The starting lineup is not even noteworthy. Coach subs capable players in and out all the time. The lineup could change every game and not really matter.

 

 

This is very true, I believe, this season. The scoring this season is more even with everyone getting some good minutes.

Who is the current starting lineup for SK?

 

The starting lineup is not even noteworthy. Coach subs capable players in and out all the time. The lineup could change every game and not really matter.

 

Not sure why the starting lineup "doesn't matter"? I highly doubt the players (or parents of the players) think it doesn't matter.

 

Niece

Gilliam

Meier

Jones

Harmeyer

 

Harney and Stamper first off bench.

 

Not starting Jones would be a HUGE mistake, she is far too good. My guess is when Buckner returns Gilliam sits and Harney, Gilliam and Stamper come off the bench. Buckner adds more needed height

Take the parent goggles off ? As talented as this team is does it really matter who starts? Coaches start subbing at two minutes in.

Take the parent goggles off As talented as this team is does it really matter who starts? Coaches start subbing at two minutes in.

 

I respectfully disagree. Having coached various high school sports for over decades, I have had many interactions with players and parents over this issue. And not only do they care, but I understand why they care. The starters are an affirmation of work/performance from a coach. It non verbally communicates volumes to kids. Any coach who doesn't understand that will risk confusing and alienating kids. Coaches have to work harder to affirm the non starting kids of their value and importance. This does not mean you can't have 6th,7th and 8th players that are really good but in the coaches opinion they are not better than the starters, or at least they aren't that week.

 

You really think Ally Niece would ever not start? If who starts at SK doesn't matter then I'm sure she might sit to start a game or two this year? Or is Ally better than others?

I respectfully disagree. Having coached various high school sports for over decades, I have had many interactions with players and parents over this issue. And not only do they care, but I understand why they care. The starters are an affirmation of work/performance from a coach. It non verbally communicates volumes to kids. Any coach who doesn't understand that will risk confusing and alienating kids. Coaches have to work harder to affirm the non starting kids of their value and importance. This does not mean you can't have 6th,7th and 8th players that are really good but in the coaches opinion they are not better than the starters, or at least they aren't that week.

 

You really think Ally Niece would ever not start? If who starts at SK doesn't matter then I'm sure she might sit to start a game or two this year? Or is Ally better than others?

 

And my guess is that Harney will work her way into the starting lineup at some point as well. So a coach will have to mentally coach the kid that loses her starting spot so they don't "lose" her...especially in girl's sports.

 

You can call it a status or whatever you want, but there is always a hierarchy in sports of who is better and that is the job of the coach to make sure they are all focused on the team goal, not the individual.

 

But I agree, to say the players (and parents who I could care less about other than they influence their kids to care sometimes), do care and pay attention to that stuff...and as I said...especially on the girls side.

 

As third party observers, we all know that it doesn't really mean much when you are essentially playing 8 kids and subbing when you're deep and have similar talents. But the real test isn't always who is in at the beginning of the game. You can really tell who the coach favors (trusts) in the last 3 minutes of a close game. That's when they will show you their hand.

And my guess is that Harney will work her way into the starting lineup at some point as well. So a coach will have to mentally coach the kid that loses her starting spot so they don't "lose" her...especially in girl's sports.

 

You can call it a status or whatever you want, but there is always a hierarchy in sports of who is better and that is the job of the coach to make sure they are all focused on the team goal, not the individual.

 

But I agree, to say the players (and parents who I could care less about other than they influence their kids to care sometimes), do care and pay attention to that stuff...and as I said...especially on the girls side.

 

As third party observers, we all know that it doesn't really mean much when you are essentially playing 8 kids and subbing when you're deep and have similar talents. But the real test isn't always who is in at the beginning of the game. You can really tell who the coach favors (trusts) in the last 3 minutes of a close game. That's when they will show you their hand.

 

Absolutely correct. I agree that in the last minutes of a close game you really get a picture of who the coach believes in.

 

Also as a coach you may start a senior over an underclassmen of basically equal talent. However a good coach will have the underclassmen on the floor significantly more during the game since there is a huge upside to developing the younger player.

 

I've seen high school coaches who also try to move players in and out of the starting lineup weekly based on perceived performance/work. I do not believe this is healthy and with high school kids creates a lot of fear and hesitant play. It likely works in a college environment because all those kids are mentally ready for that. But in my experience your best to set a starting group and then make a few slow changes over the course of an entire season. High school kids just don't have the maturity to handle that kind of pressure well.