The one kid in 2016 no one talks about is Will Hager from Mercer County. I expect him to end up with a D-1 scholarship and he is another who doesn't get enough credit for how good he is. I guarantee at some point he'll be mentioned amongst the best in the state in his class. He's that good.

 

That being said I give 2015 the nod but that class has the luxury of growing now while 2016 has more time and room to grow.

 

Agree with what you say about Hager. One of the best and most under rated players in 2016. Has good size for his position, plays hard and a high bball IQ to go along with his skills.

I would just like to point out that there is only one ball. The team that is more well-rounded and is able to fill specific roles (ie. a pg to space the floor and set everyone up, a wing that can score from all 3 levels on either side of the rim, a big who can score in the post, rebound, block shots and run the floor, and then a great defender that can match up with any position 1-3/4) is going to win the game.

 

IMO, when you have this much talent on the floor on both sides, it becomes more about who is going to fill a role for his team. If you just have 5 guys trying to "get buckets," that's not going to work. One ball, one team, one goal, not one player (this one/or that one).

 

Also, you mentioned bolden and justice and even Tyler struggling with Gooden and Wright. First, none of these guys are stopping each other. They can all score in multiple ways. However, with that said, of that group, Gooden, would probably be the "easiest" to slow down because of his inconsistent jumpshot. Justice, bolden, and Tyler (from what I hear) can beat you from anywhere.

 

My starting 5's:

 

2015: Bolden,Justice, Tyler, Hall, Spalding

2016: Beverly, Gooden, Wright, Dow, Williams (hate to leave Hager off this list. I think he can play.)

 

This game would be a score-apalooza... But, I have to think the rebounding/blocking/athleticism of the bigs for the 2015 class would win out.

^^Excellent breakdown. I'd love to see it.

^^Excellent breakdown. I'd love to see it.

 

Wouldn't that be fun! I'd have to think the AAU coaches of these guys could set it up. Say... Last weekend in July. Live period is over.... :popcorn:

I would just like to point out that there is only one ball. The team that is more well-rounded and is able to fill specific roles (ie. a pg to space the floor and set everyone up, a wing that can score from all 3 levels on either side of the rim, a big who can score in the post, rebound, block shots and run the floor, and then a great defender that can match up with any position 1-3/4) is going to win the game.

 

IMO, when you have this much talent on the floor on both sides, it becomes more about who is going to fill a role for his team. If you just have 5 guys trying to "get buckets," that's not going to work. One ball, one team, one goal, not one player (this one/or that one).

 

Also, you mentioned bolden and justice and even Tyler struggling with Gooden and Wright. First, none of these guys are stopping each other. They can all score in multiple ways. However, with that said, of that group, Gooden, would probably be the "easiest" to slow down because of his inconsistent jumpshot. Justice, bolden, and Tyler (from what I hear) can beat you from anywhere.

 

My starting 5's:

 

2015: Bolden,Justice, Tyler, Hall, Spalding

2016: Beverly, Gooden, Wright, Dow, Williams (hate to leave Hager off this list. I think he can play.)

 

This game would be a score-apalooza... But, I have to think the rebounding/blocking/athleticism of the bigs for the 2015 class would win out.

 

Only one ball, but I see that as more of an advantage to the 2016's than the 2015's. I think the 2016 bunch's skillets complement one another fairly well. Beverley is the epitome of a pure PG and could set the table for Goodin and Wright. Dow and Williams doing their things doesn't really get in the way of anyone else there either.

 

 

 

I really think an awesome 2015 lineup could be PG: Bolden, SG: Tisdale/Levitch, SF: Levitch/Tisdale, PF:Holman, C: Spalding.

 

Use Levitch for shooting to stretch things out and open it up for everyone, more than enough size and athleticism to hurt people in a lot of different ways. Tisdale is a kid who is about 6'4 and already has some D1 interest. I really think he's been underrated in a lot of these lists. He could guard the 2 or 3 and leave Levitch, who is most likely to be somewhat of a liability on defense, with the easier matchup.

Regardless, if I'm just taking a spot-up shooter, he's my guy. Bring Matlock off the bench as the 6th man as a banger if anyone starts roughing your skinny bigs up or if they get in foul trouble-- use him at the 4 and whoever you leave in between Holman and Spalding at the 5.

 

None of those guys' games really seem to get in the way of each other's, but I see lineups with Justice being ones where you have two guys (one in him, one in Beetle) who seem to need the ball in their hands a lot to be effective. If you are playing Justice or McDonald, you lose some of the things that make the team I listed above so dangerous athletically. If there's only one ball to go around, I like Levitch as my guy because he'll essentially play the same role that he played at Trinity.

