After experiencing my first Kentucky State Tourney, I have a couple of observations and I need some feedback.

 

After playing in the Ohio State Tourney the last couple of years I would have to say that Kentucky is every bit as challenging as the Ohio tourney. The talent level is very good.

 

I was amazed at the number of shooters playing at the 17 and under level. It was amazing to me how many pure shooters that each of the teams had. No lead was safe with the way teams were able to shoot the three, believe me I know. We had leads of 15,29,23 in the second half of three of our games only to loose the lead in the fourth quarter.

 

Here is my top five teams from this weekends tournament:

 

1. Central Kentucky Warriors

2. Kentucky Shining Star Sports

3. Bluegrass Stars

4. Kentucky Cardinals

5. Derek Smith All-Stars West

 

I know that there are teams in Kentucky that did not play in the state tourney, and I also know that some of the teams are put together just for the state.

 

How does everyone see a top five overall in the state of Kentucky at the 17 and under level?

 

How does the Kentucky talent match up against other states in this area? Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee?

Kentucky has less superstars but is very balanced. Those 5 teams along with the other Derek Smith team and Eddie Ford's team are all very close in talent.

I beg to differ on placing Eddie Ford's teams near the top. His team's have been in several of the talks I have had with KY hoop followers and most of it is not enthusiastic. That is speaking in terms of all his levels.

Kentucky just does not have the numbers that Ohio has, the Kentucky kids can shoot a little better, but the Ohio kids are bigger and stronger (on average) and there are a lot more of quality players in Ohio. Look at the number of d-1 players that will come out of Ohio next year vs what will come out of Kentucky, my guess it is at least a 5-1 ratio in favor of Ohio

I have to agree with ShooterX3. Ohio is much more advanced in terms of AAU, programs, and tourneys. In Kentucky, coaches and fan opinions vary a great deal in the aspect of what is viewed as "talented player". I have pegged Kentucky players pretty accurately over the seasons and I continue to do a pretty decent job of it simply because I see tourneys with more overall talent more often in Ohio and Indy than what most hoop followers do in western and southern Kentucky and even in Lex and Louisville. I have tried to tone it down just a bit when certain players are being overly hyped so that when people see those players they don't get discounted nearly as much when playing top talent from out-of-state. Sometimes when Kentucky players that appear to dominate local talent in their areas get too much hype and then appears merely average against Ohio players or other out of state (or even some in-state comp) they do not get written off and more importantly outside fans do not write of the state of Kentucky by saying "if he is Kentucky's best, then Kentucky is certainly down." I do strongly believe that the classes of 2008 and 2009 are very talented and deep, but some sports authors and rankers such Bolus seem to do some damage by misplacing their ranking with inaccurate info. Kentucky talent will rebound and so will its appeal.

Kentucky just does not have the numbers that Ohio has, the Kentucky kids can shoot a little better, but the Ohio kids are bigger and stronger (on average) and there are a lot more of quality players in Ohio. Look at the number of d-1 players that will come out of Ohio next year vs what will come out of Kentucky, my guess it is at least a 5-1 ratio in favor of Ohio

 

Probably about the same as the population ratios between the states??

Where is everyone playing this weekend?

 

Kentucky Shining Star Sports is playing in the Paramount Kings Island Classic.

Derek Smith east will be in Nashville at Nike event

Drawing teams from California, Michigan, Florida, Alabama and more

one of the premier Memorial weekend eventsh

Hopefully everyone will be back and playing back to our potential

This tournament will be tougher competition than the Kingwood Classic

Derek Smith east will be in Nashville at Nike event

Drawing teams from California, Michigan, Florida, Alabama and more

one of the premier Memorial weekend eventsh

Hopefully everyone will be back and playing back to our potential

This tournament will be tougher competition than the Kingwood Classic

Sounds like a great event.

 

Does Derek Smith West travel to the same tourneys as East?

 

Where are they going this weekend?

we try to go to same tournaments as schedule permits, there was only one invite to this event, west team is taking the weekend off

are any teams going to Kings Island this week besides the Hawks ?

Can anybody post individual performance of some 16th region players from AAU tourney's, etc.?

 

Jonathan Vanhoose, Austin Blair, Evan and Ethan Faulkner, Jonathan Ferguson, Tyler Maynard, Matthew Daniel, Alex Barker, etc.??

Can anybody post individual performance of some 16th region players from AAU tourney's, etc.?

 

Jonathan Vanhoose, Austin Blair, Evan and Ethan Faulkner, Jonathan Ferguson, Tyler Maynard, Matthew Daniel, Alex Barker, etc.??

 

Barker rolled his ankle and has been out for 5 weeks, will be back this weekend, Blair does not get to play until this weekend, Van Hoose

has had several games with 6-7 3's but the stat man must have rolled his ankle too, wont be back until this weekend:D

 

but thanks for asking:thumb:

Can anybody post individual performance of some 16th region players from AAU tourney's, etc.?

 

Jonathan Vanhoose, Austin Blair, Evan and Ethan Faulkner, Jonathan Ferguson, Tyler Maynard, Matthew Daniel, Alex Barker, etc.??

 

I do not have any stats but what I've been told & have read all are doing quite well. Vanhoose & Barker playing with DS 17's, Faulkners,Ferg&Daniel with Eddie Ford 15's& 17's. Ferg hurt a knee & was out for 3 weeks but I think he ok now. Haven't heard anything on Blair. Maynard not playing with anyone but I do not know why. Heard he was working extremely hard with weights, foot drills for quickness & his shot off the move.

I do not have any stats but what I've been told & have read all are doing quite well. Vanhoose & Barker playing with DS 17's, Faulkners,Ferg&Daniel with Eddie Ford 15's& 17's. Ferg hurt a knee & was out for 3 weeks but I think he ok now. Haven't heard anything on Blair. Maynard not playing with anyone but I do not know why. Heard he was working extremely hard with weights, foot drills for quickness & his shot off the move.

 

 

They are all doing very well, except for a few injurys the region is being well repersented with sound fundamental basketball. I heard that Maynard took the summer to work on getting stronger and quicker, and of course he will be shooting, lol.

 

:fire: