Did Howard play at Ashland?

 

Yes. He was a great player, and played smart basketball.

I can agree with that part of your post. I also agree that Biggs would own up to his end of it, rather than placing blame elsewhere. I don't dislike the guy one bit, he seems to be a great person. Unfortunetly that doesn't win games or championships.

 

As far as being 0-12 because they lost a couple of their top players, I just don't buy that, not at Ashland. Prior to Biggs arrival even a down years were known to produce regional championships. Since he has been in Ashland I don't believe they have won a single one.

 

They have lost their first 12 games because they are not very good.

 

I think you are confusing modern day with Ashland pre 1980. Boyd co dominated the 80's and since then Rowan, Boyd, and Greenup have been Ashland's equals. Even Elliott Co had a 3 year run. If my memory serves me correct Ashland won the region twice in the early 90's, again in 96, and a boulle of times in the early 2000's and that's it.

 

Let me ask you this, when was the last time Ashland had a player over 6'5"?

 

They have lost their first 12 games because they are not very good.

 

I think you are confusing modern day with Ashland pre 1980. Boyd co dominated the 80's and since then Rowan, Boyd, and Greenup have been Ashland's equals. Even Elliott Co had a 3 year run. If my memory serves me correct Ashland won the region twice in the early 90's, again in 96, and a boulle of times in the early 2000's and that's it.

 

Let me ask you this, when was the last time Ashland had a player over 6'5"?

 

I understand that this isn't Ashland in its hayday. However they have progressively gotten worse since Flyyn left. They went to a state championship in '96, losing to Painstville. Since '96 they either won or were one of the favorites to win the region, until Flynn left. Flynn knew how to get the most out of his kids and had some great teams. They didn't have the talent to play with Mayo, Dawson, etc, but they did. They even managed to win district and regional championships against them.

 

The jist of what your saying is that Ashland is lacking talent, I just don't buy that. To say that 90% of the schools in the region have more talent than Ashland just doesn't hold water. As far as having a player over 6'5, I'd have to look it up, but im sure Biggs has had some and probably could have had a lot more if kids wanted to play for him.

I understand that this isn't Ashland in its hayday. However they have progressively gotten worse since Flyyn left. They went to a state championship in '96, losing to Painstville. Since '96 they either won or were one of the favorites to win the region, until Flynn left. Flynn knew how to get the most out of his kids and had some great teams. They didn't have the talent to play with Mayo, Dawson, etc, but they did. They even managed to win district and regional championships against them.

 

The jist of what your saying is that Ashland is lacking talent, I just don't buy that. To say that 90% of the schools in the region have more talent than Ashland just doesn't hold water. As far as having a player over 6'5, I'd have to look it up, but im sure Biggs has had some and probably could have had a lot more if kids wanted to play for him.

 

How familiar are you with the current talent level at Ashland? I'm not trying to be argumentative but it's not as high as you might believe. As for the 6'5" question you would have to go back to Mark Surgalski and I think you are selling the talent at Ashland short under Flynn. Beech was a D1 athlete, Surgalski D1 athlete, Howard was a heck of a player. Flynn was a class guy and a great coach but he inherited a team with Umberger and 6'8" Daryl Arbaugh and could not win the region. Furthermore, plenty of talented kids left Ashland for various reason when Flynn was in charge

 

How familiar are you with the current talent level at Ashland? I'm not trying to be argumentative but it's not as high as you might believe. As for the 6'5" question you would have to go back to Mark Surgalski and I think you are selling the talent at Ashland short under Flynn. Beech was a D1 athlete, Surgalski D1 athlete, Howard was a heck of a player. Flynn was a class guy and a great coach but he inherited a team with Umberger and 6'8" Daryl Arbaugh and could not win the region. Furthermore, plenty of talented kids left Ashland for various reason when Flynn was in charge

 

 

Obviously I'm not in school anymore so I have no idea what's walking the halls of Blazer. I'm not trying to be argumentive either, but its hard to believe that there isn't enough talent in the school to at least compete with most teams, and possibly win a game at this point in the season.

 

As far as 6'5 players or taller, again I would have to look it up, but I imagine there have been some since Mark graduated. I imagine there are also several walking the halls, present day. But again, I'd have to look it up to make a factual statement.

 

As far as Flynn goes, he did inherit a great team, however its hard to discredit him or the kids for not winning the region during a transition period, while the region as a whole was as strong as it has been since that time.

 

The team with Arliss, Adam, and Mark was great, can't forget Cook or Howell either. But they were no where near as talented as Rose Hill when they beat them in the district and regional championships. Two of the best high school games I've ever seen I might add. Ashland won those games due to coaching, pure and simple.

Obviously I'm not in school anymore so I have no idea what's walking the halls of Blazer. I'm not trying to be argumentive either, but its hard to believe that there isn't enough talent in the school to at least compete with most teams, and possibly win a game at this point in the season.

 

As far as 6'5 players or taller, again I would have to look it up, but I imagine there have been some since Mark graduated. I imagine there are also several walking the halls, present day. But again, I'd have to look it up to make a factual statement.

 

As far as Flynn goes, he did inherit a great team, however its hard to discredit him or the kids for not winning the region during a transition period, while the region as a whole was as strong as it has been since that time.

