Some great posts on this thread!

In our region, many underclassmen have taken playing time from juniors and seniors. However, those seniors and juniors did play other sports, and they didn't work on their game unless it was bball season. As a parent of a middle school player right now, I let my girl know that it's all about competition and working hard. If she chooses not to work hard on her individual game (IN THE OFF SEASON TOO!) she has no right to complain if when she's a senior an underclassmen takes her spot. Sure, I wouldn't like it, but at the same time, how could I complain or be surprised!?

I know two schools in the 12th region last year that played a 8th grader and a 7th grader. both of them had 15 or my points in there games. If your a coach u have to go with who gives you the best shot to win the game. If u can get a underclass in, it will help her on down the road but that is what also builds your program.

If the coach feels that the freshman is better in that situation and gives the team a better chance to win, they play whether it is the "senior's last All A" or not. Remember, a parent may think they are equal but they are sometimes blinded by love. The coach is objective and it is their job to put the best players on the floor at any given time. Basketball is a team sport where the idea is to win at the varsity level, not make the seniors feel good. If you can use the senior then do so but if you want equal or guaranteed playing time, you play rec league ball.

 

Go ahead and play the younger player.and see how fast your program goes down the tubes.

If the underclassmen are playing better and winning how could the program suffer?

Go ahead and play the younger player.and see how fast your program goes down the tubes.

Spoken like a true parent who has no clue.

Go ahead and play the younger player.and see how fast your program goes down the tubes.

 

The success of programs around the state would not support your statement.

 

Pike Country Central made it to the state tournament with 2-3 MSers/freshmen in the starting lineup.

 

Iroquois, started 2 or 3 8th graders when they made the state tournament a few years back.

 

There are always 2-3 teams that make it to the state tournament with major contributions from young players.

 

Carly Omerod was MVP of the sweet 16 as a freshmen at Sacred Heart.

 

Harrison County has been to two Sweet 16 in the 2000's and their teams are always loaded with young players.

 

Haven't been to the state tournament the past 3 seasons, so I couldn't comment on recently.

 

Montgomery County went young 5-6 years ago giving a lot of playing time to MSers at the JV/V level. They responded with 3 straight trips to the Sweet 16 and favorite to make it 4 this year.

It is a true balancing act. Loyalty for working hard and contributing is important to girls'. A coach can lose a team quickly if they can't handle mixing young players and returning veterans.

 

But those returning veterans are going to be the leaders of the team and have to lead.

 

While the younger players feel like they know it all, they also don't know the level it takes to compete at the varsity level against the regional's top powers.

 

So talent is not always the most important aspect of how a player can contribute.

 

Is the player experienced enough to realize the roles and responsibilities of defense, rotation, help, blocking out, etc?

 

Is the player experienced enough to realize what to do in the offense when the team calls a quick trapping defense and they know to flatten their cut instead of curling off the pick?

 

Talent doesn't mean you can succeed as much as someone that is more experience. It helps but it is not everything.

 

A coach needs a nice mixture of talent and experience and game smarts.

 

So, for those parents with talented kids that are not getting as much playing time, it might be that simply they are not showing in practice that they understand their role in what the coach is needed. When they make the right rotation on defense consistently, you might see your talented player pick up more minutes.