More answers:

 

 

Question...At Taylor County...With transfers coming in, did you see any reaction from the players that were already there (home grown) as the new players (transfers) took the playing time? Was there any reaction from the parents of the home grown kids?

 

-No, none from the players. To begin the season, four of Taylor County’s five starters were from Campbellsville. Once Dylan Gaines was ruled eligible, the number was cut to three, but it wasn’t as if the whole rotation was made up of transfers. I think a lot of people forget that Quentin Goodin is actually from Taylor County. There may have been some parents who were frustrated, but they never talked to me about it. I think most people were just happy that the team was experiencing success.

 

 

"Only one school didn’t say yes of the 10+ I talked to.

 

Will you identify that school for us?"

 

-I better not.

 

Did you consider following a small school, such as your alma mater, so you could contrast the difference in playing at a small school v. playing at a larger school?

 

-Not really. I went to Sayre for eleven years. I interviewed the Spartans' coach, Rob Goodman, but Sayre was not one of my “finalists.” Goodman has done a great job there but that district is historically one of the toughest in the state. Of the schools I considered, LCA and Cordia were probably the smallest. I did’t really put too much emphasis on the size of the actual school. It was more about the communities they were in. Interestingly, all three of “my” schools fall within the 600-900 student enrollment range.

 

How often did you log on to BGP during the season?

 

-Only once during the season. The first time I ever checked it I actually searched my own name to see if anyone had posted anything about the book (Ha!). After the season I checked it a few times to read about some of the kids “my” teams had played against. I actually reference a post one user made on BGP in the book.

 

To “Theoldguy”

 

-Thanks! It was a year I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. Not only because of the excitement and fun of it all, but also because of how welcome the members of all three communities made me feel.

Jarrett may be on WLW this week with Lance McAlister.

I will get one at the state tournament. Looking forward to it.

Can't wait sounds like a great read!

I will get one at the state tournament. Looking forward to it.

 

Same here.

Most notable concession food?

Ordered mine last week. Looking forward to reading.

 

Were you strictly observing/interacting with coaches or were you able to get to know any players?

Ordered my copy today. I'm planning on getting a few copies as gifts for family and friends as well.

Is there anything you learned about any of the school communities that took you by surprise?

More responses:

 

 

Which team prepared the most for the upcoming opponent?

 

-All three coaches were very thorough in this regard. Coach Gatewood at Taylor County put together very comprehensive scouting reports for each opponent and passed them out to players. Coach Ruthsatz at CovCath had his players watch film before, and sometimes after, games. Coach Marcum at Clay County was a Bobby Keith protege, so he would go to a lot of games to scout opponents in person.

 

Most notable concession food?

 

-Nothing really stands out. Taylor County had "Chili Suppers" going on many times while I was there as a means of fundraising for different sports teams. The Cardinals also put together a wonderful hospitality room for their annual Clem Haskins Classic, with many area restaurants donating food. I actually discuss this in the book, too: The Clay County players got excited to play at OBI (Oneida Baptist Institute) because of how great its concession stand was.

 

Were you strictly observing/interacting with coaches or were you able to get to know any players?

 

-I was able to get to know the players. I am only 26 (was 25 while I was with the teams), so I am actually closer in age to the players than to the coaches (with the exception of Coach Gatewood, ha!). Interestingly, I probably got to know the team managers the best of anyone simply because I sat next to them during practices while the players were running drills. I knew going in that I was only going to have enough space in the book to focus on a few players from each team since I was spread out over three teams. As a result, there were some players that I got to know well, and some players who I didn’t get to know at all.

 

Is there anything you learned about any of the school communities that took you by surprise?

-I was surprised to learn how many different cultures there are in a state of only 4 million people. I am from Lexington, a town that considers itself southern, then you have Northern Kentucky, which has a bit more of a Ohio/midwestern feel, then the mountains of Appalachia/eastern Kentucky, which is its own thing altogether, and Campbellsville/Taylor County, which is the kind of sleepy, country town you find in the western part of the state.

Jarrett will be on 700WLW with Lance McAlister this evening at 8:00.

Jarrett will be on 700WLW with Lance McAlister this evening at 8:00.

Awesome, I hope to be able to check it out and if I miss it I hope Lance has it podcasted.

Kentucky For Kentucky is selling the book.

 

How Sweet It Is: An account of the 2015-2016 KY HS basketball season - Kentucky for Kentucky

Jarrett will be on 700WLW with Lance McAlister this evening at 8:00.

 

Link to the interview

 

 

Podcast: Jarrett Van Meter, How Sweet It Is | Lance McAlister | ESPN 153

Just finished the book. Outstanding work. This is Van Meter's first book but it is written and presented like a seasoned author. I was very impressed in meeting him at Rupp and even more impressed with the book. All of you should buy one!