"Wouldn't that be fun! I'd have to think the AAU coaches of these guys could set it up. Say... Last weekend in July. Live period is over.... "

 

Would only involve Travelers, Hoop Dreams and The Ville programs (plus Gooden) given the players mentioned. Realistically, you'd probably need another 3 players from each age group. Choosing the next 3 to represent each group would likely be the cause for disagreement among the programs - and folks in general!

Only one ball, but I see that as more of an advantage to the 2016's than the 2015's. I think the 2016 bunch's skillets complement one another fairly well. Beverley is the epitome of a pure PG and could set the table for Goodin and Wright. Dow and Williams doing their things doesn't really get in the way of anyone else there either.

 

 

 

I really think an awesome 2015 lineup could be PG: Bolden, SG: Tisdale/Levitch, SF: Levitch/Tisdale, PF:Holman, C: Spalding.

 

Use Levitch for shooting to stretch things out and open it up for everyone, more than enough size and athleticism to hurt people in a lot of different ways. Tisdale is a kid who is about 6'4 and already has some D1 interest. I really think he's been underrated in a lot of these lists. He could guard the 2 or 3 and leave Levitch, who is most likely to be somewhat of a liability on defense, with the easier matchup.

Regardless, if I'm just taking a spot-up shooter, he's my guy. Bring Matlock off the bench as the 6th man as a banger if anyone starts roughing your skinny bigs up or if they get in foul trouble-- use him at the 4 and whoever you leave in between Holman and Spalding at the 5.

 

None of those guys' games really seem to get in the way of each other's, but I see lineups with Justice being ones where you have two guys (one in him, one in Beetle) who seem to need the ball in their hands a lot to be effective. If you are playing Justice or McDonald, you lose some of the things that make the team I listed above so dangerous athletically. If there's only one ball to go around, I like Levitch as my guy because he'll essentially play the same role that he played at Trinity.

 

I feel like Holman and Spalding are similar player types, with Spalding being the better overall player. I want an athletic 4 that can put the ball on the floor, run the floor (be a rim runner in transition), rebound, block shots, and play back to the basket, if needed. Maybe knock down an occasional jumper. I feel that Hall gives me all of these things. Spalding can be my rim and paint protector, and get some boards.

 

I kind of agree on Justice (in regards to ball in hands), that's why I almost put Terrell Gray in there. Athletic, fast, good leaper, slasher/scorer, and solid defender.

 

I could go into 6th man... Levitch would be solid there, but so would a lot of other kids. I could fill a 25 man roster with kids from all over the state....

 

I'll just stick with starting 5 for now.

 

Either way, you give me 5 of my own choosing... I'm taking the 2015 class because of shot blocking ability, mobile/athletic bigs, added with the exuberant ability to score (and in a hurry).

"Wouldn't that be fun! I'd have to think the AAU coaches of these guys could set it up. Say... Last weekend in July. Live period is over.... "

 

Would only involve Travelers, Hoop Dreams and The Ville programs (plus Gooden) given the players mentioned. Realistically, you'd probably need another 3 players from each age group. Choosing the next 3 to represent each group would likely be the cause for disagreement among the programs - and folks in general!

 

Yeah. So many kids that can play and have different abilities. It comes down to coaching styles, too. Are you just rolling the balls out and letting them play. Man, that game might be real ugly! I've said it once and I'll say it again, I'd take Austin Schreck and Dre Jackson as guards on any team I coached, because I know exactly what they can do. :clap:

I feel like Holman and Spalding are similar player types, with Spalding being the better overall player. I want an athletic 4 that can put the ball on the floor, run the floor (be a rim runner in transition), rebound, block shots, and play back to the basket, if needed. Maybe knock down an occasional jumper. I feel that Hall gives me all of these things. Spalding can be my rim and paint protector, and get some boards.

I kind of agree on Justice (in regards to ball in hands), that's why I almost put Terrell Gray in there. Athletic, fast, good leaper, slasher/scorer, and solid defender.

 

I could go into 6th man... Levitch would be solid there, but so would a lot of other kids. I could fill a 25 man roster with kids from all over the state....

 

I'll just stick with starting 5 for now.

 

Either way, you give me 5 of my own choosing... I'm taking the 2015 class because of shot blocking ability, mobile/athletic bigs, added with the exuberant ability to score (and in a hurry).

