I did not mean to sound so rude but AAU is supposed to be competitive. Recreation leagues are for recreation where people aren't as serious. My point is that anyone interested in getting better has to be challenged and it is better to lose by 8 than win every game by 20, as long as you are competitive and the kids don't lose complete confidence. It is better to play the best you can find. I took my middle school team to the kba and played agaist 4 excellent teams, 3 of which are AAU teams that can play and the other was Lexington Catholic. I told our kids to compete and not worry if we went 0-3, it would make them better and prepare them for the middle school state. We went 2-2 and our kids are playing better than they have all season. We were 23-1 when we went. I think compitition raises your own level of play.

 

 

At the 7/8th grade level and above I agree 100%.

 

 

Don't get me wrong I am not about everyone getting a trophy.

 

 

With a small team from Eastern Ky. its hard to compete against some of those you have listed above, even keep it within 20.

 

We will be playing D2 this year so hopefully we will meet up.

Please do not take offense but you guys kill me..... don't worry kids we are o-24 and get beat by 25 every game, but you are learning to play the right way. How many kids are going to stick with it?? How many believe you ?? I do believe Winning is not the MOST important thing and that learning the right way to play is, but winning is important at any level... no one wants to be a loser or play on a losing team, any athlete wants success and to compete. If they can't win some they will play football or baseball, which is OK. If you are saying it's ok to lose some and learn the right way than I agree 100%.

Please do not take offense but you guys kill me..... don't worry kids we are o-24 and get beat by 25 every game, but you are learning to play the right way. How many kids are going to stick with it?? How many believe you ?? I do believe Winning is not the MOST important thing and that learning the right way to play is, but winning is important at any level... no one wants to be a loser or play on a losing team, any athlete wants success and to compete. If they can't win some they will play football or baseball, which is OK. If you are saying it's ok to lose some and learn the right way than I agree 100%.

 

 

That is EXACTLY what I'm saying.

 

 

I was referring to G-town "picking-up" players, and players/coaches jumping teams.

We are from a very small county in southern Kentucky and if we can't teach our kids to compete with the big boys now.. they most definitely will not when they get in high school. Our goal is for them to believe they can beat anyone when they walk out on the court. This is important for us because we have to compete with Warren Central, Bowling Green, East, and Greenwood every season to earn a chance to play in Rupp Arena. Right now our high school kids do not believe that they can compete. We had a girls team 3-4 years ago that learned that way on the AAU level and they finished as state runner-up almost defeating a great Lex Cath team in the finals. For us it's about pride and believing you can.

I was just kidding about the names of the Warriors and the Thunder. The only thing that has to be shared is the AAU Club number. Florida and North Carolina teams have been doing this for the past 5 years at least and then they combine the best players to take to Nationals.

 

On another note, there only needs to be 4 teams in each Division for separate state tournaments, however, the KBA has played Division 1 and Division 2 separate with only 3 teams in D1.

 

According to those in the know, there will be enough teams to separate the divisions for U12 this year.

You are probably right about this year and 4 teams is correct..... remember SHirley Cunningham's son played for the Warriors and he owns part of the KBA and I believe that is part of the reason they were put together last year. I understand that young Mr Cunningham is not with the Warriors this season so hopefully we will have both tournaments. If you play D1 and do not qualify DI you can go DII the way I understand it.

Let me first say southernkyhoops, I only got to see the Sunday game at KBA vs Wolfpack, but your Albany Bulldogs are a legitimate contender for state D2. I didn't get to see the championship game against the Panthers, but you have strong guards and athletic forwards. Probably only missing a true big man.

 

As for this AAU banter, alot of people get confused on what AAU should be. First of all, what the Tarheels and Warriors and Villes and Thunders of the world are doing is exactly what AAU was meant for. It is to be a compliment for the better players to see tough competition. IMO D2 was created as the "everyone gets a ribbon". D2 helped more teams feel they could compete. This was most likely a true marketing attempt by AAU officials to gather more teams and increase revenues.

 

I've been to (2) D2 tournaments nationally and have talked to those who have been to both. The D2 national tournament is not done on the same level as the D1. The pomp and circumstance is definitely there at the D1 level.

 

For those who want AAU to be something it's not, there's no way to justify AAU. For those who understand it's to help players become better and the way to do this is to COMPETE against great competition. The way to compete is to put together teams that can play.

 

Good luck Tarheels, Warriors, Ville, Thunder and all the Kentucky D1 teams who are going to make noise at this year's D1 National tournaments.

 

Now, let us D2 teams go win our ribbons!:banana:

To me it is about choices. We made the choice to keep our school team together and compete in AAU tournaments. The results have not been pretty but we seem to compete better each time we play. There is no way we can compete with the Tarheels, Warriors, etc.

