I think it is fine especially with the girls. To me they seem to mature quicker that boys. I have seen a lot of girls who best for years as a player were their 7-10 grade years. This is as a whole more girls than boys not all.

No.

No.

 

Please expound on this some. Seeing that you are a fan of Highlands, I am just curious to hear your thoughts on this especially since they have at least 4 8th graders playing JV and/or Varsity. It just seems that every year a younger player is taking the place of an older player and thus the older player quits the program. A perfect example of this situation is with the Horner girl. She saw action on varsity as a frosh and now is losing time to a frosh and sometimes an 8th grader.

 

IMO, a player should not be moved up more than one grade level and should not be moved up at all unless they are dominating night in and night out against the kids that are there age/grade.

I feel unless you have an exceptional 7th or 8th grader who is having exceptional stats is each game should be playing. I find there is alot of the name game. Correct me if I am wrong? I just think it is ashame you have talented upper classmen and they loose interest in the game because of playing time and end up quitting.

Some schools have limited numbers to choose from. If any player, boy/girl has the ability to compete at the JV or Varsity level, than it's perfectly within the rights of a Coach to do so.

 

Keep in mind the first couple of years to Varsity, is an adjustment to the game both physically and talent. The speed, size, ability of others are substantially different then Middle School.

Please expound on this some. Seeing that you are a fan of Highlands, I am just curious to hear your thoughts on this especially since they have at least 4 8th graders playing JV and/or Varsity. It just seems that every year a younger player is taking the place of an older player and thus the older player quits the program. A perfect example of this situation is with the Horner girl. She saw action on varsity as a frosh and now is losing time to a frosh and sometimes an 8th grader.

 

IMO, a player should not be moved up more than one grade level and should not be moved up at all unless they are dominating night in and night out against the kids that are there age/grade.

 

I pretty much agree with your statement. You will also lose the sophs and frosh that are being stepped over by these 8th graders. Are they good players? They are very good. Should they be playing 8th grade? Probably not. To your point about upper classmen, I'd be surprised if there are more than 2 of the current 6 sophs are on the squad as Jrs next year. But in retrospect, it seems to be working.

Edited January 27, 200917 yr by malachicrunch

Yes

Some schools have limited numbers to choose from. If any player, boy/girl has the ability to compete at the JV or Varsity level, than it's perfectly within the rights of a Coach to do so.

 

Keep in mind the first couple of years to Varsity, is an adjustment to the game both physically and talent. The speed, size, ability of others are substantially different then Middle School.

 

Keep in mind in a lot of other states, this practice is prohibited, and yet the small schools still have teams. It can be done.

Keep in mind in a lot of other states, this practice is prohibited, and yet the small schools still have teams. It can be done.

Not saying it can't be done but other states regulate quarters, amount of games, practice and not allowing out of state travel. Rules vary greatly in some states and on occasion, some 8th graders will start for some programs.

 

Participation of a JV or Varsity sport in basketball, should be predicated on ability and talent, not merely on the current grade level.

I have seen schools bring kids up in 7th and 8th grade and dress them varsity. Then sit them on the bench. IMO, if a kid is good enough to start, or contribute significant minutes, then yes. If not, then no. Let them play to the level that they can contribute and become better.

 

2nd point. If their middle school season is over, and some end in December, then I see nothing wrong with any kid that wants to come and practice and get better.

Not saying it can't be done but other states regulate quarters, amount of games, practice and not allowing out of state travel. Rules vary greatly in some states and on occasion, some 8th graders will start for some programs.

 

Participation of a JV or Varsity sport in basketball, should be predicated on ability and talent, not merely on the current grade level.

 

Thats your opinion and thats fine. It's my point that this is regulated in other states whose athletic associations obviously do not agree with that opinion.

I have seen schools bring kids up in 7th and 8th grade and dress them varsity. Then sit them on the bench. IMO, if a kid is good enough to start, or contribute significant minutes, then yes. If not, then no. Let them play to the level that they can contribute and become better.

 

2nd point. If their middle school season is over, and some end in December, then I see nothing wrong with any kid that wants to come and practice and get better.

 

I agree with point # 2

Some schools have limited numbers to choose from. If any player, boy/girl has the ability to compete at the JV or Varsity level, than it's perfectly within the rights of a Coach to do so.

 

Keep in mind the first couple of years to Varsity, is an adjustment to the game both physically and talent. The speed, size, ability of others are substantially different then Middle School.

 

I've seen instances, where if there were no 7th or 8th graders...they wouldn't have enough to field a team capable of practicing 5 on 5. The very small class A schools...especially on the girls side...sometimes struggle to get a large number of girls to come out.

 

So, if it's a situation like this...then I say, let them play. However, if you're pulling up middle school kids to bypass kids who want to play at the high school level...that's wrong.

 

To me, it has more to do with the situation/coach than it does the issue itself.

Thats your opinion and thats fine. It's my point that this is regulated in other states whose athletic associations obviously do not agree with that opinion.

 

Since you mentioned athletic associations, I needed to point something out. It's my understanding that it's a state law that permitted the younger kids to play up and may. I believe a female Ky Senator or Representative years ago from the Louisville area got a law passed to that effect. Until then the KHSAA didn't permit 7th and 8th graders to play up. I'm 99% sure that's how it happened, but I'm sure if I'm wrong, someone on here will know and can correct me.

The best kids should play period. The "really good" sophs and juniors that are passed by middle school kids, probably aren't "very good". The idea of entitlement has plagued more than just sports. If someone, especially one much younger than you, passes you, then work that much harder to beat them out. Competition for jobs is the foundation for competitive athletics.