Hester played in the freshmen regional tournament for Conner his eighth grade year, too, if I remember correctly.

thats correct...hester left after his 7th grade year because the family moved and then came back to holmes his sophomore summer with nate edmondson..nate stayed but hester ended up going back to SK

Actually they played together as a team..Mike Hester was the floor general of this team...he was the one who kept all the egos in check because of how emotional he is and how he played...penetrate and kick to jefferson or edmondson then you had austin simply breaking peoples ankles and no look passes to rice down low that nobody could stop. Everyone was happy playing with eachother...such a shame this group was broke up

 

I hate to tell you, but your wrong. Duran was always in trouble and him and Mike couldn't get along greatly. This is why Duran didn't play in state during their eight grade campaign. The Tarheels did not play as a team, and that is why they couldn never beat the stars who always beat them as a Team. Oh and Greg didn't play with the T'heels untill the end of 9th grade i believe.

I hate to tell you, but your wrong. Duran was always in trouble and him and Mike couldn't get along greatly. This is why Duran didn't play in state during their eight grade campaign. The Tarheels did not play as a team, and that is why they couldn never beat the stars who always beat them as a Team. Oh and Greg didn't play with the T'heels untill the end of 9th grade i believe.

 

im talking about their 7th grade holmes team....not tar heels

I know this is an old thread but I just want to go back and clear up a few things. First off the Tarheel team had Duran at the point, Hester at the 2, Hill at the 3, Edmonson at the 4 and Rice at the 5. That was supposed to be the team that went to Holmes together. They did play as a team and was unbelievable to watch. They pressed all game long and ran the floor non-stop. I've seen this team have a team down 25-0 after the first quarter. I've seen this team in their 5th grade year finish 16th in the nation down in Cocoa Beach FL. I remember Mike Hester knocking down 10 threes in one game up in Dayton and this was like in the 7th grade. And I truly believe that Duran ran the point with this team to perfection. He had everything you could ask for Rice down low for those easy drop-offs, Austin cutting the baseline and Mike and Nate outside the arc waiting to knockdown another three. As for the Eastern Ky allstars. First off this team was an All-star team grabbing kids from all over the eastern part of the state. And by the way an illegal Allstar team who later got caught for having an older kid playing for them the whole time. So legally I guess you could say that between their 4th grade year and their 9th grade year no aau team in this state could touch the tarheels. This team was a true joy to watch and I am sure if they could of played together in High School would have done some amazing things.

I know this is an old thread but I just want to go back and clear up a few things. First off the Tarheel team had Duran at the point, Hester at the 2, Hill at the 3, Edmonson at the 4 and Rice at the 5. That was supposed to be the team that went to Holmes together. They did play as a team and was unbelievable to watch. They pressed all game long and ran the floor non-stop. I've seen this team have a team down 25-0 after the first quarter. I've seen this team in their 5th grade year finish 16th in the nation down in Cocoa Beach FL. I remember Mike Hester knocking down 10 threes in one game up in Dayton and this was like in the 7th grade. And I truly believe that Duran ran the point with this team to perfection. He had everything you could ask for Rice down low for those easy drop-offs, Austin cutting the baseline and Mike and Nate outside the arc waiting to knockdown another three. As for the Eastern Ky allstars. First off this team was an All-star team grabbing kids from all over the eastern part of the state. And by the way an illegal Allstar team who later got caught for having an older kid playing for them the whole time. So legally I guess you could say that between their 4th grade year and their 9th grade year no aau team in this state could touch the tarheels. This team was a true joy to watch and I am sure if they could of played together in High School would have done some amazing things.

 

 

Great points....I agree 100%

I know this is an old thread but I just want to go back and clear up a few things. First off the Tarheel team had Duran at the point, Hester at the 2, Hill at the 3, Edmonson at the 4 and Rice at the 5. That was supposed to be the team that went to Holmes together. They did play as a team and was unbelievable to watch. They pressed all game long and ran the floor non-stop. I've seen this team have a team down 25-0 after the first quarter. I've seen this team in their 5th grade year finish 16th in the nation down in Cocoa Beach FL. I remember Mike Hester knocking down 10 threes in one game up in Dayton and this was like in the 7th grade. And I truly believe that Duran ran the point with this team to perfection. He had everything you could ask for Rice down low for those easy drop-offs, Austin cutting the baseline and Mike and Nate outside the arc waiting to knockdown another three. As for the Eastern Ky allstars. First off this team was an All-star team grabbing kids from all over the eastern part of the state. And by the way an illegal Allstar team who later got caught for having an older kid playing for them the whole time. So legally I guess you could say that between their 4th grade year and their 9th grade year no aau team in this state could touch the tarheels. This team was a true joy to watch and I am sure if they could of played together in High School would have done some amazing things.

 

 

:thumb: Great post and yes I can also remember watching them as young fellas. They were amazing when they played together. Every contributed in their own way to make one another happy. I remember their 7th grade year the closest game they had was a 24 point victory over St. PIus in the championship game. They could have won state this year IMO had they stayed together.

I know this is an old thread but I just want to go back and clear up a few things. First off the Tarheel team had Duran at the point, Hester at the 2, Hill at the 3, Edmonson at the 4 and Rice at the 5. That was supposed to be the team that went to Holmes together. They did play as a team and was unbelievable to watch. They pressed all game long and ran the floor non-stop. I've seen this team have a team down 25-0 after the first quarter. I've seen this team in their 5th grade year finish 16th in the nation down in Cocoa Beach FL. I remember Mike Hester knocking down 10 threes in one game up in Dayton and this was like in the 7th grade. And I truly believe that Duran ran the point with this team to perfection. He had everything you could ask for Rice down low for those easy drop-offs, Austin cutting the baseline and Mike and Nate outside the arc waiting to knockdown another three. As for the Eastern Ky allstars. First off this team was an All-star team grabbing kids from all over the eastern part of the state. And by the way an illegal Allstar team who later got caught for having an older kid playing for them the whole time. So legally I guess you could say that between their 4th grade year and their 9th grade year no aau team in this state could touch the tarheels. This team was a true joy to watch and I am sure if they could of played together in High School would have done some amazing things.

