16s are Loaded, 17s are Loaded and more to come!!! It is going to be a truly great Summer for Basketball in the State of Kentucky...

So to summarize: you don't think he is as good as the rest of the 17U guards. Correct?

 

Nope...not saying that at all. I'm a big CVH fan. I think he'd see minutes if he played at the 17U level. I admittedly haven't seen Calipari, but I'm going to assume CVH is just as good, if not better.

 

I just think playing 16U, where he is likely a starter and one of the top 3 players is a better situation for his development, compared to coming off the bench at the 17U level behind Goodin, Broughton, and Beverly.

 

And to be clear, playing behind those three isn't a bad thing. There's a reason they have the looks and offers that they currently have.

Nope...not saying that at all. I'm a big CVH fan. I think he'd see minutes if he played at the 17U level. I admittedly haven't seen Calipari, but I'm going to assume CVH is just as good, if not better.

 

I just think playing 16U, where he is likely a starter and one of the top 3 players is a better situation for his development, compared to coming off the bench at the 17U level behind Goodin, Broughton, and Beverly.

 

And to be clear, playing behind those three isn't a bad thing. There's a reason they have the looks and offers that they currently have.

 

Don't you think the same could be said for Lovan and Hollowell? Won't they just be collecting dust on the bench behind Goodin, Beverly, Broughton and Calipari?

Don't you think the same could be said for Lovan and Hollowell? Won't they just be collecting dust on the bench behind Goodin, Beverly, Broughton and Calipari?

 

I guess the same could be said about Tyler Ulis or Devon Booker too. With the right Coach and the right program those are not challenges, they are opportunities. Hollowell & Lovan will be learning the EYBL ropes from two of the best and then they get the torch passed on to them for the next year. Exposure in the EYBL is priceless when you are ready for it. Exposure cuts both ways, but that Coach will have them ready. Those two young guards have the potential be McD AAs one day, and playing in the EYBL will give them the stage to prove it.

I guess the same could be said about Tyler Ulis or Devon Booker too. With the right Coach and the right program those are not challenges, they are opportunities. Hollowell & Lovan will be learning the EYBL ropes from two of the best and then they get the torch passed on to them for the next year. Exposure in the EYBL is priceless when you are ready for it. Exposure cuts both ways, but that Coach will have them ready. Those two young guards have the potential be McD AAs one day, and playing in the EYBL will give them the stage to prove it.

 

I think you are off base by likening Kentucky to the Travelers program. I can guarantee you that Quentin and Braxton are not going to be splitting time with Tavin and Tray. Braxton has led that team for 3 years now and Quentin didn't leave the Eagles to split time with anyone. Coach Mahorn knows his best chance to win on the circuit will to have the ball in the hands of the EYBL veterans.

 

I have no doubt that Andre will have his team prepared. He always does.

 

I do doubt that everyone will have enough PT to satisfy them. You're talking about kids who have never come out of an AAU game unless the outcome was already decided.

 

Having said that, if Tavin and Tray were playing 16u, then a kid like Anthony Wales doesn't get much run on the 16u team.

 

Keeping everyone happy will be a balancing act for sure.

I think you are off base by likening Kentucky to the Travelers program. I can guarantee you that Quentin and Braxton are not going to be splitting time with Tavin and Tray. Braxton has led that team for 3 years now and Quentin didn't leave the Eagles to split time with anyone. Coach Mahorn knows his best chance to win on the circuit will to have the ball in the hands of the EYBL veterans.

 

I have no doubt that Andre will have his team prepared. He always does.

 

I do doubt that everyone will have enough PT to satisfy them. You're talking about kids who have never come out of an AAU game unless the outcome was already decided.

 

Having said that, if Tavin and Tray were playing 16u, then a kid like Anthony Wales doesn't get much run on the 16u team.

 

Keeping everyone happy will be a balancing act for sure.

 

Coach Q, you have become an expert at "Fear Mongering".... Why don't you worry about keeping together what you have going on over there and let the Travelers worry about the Travelers... Your main concern should be holding onto all those players that essentially left and then came back. (Don't think it won't happen again.) Travelers 16s are fine and so are their 17s....

