Again, you are correct. I'd venture to say there are probably 10-15-18 players in the 15th region most years that can play at those levels. And a lot of them go on to do just that.

One problem we face is the East KY stigma. Most coaches and we will take Morehead as an example will take the city kid or the local kid over east kentucky kids. Morehead has raided Rowan Co., Harrison Co. and Montgomery Co. along with Boyd Co. It amazes me these 4 schools catch their interest more than the eastern ky kids. I coached a bunch of 15 region players and we went 8-5 against PRP, Ballard, Lafayette, Dunbar and Harrison County in the summer of 2004 and they beat Chaz Roe 1-0 with Adam Blanton pitching. I will also say I didnt have all of the cream of the crop playing for me. I had 4 starters from Pikeville, 3 starters from Central and 1 starter from Paintsville and a starter at Belfry at the Lafayette game. I cant stand the fact our kids are labeled, they too can play this game at an EXTREMELY high level. :sssh:

It's hard enough to get scouts to come watch the good programs, i.e. PIkeville, Paintsville, Perry CO, Johnson Central, etc.... They are not going to come and watch PHelps play. But like you say Buck, maybe he can be seen in summer ball somewehre.

Indeed players from programs not as well known as the programs you mention will have to act on their own. These players even have a hard time getting on a good summer program.

Dan Harless, Brandon May, and Braxton Lafferty will carry this years team at SC. Three of the top players in the region as well.

Dan Harless, Brandon May, and Braxton Lafferty will carry this years team at SC. Three of the top players in the region as well.

Harless is moving to 2nd base this upcoming season for the cards. He and Lafferty will be the best middle combo in the mountains.

Sheldon Clark will be a top contender in the 15th this year. They have alot of talent.

Sheldon Clark will be a top contender in the 15th this year. They have alot of talent.

Pitching is only issue as of now. I will promise you one thing our offense will be better than last year. Which was quite possibly the biggest underachieving team in EKY all of last year.

I know Brandon May pitches as well as Lafferty. I think Kyle Horn graduated. They lost a dandy of a pitcher in him.

B-May along with Braxton and Shawn Johnson will be our top 3 and then junior Kenneth Todd will be our 4th.

Daniel Pugh, Kevin Williams, Shane Grimm, Andrew Brown from Paintsville.

Daniel Pugh, Kevin Williams, Shane Grimm, Andrew Brown from Paintsville.

Nothing like the teams of past. Not heard of Pugh to pitch since he was a little leaguer. He brought some heat then tho. Has Brown pitched in high school yet?

Harless is moving to 2nd base this upcoming season for the cards. He and Lafferty will be the best middle combo in the mountains.

I dont know about the best combo in the mountains, from everything that I have seen out of Harless he has always struggled in the field big time and has had one of the weaker bats in the mountains.Why would he be considered so good now? I thought that he caught some when he didn't play 3rd base. Who will be SC 's catcher?

Nothing like the teams of past. Not heard of Pugh to pitch since he was a little leaguer. He brought some heat then tho. Has Brown pitched in high school yet?

None have ever pitched in high school except for a few innings by Grimm, and he usually got pounded.

I dont know about the best combo in the mountains, from everything that I have seen out of Harless he has always struggled in the field big time and has had one of the weaker bats in the mountains.Why would he be considered so good now?

Harless is a tireless worker and if he improved this year as he did from his freshman year to his soph. year he will be fine. This kid transformed his body by losing weight and gaining speed by going to camps that year. Cant do anything but respect him.

Nothing like the teams of past. Not heard of Pugh to pitch since he was a little leaguer. He brought some heat then tho. Has Brown pitched in high school yet?

 

I have heard that Pugh may see time on the mound. Also J.D. VanHoose will be on the mound as well. With VanHoose, Pugh, and Grimm Paintsville should have a pretty good 1,2,and 3.