 

Got the Eastern Ky stars mixed up with the team out of Pikeville, Lightning maybe? Anyhow, the Eastern Ky Stars were all 16th region players and consistently overachieved winning the state aau title (usually the tar heels) from their 5th through 8th grade year, in all those years, they only lost to two Kentucky teams ever, the Louisville warriors and Eastern Ky Thunder

Bill Walker never played with them, the Stars always played great team ball

and great defense, I'm not sure they ever had a kid that could touch rim lol

they just knew how to win:thumb:

I do believe that Eky stars had one kid im not going to name names but a big man that suspiciosly left the team right before nationals in the 8th grade maybe. Then later it was kind of made known that he wasnt legal. And yes they might have all been from the 16th but different schools. The Tarheels starting 5 were supposed to be at Holmes.

I do believe that Eky stars had one kid im not going to name names but a big man that suspiciosly left the team right before nationals in the 8th grade maybe. Then later it was kind of made known that he wasnt legal. And yes they might have all been from the 16th but different schools. The Tarheels starting 5 were supposed to be at Holmes.

I know which team your talking about and it was 5th grade, it wasnt the Eastern Ky Stars, they were as legal as it gets and earned every state title they got, they just had the tarheels number

Gee this team sounds vaguely familiar?????????? Hhhhuuuuummmmmmmmm--NKY Tarheels!! Other than Henderson and Rice, played together since third grade; and were predicted to win multiple state chamionships--Funny how things work out, as they'll be challenged to get out of the region this year!!

 

Wanta get real scary, look up the players on the EKY Stars AAU team (never lost to the Tarheels that I'm aware of) of this same age group, and think how good they could have been if they had come together at one school!!!! Can't remember them all, but a few are Billy Blanton, Alex Barker (Fairview), Kasey Clark (Russell), Mitchell Brown, Travis Wright, Drew McDavid (Ashland), Chase Stephens, Robbie Wilcox (Ashland). Billy Walker (North College Hill) and Matt Thomas (Ashland) also played with them; and I'm sure I'm missing a few. Most are still plying their trade in the 16th region. Great group that fortunately for the rest of the teams in the state; went to different high schools!!

 

The difference between the EKY stars and Tarheels were, the Tar Heels were made up of one school district.

and there were probally more kids in that school district than the entire 16th region

just guessing

but I dont think that is illegal in aau

You are talking about the Boyd Co Suns who were basically the same team as the EKY Allstars. The Suns did have an illegal player back in the 5th grade and they got caught. Then the team changed names picked up a few other players and became Eky. The Eky team also had a kid that was found to be illegal that suspicously disappeard in the 9th grade. The Allstars were a great team I give you that and they did play great team ball and very intelligent basketball. But they did have a kid that started for them that wasnt legal.

I know this is an old thread but I just want to go back and clear up a few things. First off the Tarheel team had Duran at the point, Hester at the 2, Hill at the 3, Edmonson at the 4 and Rice at the 5. That was supposed to be the team that went to Holmes together. They did play as a team and was unbelievable to watch. They pressed all game long and ran the floor non-stop. I've seen this team have a team down 25-0 after the first quarter. I've seen this team in their 5th grade year finish 16th in the nation down in Cocoa Beach FL. I remember Mike Hester knocking down 10 threes in one game up in Dayton and this was like in the 7th grade. And I truly believe that Duran ran the point with this team to perfection. He had everything you could ask for Rice down low for those easy drop-offs, Austin cutting the baseline and Mike and Nate outside the arc waiting to knockdown another three. As for the Eastern Ky allstars. First off this team was an All-star team grabbing kids from all over the eastern part of the state. And by the way an illegal Allstar team who later got caught for having an older kid playing for them the whole time. So legally I guess you could say that between their 4th grade year and their 9th grade year no aau team in this state could [/B]touch the tarheels. This team was a true joy to watch and I am sure if they could of played together in High School would have done some amazing things.

 

First, who was ever deemed ineligible for the EKY Stars? Second, while the Tarheels were a great team who deserve all the praise in the world; they weren't exactly always a "neighborhood team" either. James had a couple of downstate players (from the S & N Laurel areas I believe), especially in the later years. For one, the NKY Rockets always played them close, and despite never beating them (I don't think), they seldom lost by more than about 6-10. Some other teams such as Central KY Warriors also played them close and may have beaten them on occasion. BTW--I don't think the 'Heels ever beat EKY!!

 

A very good team who could have made some serious noise in HS had they been able to stay together (as was widely predicted at the time--2-3 state championships if I recall). Guess we'll never know how good they could have been.

You are talking about the Boyd Co Suns who were basically the same team as the EKY Allstars. The Suns did have an illegal player back in the 5th grade and they got caught. Then the team changed names picked up a few other players and became Eky. The Eky team also had a kid that was found to be illegal that suspicously disappeard in the 9th grade. The Allstars were a great team I give you that and they did play great team ball and very intelligent basketball. But they did have a kid that started for them that wasnt legal.

I'm telling you that you got the wrong team, eky has never played an illegal player, the 5 kids that started in the 5th grade state championship were

Austin Blair

Drew Mcdavid

Matt Thomas

Alex Barker

Justin Moore

Which one disapeared?

There was a kid named OJ that disapeared right before his 9th grade year though:laugh: