Kentucky Premier & Shining Star Sports (Kentucky Only)

[SSSGODWIN]

It's official!! After five tremendous years of representing Shining Star Sports my boys 2020, 2025 & 2026 teams will be moving to Kentucky Premier.

 

This is effective immediately for the SSS girls and Kentucky Boys. (Not Ohio boys)

 

This merger allows us to be an Elite Nike Sponsored program, share resources for recruitment and exposure, and work on building the strongest and most rewarding basketball program in Kentucky and in the Nation. We will be joining a program that is considered one of the top basketball clubs in the country. Kentucky Premier is 1 of 32 Elite Nike Sponsored programs in the Nation and part of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.

[GoHardITP]

Congrats to both the KY Premier and what formerly was known as SSS girls and boys KY program. I know we had some posts that appear to be deleted now that discussed the actual impact and this is very clear and concise. Is it just the 2020, 2025, & 2026 boys programs moving over? Not sure if there were other boys teams of different ages that are not moving over and perhaps stayed part of SSS?

 

Just to also note is that Nike has a separate infrastructure for Girls and Boys EYBL status. There are numerous programs which have teams of Boys & Girls playing in their respective Nike EYBL. But many other programs are just either participating in Boys or Girls, but not both. That is the case here in KY where KY Premier is in the Girls EYBL & Travelers in the Boys EYBL. The Boys EYBL has 40 programs and then another dozen or so that are Nike sponsored but called Friends of Nike as they do not play in the EYBL. However, some programs will be part of the Girls 32 EYBL teams and the Boys 40 EYBL and carry the same program name such as Boo Williams out of VA.

 

It sure sounds that it will be a win win for two outstanding programs like KY Premier and SSS (KY side).

[weatherman]

I posted this question in the girls basketball forum but I'm unsure if it's still there, so here was my question from yesterday...

 

I know that there are a lot of (were a lot) of shining stars girls teams locally in nky. I'm sure this is a good move for some of the more high level local players, but what about the majority of the girls on teams? Won't this change bring a lot more girls to tryouts, especially out of town girls? It seems that a lot of local girls will either get moved out (cut) or see the bench more. Ultimately it seems there will be less options for your average player. Didn't the Stars have some "b" and even "c" teams at different ages last year? Will there even be teams like that now? Ky premier doesn't seem like the type of program to carry "developing" players. I'm not upset, I don't have child that was with the stars (although I know some). The move seems curious, how does this help the Stars as an organization? Not the high level players, I get why it's good for them. I see less girls basketball options locally now thats what it seems? Maybe I'm missing something?

[SSSGODWIN]

I don't know what is going on with the threads. But, "No". This is not just 2020,2025 & 2026. Those are just the teams I coach. I made this post originally because I also had a thread announcing my tryouts for the Elementary kids. This and that thread were moved because I didn't know the rules. I didn't want anyone to be confused when I suddenly switched. Then the press releases and everything else came out. Now the other thread has been wiped out for some reason.

 

Regarding EYBL

I think there has been a lot of assumptions take place regarding EYBL. I think it's totally too early for anyone to be speaking on behalf of that aspect.

[SSSGODWIN]

The other thread was moved into the Advertising forum.

[Jesse James]

There is no EYBL boys side of Kentucky Premier. The Travelers have the EYBL contract on the boys side in Kentucky. Kentucky Premier has a girls EYBL contract and is one of the 32 Nike teams in America.

[hydraman]

I posted this question in the girls basketball forum but I'm unsure if it's still there, so here was my question from yesterday...

 

I know that there are a lot of (were a lot) of shining stars girls teams locally in nky. I'm sure this is a good move for some of the more high level local players, but what about the majority of the girls on teams? Won't this change bring a lot more girls to tryouts, especially out of town girls? It seems that a lot of local girls will either get moved out (cut) or see the bench more. Ultimately it seems there will be less options for your average player. Didn't the Stars have some "b" and even "c" teams at different ages last year? Will there even be teams like that now? Ky premier doesn't seem like the type of program to carry "developing" players. I'm not upset, I don't have child that was with the stars (although I know some). The move seems curious, how does this help the Stars as an organization? Not the high level players, I get why it's good for them. I see less girls basketball options locally now thats what it seems? Maybe I'm missing something?

 

Parents I talked to said a majority of the girls teams 7th grade and older were top/high level girls players and teams. Apparently the Stars teams beat many of the Premier teams this summer. So although your thought may be valid, it seems that so many of the Stars girls are high level, so as you point out, it's best for them. They felt the change was in the best interests of a majority of the girls currently playing for the Stars.

[Jesse James]

The high level Premier teams never saw the Stars teams this year. The EYBL teams played a different circuit. But the Stars has some really good players with them. Should make Kentucky Premier much stronger.

 

Alot of the Premier kids that played on the GNBA circuit with the Shining Stars have D1 offers and some have already committed D1.

Edited October 3, 2015 by Jesse James

[Letsgetit]

I was at KBA Saturday for there top prospects camp and this whole merger between SSS and Ky premier was the talk of the camp between coaches it seemed like everyone I talked to and overheard thought this was a grand slam for both parties.

[HoopDreamsCoachQ]

There is no EYBL boys side of Kentucky Premier. The Travelers have the EYBL contract on the boys side in Kentucky. Kentucky Premier has a girls EYBL contract and is one of the 32 Nike teams in America.

 

Lots of rumors of a second EYBL team operating out of Kentucky starting next year....

[PurplePride92]

Lots of rumors of a second EYBL team operating out of Kentucky starting next year....

 

Wouldn't that be something......

[Big Crazy]

Good luck to all these players. Hope it all works out for everyone!

[jayky]

Big move hope it doesn't hurt the kids

[Trainhard]

Imo a team with the same players ... Same coach ... Same Philosophy But a change of uniforms will yield the same results !!!! If you could post a picture of the check Nike sends you for your 3 teams as being apart of that program now and maybe educate us all on how the switch is going to help you become a better coach so you can pass it on to your players . I have looked everywhere and was unable to find any kind of coaching clinics that they offer . But I was able to locate multiple basketball camps for the kids at a price of course which holds well for the program as it just picked up 100 more kids to add to the list of current campers . Maybe camps will be free ... Free gym time .... Free uniforms or maybe pay the coaches ... Travel reimbursement Because these are the things that come to mind when I hear Nike Sponsorship ??? Just asking

Edited October 9, 2015 by Trainhard
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[SSSGODWIN]

Imo a team with the same players ... Same coach ... Same Philosophy But a change of uniforms will yield the same results !!!! If you could post a picture of the check Nike sends you for your 3 teams as being apart of that program now and maybe educate us all on how the switch is going to help you become a better coach so you can pass it on to your players . I have looked everywhere and was unable to find any kind of coaching clinics that they offer . But I was able to locate multiple basketball camps for the kids at a price of course which holds well for the program as it just picked up 100 more kids to add to the list of current campers . Maybe camps will be free ... Free gym time .... Free uniforms or maybe pay the coaches ... Travel reimbursement Because these are the things that come to mind when I hear Nike Sponsorship ??? Just asking

 

Your agenda seems to be large.

 

But, I like to fish and I'll take your bait.

 

#1) I'm looking for a couple qualified coaches (2nd and 3rd grade). Please send me an email to ggodwin@ymail.com if you're interested. Rather than throwing stones and hiding behind a screen name, I suggest we get to work and help some kids out. I have more kids than I can coach for the upcoming season and need more volunteers.

 

#2) Assuming you take a position mentioned in #1. Don't worry about wins and losses because they will come if you dedicate your self to kids and dedicate your time to helping them make themselves better. However, be ready to work. You will be in charge of 4 hours of practice per week. But as you said the SAME RESULTS will occur. You will succeed at leading these kids to 63,000 dribble reps and 58,000 feet of agility/footwork. In addition you will also teach them how to play man to man defense. But, don't be made if the program doesnt allow you to teach a 2-3 until the week of the State Tournament. (Just the way I run it) You can expect to win 2 of your 4 tournament the kids enter. 2 of the events will be vs. older kids and 2 will be against kids the same age. Hopefully, if they work you will earn anoter State Tournament win. You can keep the trophy.