 

The team with Arliss, Adam, and Mark was great, can't forget Cook or Howell either. But they were no where near as talented as Rose Hill when they beat them in the district and regional championships. Two of the best high school games I've ever seen I might add. Ashland won those games due to coaching, pure and simple.

 

I tend to agree with your last paragraph because Hall was a terrible coach.

 

Trust me there are not big kids walking around campus at Blazer and there hasn't been for some time.

 

I will agree there are kids that could help who are not playing. I say this because this Ashland team is woefully lacking in size, speed, and over all skill. However, let's not act like Ashland hasn't enjoyed success under Biggs. I realize that you are judged by regional championships but my question is, is it time to rethink the standard. I'm just telling you if you want to set Adam Howard up for failure give him the job next year

Let me add to the last post. What I think Ashland should look at how Rowan gets mileage out of bigger bodied kids that aren't natural basketball players. This they could do

Let me add to the last post. What I think Ashland should look at how Rowan gets mileage out of bigger bodied kids that aren't natural basketball players. This they could do

 

 

One of the best examples I ever saw was Bishop Brossart's Troy Cooper.

 

I tend to agree with your last paragraph because Hall was a terrible coach.

 

Trust me there are not big kids walking around campus at Blazer and there hasn't been for some time.

 

I will agree there are kids that could help who are not playing. I say this because this Ashland team is woefully lacking in size, speed, and over all skill. However, let's not act like Ashland hasn't enjoyed success under Biggs. I realize that you are judged by regional championships but my question is, is it time to rethink the standard. I'm just telling you if you want to set Adam Howard up for failure give him the job next year

 

Everything else aside, I dont think its time to rethink being judged by regional championships. If we do go that route I believe Ashland should always be one of the frontrunners, they always have been, until recently. If they aren't, there is a problem, imo.

 

Much smaller schools have made runs since Biggs came. No discredit to them, but Ashland should be in the hunt every year, as should Boyd and Russell.

 

As far as Adam goes, I was just throwing that out there. Do I think he could be successful, given time? Absolutely. Do I think he would be offered the job? Possibly. Do I think he would take the job? Doubtful. The young man has a knack for basketball, given his recent endeavors, I believe he will stick with and eventually coach college ball. No doubt I would love to have him back, but I don't see it happening.

Let me add to the last post. What I think Ashland should look at how Rowan gets mileage out of bigger bodied kids that aren't natural basketball players. This they could do

 

Understandable, and I imagine there are plenty of those types in the school. Didnt O'Brien play at one point? I could be completely wrong, but I thought he played his fesh or soph year?

Understandable, and I imagine there are plenty of those types in the school. Didnt O'Brien play at one point? I could be completely wrong, but I thought he played his fesh or soph year?

 

Played in middle school and if he played he would be an asset. He probably and I say probably because I haven't seen him play in 3 years, would be more than just a big body

Everything else aside, I dont think its time to rethink being judged by regional championships. If we do go that route I believe Ashland should always be one of the frontrunners, they always have been, until recently. If they aren't, there is a problem, imo.

 

Much smaller schools have made runs since Biggs came. No discredit to them, but Ashland should be in the hunt every year, as should Boyd and Russell.

 

As far as Adam goes, I was just throwing that out there. Do I think he could be successful, given time? Absolutely. Do I think he would be offered the job? Possibly. Do I think he would take the job? Doubtful. The young man has a knack for basketball, given his recent endeavors, I believe he will stick with and eventually coach college ball. No doubt I would love to have him back, but I don't see it happening.

 

Ashland has been to the regional semis every year since Biggs has been at Ashland. So I think it's fair to say they have been in the hunt. Runner ups 3 of the past 4 years and lost in double overtime in the other year to the eventual champion. Plus, they have consistently won 20 games. Those are things Boyd would love to claim during his tenure. As for Russell, they are a pretty small school at this point.

 

I understand why an Ashland fan would be frustrated but things have changed

 

Ashland has been to the regional semis every year since Biggs has been at Ashland. So I think it's fair to say they have been in the hunt. Runner ups 3 of the past 4 years and lost in double overtime in the other year to the eventual champion. Plus, they have consistently won 20 games. Those are things Boyd would love to claim during his tenure. As for Russell, they are a pretty small school at this point.

 

I understand why an Ashland fan would be frustrated but things have changed

 

Didn't realize that they have been that close. It would still be nice to win a regional every once in a while, and its been a while now. I get what your saying about Boyd and Russell, but if I were a fan of those schools I would be expecting championships too.

 

Of course I'm frustrated, they are close to doubling the worst start in the schools history. That's not an easy feat, lacking talent or not. While things may have changed, I still believe they could be much better than they are at the moment.

They have lost their first 12 games because they are not very good.

 

I think you are confusing modern day with Ashland pre 1980. Boyd co dominated the 80's and since then Rowan, Boyd, and Greenup have been Ashland's equals. Even Elliott Co had a 3 year run. If my memory serves me correct Ashland won the region twice in the early 90's, again in 96, and a boulle of times in the early 2000's and that's it.

 

Let me ask you this, when was the last time Ashland had a player over 6'5"?

 

They have one now.

They have one now.

 

"Player" with emphasis