The management of grade exceptions is the key to success on the national level. They had better be difference makers because everyone elses will be. They must be players and at least one had better be a big.

 

We have a 6'3" 13 year old freshman, who will start on the JV, that can play at the 8th grade level due to age. He skipped the 3rd grade. He could be a grade exception 7th grader if he had stayed back rather than skipping a grade and for those of you who know our 7th grade team it would have made them a once in a lifetime team for a small community. All of the grade exception stuff will drive you crazy if you let it. Like I said, we just play and try not to think about it because we play as a school team and we have to play with the cards we are dealt. Our goal is to produce a team similar to Elliott County or Paintsville, both of which played AAU together for years.

 

Our high school program is about to take the kids I have worked with for so long, so we will not be as visable on the AAU circuit as we have been. I will be working with my 10 year old son's team starting this AAU season. They are not as competitive as the 12/u,13/u teams so we will scale back a little and spend more time in the gym with fundamentals.

The management of grade exceptions is the key to success on the national level. They had better be difference makers because everyone elses will be. They must be players and at least one had better be a big.

 

We have a 6'3" 13 year old freshman, who will start on the JV, that can play at the 8th grade level due to age. He skipped the 3rd grade. He could be a grade exception 7th grader if he had stayed back rather than skipping a grade and for those of you who know our 7th grade team it would have made them a once in a lifetime team for a small community. All of the grade exception stuff will drive you crazy if you let it. Like I said, we just play and try not to think about it because we play as a school team and we have to play with the cards we are dealt. Our goal is to produce a team similar to Elliott County or Paintsville, both of which played AAU together for years.

 

Our high school program is about to take the kids I have worked with for so long, so we will not be as visable on the AAU circuit as we have been. I will be working with my 10 year old son's team starting this AAU season. They are not as competitive as the 12/u,13/u teams so we will scale back a little and spend more time in the gym with fundamentals.

Right there with you! This will be the first year for our crew that age as well. Now we'll have to take the lumps that my oldest took several seasons ago.:scared:

He would not be a grade exception if he was eligible because of age right?

Correct, if you meet the regular age criteria you are eligible regardless of grade(6th grader 11, playing 5th 11/u). If you are in that grade but 1 year older you are a grade exception(5th grader 12 playing 11/u).

 

A GRADE EXCEPTION IS NOT a player in the next grade that is the same age as an exception in the grade. (6th grader 12, playing 11/u is not eligible under any circumstance)

 

All ages asume the birthday is after Sept 1.

 

Some people never figure this out, they will bring a player a grade ahead that is the same age as an exception and try to call them an exception. This happens sometimes but is not legal and will not work in AAU state or nationals.

Anybody going to Hoops this weekend???

Correct,

 

A GRADE EXCEPTION IS NOT a player in the next grade that is the same age as an exception in the grade. (6th grader 12, playing 11/u is not eligible under any circumstance)

 

All ages asume the birthday is after Sept 1.

 

Some people never figure this out, they will bring a player a grade ahead that is the same age as an exception and try to call them an exception. This happens sometimes but is not legal and will not work in AAU state or nationals.

 

 

I guess that is what doesn't seem fair--I can play 11 and under if I am 12 but in the 5th grade because I was held back, but I can't play if I am 12 and in the 6th grade but have not failed or been held back. Why do we penalize the smart kids? Why don't they just allow 3 age exceptions regardless of grade?

Where is the better competition at, Hoops, Mid America or Basketball Acadamy in Lville?

I guess that is what doesn't seem fair--I can play 11 and under if I am 12 but in the 5th grade because I was held back, but I can't play if I am 12 and in the 6th grade but have not failed or been held back. Why do we penalize the smart kids? Why don't they just allow 3 age exceptions regardless of grade?

 

My thought here is why would you want to play down anyway? If you are 12 and in the 6th grade, just play with other kids of the same age and in the same grade.

You will see most of the same teams at each place except for the big tournaments, where there are alot of good out of state teams. I would say Hoops has the best compitition week after week but it's pretty solid at all 3. Tell them you want tough games when you sign up and they will accomodate you. You can also play up one grade to improve the competition level.

Nky warriors 14u won tonight in a very well played game over the bulls (summit view) 39-28. Warriors were only playing with their 6 highlands boys tonight and they tougher out a victory. The bulls are strong and rotate 8 to 10 kids. #23for the bulls is a player but completely lost it on his 5th foul tonight resulting in a game changing technical foul. McCoy was strong for the warriors and turner had a big 4th period.

Nky warriors 14u won tonight in a very well played game over the bulls (summit view) 39-28. Warriors were only playing with their 6 highlands boys tonight and they tougher out a victory. The bulls are strong and rotate 8 to 10 kids. #23for the bulls is a player but completely lost it on his 5th foul tonight resulting in a game changing technical foul. McCoy was strong for the warriors and turner had a big 4th period.

 

Sampson (#23) can play, but he needs to control his attitude. Not saying he costs the Bulls the game but would have been interesting to see it play out without that "T". The Bulls shooters need to find their strokes and the whole team needs to play with more discipline. Too many times kids decided to take it to the hole instead of run the offense. That being said, the Warriors were solid defensively.

Nky warriors 14u won tonight in a very well played game over the bulls (summit view) 39-28. Warriors were only playing with their 6 highlands boys tonight and they tougher out a victory. The bulls are strong and rotate 8 to 10 kids. #23for the bulls is a player but completely lost it on his 5th foul tonight resulting in a game changing technical foul. McCoy was strong for the warriors and turner had a big 4th period.

 

Good win by the Warriors... The Bulls came out flat maybe Saturday nights lost at the buzzer had something to do with it or... Bulls had opportunities to take the lead late, but turn overs will get ya every time... #23 is a good player but some words have to be kept to yourself... The Bulls will bounce back, this game was a lot closer than it looked. Bulls down 3 or 4 before the tech?

My thought here is why would you want to play down anyway? If you are 12 and in the 6th grade, just play with other kids of the same age and in the same grade.

 

It is kinda hard to find a team the same age and grade, most of the 6th grade teams have a bunch of 13 year old hold backs (at least 3 of them). I didn't say I wanted to play down, my point is why do we allow it for anyone.

Sampson (#23) can play, but he needs to control his attitude. Not saying he costs the Bulls the game but would have been interesting to see it play out without that "T". The Bulls shooters need to find their strokes and the whole team needs to play with more discipline. Too many times kids decided to take it to the hole instead of run the offense. That being said, the Warriors were solid defensively.

 

I did think the Warriors defense stepped up and caused some late turnovers that were key. In turn they protected the ball and didnt turn it over themselves which they can be prone to do in those situations. Sampson is one of the most improved players I have seen and if he can contain his emotions he will be fine. It would have been a nailbiter that is for sure if he doesnt get T'd but losing him wiht his 5th was huge. Your shooters were definitely not on like they normally are and we were thankful for that.

 

I think losing at the buzzer can deflate you but I thought the Bulls played hard. You are correct about playing with discipline. I thought Swanson got good penetration at times but then lost control. He is exceptionally quick and might have the biggest guns of any 8th grade kid I have seen.

 

Either way they are two very good teams and we are very happy to be back out at SOAS playing against good competition because that is what its all about, not winning a league or AAU game.

Inaugeral Turkeyshoot Basketball Tourney at NKU for Middle School teams. Any AAU teams participating. I believe its ages 12U-14U. $100 fee and gurantee 3 games. If you get your games at the Health Center its a much better court situation.