Not 100% sure but I believe Nate Edmondson, Ryan Luster, and Duran Jefferson all three played 8th grade, JV, and some varsity as 8th graders at Holmes. I know all three were pulled up and then the Edmondson and Luster kid played in the 8th grade tournament at the end of the year.

 

I think Mike Hester of Conner, that same year, led the Cougars to the 8th grade title while also seeing varsity and jv minutes.

 

If they were pulled up, why in the world would they be brought back down to the 8th grade team??

Not 100% sure but I believe Nate Edmondson, Ryan Luster, and Duran Jefferson all three played 8th grade, JV, and some varsity as 8th graders at Holmes. I know all three were pulled up and then the Edmondson and Luster kid played in the 8th grade tournament at the end of the year.

 

I think Mike Hester of Conner, that same year, led the Cougars to the 8th grade title while also seeing varsity and jv minutes.

 

Luster and and DJ started the year on the 8th grade team. They then moved up to JV but no longer played on the 8th grade team. They did not play in the 8th grade tourney at the end of the year. Holmes made the championship without them but lost.

 

Edmondson was not at Holmes then.

Luster and and DJ started the year on the 8th grade team. They then moved up to JV but no longer played on the 8th grade team. They did not play in the 8th grade tourney at the end of the year. Holmes made the championship without them but lost.

 

Edmondson was not at Holmes then.

 

I think you might be wrong. Edmondson WAS at Holmes his 8th grade year. Also, both Luster and Edmondson played in the 8th grade tourney (just spoke with one of their mothers about it). Jefferson did stay up on JV though. Hester was the only one to leave that year and he went to Conner, then Edmondson followed Hester his freshman year to SK. Here is a picture of their 8th grade team:

 

(Edmondson #35, Luster #4, Jefferson #23)

 

 

If they were pulled up, why in the world would they be brought back down to the 8th grade team??

 

Not sure. I know Jefferson was pulled up to run the point at the JV level because I believe Tony Ramsey was seeing more time at the point on varsity. Edmondson and Luster were both pulled up to JV for a little while but were brought back down right around the time before the 8th grade tourney started.

Not 100% sure but I believe Nate Edmondson, Ryan Luster, and Duran Jefferson all three played 8th grade, JV, and some varsity as 8th graders at Holmes. I know all three were pulled up and then the Edmondson and Luster kid played in the 8th grade tournament at the end of the year.

 

I think Mike Hester of Conner, that same year, led the Cougars to the 8th grade title while also seeing varsity and jv minutes.

 

Because of the loopholes created in the KHSAA this is all perfectly legal.

 

The danger for the schools/coaches is in situations like Hester. Conner invested time and energy and took playing time from other kids within the program and then Hester enrolls at SK for his freshmen year and is eligible immediately.

 

Happens at all levels in Kentucky....small and large schools

Because of the loopholes created in the KHSAA this is all perfectly legal.

 

The danger for the schools/coaches is in situations like Hester. Conner invested time and energy and took playing time from other kids within the program and then Hester enrolls at SK for his freshmen year and is eligible immediately.

 

Happens at all levels in Kentucky....small and large schools

 

Exactly. Hester was counted on to be the "future" of Conner basketball and all Conner was, was a pit stop to play up and get some high school experience. I think this is why kids really shouldn't be brought up to play at the varsity level until their freshman year.

 

Don't be surprised if the same thing happens in the next two years with a certain 7th grader who is playing up right now in NKY.......:sssh:

If they were pulled up, why in the world would they be brought back down to the 8th grade team??

 

IMO they were only brought back down to win the 8th grade tourny.

Exactly. Hester was counted on to be the "future" of Conner basketball and all Conner was, was a pit stop to play up and get some high school experience. I think this is why kids really shouldn't be brought up to play at the varsity level until their freshman year.

 

Don't be surprised if the same thing happens in the next two years with a certain 7th grader who is playing up right now in NKY.......:sssh:

 

Hester was 8th region player of the year in 07. Seems Conner really helped him out by giving him experience as a middle schooler.

I think you might be wrong. Edmondson WAS at Holmes his 8th grade year. Also, both Luster and Edmondson played in the 8th grade tourney (just spoke with one of their mothers about it). Jefferson did stay up on JV though. Hester was the only one to leave that year and he went to Conner, then Edmondson followed Hester his freshman year to SK. Here is a picture of their 8th grade team:

 

(Edmondson #35, Luster #4, Jefferson #23)

 

 

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My fault. I thought he was already at SK. You must admit keeping up with ol' Nate required a map and a notebook.

 

They(DJ and Luster) did NOT play in the 8th grade public school tourney. I was there. Had they been there it would have been a no contest game. They dominated every 8th grade team that year. They were not there and Holmes lost in a close game.

 

If Nate played he certainly wasn't a factor which makes me think he didn't play either.

 

Jefferson was one of the first subs off the bench for varsity in the district tourney at HC that year.

IMO they were only brought back down to win the 8th grade tourny.

 

Exactly!

My fault. I thought he was already at SK. You must admit keeping up with ol' Nate required a map and a notebook.

 

They(DJ and Luster) did NOT play in the 8th grade public school tourney. I was there. Had they been there it would have been a no contest game. They dominated every 8th grade team that year. They were not there and Holmes lost in a close game.

 

If Nate played he certainly wasn't a factor which makes me think he didn't play either.

 

Jefferson was one of the first subs off the bench for varsity in the district tourney at HC that year.

 

Nate was indeed tough to keep up with throughout his high school career. Holmes 7th/8th grade, SK 9th grade, Holmes 10th/11th grade, and Gallatin Co 12th grade.

 

You're right about Luster and Nate, my apologies. The person I spoke to had the two years mixed up. It was the 9th grade tourney that Luster came back down for and Nate was gone that year playing varsity at SK.

 

Now that I think about it, I don't think Austin Hill ever played 8th grade or freshman ball.

IMO they were only brought back down to win the 8th grade tourny.

 

Exactly!

 

Just checked and neither played in the 8th grade tourney. Holmes was 16-0 during their 7th grade year and won the 7th grade title, then started their 8th grade year off at I think 9-0 or 10-0 (25 or 26 consecutive wins) and then Luster, Edmondson, and Jefferson were all three called up to play JV.

 

Holmes made the 8th grade championship with Justin Young, Rodney Covington, Ozzie Smith, Keywon Arnold, and I believe the kid in the middle of the picture holding the basketball was their point guard.

 

However, Luster was sent back down to freshman ball his 9th grade year right before the freshman tourney.

Nate was indeed tough to keep up with throughout his high school career. Holmes 7th/8th grade, SK 9th grade, Holmes 10th/11th grade, and Gallatin Co 12th grade.

 

You're right about Luster and Nate, my apologies. The person I spoke to had the two years mixed up. It was the 9th grade tourney that Luster came back down for and Nate was gone that year playing varsity at SK.

 

Now that I think about it, I don't think Austin Hill ever played 8th grade or freshman ball.

 

Austin went from 7th grade to JV. Never saw 8th or frosh.

 

Note: He had 21 recently for his JUCO team.

 

Holmes made the 8th grade championship with Justin Young, Rodney Covington, Ozzie Smith, Keywon Arnold, and I believe the kid in the middle of the picture holding the basketball was their point guard.

 

.

 

That's the bunch that still almost won the 8th grade tourney.

Austin went from 7th grade to JV. Never saw 8th or frosh.

 

Note: He had 21 recently for his JUCO team.

 

Nice. Glad to hear he's doing well.