Ouch!

 

It is Sunday. So much for the hype about the new and improved KY Players! You don't expect a team touted with 7 "D1" players to lose by 17.

 

Sounds like Shining Stars could have its hands full with Higher Level in the semis. These two teams split their two games last year in close games. Shining Stars have improved their roster since last year, but I'm sure Higher Level is improved too. Thomas is a good scorer. Shining Stars are playing with a thin roster right now.

They must not be D1 talent.

They must not be D1 talent.

 

Sometimes too many "D-1 talent" players on a team hurts more than it helps, If they were/are D1 talent.

Shinning Stars beat Derek Smith's in the finals of the 17's by 5.

 

Both come of the strong pool 1. Suggestion, now about having the top teams in each pool receive a bye? And everyone plays in the single elimination bracket? lower seeds play their first single elimination game Saturday night? Or even early Sunday morning? It looks like all games are done by 3:30 on Sunday anyway, seems too early, have the finals a couple of hours later. Just think that would be better, more fun for everyone, players and fans.

Shinning Stars (Mcfarland) beat Derek Smith in the 16u finals by 3.

Shinning Stars (Mcfarland) beat Derek Smith in the 16u finals by 3.

 

Congrats to the following Shining Stars players for a great win 88-85 over a talented Derek Smith team. It was a total team victory. Congrats to coach David McFarland (NKU player) who has done an outstanding job with this team.

 

Stephen Kowolonek (Highlands)

Mitch McLeish (Ryle)

Tate Nichols (Ryle)

Mike Gabbard (Boone County

Ryan Popp (Boone County)

Andy Earls (Boone County)

Casey McDaniels (Newport)

Donovan Johnson (Shelby County)

Jake Davis (Seven Hills)

 

Also congrats to the 17U Shining Stars.

Sounds like the Shining Stars have officially taken the crown of the top AAU program in the state. Congrats to all of those involved, players and coaches, and especially Stephen Kowolonek of Highlands.

Yep, Shining Stars almost swept except for 15U which Lexington ICE won. They are becoming a very good AAU franchise.

 

The pool/bracket play seemed kind of unusual this weekend for all 3 age groups. Several of the pool winners had to play an extra game on Saturday evening. Some didn't. Really didn't seem fair to all teams.

Looks more like Shining Star Invitational than state tourney. For a relative newcomer to the AAU in Ky they have made quite a splash!

 

Congrats to the Lexington Ice for breaking up the monopoly!

I think this just goes to show how good NKY basketball really is. I believe that makes 2 out of 3 or 3 years in a row that an nky team won the 16 and 17u state tourney. I believe the NKY Hawks (Henderson, Avery, Clark, Nelson of Holmes) won it their 16u or 17u year as well.

Shining Stars are definitely consolidating much of the best talent in the area. (I think it is sponsored by Michael Jordan).

 

Some of the other "group AAU" teams didn't seem as strong this year. Derek Smith seemed down. I don't even think they had a 15U team. (Royal Family had several of the 15U DSAS, but were beaten by the ICE) HLB looked very good, but just couldn't get it done. The Ville and Charlotte Court (aka Blaze) didn't even show up. (although several of their players joined the Shinings Stars and played this weekend.) KY players were supposed to be the team to beat, but fizzled in the round of 8.

 

I agree a lot of strong talent from the Northern KY area. A lot of the Shining Star players come from all over KY. I saw Botkin and Sanford from Catholic. CJ Penny from Anderson, and others playing on Shining Stars. Maybe there needs to be a Central KY "chapter" of the Shining Stars. I bet it would do well.

 

Definitely a shift going on in KY AAU. Good or bad? Time will tell....

Congrats to the Shining Stars 17u, they won the one that counted

on this day

 

This one was for fun, the real tests will come in July in front of the College

Coaches

Congratulations to the Shining Stars organization, especially the 16U team! Winning the state championship being short handed is quite an accomplishment. Congrats to Coach McFarland also.:thumb:

Congrats to the Shinning Stars 16U and 17U teams. What happen to Jenkins and Team Kentucky, I really thought they would have had a upset or two this weekend. Jenkins in the real deal, arguably the front runner for Mr. Basketball.

Congrats to the Shinning Stars 16U and 17U teams. What happen to Jenkins and Team Kentucky, I really thought they would have had a upset or two this weekend. Jenkins in the real deal, arguably the front runner for Mr. Basketball.

 

Hood is the frontrunner. Jenkins had a busted back with a pulled muscle from the tournament the prior week and hopes to be ready for Bob Gibbon's tourney in NC next week. They did give the Shining Stars a good game while jumping out to a 17 - 4 lead and led going into the 4th quarter. Not enough depth and rebounding to hold the lead. No excuses though, other teams played well and hats-off to the Shining Stars 17 and 16s as well.

Jody Demling had a nice video blog on Jenkins this past week from the Adidas May Classic in Bloomington.

 

http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/gannett-louisville-107-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=recruiting&maven_referralObject=740013849