 

I have no problem with kids being held back or AAU teams drawing from other areas once again it is their choice. I really depends on what your ultimate objective is. Ours is to prepare our kids to compete in high school for others it's about winning AAU titles. IMHO, either is ok.

Let me first say southernkyhoops, I only got to see the Sunday game at KBA vs Wolfpack, but your Albany Bulldogs are a legitimate contender for state D2. I didn't get to see the championship game against the Panthers, but you have strong guards and athletic forwards. Probably only missing a true big man.

 

As for this AAU banter, alot of people get confused on what AAU should be. First of all, what the Tarheels and Warriors and Villes and Thunders of the world are doing is exactly what AAU was meant for. It is to be a compliment for the better players to see tough competition. IMO D2 was created as the "everyone gets a ribbon". D2 helped more teams feel they could compete. This was most likely a true marketing attempt by AAU officials to gather more teams and increase revenues.

 

I've been to (2) D2 tournaments nationally and have talked to those who have been to both. The D2 national tournament is not done on the same level as the D1. The pomp and circumstance is definitely there at the D1 level.

 

For those who want AAU to be something it's not, there's no way to justify AAU. For those who understand it's to help players become better and the way to do this is to COMPETE against great competition. The way to compete is to put together teams that can play.

 

Good luck Tarheels, Warriors, Ville, Thunder and all the Kentucky D1 teams who are going to make noise at this year's D1 National tournaments.

 

Now, let us D2 teams go win our ribbons!:banana:

 

I would agree for the most part. Essentially our boys started playing AAU ball as a community team to prepare them and make them better so when they reach Middle school/High school ball they can compete. Remember, these D-1 teams are typically All Star teams that consist of kids from a 200 mile radius sometimes. If a coach has the connections and can orchestrate a team like this and it works for families then good for them.

 

My cousin was heavily into AAU coaching and he had kids from Lexington/Pendleton Co/ Fort Thomas/ Cincinnati all playing for him and they competed at the National Level in D-1. It worked out for him but the goal for most D-2 teams is to get kids playing together who will most likely be playing together 3/4 yrs down the road.

 

You look at teams like Somerset and they are a prime example of a true D-2 program who can compete at a high level and probably give some D-1 teams a run for their money. If they lose by 8 like SouthernHoops said then its a victory in their book because those games make you better than winning by 25. The NKY Warriors 13U primarily consist of 6 kids from Highlands and 4 that will most likely go to NCC. They can compete at D-2 also at a high level and probably give many D-1 teams good competetive games. They like Somerset probably feel its best to enter D-2 tourneys so they can have a more likely chance of winning. Could you take 1 or 2 kids from these D-2 teams and formulate a D-1 team, most certainly. Its all about what your goals are when you put a team together.

We are at the crossroads with our kids, 2-3 of them have a chance to play DI with other teams or they can stay together and play DII. Our 2 guards are 5th graders and they both may play DI in the 5th grade. We are all really struggling with what to do. Your opinion would be appreciated, others peoples input could help shed some light on this decision. We did not win a game at the nationals last season all though we were very competitive.. it still was very frustrating for the kids and I just don't think we can compete without a legitimate big in the middle.

We are at the crossroads with our kids, 2-3 of them have a chance to play DI with other teams or they can stay together and play DII. Our 2 guards are 5th graders and they both may play DI in the 5th grade. We are all really struggling with what to do. Your opinion would be appreciated, others peoples input could help shed some light on this decision. We did not win a game at the nationals last season all though we were very competitive.. it still was very frustrating for the kids and I just don't think we can compete without a legitimate big in the middle.

 

Based on what your goals are for your team, I would keep everyone together and watch them grow physically and athletically. You guys are athletic enough at forward that you can play bigger by using speed and athletic ability.

You are probably right about this year and 4 teams is correct..... remember SHirley Cunningham's son played for the Warriors and he owns part of the KBA and I believe that is part of the reason they were put together last year. I understand that young Mr Cunningham is not with the Warriors this season so hopefully we will have both tournaments. If you play D1 and do not qualify DI you can go DII the way I understand it.

Cunningham is with the Warriors this year. He has not been playing with them in Louisville, but is playing in the big tournaments.

Who is playing BCI this weekend?

 

In U13, I have heard it is Wolfpack, Tar Heels, Fleming County and Firehawks. What about the other ages?

Who is playing BCI this weekend?

 

In U13, I have heard it is Wolfpack, Tar Heels, Fleming County and Firehawks. What about the other ages?

 

 

If you know what time the Wolfpack plays Fleming County let me know. Thanks.

If you know what time the Wolfpack plays Fleming County let me know. Thanks.

 

 

Wolfpack play Fleming at 5:00 and Firehawks at 6:00 on Saturday.