Lexington Lafayette: Vernon Hatton

 

Tough choice

When it comes to Ferguson of Elliot County and what position he would play at the next level I think that depends on whether he plays at a D1 or NAIA school. At a D1 I would see him at the two and I feel his ball handling will be good enough to play at the two and if he plays at the NAIA level, and if he did that I could see him at a good NAIA team like Georgetown, he could play the two or a wing position like a three. His athletic ability is a good asset and his shooting will improve each year in high school. I want to make it clear that I am not taking anything away from Ethan, Evan or Knipp ( I think that is the big kids name ) I just think that the combination of athletic ability and basketball ability that Ferguson has is superior to that of the other kids and that is no knock on them, just a compliement to Ferguson.

Holmes - Doug Schloemer

IMO Ferguson is a D1 player probably a 2, since I am a MSU alum I would like to see him stay close to home, but I see larger programs in his future

I think Ferguson will play at the next level and could very well be a Combo Guard that can take his man down low and post up or shoot the 3 right in his eye.

I remember Sanford and Farmer going at it in the regional tournament at Middlesboro and former Tennesse coach Don Devoe(sp) set right below me. He was there to see Sanford play. Boy could that kid jump and play some ball.

 

 

I was there during that tournament. I think Devoe was there during the semifinals when Sanford and Cawood beat Lawrence Buell and Middlesboro. Cawood lost to Clay by three the next night, but Farmer was only a sophomore. Sanford and Buell were both all-staters and members of the Kentucky All-Star team. I've never seen anyone in eastern Kentucky jump better than Buell. He was an unreal athlete, but Sanford was a little better basketball player. I think the region may have been as strong as it's ever been from 1981 to 1986.

I would throw Charles Thomas in the Harlan category if you are going on High School only.

Not even close. Thomas was a good one but Jones:

 

* Set a national high school scoring record, scoring more than 2700 points during a period when teams scored about 40 points a game.

* Was selected the "Most Outstanding Player in the NATION".

* Lead his Harlan team to two state championship games, winning one.

 

While Thomas was probably the second best at Harlan, his accomplishments don't compare to Jones'.

I I think the region may have been as strong as it's ever been from 1981 to 1986.

 

I think this period extended past 86 through the early 90's. I think in 94 both Harlan and Corbin were rated #1 in the state at different points during the season. From the mid 80s through 94 the 13th was about as tough as any region in the state.

Harlan County basketball was pretty bad in 1988 and 1989, so I guess that clouds my judgement. There was a strong period in the mid 90s with Thomas and Pietrowski and others, but I don't think the region overall was as strong as the mid 80s.

 

Knox Central had some great teams in the mid 80s that didn't get out of the district. Evarts had a talented team in 1985 and was fourth in the 52nd. Cumberland had Gaffney, Sundy, Maggard and Lewis in 1986 and was third in the 52nd.

Not even close. Thomas was a good one but Jones:

 

* Set a national high school scoring record, scoring more than 2700 points during a period when teams scored about 40 points a game.

* Was selected the "Most Outstanding Player in the NATION".

* Lead his Harlan team to two state championship games, winning one.

 

While Thomas was probably the second best at Harlan, his accomplishments don't compare to Jones'.

 

 

From what I've read, Jones was the dominant player on those Harlan teams, while Thomas scored over 3,000 points even though he was playing with another Division I signee (Cox) and several NAIA players (Jones, Lester and Blanton).

The competition for Thomas was much, much, much tougher with consolidations and the fact that black athletes weren't a factor in the 1940s.

Not to take anything away from Jones, but I'd at least put them in the same league.

Professor, The kid from Perry Central was Ben Bowling. I remember Dwayne Deaton, but his teammates Kenneth Neace & Jody Noble, I thought could be the the best to play at Buckhorn JMO. What do you think? Dilce Combs best player IMO was Cavanaugh Trent, but Heston was a great player, both a very tough picks! Moose Moore from Owsley Co., was he the best to play there? What was his first name? I can't remember!

Owsley County has had many good players. Jeff "Moose" Moore was one of them. I would mention many more, but if I left someone out it would hurt feelings...and I wouldn't want to do that.

When I posted Jonathans stats I wasn't implying that he's the best player on his team or the best college prospect. He has teammates with equally impressive stat's. For the last couple of year's ive sit back and watched people talk about how he's too small, just a scorer, cant play at next level and all that garbage. He doesn't play the one or two spot for his team(Elliott) because they already have two excellant players filling those role's! It's not because he can't. He play's guard for his aau team and has played shooting guard at all the prospect camps he's been too!!!!! He is 6'2" and in the last 31 game's this summer has shot 81-165 from the arc!! He also penetrates and scores inside very consistently against 6-6 to 6-10 top competition in several states in this great nation. Personally IMO I think someone is looking for a player who can shoot the three and also get to the rim! I don't know what position they see him playing but he's getting some attention from several mid-major D1's(lot's of it from one of them). He is also getting some heavy look's from an A10 school!! Don't get me wrong I'm not bragging i'm just tired of everyone saying he cant play at the next level!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are possibly 3 or 4 that will play on at Elliott Co, and I will be cheering for all of them and wish them all the best.

I hope he can play at the highest level.

He has a tremendous work ethic and tremendous athletic ability.

He and the other players over there have two more years of exciting basketball left to play.

I have been impressed with how focused that group has remained.

Many times kids lose their focus with getting their license and other high school distractions.

Best of luck to the Lions and the wily vet Rick Mays.

From what I've read, Jones was the dominant player on those Harlan teams, while Thomas scored over 3,000 points even though he was playing with another Division I signee (Cox) and several NAIA players (Jones, Lester and Blanton).

The competition for Thomas was much, much, much tougher with consolidations and the fact that black athletes weren't a factor in the 1940s.

Not to take anything away from Jones, but I'd at least put them in the same league.

 

 

Agreed HDE from what I have been told Jones was able to shoot it anytime he wanted. Thomas was able to shoot a lot also, but he did have other great players around him that took shots. I agree that they should be put in the same league. I am not saying Thomas was better I just think he deserves to be mentioned as one of the top 2 players in Harlan High history.

Guys, Jones was NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

Steve Skaggs is a good choice for Greenup County, but you have to include an All-American in the discussion in Mike Scott. If he would've stayed at Wake Forest, I really beleive he would've been one of the better players to play for the Demon Deacons. Just like so many other players from the eastern part of the state they seem to get "homesick" and make their way back to the Bluegrass.