[Stardust]

Yeah, that happens, but it's been 35 years since I started high school out there and got my first taste of high school football. In that time they've really done nothing but spin their wheels, despite having some really excellent athletes. Kids who started when I did found themselves outplaying the upperclassmen at practice, then sitting on the bench while those same upperclassmen started and led the team to a one win season. (That win being over 1A Dayton.) I know there are dues to be paid, but sometimes making tough choices pays off. From what I hear, this might be something that's happening this year, so there may be a turnaround in the future if the administration sticks with Lickert through the tough times. (i.e. 2011.)
As for losing kids to other schools, I'm not sure of the number, but the same thing happens to Highlands. Kids go through their junior league then wind up being big stars for NewCath. What it all boils down to is choices. If you have the chance to play for perennial contenders Highlands, NewCath or even up and coming Brossart, why would you choose a program that has only Scott to look to for a program that's experienced more futility since 1979?

Awesome post! Lickert is safe! Schweitzer is safe in baseball! Russell is safe in Basketball! What you said about upperclassmen has just went bye-bye in the last two years.

With Baseball, Seniors had in years past made the team and started. Nobody that was sophomore or below played anything of significance, but only got called up for things like pinch-running. Schweitzer's first year, Seniors who were not going to play were cut, the best players played, and for the first time in probably 20 years, a Freshman started varsity!

In Basketball, Russell put his best line-up on the floor each game. That included sitting and limiting minutes for the previous years starters. He developed talent as the year progressed and enjoyment for the players that was missing for the past several years came back to the program.

With Lickert, experience be damned. They guys that he acquired fro this years that had varsity experience meant nothing. This is a team that plays virtually all Sophomores and Juniors. Though the Camels of last year was a senior laden team, those players who played in the previous system were just not as good as the talent below them. Practices for the Camels are a lot different than in the past few years - It's the upper-classmen who are the tackling dummies for the younger guys who are starters.

The school finally brought in an AD who knows sports and is not someone looking for retirement and is just a yes-man to the school. Hensley is a former Varsity football coach. Is not yet 50 and has another 15-20 years of work-life to go. The indians (parents) has finally challenged the reservation' (school) administration and board and pressed for equal consideration of sports. I don't believe any coach that is there is looking at CCHS as a stepping stone. All are in their early 30's. An incredible sports complex is under construction. If this does not work and the sports teams change direction over the next five years, then I'll be the first to say shut them down!