Jared Farris-Bullitt East

Emany Malumba-Rock Creek

Malik Dow-Ballard

Will Hager-Mercer County

Jordan Perry-Morgan County

Malik Manica-Shelby County

Anthony Robinson-Frankfort

Ethan Snapp-Newport

Paul Price-Henry Clay

Tyler Bezold-Covington Holy Cross

Cameron Jones-East Jessamine

Have to ask Why Dow is playing down? He is a two year starter for Ballard playing at a high level. Shouldnt he be playing up against better competition? AAU should be about getting better individually. I saw him play in a game in Lexington and he got nothing out of it. Wasnt even playing hard because he wasnt challenged.

Have to ask Why Dow is playing down? He is a two year starter for Ballard playing at a high level. Shouldnt he be playing up against better competition? AAU should be about getting better individually. I saw him play in a game in Lexington and he got nothing out of it. Wasnt even playing hard because he wasnt challenged.

 

Totally agree, suprisee me when they have many players playing up in the lower age groups.

Have to ask Why Dow is playing down? He is a two year starter for Ballard playing at a high level. Shouldnt he be playing up against better competition? AAU should be about getting better individually. I saw him play in a game in Lexington and he got nothing out of it. Wasnt even playing hard because he wasnt challenged.

 

I've seen him play a lot over the years. He never plays hard. If he did, maybe they'd let him play up.

I really like Dow too. But the notion that kids needs to play up in AAU in order to be challenged - that's just silly to me. Now, if you are playing for a local team that plays at KBA every weekend, that's one thing. But when a kid is playing for a team that is participating in major tourneys from Pennsylvania to Florida, and his team does, almost no kid "needs" to be playing up in order to be challenged.

I think the addition of the Farris kid will be significant for Hoop Dreams. They had nothing close to a "5" on that roster prior to this, and that really, really hurt them against the Magic.

Have to ask Why Dow is playing down? He is a two year starter for Ballard playing at a high level. Shouldnt he be playing up against better competition? AAU should be about getting better individually. I saw him play in a game in Lexington and he got nothing out of it. Wasnt even playing hard because he wasnt challenged.

 

Hoop Dreams has two 17U teams and don't have a need to play him up. They have a hard of enough time finding playing time for the 20+ kids they have on those two teams combined and now you want to cut down on Dow's court time also?

 

Hoop Dreams also plays a national schedule. Other than the State Tourney, Hoop Dreams doesn't play in the state of Kentucky.

Dow has loads of talent but he just doesn't play hard. Every time I have watched him play it just looked like he was going half speed. Kind of like he doesn't "need" to play hard. I am a huge fan of Will Hager . That kid just knows how to play ball and he plays hard all the time. Very versatile and has a good nose for the ball. Cam Jones looked very good this past weekend. His athleticism is off the charts. Makes things happen on both ends of the court. Adding the Farris kid will really help this team. They need a low post presence!!!

I didnt know that Manica still played with these guys, (unless I just think he is a different kid)

Thats why Dow needs to play up where he either plays hard or sits. Playing down for him in the long run may hurt him. He scores in transition, driving to the basket and getting put backs. When he plays hard thats what he still does in 16's. He needs to learn to shoot off screens and knock down threes. Improve his ability at the guard spot where he will play in college. Two years from now he will be considered a tweener because he never plays the guard position playing down. There are plenty of other teams out there that would take him if Hoop Dreams is too full. I realize their are pros and cons to playing up or down. I just think aau should be about improving and playing against better players all the time not just some of the time. Ky Gators proved that playing up winning the 15 and under.

^^I hear what you are saying, but just don't agree. It is all about whether a kid is being challenged - the level of competition. With their schedule, he is and will be challenged. I do agree that he's one of two kids that seem to be anchors in their rotation and this is going to get lots of minutes regardless. Regarding playing guard, it seems he's allowed to play the perimeter, including shoot from the outside. Bottom line it just has to "click" for him. Once it does, he can be so good.

 

I guess my point is that the program/coach is putting him in the position to succeed. So I disagree tht he'd fare better playing up or for another club.

Good points. Ive been around aau alot the last 10 years and not all the teams are competitive. Looking at their scores, Hoop dreams won by 20, 30, and 40 in first three games then lost in tournament play to Louisville Magic. Easy to see why some kids dont play as hard.

Those 30 point wins are not the norm. There were 20+ teams in that age group alone in this state tourney. I believe that's the only "local" tourney that program will play in. As I know you are aware, those levels of teams don't play in the Pittsbirgh and Atlanta type tourneys. Any and all 16U kids will be challenged at those events!

Lazy? Malik Dow is lazy? I dont think so! I payed close attention to Malik Dow over the weekend and to me he doesn't seem happy playing with Hoop Dreams anymore. Dow is a slasher, super athletic and likes to get up and down the floor. His ball handling does need work but he can beat his man off the wing with 1 to 2 dribbles due to his explosive first step. He can hit the 10-15ft jump shot. Maybe not consistently but you have to respect it. Coach Mike Scott has changed up the offense and I don't think Malik is feeling the new style of play. It could be that the offense no longer flows through him or the style of play and pace is just too boring. Of all the players I saw in the tournament, he was the only kid that looked like he wasn't having any fun on the court. In my opinion, Dow simply does't fit with this team. I just feel Dow's potential and strengths are not being maximized by Coach Scott. Dow has been with Hoop Dreams for 6 years but with good AAU programs such as The Ville, Louisville Magic and the KY Heat (just to name a few) based in his hometown Louisville, makes me wonder how long he'll stay with the HD program. I will not be surprised if he jumps ship.

Lazy? Malik Dow is lazy? I dont think so! I payed close attention to Malik Dow over the weekend and to me he doesn't seem happy playing with Hoop Dreams anymore. Dow is a slasher, super athletic and likes to get up and down the floor. His ball handling does need work but he can beat his man off the wing with 1 to 2 dribbles due to his explosive first step. He can hit the 10-15ft jump shot. Maybe not consistently but you have to respect it. Coach Mike Scott has changed up the offense and I don't think Malik is feeling the new style of play. It could be that the offense no longer flows through him or the style of play and pace is just too boring. Of all the players I saw in the tournament, he was the only kid that looked like he wasn't having any fun on the court. In my opinion, Dow simply does't fit with this team. I just feel Dow's potential and strengths are not being maximized by Coach Scott. Dow has been with Hoop Dreams for 6 years but with good AAU programs such as The Ville, Louisville Magic and the KY Heat (just to name a few) based in his hometown Louisville, makes me wonder how long he'll stay with the HD program. I will not be surprised if he jumps ship.

 

Don't know particulars with Malik but know he has been with Mike a long long time. Mike Scott is the best I have seen with skill development and with his practices. A lot of coaches who had a Malik Dow 6 years ago would have stuck them in the post and only worked with that. Mike is good about trying to develop all players to have guard skill sets no matter size. Mike runs a good program and is very loyal to those that have been with him for a while.