What about Blake Polson, where do you see him playing?

 

I'm guessing Polson will start at forward with Caldwell at center.

Since not many people post on the girls forum, I am going to post here.

Coach Nolan is getting 5 probable starters from Cumberland from a team that went 21-0 their 8th grade season, with these players meshing with the other schools, do you think they have a chance contending for the region? You are also getting PG W. Gilliam, giving you a possibly of 6 starters coming from Cumberland.

 

If Nolan can figure out a way to get six starters in there I'll be impressed.

 

Cumberland loses Whitt to graduation, so the only starters back I'm counting are Sexton, Maggard, Russell and Gilliam. I wouldn't be surprised if all four start for the Lady Bears. Carr, the Evarts center, has all kinds of potential, so she could work into the post positions with Sexton and Maggard. Davenport and/or Parker will probably start at guard with Smith also seeing a lot of action.

I didn't mean to literally start 6 players, which I am guessing you know that.

 

Tackett and Wilson started on that 21-0 team, with Natasha Pennington starting at times also, alternating in there. I am not sure if Pennington is thinking about playing again or not. Tackett and Wilson also started a few times this season, along with Tinsley.

 

Is there speculation that Parker and Davenport maybe going to Harlan?

There's always lots of speculation this time of year. There's no way to know for sure until you see who shows up on the first day of practice.

I think the 2-3 spots are the most uncertain.

 

T.J. Green, a Cawood sophomore, is a good athlete who can play 1 or 2. He's strong enough to get to the basket, which Jones likes, but he needs to improve his ball-handling. He's also very good in the clutch, winning a couple of games with some big shots and free throws down the stretch.

Cumberland sophomore Kyle Hogue is another very intense player who gets the most out of his ability and is good on the defensive end. He needs to get a little more consistent offensively, which he should do with experience.

 

The Bears also have a couple of options with very good size. Paul David Creech, a 6-3 junior, is a good shooter but needs to get better on going to the basket.

Brandon McCoun, a 6-5 sophomore, has the most potential on the team. He's a good shooter, rebounder and shot blocker. He just needs to get stronger and more aggressive, which he'll have to do if he's going to play for Jones.

 

Another option for the 2 - 3 spots is the Fields kid from Evarts; that is if he goes to summer school and gets his grades up to be eligible. If he comes in with the right attitude and improves some on his ball-handing, then he could be hard to guard down on the baseline in Jones offense.

 

McCoun does probably have the most potential on the team; but the thing that concerns me is that he missed several practices last year and even missed a few games. I hope that he comes in with the right frame of mind and doesn't try to get back into that habit, because Jones will just put him off the team if he is not committed.

If Nolan can figure out a way to get six starters in there I'll be impressed.

Cumberland loses Whitt to graduation, so the only starters back I'm counting are Sexton, Maggard, Russell and Gilliam. I wouldn't be surprised if all four start for the Lady Bears. Carr, the Evarts center, has all kinds of potential, so she could work into the post positions with Sexton and Maggard. Davenport and/or Parker will probably start at guard with Smith also seeing a lot of action.

 

 

My thought exactly!!! :laugh:

I think the 2-3 spots are the most uncertain.

 

T.J. Green, a Cawood sophomore, is a good athlete who can play 1 or 2. He's strong enough to get to the basket, which Jones likes, but he needs to improve his ball-handling. He's also very good in the clutch, winning a couple of games with some big shots and free throws down the stretch.

Cumberland sophomore Kyle Hogue is another very intense player who gets the most out of his ability and is good on the defensive end. He needs to get a little more consistent offensively, which he should do with experience.

 

The Bears also have a couple of options with very good size. Paul David Creech, a 6-3 junior, is a good shooter but needs to get better on going to the basket.

Brandon McCoun, a 6-5 sophomore, has the most potential on the team. He's a good shooter, rebounder and shot blocker. He just needs to get stronger and more aggressive, which he'll have to do if he's going to play for Jones.

 

Another option for the 2 - 3 spots is the Fields kid from Evarts; that is if he goes to summer school and gets his grades up to be eligible. If he comes in with the right attitude and improves some on his ball-handing, then he could be hard to guard down on the baseline in Jones offense.

 

McCoun does probably have the most potential on the team; but the thing that concerns me is that he missed several practices last year and even missed a few games. I hope that he comes in with the right frame of mind and doesn't try to get back into that habit, because Jones will just put him off the team if he is not committed.

 

I loved the way TJ Green played hard, both offensively and defensively. However, his ball handlling is suspect, and he is a step slow defensively, which surprised me. I still think he can contribute in a big way for the Black Bears with his intensity.

 

I agree with both of you that McCoun probably has the most potential. My complaint on him (as YoungBlood hit on) is that I didn't think the effort was always there. In addition to that, his shot blocking ability (as HDE hit on) tends to get him in foul trouble, along with his bad habits of being out of position for rebounds.

 

I like Hogue, and thought that he always played with intensity. Creech is a good shooter, but that is about all I have seen him do, but they may have been because of Cumberland's personnel.

 

Fields from Evarts is as quick as they come, but he leaves the ball behind him at times. But, I agree that he could be hard to guard. He is VERY athletic!

 

I think there is a ton of potential at all three schools. From what I saw this past season, the county has a lot of raw talent that hasn't been refined. I think Jones and his staff can accomplish that this summer, though. I'm excited about the up and coming season for the Black Bears.

PD Creech is also a good player on defense.

HDE do you think the Bears can play with South, Corbin, Clay, Bell, Knox, M'boro ect. next season? I think it could take one maybe two seasons for the Bears to be a top 5 team in the boys 13th. I think the girls could be a top 2 or 3 team next season.

HDE do you think the Bears can play with South, Corbin, Clay, Bell, Knox, M'boro ect. next season? I think it could take one maybe two seasons for the Bears to be a top 5 team in the boys 13th. I think the girls could be a top 2 or 3 team next season.

 

In my opinion, the Bears will be in most games they play. I think they will have close, hard fought battles against opponents they "should" beat, but have close, hard fought battles with those they "shouldn't" beat, as well.

 

I think they will advance to the 13th region tournament with Bell being the other representative. I think the Bears will have the potential to pull some upsets, but, being a group of boys who have never played together, they have the potential for some letdowns as, well.

 

I think Jones and his staff will have this team in "post season form" come tourney time. They could be a tough out.

HDE do you think the Bears can play with South, Corbin, Clay, Bell, Knox, M'boro ect. next season? I think it could take one maybe two seasons for the Bears to be a top 5 team in the boys 13th. I think the girls could be a top 2 or 3 team next season.

 

I think Corbin will be the clear-cut No. 1 coming into the season, but I think Harlan County will be able to play with anyone in the region. Cumberland and/or Cawood beat three of those five teams last season.

 

I think the boys will finish higher in the region than the girls, but I haven't met anyone who agrees with me, so you are in the majority.

I think Corbin will be the clear-cut No. 1 coming into the season, but I think Harlan County will be able to play with anyone in the region. Cumberland and/or Cawood beat three of those five teams last season.

 

I think the boys will finish higher in the region than the girls, but I haven't met anyone who agrees with me, so you are in the majority.

That is true HDE, but my point is that Cumberland lost 3 all region type players and Cawood had one of the best mid-range players I have ever seen in the region.

When you're talking about players from the early 80's you can't leave out Jeff Miller. He's one of the all time leading scorers in the county.

When you're talking about players from the early 80's you can't leave out Jeff Miller. He's one of the all time leading scorers in the county.

 

He played at Harlan Ind. They are not a county school. Therefore that is the reason he is not considered in the class of the 80's.

You're right. My mistake.