I posted the link to the Jody Demling article because the tournament was being discussed. I don't recall stating that I knew AAU basketball because I read his blog. Just sharing info with the posters.

 

I also find it very interesting that you want to take shots at Shining Star Sports. The Shining Star Sports program has won the last 2 17u State Championships. They also won the 16u State Championship last year and finished runner up in the 15u.

 

Why would you think that the Derek Smith All Stars would blast them? Shining Star beat them in the championship game of the state tourney at the 16u and 15u levels last year.

 

With that being said I have also predicted the Derek Smith All Stars 16u team as the team that will win the 16u state tourney. They have a fantastic team that is flat out loaded. I also think that Coach Davis is one of the better AAU coaches in the state of Kentucky.

 

By no means am I trying to take "shots" at SS sports. I know they have a good program. Very good players. Some good coaches.

 

However, I completely disagree that you must have a brand such as the SS to get team and player recognition. Kids from all around can compete.

 

I applaud the SS for what they have been able to do. Especially the U17 teams. In my opinion, I think SS (McFarland) will be really, really good this year, after what I saw this weekend. Give McFarland some time, and he'll have them near unbeatable in my opinion.

Vanhoose is the coach of the 17's. I don't know how long he has been doing this but you can always count on him having a very good team. He does a great job with the 17u teams.

 

I agree that Coach Vanhoose does a great job. He has been doing it for quite a while.

SS is a great organization that has many teams in all boys divisons. also staring to venture in to the girls divisions. IMO they try to provide a quality experience for all those participating in SS. They have many players who have gone on to play at the next level. you can view their web site shiningstarsports.com they are about helping kids improve and reach the athlete's goals. not everyone's goal is to play at a major D1 school. Believe it or not, some players actually choose their school based the educational opportunities that the college provides, but having a scholarship opportunity helps to achieve their educational goals........I know for many on this thread that's unthinkable................but there are actually a lot of these kids that realize that sports is a way to pay for a college education!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

SS has grown tremendously in the past 3 years, not sure the year they first organized. Originally started in the Cincy area, then ventured in to No Ky and now venturing in to the Louisville area.

 

as far as I know DSAS only has 1 16 yr old team and 2 17 year old teams. Is this correct?

 

SS has many teams at the various age levels.

 

Just as SS sports may be a good program that offers kids opportunities so they can go to school for their education, smaller less well known teams may offer kids the same opportunity.

 

Or, if kids play for SS sports so they can go to school for education THATS GREAT! But, those same kids could play for any other organization and have an opportunity to possibly do the same thing.

Just got word on two of the Shining Star Sports alumni. (Since you asked)

 

Vee Sanford of Lexington Catholic and Shining Star Sports has committed to play basketball in the Big East. He has committed to play at Georgetown.

 

Austin Hill of Holmes and Shining Star Sports has committed to play basketball at Illinios State next year.

 

If you want the complete list:

 

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=SHININGSTARSPORTS&t=c&s=basketball&p=custom&pagename=Alumni%20at%20College

 

This is fantastic news! Thank you. Congrats to those kids!

 

But again, you are talking about 2 kids out of how many players in the entire organization.

 

Just back to my point that, you DONT have to play for any specific organization to get recognition OR college scholarhsips. These kids just have to play to the best of their ability, and i do think that they should play in some of the bigger tournaments.

Playing for a good program/team is good, but minutes are also important. The more you get to play, the better chance for improvement and possibly exposure. If you play on a lesser-known team, I would think that putting up a big game against a powerhouse team could also get a player noticed. I don't think players 8-10 on a stacked team always get as much opportunity for exposure as the top 3 on a good, but not top-tier team.

Just got word on two of the Shining Star Sports alumni. (Since you asked)

 

Vee Sanford of Lexington Catholic and Shining Star Sports has committed to play basketball in the Big East. He has committed to play at Georgetown.

 

Austin Hill of Holmes and Shining Star Sports has committed to play basketball at Illinios State next year.

 

If you want the complete list:

 

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=SHININGSTARSPORTS&t=c&s=basketball&p=custom&pagename=Alumni%20at%20College

 

 

Also,it appears that some of the names on this list, are kids who may have played with this organization at one time or another, but not only this organization.

 

But this list is somewhat impressive nonetheless.

 

Kudos on getting that info.

By no means am I trying to take "shots" at SS sports. I know they have a good program. Very good players. Some good coaches.

