How do you define an "impact player"? I guess everyone has their own definition, but... I wouldn't characterize the college the girls wound up at as determining whether or not the players were impact players or not...Raechele Gray graduated as one of top players to have played the game in the 8th Region ever... and certainly was an impact player, in my mind.

 

I would say an impact player makes a difference on the floor the first time he/she stepped on it. Gray fits that description. I don't think success in college or a scholarship at a D1 school defines the impact a player has in HS.

 

I might not have called Amber Morrison an "impact player", although she certainly was a superb player and is a terrific person.

 

IMO - IMPACT players from last year included Gray, Lauren Jones of South Oldham, Hargett at Walton-Verona, Milam at Anderson County, Girdy at Carroll County, Beaudrie at Oldham County, Marshall at Spencer County, Tolliver at SK...when they stepped on the floor, their teams rose to a new level.

 

As always Colonel Mike, you pose a great question and here is my take on it.

 

An impact player IMO is not necessarily the best player on the school team but an "excpetional" player that could go anywhere and be that type of player for most high school/aau teams. Maybe they don't score the points that they do/did but they definitely have the talent and you know it when you see it. With that being said, Hargett, Milam, Girdy, Beaudrie, and Marshall although they are key for their school, and are quality players, IMO, they are not impact players within the state. On the other hand, Gray and Jones are and yes, they proved that by making the Ky All Star Team. Tolliver has the potential to be an impact player for SK.

 

With that being said, Caoch Zimmerman has had several impact players:

 

Toni Slaughter- UL, Charlotte Marshall- WKU, Amanda Green- Went to Morehead but I don't know what happened after she hurt her knee, and

Raechele Gray - Marshall. Don't forget, Antonita Slaughter- now a Jr. at CAL and has already committed to UL, played for her when she was in 8th grade and IMO, was the difference maker for them to win the region when Amanda Green was a senior. Yes that is a terrific list of players and most coaches would die for a player list like that so I can understand how one might think that she has had it easy as far as coaching goes. Maybe so.

 

I just think that she does not get enough credit for the other players that are developed that may not go on to get the D1 scholaarship or even play ball in college that support those impact players. She runs a great program, expects a lot of her players, and earns their respect. A player who respects her coach, will run through the wall for her- that is also why they have had the level of success. The talent helps, don't get me wrong but I do believe it is more than that. That IMO is the missing piece of the puzzle for many teams out there.

An impact player IMO is not necessarily the best player on the school team but an "excpetional" player that could go anywhere and be that type of player for most high school/aau teams. Maybe they don't score the points that they do/did but they definitely have the talent and you know it when you see it.

 

Crazy8's, I appreciate this take on it! I agree with your thoughts & enjoy watching players like this. In many cases, these players are the ones that cannot be taken off the court during a game. At the high school level, we don't talk too much about who never comes out of a game. However when they are injured or in foul trouble & pulled out, that is when the true "impact" they make is recognized. They make whoever else happens to be on the court better. They may not be the "stat" maker on a roster, but they bring "it." And as you said, you know "it" when you see it.

We're walking a fine line, so it appears that it all boils down to the definition of what an "impact" player is, and we all have slightly different definitions. Of course, that means that nobody is "right" or "wrong". :banana:

 

I tend to adhere more to 24smom's "definition", though - I thought she stated it VERY well -

 

In many cases, these players are the ones that cannot be taken off the court during a game. At the high school level, we don't talk too much about who never comes out of a game. However when they are injured or in foul trouble & pulled out, that is when the true "impact" they make is recognized.

 

That, to me, is an impact player. Ability to play in college or aau, ability to score - none of that defines an impact player IMO. An impact player is the one player your team doesn't want to see leave the court. If they're on the court, you're a different team.

 

That's why I would include Hargett, Marshall, Beaudrie, Milam, etc. - without those players, those teams were/are simply not the same at all. That's making an impact!

We're walking a fine line, so it appears that it all boils down to the definition of what an "impact" player is, and we all have slightly different definitions. Of course, that means that nobody is "right" or "wrong". :banana:

 

I tend to adhere more to 24smom's "definition", though - I thought she stated it VERY well -

 

In many cases, these players are the ones that cannot be taken off the court during a game. At the high school level, we don't talk too much about who never comes out of a game. However when they are injured or in foul trouble & pulled out, that is when the true "impact" they make is recognized.

 

That, to me, is an impact player. Ability to play in college or aau, ability to score - none of that defines an impact player IMO. An impact player is the one player your team doesn't want to see leave the court. If they're on the court, you're a different team.

 

That's why I would include Hargett, Marshall, Beaudrie, Milam, etc. - without those players, those teams were/are simply not the same at all. That's making an impact!

 

I agree with your point for the school team- each of those players are/were the critical players but IMO there is a difference in being the go to/key player on your high school team and being an excpetional talented/impact player. I guess it is like looking at someone who is the mvp on there team but it doesn't necessarily make them the best player or even the top 5 n the region. When I think of that type of player, I do think about what they can do at the next level- to me that can be what separates players and their abilities.

 

Maybe impact just isn't the right word. All the players that we have mentioned in this thread are all great players for their respective teams and there is no doubt that there team would not have been as successful without them. There is just a difference in the school, the competition they play, and the ability to have that significance/contribution at a higher level.