Apollo 2015/2016

[gold sunrise]

Basketball season for 2015/2016 should provide another exciting year. What should we expect from Apollo. Remember, please be constructive.

[Irish Cat]

With 3 players with D1 offers, you would expect that it will be a fantastic year, but last season they lost games that they shouldn't have and I'm not sure why everything wasn't clicking. It seemed like they could play with anybody in the state on some nights and other nights you would leave the gym wondering what was going on.

[WKY]

Unless they self destruct I expect them to represent the 3rd region at Rupp. What happens from there is up to them. If they are the roller coaster that they were last season they won't last long at Rupp. If they put it altogether and become more consistent they may be one of teams playing on Sunday.

[Irish Cat]

Speculation on twitter last night is that Eli Wright is possibly considering attending Prep School next season. If that happens than it would be a severe blow towards the Eagles program. Easily the biggest recruit that has been at Apollo since Rex Chapman.

[PurplePride92]

Speculation on twitter last night is that Eli Wright is possibly considering attending Prep School next season. If that happens than it would be a severe blow towards the Eagles program. Easily the biggest recruit that has been at Apollo since Rex Chapman.

 

I saw that as well. If he goes would Ben Moss leave also?

[PurplePride92]

How much of an impact will Hayden Shelton make on the team this season?

[Irish Cat]

I saw that as well. If he goes would Ben Moss leave also?

 

I'm sorry but I have no insight on that. I wouldn't even know of the Eli rumors if I didn't follow a local sportswriter on Twitter.

 

How much of an impact will Hayden Shelton make on the team this season?

 

Unfortunatley I can't help you with that one either. Honestly I have never heard of Hayden Shelton. I assume that he is possibly a younger brother to Hunter Shelton who was a pretty good player at Apollo before he left to attend prep school.

 

Assuming Eli stays, I'm not sure that anybody would really have that much of an impact on the team as IMO 4 of the 5 starting spots are already locked down between Eli Wright, Ben Moss, Trace Young, and Zach Hopewll.

 

I won't fault Eli for making whatever decision is best for him, but selfishly I really hope that he stays in Owensboro. Partly because with him my alma mater has a really good chance to win region with him on the team, and partly due to the fact that I would enjoy the opportunity to watch a player of his caliber over the season, even if he played for a district rival.

[PlayersGame]

I saw that as well. If he goes would Ben Moss leave also?

 

Insightful question. If Eli departs for prep school, I think Ben and Trace will not be at Apollo either. All things considered, they (Apollo) underachieved in June and are looking in another direction.

Hayden Shelton will be a good player. He's just not an impact player yet. Without a PG, he will not get a lot of opportunity to do what he does best - catch and shoot.

[Wireman]

I was just reading that Apollo's Eli Wright is considering prep school. If so, that would be two Mr. Basketball candidates who have left the state.

 

Tops in mix for 'big wave' of Kentucky talent | WKU Sports | bgdailynews.com

[PurplePride92]

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-boys-basketball/apollo-2015-2016-a-305552.html

[ApolloFan98]

I know Eli is seriously considering going the prep school route. If i had to put the odds on it right now, i would say its 70/30 in favor of prep school. We'll see. As for Eli leaving having an effect on Moss and Young, it could, but i dont think it would. Trace went out of his way to move into the district and while he could return to Ohio County and coach Sparks, i dont believe he will. I think the odds are pretty good he and Moss will both be Eagles next season.

 

I look for Zach Hopewell to have a break out season this year. He came a long way last season and i expect him to make another jump. I do believe Hayden Shelton can have some impact on this lineup. He can shoot the 3 really well. If he can get more physical and get better on the defensive end, he could crack the starting lineup.

 

To many ifs and maybes for Apollo right now. I would love to see Eli stick around and keep the team together. If he did, they would have one of, if not the most talented rosters in the state. They just need to find a way to make that talent work in the form of wins.

[ElmerT]

Seems to be some major dysfunction at Apollo. Had a roster last season that should have ran people out of the gym with defensive pressure, depth, length, skill, experienced leadership and athleticism. By the end of the year they had a short bench, very little defensive pressure, half court oriented (predictable) offense that settled for far too many jump shots. There didn't appear to be any progress during June basketball. I'm not sold on the Eagles as 3rd region favorites especially if prep school and transfers happen, as has been reported. Sometimes things just aren't the best fit for certain players and/or coaches. Hopefully things will improve. You've got to be able to best utilize talent and adjust to the modern game to compete at the highest level. There are specific necessities that must be honored that aren't always directly related to basketball that many times determine the success or failure of a particular team or program. OHS last season is a prime example of those necessary requirements being correctly honored. It's my hope that Apollo finds that narrow path that leads to championships.

[ApolloFan98]

I agree. To much drama in the program to be successful. They will need to remedy that if they are going to perform on the level that they are capable of. Last season was frustrating and never lived up to the hype. I know Barker took a lot of the blame from most, but i think the kids bear some of the blame as well. I know the plan going into the season was to play full court pressure defense, but i did not see the kind of effort on the court to do so. When you are constantly getting beat off the dribble by teams that are half as quick as you are, its an effort issue. Im a big fan of coach Barker and know he can do the job, but when the kids arent buying into what you are selling, i dont know what you can do. Toward the end of the season, i thought the reigns loosened and the team responded better. In the end, they lost to a Meade County team with a 4th of the talent because they settled for far to many jump shots and didnt defend. They played lazy. Its as simple as i can put it. When you watch that game compared to the OHS district title game, it looked like two completely different teams.

 

Speaking of Owensboro, i thought they had some maturity issues back in 2014. I saw them play lazy often. I saw them lose games they had no business losing. In 2015 they refocused and dedicated themselves to winning a state title. Holman went from being a tentative kid with no motor and no voice on the court, to a dominating force and leader on the floor. He made that jump from junior to senior. IF Apollo stays together and everyone returns, the players will need to bring that kind of attitude and leadership to make a run. The coaches will have to allow the kids to play to their strengths while finding a way to keep them disciplined and give them direction. I dont know that they can make the jump, but i know its possible. Its a long long way from December.

[ElmerT]

I once heard a successful college coach say he shouldn't have to coach effort AND basketball. You play the players that always give maximum effort and, hopefully, the less mature players learn from that example. Right or wrong, like it or not, the responsibility for instilling that falls on one man. It's a culture that creates a program, not just a collection of "talent." Another long time Division 1 coach once told me (paraphrasing) "The players get the credit when we win, I take the blame when we lose." I believe the leadership there can improve and it will take improvement in that area to right the ship. With humility and hard work, it can be done.

[Wireman]

I don't know anything about Apollo specifically but I'll say this...up and down, full court pressing basketball takes an incredible amount of effort in practice and conditioning. There has to be a commitment from the coaches AND players or it will never work.