I don't think there is an absolute correct answer to the question. Situations at small schools differ from larger schools. Assuming that you have the numbers in your program from MS up to Varsity, I would only move the skilled players up that are physically superior to girls their own age. By this I mean taller/stronger than the girls at their grade level.

 

When you move multiple girls up, ie. 5 in a grade , you are creating other problems. The younger teams are left to compete with players that aren't able to have success. These players will be turned off and eventually quit. The girls being leapfrogged see that they aren't the future of the program, get discouraged and quit.

 

Malachi mentioned at HHS there may only be 2 current sophomores left in the program next year. I can see only two current freshman girls lasting also.

Some small schools (Beechwood for one) don't have a choice. They have to play middle school players.

Yes.

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.

 

AMEN!!!!!!

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.

 

I don't necessarily agree. I believe that if you want to build a program, you need to have the older players on your team as leaders. The players that have worked hard--played Freshman, JV and finally earned their spot on the varsity team. By always moving the younger players up to play in front of them tends to kill a program.

 

Honestly, there are not that many 7th and 8th graders (there are always a few exceptions) that would be stronger than the Juniors and Seniors if they would have been able to work themselves up in the program.

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.

 

When you say "years ago" are you talking before Jamie Walz?

This has been already covered in multiple revious threads, but I'll weigh in anyway...

 

For the sake of argument, let's assume that either the girl in question IS that good or the program is that bad where a seventh or eight grader will play varsity.

Point: In a school such as Beechwood or Holmes where the High School extends below 9th grade ( 7th at BW and 8th at HHS), I have no problem with those students who are in that high school playing on Freshmen, JV or Varsity teams. In other schools, where the middle school is offsite or totally separate on another part of the campus (ie Connor or Ryle), I am absolutely against it.

 

Here is my reasoning:

1)Social Ramifications:

By allowing a student up to 6 years younger than the senior class, who doesn't deal with older kids on the same scale, to spend significant time with older students, you've exposed the younger to things they may not or should not be ready for. We all know that things happen in the high school setting that do not in Jr High.

Additionally, you're taking time away from the younger's normal social development with friends ther own age. It is hard enought to make it when you spend the normal extra curricular hours with your peers, but when you change that to travel to another team right after school, its a stress these youngsters do not need.

Finally (on this point) the younger student may (will) face increased resentment from the other Frosh / Soph / Juniors that she will pass up. This will not help with normal social interaction once that child reached high school.

 

2) Academic Problems:

While it is not practice in most schools to give homework breaks for big games, students are expected to have developed the necessary study skills to handle the job. An eight grader at Turkeyfoot may not have the teacher's understanding when Dixie travells to Pendleton County for a game that night. In fact, if the students are travelling together, The younger cannot even work with the traditional athlete as they have differring work. Most middle school teams do not travel as far as high school teams.

 

3) Physical Problems:

Especially with girls, teen athletes' bodies are being taxed too much already. It is a shame to see the number of girls on the floor each night with ankle braces, knee problems and shin splints. Allowing young women to wait another year or two before enduring the more stressful routines will allow their bone and joint structures to catch up with the (typical) weight gain from puberty. It has been written over and over that over involvement at younger ages is leading to these chornic injuries in young women.

 

I welcome any other opinions, but this is why I feel the way I do.:thumb:

 

 

While I would not give a blanket "no" to the question, your issues being raised are often neglected in the excitement/ego of a person's child participating at the varsity level.

 

Its interesting that no one else has commented on what should be the most important questions asked.

Owsley County is a small school system. It's sometimes necessary for us because of our small enrollment. I remember a few years ago one of the best players on our girls team was a 6th grade point guard. We won the district tournament that year and could not have done it without her. She also ended up being the all time leading scorer in Lady Owls history, somewhere around 2500 points I think.

As a Middle School AD, I feel they should be brought up only if they have the talent to start as a High School JV player or better. My experience has been that many opportunities are lost simply bringing them up because you can. The allowance given parents’ desires in this matter are to great. A coach should look at them and decide if they have the ability to start at that level. In our school district, I have seen it work and fail. When it failed, it failed big!

I am wondering is it really the 5 best

Edited January 27, 200917 yr by cincy firestorm

Yes, let them play up. What is wrong with putting the best 5 on the floor?

I think they should be allowed to play. At a lot of places the middle school and high school coaches do not cooperate on this. I never understood that. Isn't everything in the best interest of the team and making sure every player gets to their full potential? How can this be done if coaches are holding them back and not challenging them?

Yep!!

I think they should be allowed to play. At a lot of places the middle school and high school coaches do not cooperate on this. I never understood that. Isn't everything in the best interest of the team and making sure every player gets to their full potential? How can this be done if coaches are holding them back and not challenging them?

 

The head coach should have total control of the program. Check the top notch programs in the state and you will find the head coach in charge from the elementary school on up.

It is competitive basketball so determine who the best are and let them play regardless of age.