I have to agree with Doubletake that it is always best for opposing coaches to likely sit out the debate on other teams especially if the comments can carry the perception of sour grapes or stirring up trouble that simply does not exist. Every team that creates depth with their roster has to balance playing time.

 

That said, the Travelers have a unique position because they play in the most elite and high profile HS league in the world in the NIKE EYBL circuit. During all the live periods, a vast majority of the country's best college prospects come together and battle it out in front of college coaches who understand they will be seeing the nation's best go at it. Younger kids who are playing up a year (16U or 17U) may be willing to sacrifice some minutes knowing the next season they are passed the torch and will be playing that major contributing role like the older guys in front of them. Playing in the EYBL gives you that luxury.

I have to agree with Doubletake that it is always best for opposing coaches to likely sit out the debate on other teams especially if the comments can carry the perception of sour grapes or stirring up trouble that simply does not exist. Every team that creates depth with their roster has to balance playing time.

 

That said, the Travelers have a unique position because they play in the most elite and high profile HS league in the world in the NIKE EYBL circuit. During all the live periods, a vast majority of the country's best college prospects come together and battle it out in front of college coaches who understand they will be seeing the nation's best go at it. Younger kids who are playing up a year (16U or 17U) may be willing to sacrifice some minutes knowing the next season they are passed the torch and will be playing that major contributing role like the older guys in front of them. Playing in the EYBL gives you that luxury.

 

Well Said!

I have to agree with Doubletake that it is always best for opposing coaches to likely sit out the debate on other teams especially if the comments can carry the perception of sour grapes or stirring up trouble that simply does not exist. Every team that creates depth with their roster has to balance playing time.

 

That said, the Travelers have a unique position because they play in the most elite and high profile HS league in the world in the NIKE EYBL circuit. During all the live periods, a vast majority of the country's best college prospects come together and battle it out in front of college coaches who understand they will be seeing the nation's best go at it. Younger kids who are playing up a year (16U or 17U) may be willing to sacrifice some minutes knowing the next season they are passed the torch and will be playing that major contributing role like the older guys in front of them. Playing in the EYBL gives you that luxury.

 

I tend to think that people with a personal connection to a 6th region school shouldn't write 6th region power rankings and name kids from that school the player of the week.

 

Yet, that's what happens. You don't see me on here making AAU power rankings and naming Hoop Dreams kids the player of the week.

Coach Q, you have become an expert at "Fear Mongering".... Why don't you worry about keeping together what you have going on over there and let the Travelers worry about the Travelers... Your main concern should be holding onto all those players that essentially left and then came back. (Don't think it won't happen again.) Travelers 16s are fine and so are their 17s....

 

I wouldn't call it fear mongering. I would call it realism. When kids are used to playing every minute of a game and having the ball in their hands most of that time, it's an adjustment not to have it that way.

 

As far as players coming and going, every parent should do what is best for their child. Hoop Dreams is a brand that has stood for 7 years before I ever arrived and will last long after I'm done coaching. The roster will always change but the power behind the name will not.

I wouldn't call it fear mongering. I would call it realism. When kids are used to playing every minute of a game and having the ball in their hands most of that time, it's an adjustment not to have it that way.

 

As far as players coming and going, every parent should do what is best for their child. Hoop Dreams is a brand that has stood for 7 years before I ever arrived and will last long after I'm done coaching. The roster will always change but the power behind the name will not.

 

1) You seem to be saying that you don't need the players who left because the program is bigger than them (I disagree and I believe they feel the same way)

2) Also sounds like you are saying Lovan and Hollowell should be playing for a program like "Hoop Dreams" instead of the Travelers because you all don't have as much "Talent".... If I was a parent/kid in your program, I would feel very disrespected because your statements thus far sound like a coach who is not happy about his current roster. Furthermore, if that is true, why would any kid want to play for a team with very little talent at tournaments any Joe Schmoe can enter with very little exposure when they could play on the #1 Circuit in the World in front of dozens and dozens of college coaches?

