First, In NKY what has happened is they play for a small public school as a MSer and then transfer as a freshmen to the private HS. Hasn't created the best of relationships between the publics/privates in this regard. Not sure if that is a similar scenario playing out in Louisville or not. When Iroquois made it to the state tournament 2-3 years ago with 2 8th graders in the starting lineup, there was talk during the Sweet 16 that the Jefferson County privates would be making a run to get them to attend school at their private school as a freshmen. I don't believe that happened and two years later those girls make a run at the state title.

 

Second, I would agree and would assume the move up was based on the talent of the player.

 

Third, No problemo!

 

I'm sure there may have been some NKY MS students who have played high school sports for a small public school and then transfered to an NKY private high school but I can't think of any. I can think of some NKY MS students who have played for a small public high school and then transfered to a larger public high school. The most noted case in NKY played Varsity as a 7th grader for a small public school then transfered to a large public high school and then transfered again as a Senior to an even larger Public school.

Remember when Dennis and Derek Johnson at Harrodburg played varsity football as 2nd and 3rd graders? Their father, Alvis, was the coach and they were always at his side so he suited them up.

 

If I am not mistaken, Dennis Johnson played varsity football (at the very least dressing for the team and participating in practices, etc.) at Harrodsburg for 11 years. He was probably a 7 or 8 year letterman before attending UK and then a short stint in the NFL.

 

If I understand the rules now, a player must be in high school in order to be on the varsity football roster.

Remember when Dennis and Derek Johnson at Harrodburg played varsity football as 2nd and 3rd graders? Their father, Alvis, was the coach and they were always at his side so he suited them up.

 

If I am not mistaken, Dennis Johnson played varsity football (at the very least dressing for the team and participating in practices, etc.) at Harrodsburg for 11 years. He was probably a 7 or 8 year letterman before attending UK and then a short stint in the NFL.

 

If I understand the rules now, a player must be in high school in order to be on the varsity football roster.

Net, you are correct on all counts. Kids who play varsity football or soccer must be in grades 9-12, and varsity wrestlers must be in grades 7-12. This exception was put in because of the obvious physical differences between young kids and nearly full grown men in these very physical sports.

 

So what the Johnsons did could never happen again, at least under the current rules. Both made their high school debuts in 1987, when Derrick was in the 3rd grade and Dennis was in the 2nd. It was strictly mop-up time that year, not sure if it was in just one game or more than one.

When I attended Highlands, 7th thru 12th was considered High School. Fort Thomas had 3 public elementary schools K thru 6th and the one high school , 7 thru 12. Middle School in Fort Thomas is more of a "new age" thing.

A lot of smaller schools across the state are being forced to play middle schoolers to fill out the team. More athletes are becoming single sport specific, which means the smaller schools are being forced to dig deep to find enough players to fill a roster. Of course, larger schools in the metropolitan area rarely have to deal with this, but it's becoming more common across the state as we begin to see fewer and fewer three sport athletes.

One other point is that in the more rural schools there is not any other opportunity for the MS kids to play than with the High School. Their season ends mid - December and then they would not get to see the inside of a gym until the next season.

 

This gives them a chance to practice with a team and in some cases get some valuable playing time. Our county would not have a Freshman and JV team (girls) with out the MS students. It is the same for almost every surrounding county.

One other point is that in the more rural schools there is not any other opportunity for the MS kids to play than with the High School. Their season ends mid - December and then they would not get to see the inside of a gym until the next season.

 

This gives them a chance to practice with a team and in some cases get some valuable playing time. Our county would not have a Freshman and JV team (girls) with out the MS students. It is the same for almost every surrounding county.

Let's say opportunities in their county. There are opportunities in many of the larger cities around KY. The rurals just have to commit to making the hour drive or more to get to the league.

 

I drive 45 minutes one way each Saturday night, so my daughter can play in a league.

Most of the parents do not even show up for games much less invest in the time to take a child to a league. but that is another thread.

I'm sure there may have been some NKY MS students who have played high school sports for a small public school and then transfered to an NKY private high school but I can't think of any. I can think of some NKY MS students who have played for a small public high school and then transfered to a larger public high school. The most noted case in NKY played Varsity as a 7th grader for a small public school then transfered to a large public high school and then transfered again as a Senior to an even larger Public school.

 

 

I think Ludlow had a pipeline to Holy Cross?