 

#3) If you are fortunate enough to keep your team together until they reach a middle school age. Be ready to have some of the best memories in your life. You will create some of the greatest relationships and friendships life can offer. However, it will become harder at this point in coaching. You will find out which kids want to get better and which ones that don't. I have coached some of the greatest kids in Northern Ky. I'm very proud of them. Some of them have become very good players and some have not. However, all of them have become extentions of my family and will always have a father figure they can turn to. For those players of mine that have excelled in getting better, I give THEM 100% CREDIT for getting better. It is those kids that do the work, put in the effot and get better. There is NOT a coach in the country that can force a kid to WANT to get better.

 

#4 You will have to be a man of great character. You will have to look people in the eye and be trustworthy. You will have to be honest with your parents and your players. You will also have to fight off other programs that will do whatever they have to take your kids. They will attempt to run you in the ground and make you look bad. But if you have resolve and you are comitted to doing things the right way you will always prevail. I have had to re-tool my team every year because of turnover. Your ability to build realationships with new people will be the fuel that propels your ability to coach. It's not against the rules but it is NOT a practice of mine. I don't go to other programs and recuit their kids. I may have to change this as we grow. But, for now I don't. I do however, like to visit middle schools and meet with new and familiar coaches and find new kids that I can coach. I actually, take it as a compliment that teams come looking at my kids. I must be doing something right if very good teams are recruiting my kids.

 

I'm dead serious. I would like to talk with you about coaching young men. Let me know when you are available.

 

If changing uniforms creates the same success then we have a lot of success a head of us.

 

I recently completed the season for my 2020 team. I had a team with great kids,great players and great families. I told one of my players dad's just yesterday that I was very disappointed in our final results. It was a season left me wanting much more and looking forward to 2016.

 

We played in Eleven events. We won 5 of them. We got runner up in 2 of them. In two of them (Bearcat Classic and 14U State) we did not play good enough to be conisdered one of the better teams in those events. In the other two events I made mistakes that prevented my team from advancing when we should have made it to the finals. I looked my players in the eye and told them "It was on me". As i reviewed this season with that father I think he realized just how fortunate we were to be that sucessful. I had two starters that participated in 40% of our team functions due family issues. I had two other starters miss everything from the End of May until the end of the season. My Candidate for team MVP went to Europe and missed our 9th & 10th events just to return for the 11th where he received a concussion as he finished off D1 State Champ The Ville in the Semi-finals.

 

This was the season of promise that fell short due to many outside factors that coaches can't really control.

 

All this talk about money..free gyms.. etc.. This is all garbage and I can actually prove it. I have recently been offered these very items by a program that is about to announce their new plans for Greater Cincy. I actually lose a lot of money by coaching my teams. it comes with the buisness. I will do what every I have to do to help my kids and my kids families.

 

In closing, I-m going to leave you with this. As you attempt to slander my character behind a hidden screen name. My motives can be summarized right here. Below is a couple screen shots from a troubled youth in Nothern Ky. He attends a school called ACE. He is hoping to have a chance to play basketball for a local highschool soon. I've gotten to know this yound man over the last 6 moths. This past Tuesday night, I took this young man aside and I told him that if he wants to get better to let me know. I told him that I can make his shot much better as long as if he will take my lessons and apply them. I told him that it will take about 20 hours of work to change his bad habits. The young man said "lets go". That very moment we went to the goal. That was Tuesday night. He has contacted me the last two days sending me video and asking me to help him. He has already put in over 8 hours of shooting since Tuesday night. This young man does not play on a middle school team. He does not play a travel club team. He does not have the ability to play for teams we compete against. However, because I came across this young man and he asked me for help them I'm going to help him. I would have never been given this opportunity had I not been volunteering to coach kids at a Rec league.

 

If you want to attack my coaching and character, I suggest you get to know me first. There is not better way to get to know me than to coach with me. I challenge YOU to take on a 2nd grade team and put your money, your time where your mouth is. I will give you the rest. I just want you and your time.