3)Finally, Ben has done more for your program in 8 months then anyone has in those 7 years, but you guys continue to try to push him aside... Why???

I tend to think that people with a personal connection to a 6th region school shouldn't write 6th region power rankings and name kids from that school the player of the week.

 

Yet, that's what happens. You don't see me on here making AAU power rankings and naming Hoop Dreams kids the player of the week.

 

Considering you are the first and only to seem to voice it bothering to you, I will consider the source. But feel free to take it up with The Guru as I made it clear to him when I stepped up to help in a Region nobody else was doing so. I think you come across as bitter over something, but have no idea why that would be.

1) You seem to be saying that you don't need the players who left because the program is bigger than them (I disagree and I believe they feel the same way)

2) Also sounds like you are saying Lovan and Hollowell should be playing for a program like "Hoop Dreams" instead of the Travelers because you all don't have as much "Talent".... If I was a parent/kid in your program, I would feel very disrespected because your statements thus far sound like a coach who is not happy about his current roster. Furthermore, if that is true, why would any kid want to play for a team with very little talent at tournaments any Joe Schmoe can enter with very little exposure when they could play on the #1 Circuit in the World in front of dozens and dozens of college coaches?

3)Finally, Ben has done more for your program in 8 months then anyone has in those 7 years, but you guys continue to try to push him aside... Why???

 

1. In case you forgot, our 16u last year was ranked by Indihoops and beat the Travelers amongst other shoe teams at the Memorial Day Classic before Ben, Eli and Jaiveon joined us. No doubt our talent level increased with their addition but it's not like we were struggling when they came aboard. Hoop Dreams has been around for nearly a decade. It's bigger than any individual player. When Eli, Ben and Jaiveon sign their letters of intent next year, Hoop Dreams will not cease to exist just like the Travelers won't stop when Braxton and Quentin leave after July. That's what I am saying.

 

2. I'm not sure why you put Hoop Dreams in parentheses but you are off base. I will gladly go to tournaments all spring and summer with the kids we have on the 16u roster. We have plenty of talent and we develop our talent. You don't get 80+ scholarship offers in an AAU season by just rolling the ball out every weekend at AAU events.

 

I love my roster. It's full of kids who prioritize winning above everything else. Those are the types of kids everyone should want in their program. Since we have no talent and play at tournaments any Joe Schmoe can enter, then how do our kids continue to earn scholarships? We actually defeated 5 EYBL teams and 6 Under Armour teams last season at the 17u and beat multiple shoe teams at the 16u and 15u level as well. Coaches come to where the talent is.

 

3. It's a slap in the face to the guys who founded and have run this program for 7 years that you would even say that.

 

My final point is this: All these arguments could be settled on the court.

Considering you are the first and only to seem to voice it bothering to you, I will consider the source. But feel free to take it up with The Guru as I made it clear to him when I stepped up to help in a Region nobody else was doing so. I think you come across as bitter over something, but have no idea why that would be.

 

Let me be clear, my issue is not with you personally. Someone needs to report on the 6th region.

 

I just wonder when is the last time you watched a team like Desales, Beth Haven, PRP, Bullitt Central or Fairdale without the opponent being Fern Creek?

 

Anyone can read the scores off the scoreboards. I come to BGP for in depth analysis. People like JokersWild and other region recappers go out of their way to attend games in venues across their respective regions.

Let me be clear, my issue is not with you personally. Someone needs to report on the 6th region.

 

I just wonder when is the last time you watched a team like Desales, Beth Haven, PRP, Bullitt Central or Fairdale without the opponent being Fern Creek?

 

Anyone can read the scores off the scoreboards. I come to BGP for in depth analysis. People like JokersWild and other region recappers go out of their way to attend games in venues across their respective regions.

 

I love reading JokersWild's production as well, and hats off to him. But my situation is much different. What I said above you may not have understood, I was asked to help out and I shared what I knew were my limitations with full disclosure. If you can find a suitable replacement so you are able to be happy with 6th region reporting, then I will not fight giving up my pen. Sorry for not being able to give you more in depth, but I will try to do better.