 

I think Holman can do most of the things you've listed. We didn't get to see a ton of them in the State Tournament because of his foul trouble, but from what I saw, I think he could run the floor, put it on the deck, rebound, and block shots. He might not be the best back-to-the-basket post man, but I think he'd be adequate when drawing the second best post defender while the best one was occupied with Spalding. I'm a big fan of Hi-Lo sets at the high school level and could see Holman and Spalding running some dangerous 2-man games there.

 

Here's a nice preview of what I could see from Holman in transition/rim runs, and it's all over the head of a pretty big kid from Daviess County.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCmAWJduAI

 

 

It's fun debating this with you and everyone else, and really has me wishing that these guys could play one another soon as well.

 

I think Holman can do most of the things you've listed. We didn't get to see a ton of them in the State Tournament because of his foul trouble, but from what I saw, I think he could run the floor, put it on the deck, rebound, and block shots. He might not be the best back-to-the-basket post man, but I think he'd be adequate when drawing the second best post defender while the best one was occupied with Spalding. I'm a big fan of Hi-Lo sets at the high school level and could see Holman and Spalding running some dangerous 2-man games there.

 

It's fun debating this with you and everyone else, and really has me wishing that these guys could play one another soon.

 

I don't want it to seem like I'm scoffing at Holman. He can play, and has some nice abilities. I've just been a big fan of Hall. And, I also like the hi-lo action, which is what I'd do some of with Hall and Spalding.

 

All these names mentioned can play! Question is... Would it ever happen. 2015 vs. 2016 All-Star game??? Would be fun.

Also, if I'm looking for a big for the 2016 team, I'm probably keeping an eye on the development of Kelshawn Knight-Goff of Trinity. He's not someone who has "broke out" yet, but I think the potential could be there.

 

I can't believe I had excluded this kid from the list, but Dunbar's Darius Williams would definitely be somewhere on my 2016 team. No way I don't have him on it in some capacity.

 

Two more kids from that class I might look at adding for depth at the guard/wing spots are Madison Central's Cameron Thomas and Isaiah Johnson. Bowling Green's Perry Ayers would get a look if he develops over the year.

 

Overall, I want to know more about the bigs in the 2016 class before I'd definitively say that's the team I'd go with, but I think I could take a 2016 group against a lot of the 2015 lineups that people are using and really have a chance. Anyone else could say the same thing for people building a 2015 team that matches up well with whoever I pick for 2016 too though.

 

I think Ben Weyer of Newport Central Catholic has to be somewhere on the list if I'm making the cut to a 12 man team, but I'm not really sure exactly where he'd fit right now. Coltin Elkins of Boyle County is another possibility on a team that needs size.

Edited June 8, 201412 yr by JokersWild24

I don't want it to seem like I'm scoffing at Holman. He can play, and has some nice abilities. I've just been a big fan of Hall. And, I also like the hi-lo action, which is what I'd do some of with Hall and Spalding.

 

All these names mentioned can play! Question is... Would it ever happen. 2015 vs. 2016 All-Star game??? Would be fun.

 

 

Definitely. I never took it as you taking a shot at Holman or anything like that. I honestly think that I've seen so much of Hall that it's started leading to me picking apart his game and finding small holes in it.

 

 

A game between the two would be a show to see, that's for sure.

2015: Bolden, Justice, Sutton, Miller, Spalding (bench... Holman, Tyler, McDonald, Hall, Matlock )

2016: Beverly, Wright, Goodin, Weyer, C. Williams (bench... Wilson, Jenkins, Hager, D. Williams, Faulkner)

The one kid in 2016 no one talks about is Will Hager from Mercer County. I expect him to end up with a D-1 scholarship and he is another who doesn't get enough credit for how good he is. I guarantee at some point he'll be mentioned amongst the best in the state in his class. He's that good.

 

That being said I give 2015 the nod but that class has the luxury of growing now while 2016 has more time and room to grow.

 

I agree with you PP, I have seen him play and I definitely think this kid will have some D1 offers.

2015: Bolden, Justice, Sutton, Miller, Spalding (bench... Holman, Tyler, McDonald, Hall, Matlock )

2016: Beverly, Wright, Goodin, Weyer, C. Williams (bench... Wilson, Jenkins, Hager, D. Williams, Faulkner)

 

Good call and can't believe I'd forgotten him so quickly for the lineups I made for the 2015s. He'd be in there over Tisdale and/or Levitch in the lineups I had in Post #20. I'd keep Levtich and Tisdale both, but Sutton is probably going to start over either of them.