^well spencer just ruined this witchhunt. I swear, he drove the bus though.

^well spencer just ruined this witchhunt. I swear, he drove the bus though.

 

My sophomore is 15 and will be until after this years basketball season is over. In fact all of my children will be 15 in their sophomore year. They have benefitted greatly playing against and with older kids. I have always told them, "it will make you better and it will all even out" and it has done both. By the way, because someone has differing opinions than you does not make it a "witch hunt".

My sophomore is 15 and will be until after this years basketball season is over. In fact all of my children will be 15 in their sophomore year. They have benefitted greatly playing against and with older kids. I have always told them, "it will make you better and it will all even out" and it has done both. By the way, because someone has differing opinions than you does not make it a "witch hunt".

I'm tickled for you. Maybe your kids are more mature and ready to leave the house and enter college or the workforce at 17. Mine weren't. Good luck to yours.

I truly am agnostic in this debate. As a coach I have had both on my roster and it would be hypocritical of me to be someone who criticize while taking advantage of it. As kids move up the ladder in grades, it becomes less and less of a factor. I feel it makes the biggest difference during the middle school years when some are hitting or through puberty and others have not even started. It is much easier to mention a grade a player is in because the roster usually defines it while their age is not really easily known.

 

However, when someone is mentioning a young phenom who is an 8th grader or even freshmen and someone points out they are an older kid for their grade then I would not find that dissing on the kid. If it is true then it is an observation worth noting. Likewise if their is a freshmen who is very young and playing as a 13 or 14 year old it is equally worth noting. Having that extra year and someone pointing that out just gives a perspective that has impact. However, there is nothing wrong in my opinion for a parent to choose to give their young son or daughter that physical advantage should they choose to do so given it is within the rules. The abusers are those that fake birth certificates and the like who play kids several years older than they should be playing. There are those out there who do that.

I'm 31, so not too horrible far removed from school. I turned 15 in September of my Freshman year of high school. I was never held back.

I'm 31, so not too horrible far removed from school. I turned 15 in September of my Freshman year of high school. I was never held back.

 

August and September birthdays are always the "swing" months for kids entering school, specifically kindergarten. Some parents elect to send those kids who have just turned five or will just be turning five to school which makes them very young for their grade. Others elect to let them wait a year and enter as they just turn six or will be turning six right after school year begins. These kids become the older group of a grade. In the case of these birthday months those that become part of the older group are not hold backs, such as the case of yourself.

 

This thread started with the false assumption that an 8th grader playing varsity was actually 16. It was cleared up the 8th grader was 15, which as an 8th grader would be a hold back at some point of their academic career, but not unusual in the sense a 16 year old 8th grader would obviously be.

This thread started with the false assumption that an 8th grader playing varsity was actually 16. It was cleared up the 8th grader was 15, which as an 8th grader would be a hold back at some point of their academic career, but not unusual in the sense a 16 year old 8th grader would obviously be.

 

I don't believe it has been proven that the kid is only 15. Only a statement on here from someone who is an Elliott county supporter. I have had several people close to the Elliott county team that all say that the kid is indeed 16. All I am saying is he is a good player, but holding him back as they have done at least once and maybe twice as it appears will not benefit the kid. Yeah I am sure he has dominated in the middle school as he very well should, but for him to have to sit out his senior year will that benefit him? Will he be allowed to play during his jr year if he is in fact 16 now? I feel as if there are some parents who want their kid to dominate not in their age group but to hold them back and dominate against kids 1 or 2 years younger. Sad, but it is true. When the Spencer kids gets mentioned as one of the better 8th grade players in the states, then I think those that are saying this should indeed be comparing him to the freshman or even sophomore class.

August and September birthdays are always the "swing" months for kids entering school, specifically kindergarten. Some parents elect to send those kids who have just turned five or will just be turning five to school which makes them very young for their grade. Others elect to let them wait a year and enter as they just turn six or will be turning six right after school year begins. These kids become the older group of a grade. In the case of these birthday months those that become part of the older group are not hold backs, such as the case of yourself.

 

This thread started with the false assumption that an 8th grader playing varsity was actually 16. It was cleared up the 8th grader was 15, which as an 8th grader would be a hold back at some point of their academic career, but not unusual in the sense a 16 year old 8th grader would obviously be.

 

Yeah, I was just trying to provide some independent evidence to show that a 15 year old 8th grader isn't too crazy as it is only a year off from myself. I didn't articulate that well, or at all, though.

Are we really having this much trouble connecting the dots? Really?

Spencer kid is 15! Get over it...sounds like some jealous parents bashing a child that works hard. Why hasn't anyone mentioned all the other players on Elliotts team that are hold backs....almost everyone of them are. Why the focus on him? Only a few threads on here has failed to mention he is playing against sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Give props where props are due.....

Spencer kid is 15! Get over it...sounds like some jealous parents bashing a child that works hard. Why hasn't anyone mentioned all the other players on Elliotts team that are hold backs....almost everyone of them are. Why the focus on him? Only a few threads on here has failed to mention he is playing against sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Give props where props are due.....

Geez,,,,,You just threw another log on the fire,,,how many more are there..

Some parents decide to start their kids in school one year later than usual, or decide to have them repeat a grade later, (and from what I've seen it's usually the 6th grade), for maturity reasons. This would include maturity not only in athletics but also in academics.

 

I graduated at 17, weighed about 140, didn't shave, still looked like a freshman or sophomore. I went to college and my appearance remained about the same until my second year, I think that's when I first shaved and gained weight to around 175 to go with my six foot frame. Looking back at it I wished I had repeated a grade when I was in school. I was actually encouraged to do that by my middle school basketball coach but my mom would have none of it, mainly because she didn't want me and my twin sister to be graduating in different years.

Some parents decide to start their kids in school one year later than usual, or decide to have them repeat a grade later, (and from what I've seen it's usually the 6th grade), for maturity reasons. This would include maturity not only in athletics but also in academics.

 

I graduated at 17, weighed about 140, didn't shave, still looked like a freshman or sophomore. I went to college and my appearance remained about the same until my second year, I think that's when I first shaved and gained weight to around 175 to go with my six foot frame. Looking back at it I wished I had repeated a grade when I was in school. I was actually encouraged to do that by my middle school basketball coach but my mom would have none of it, mainly because she didn't want me and my twin sister to be graduating in different years.

 

You are absolutely correct! And the only people you have hating on this is jealous parents. Do they think college coaches care what age you are...absolutely not!

Pretty sure he is 17 . I read it on the interweb .

You are absolutely correct! And the only people you have hating on this is jealous parents. Do they think college coaches care what age you are...absolutely not!

 

What is there to be jealous of? Heck, it makes me even more proud of my kids for their accomplishments academically, athletically and socially. Also, it must matter to some coaches because they ask the question.