What is going on at NDA?

 

Have you been paying attention the past few months? Go revisit the past threads.

Your certainly have a sad outlook on things, and I feel badly for you. It sounds like you might be a Gramke-hater as well. That is fine, you have an opinion, I have mine.

 

Never heard of the guy...how can I hate on him??? I wish him and the team the best. Really like the returning kids, especially Johnson. Know her and her family. But you are just getting a little ahead of yourself IMO. After Johnson leaves, they are not in great shape to go where you want them to that fast. Not saying it can't happen eventually, but it's not going to happen that fast. Will it appear fast this year because their district is more manageable with Martin gone and Baugh possibly not playing bball and McClendon gone from HC, yes. But that's still no guarantee. And once Johnson is gone, there isn't a lot in the pipeline for a couple year. But like you said, maybe kids will start transferring in there now that he is there.

 

And I'm in a great mood. I leave with my team for the KHSAA state tournament in the morning! Couldn't be more excited!!

Also, to clear things up, BW has hired an AD and 2 assistants. This was in place prior to the Gramke announcement.

They didn't really "hire" an AD. They added the AD responsibility onto the Asst Principal, and they added responsibility and paid a stipend to 2 existing teachers as Asst ADs.

Never heard of the guy...how can I hate on him??? I wish him and the team the best. Really like the returning kids, especially Johnson. Know her and her family. But you are just getting a little ahead of yourself IMO. After Johnson leaves, they are not in great shape to go where you want them to that fast. Not saying it can't happen eventually, but it's not going to happen that fast. Will it appear fast this year because their district is more manageable with Martin gone and Baugh possibly not playing bball and McClendon gone from HC, yes. But that's still no guarantee. And once Johnson is gone, there isn't a lot in the pipeline for a couple year. But like you said, maybe kids will start transferring in there now that he is there.

 

And I'm in a great mood. I leave with my team for the KHSAA state tournament in the morning! Couldn't be more excited!!

 

I think the coaching program the last few years was not welcoming everyone who wanted to play or maybe personalities clashed. I was surprised when they did not have a J.V. or Freshman team. Beechwood had some very good teams in years past and the program does have some potential athletes who decided they didn't want to play for the past few years. I think if this coach talks to some of these girls and lets them know they will be included, he can get them back into the program. You keep haranguing about "these 4 players" , this will become a different program but it will need to be built from the Middle School up to the Varsity program. And in the meantime they can celebrate small victories and regain the respect they used to get.

I think the coaching program the last few years was not welcoming everyone who wanted to play or maybe personalities clashed. I was surprised when they did not have a J.V. or Freshman team. Beechwood had some very good teams in years past and the program does have some potential athletes who decided they didn't want to play for the past few years. I think if this coach talks to some of these girls and lets them know they will be included, he can get them back into the program. You keep haranguing about "these 4 players" , this will become a different program but it will need to be built from the Middle School up to the Varsity program. And in the meantime they can celebrate small victories and regain the respect they used to get.

 

I agree with you about it getting back. But it won't be fast. I know what's in the pipeline. I am very good friends with the last coach and I'm good friends with the Johnsons. We talk a couple times a week. They may get a couple of those athletes back. But I can tell you the reason they didn't play was not because of the staff not welcoming them. Maybe they didn't like the coaching style. So if they were quick to leave and don't play anything but school ball, then I would question their passion to really play Bball. Meaning now that they have left, will they really come back? Some may. Which means, their numbers may go up some, but that may mean just that. Not necessarily the talent level. If you really love a sport and really want to play, you play. If those kids quit beacuse the coaching wasn't what they wanted and they didn't continue to play outside of school either, how much are they really into Bball? So will some of them come back? Maybe? But that doesn't mean it's the formula to a successful turn around that fast.

 

I have said I'm sure he'll build the program over time. But after this year, it gets lean for a couple years...no matter who he talks into playing...unless that's from another school and it doesn't sound like he's that type of guy! Sounds too classy and too experienced for that.

 

I don't know the guy, so I can't tell you if it's a great hire or not. I can only go off of people's opinions that I respect and they tell me it's a great hire for the program and I believe them. But it's going to take time either way.