I still put Newport #1 if Starks and Turner stay. The addition of Rondon from Cooper allows the Wildcats to remain at the top spot. 

6 minutes ago, FlyPattern said:

I still put Newport #1 if Starks and Turner stay. The addition of Rondon from Cooper allows the Wildcats to remain at the top spot. 

#1 starting the season and winning the 9th Region Championship I assume?

I'm hearing 50/50 on Starks.He is definitely the biggest difference maker in the equation right now. 

24 minutes ago, Cousin Chris said:

You got me Honey Badger.  I didn’t see that one coming.

I don't know if I was more shocked or just kind of let down for my own personal reasons because he was so interesting to watch. I figured he was headed there for some time now but didn't want to believe it would come to fruition. that's a huge decision for a kid to make, leave behind everything you built, or take the next step to better prepare yourself for your lifelong dreams. He left Newport in a great position to still be successful and didn't leave because it wasnt a good place for him to be. That has to be a good feeling for him although it was tough. Now the whole world will see what NKY has got to experience for some years now. He will still be able to be watched on TV because all of OTE is nationally televised in some form or another. It won't be the same as watching him in person but there is actually alot of off the court footage that they get on the kids that shows inside their day to day life and gets personal on their journeys of trying to accomplish their individual goals. As well it captures of the intensity that is brought out between the kids trying to win the championship. Its ran like a professional sports league, even has in season trades to make sure the competition remains competitive and not lopsided so that it benefits everyone. OTE has come along in a huge was very quickly over the last couple years. Much, much better than even the G-League could offer kids 17-20 years old. Even better they have it where each kid has multiple avenues to pick and can choose their own road while playing against top tier competition and get compensated for it without the risk of making a decision that could set them back for years. Kinney fits in at OTE perfectly he and his family couldn't have made a better decision.

I agree 100%.  Honey Badger seems to have the inside scoop with Newport.  I hope Starks stays.  I think if he stays they will build the team around him.  If he keeps growing he will be a power 5 kid by next season.  I don’t think they win a state championship without Tae but I still think they can win the 9th.

3 hours ago, Cousin Chris said:

I agree 100%.  Honey Badger seems to have the inside scoop with Newport.  I hope Starks stays.  I think if he stays they will build the team around him.  If he keeps growing he will be a power 5 kid by next season.  I don’t think they win a state championship without Tae but I still think they can win the 9th.

 

4 hours ago, FlyPattern said:

I still put Newport #1 if Starks and Turner stay. The addition of Rondon from Cooper allows the Wildcats to remain at the top spot. 

I think the Rondon change hurt Cooper alot more than it benefitted Newport so I can't say I think Cooper takes the crown from Newport either. Pretty sure Cooper also lost a couple other depth pieces. Along with that I would doubt Alexander plays basketball this year with a football scholarship sitting there on the shelf, that would be risky and UNC I guarantee advises against it. I imagine in the near future Alexander will be weighing enrolling early at UNC to get a head start, could be practicing with them in December while they are preparing for a bowl game. Call me crazy (but not so crazy) I could see Thelen out coaching Snapp much like Ruthsatz did last year in head to head matchups. Starks stays then IMO Newport could be #1 all year but when it comes down to the 9th Region Championship Thelen could be the difference maker. If Starks leaves it closes the gap for Cooper and a couple other teams and CCH becomes #1 to run the table. Starks definitely has Power 5 potential. Pretty sure his is still only 14 or just recently turned 15, he should really only be a incoming freshman. He has been on a tear the whole offseason getting ready for this season (regardless of where he may be) he will be scary for the 9th I don't see who would slow him down besides a great opposing coach, especially with Turner sitting right there as 1A/1B opponents will have to pick their poison between the two. Keep an eye out for EJ Walker and co. If Walker is fully healthy and decides to play bully ball when the 9th tourney comes around he could offset some of Lloyds disadvantages, he is perfectly capable of being able to control a big time game in his teams favor.

11 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

 

Along with that I would doubt Alexander plays basketball this year with a football scholarship sitting there on the shelf, that would be risky and UNC I guarantee advises against it. 

Is there a possibility he is an early graduate/enrollment and is in Chapel Hill come January?

19 hours ago, Honey Badger said:

I don't know if I was more shocked or just kind of let down for my own personal reasons because he was so interesting to watch. I figured he was headed there for some time now but didn't want to believe it would come to fruition. that's a huge decision for a kid to make, leave behind everything you built, or take the next step to better prepare yourself for your lifelong dreams. He left Newport in a great position to still be successful and didn't leave because it wasnt a good place for him to be. That has to be a good feeling for him although it was tough. Now the whole world will see what NKY has got to experience for some years now. He will still be able to be watched on TV because all of OTE is nationally televised in some form or another. It won't be the same as watching him in person but there is actually alot of off the court footage that they get on the kids that shows inside their day to day life and gets personal on their journeys of trying to accomplish their individual goals. As well it captures of the intensity that is brought out between the kids trying to win the championship. Its ran like a professional sports league, even has in season trades to make sure the competition remains competitive and not lopsided so that it benefits everyone. OTE has come along in a huge was very quickly over the last couple years. Much, much better than even the G-League could offer kids 17-20 years old. Even better they have it where each kid has multiple avenues to pick and can choose their own road while playing against top tier competition and get compensated for it without the risk of making a decision that could set them back for years. Kinney fits in at OTE perfectly he and his family couldn't have made a better decision.

HB, great post. Hope you will share OTE links/channels when they come available! 

5 hours ago, TheConch said:

HB, great post. Hope you will share OTE links/channels when they come available! 

Thanks. Will do.

10 hours ago, No Hiding Here....BC 21 said:

Is there a possibility he is an early graduate/enrollment and is in Chapel Hill come January?

I can't say that I know that's what his plans are but it definitely is on the table.

On 8/23/2024 at 10:15 PM, Honey Badger said:

I can't say that I know that's what his plans are but it definitely is on the table.

Just to piggyback, this is what most scholarship players are doing nowadays. Ohio State last year had something crazy like 19 or 20 of the 25ish kid recruiting class enrolled early.

Bump.

This was just posted…..I might swap Cooper and Cov. Cath. as Cov. Cath. is going to lacking size…..but Athens and Cash together in the backcourt for another 2 years is going to be a massive problems for those 2 years….Athens is going to have a monster year!!

We need someone for the 9th, someone with thick skin, lol: