keep the top level athletes as they get older. I think this is true for both sexes, but even more for boys. Basketball, baseball/softball and for males, football, snag the fastest and most coordinated in the United States. 2. The games just don't generate enough excitement for the causal fan. Soccer is as much about process as it is result. Internationally, it's call "The Beautiful Game" and the set ups and watching that is just as important as the scoring itself. Sped up versions of soccer, such as indoor soccer, which is almost more like hockey, have been more popular at times then the outdoor version in the US. 3. Pro soccer as a whole just hasn't caught on. When you as a kid see a sport played on the pro level, imitation takes place. When I was a kid, I watched Earl Monroe's spin dribble move on the NBA court with the New York Knicks. "Earl the Pearl" invented that move, and I spent time on the court trying to imitate that move. Generally kids aren't out at the park trying to imitate the local pro soccer players' moves. And we all know, if you want to get good at something, you have to practice and play it. Kids are still playing basketball, pick up baseball and touch football, not soccer, in the United States.

Soccer might someday become a major sport in the US. Since the Major Soccer League season started this spring, they've had some increased attendance. It's not quite there yet, however.

Ruskin and Hickman Mills girls vie for the ball in yesterday's contest. Ruskin, in blue, is on offense in this photo.

Hickman Mills won the game 2-0.

Update on Our South Zone Teams

Rockhurst fell behind early to LS North, caught up with strong defense, but couldn't quite get the victory. (Kansas City Star photo)

Unfortunately both our south district teams went down to defeat in the Missouri Sectionals. Rockhurst lost to Lee's Summit North 59-55. Center lost to Warrensburg 53-51. Both teams had outstanding seasons, and have nothing to hang their heads about.

Congratulations on District Wins for Rockhurst and Center!

Rockhurst hoists the district plaque after beating Grandview by one point.

Center continues its improbable run through the playoffs with a victory over Ruskin.

Missouri District Play: Ruskin, Grandview Boys Through to Finals,

Close but no cigar for the Raytown South Cardinals against Rockhurst.

The high schools are the tasty appetizer to the college boys' tournament--and the food has been terrific. Ray South and Rockhurst hooked up in a close one, with the Hawklets prevailing by one point. They will meet Grandvew on Saturday at 3 pm at Rockhurst for the Class 5 District championship. Ruskin will play Center at O'Hare Saturday at 2 pm for the Class 4 District championship. Both games should be terrific games.

And BOO to the Kansas City Star if they don't give the district playdowns more coverage!

An Outstanding Game

Hickman Mills playing the zone defense that helped them to victory.

Hickman Mills and Grandview hooked up for a terrific boys basketball game last night. The game went into overtime and was won by Hickman Mills 67-66. Here's the score by quarter:

Hickman Mills- 12 15 12 25 5 67

Grandview----- 15 19 14 14 4 66

You can see that Hickman Mills caught up in the forth quarter after being down 9 points virtually all game. They did it by making 3 point shots, and by playing well executed zone defense in the last quarter and OT, which Grandview never could quite solve. I'm afraid I don't have a roster, but young Mr. Dennis for Hickman Mills displayed icy calm as he made his 3 three point shots in the forth quarter and extra period. Hickman Mills had a total of 5 treys, against only 3 for Grandview.

Interestingly, both teams shot pretty well from the foul line, including some high pressure shots. Grandview was 13-17 and Hickman Mills 14-18--both roughly 78%. As this blog has asked before, what has happened to free throw shooting at the college level, especially among the elites?

High School Basketball: Boys Play at a High Level

A fast break basket by Ruskin--so fast, the Ruskin player who laid it in is out of the picture to the left.

I went to my first high school boys basketball game yesterday, and came away very impressed by the quality of play I saw. Belton High School's team has some height, a couple of good jump shooters and some quickness. They would have done very well where I went to high school in a non-urban New England area. They were, however, undone by Ruskin High School's world of quicks and athleticism, struggled with turnovers--Ruskin was quick into passing lanes, and had quick hands. Belton attempted zone defense, and the zone was simply not executed well enough, leaving Ruskin shooters open for jumpers in rhythm. Ruskin thumped Belton without difficulty.

While the quality of play is not as good, one should not overlook the JV game that starts an hour and a half before the varsity. This one went into overtime, with Ruskin winning by two. This is how young players start to find out what it takes to be a prime team and prime time player. I suspect lessons were learned by the youngsters that will serve them for years to come.

There is only a week left in the season, but if you can catch your high school in a game before the end of the regular season, do it!