 

However, I completely disagree that you must have a brand such as the SS to get team and player recognition. Kids from all around can compete.

 

I applaud the SS for what they have been able to do. Especially the U17 teams. In my opinion, I think SS (McFarland) will be really, really good this year, after what I saw this weekend. Give McFarland some time, and he'll have them near unbeatable in my opinion.

 

SS McFarland isn't the only top quality SS team, SS Jackson and I believe it's SS Price have very good teams also.....maybe others in the 17U division and of course there are other top qualilty teams out side of SS. it's nice to see so many quality teams..........good competition makes them all better.............and very fun to watch the competition.

Playing for a good program/team is good, but minutes are also important. The more you get to play, the better chance for improvement and possibly exposure. If you play on a lesser-known team, I would think that putting up a big game against a powerhouse team could also get a player noticed. I don't think players 8-10 on a stacked team always get as much opportunity for exposure as the top 3 on a good, but not top-tier team.

 

This is exactly what I'm trying to say! Kudos to you sir or ma'am.

 

If your child plays for a good organization (i.e. SS sports, DSAS, I.E. etc), thats good. But, it doesnt guarantee or confirm exposure.

The Derek Smith 17U West team played in the Club Ohio Tournament of Champions this past weekend for their first tourney of the year.

 

It was a coming out party for Curtis Washington the 6' 8" center from Elizabethtown. Washington was a major presence in the post. Deonte Maddox also looked liked prime D1 talent on the court. This team won the tourney beating the Queen City Prophets in pool play and in the finals of the tourney. They also knocked off the Club Ohio team in the semi's.

 

DSAA also look to have many talented guards on their team. It looked like all of them could stroke the ball really well.

The Derek Smith 17U West team played in the Club Ohio Tournament of Champions this past weekend for their first tourney of the year.

 

It was a coming out party for Curtis Washington the 6' 8" center from Elizabethtown. Washington was a major presence in the post. Deonte Maddox also looked liked prime D1 talent on the court. This team won the tourney beating the Queen City Prophets in pool play and in the finals of the tourney. They also knocked off the Club Ohio team in the semi's.

 

DSAA also look to have many talented guards on their team. It looked like all of them could stroke the ball really well.

 

I really like Deonte Maddox game. He is a very talented young man.

I really like Deonte Maddox game. He is a very talented young man.

 

Yes he is! Very strong to the hoop, quick, and can shoot the ball well. Looked like a lot of talent on that team to me.

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Ky Players have done little or nothing for the players in question. General consensus is that players would have been better served playing elsewhere and in fact when tournies matter they tend to be playing with Queen City Prophets.

 

Those members who played for the Queen City Prophets only played at the AAU Nationals last year thats it. What do you mean they haven't done anything for them? Every tournament they go to they get recognition because team does very well. You don't have to have ADIDAS or JORDAN as sponsors to have a good team. The Shining Star Mcfarland team wasn't really a threat to the KY Players until they got some new adidtions this year. Derek Smith and Shining Star Sports do asssemble good talent from all around the state. Ky Players are all mostly from Covington.

Just as SS sports may be a good program that offers kids opportunities so they can go to school for their education, smaller less well known teams may offer kids the same opportunity.

 

Or, if kids play for SS sports so they can go to school for education THATS GREAT! But, those same kids could play for any other organization and have an opportunity to possibly do the same thing.

 

I agree, just not as familiar with the other organizations. To me, the ultimate goal it to help prepare the kids for their future careers........and a sports/basketball scholarship will certainly help do that. Whatever organization or team or coach helps these kids to accomplish that, they need to be applauded. Most coaches or organizations that we are familiar with all indicate they would do all they could to help a player realize his goals. There are absolutely those that also have incorrect motives, but for the most part, we haven't seen that. There are a lot of coaches and organizations that are involved with AAU because they want to help kids and they enjoy the atmosphere along the way. There are lots of quality people you meet along the way, including the kids.

I agree, just not as familiar with the other organizations. To me, the ultimate goal it to help prepare the kids for their future careers........and a sports/basketball scholarship will certainly help do that. Whatever organization or team or coach helps these kids to accomplish that, they need to be applauded. Most coaches or organizations that we are familiar with all indicate they would do all they could to help a player realize his goals. There are absolutely those that also have incorrect motives, but for the most part, we haven't seen that. There are a lot of coaches and organizations that are involved with AAU because they want to help kids and they enjoy the atmosphere along the way. There are lots of quality people you meet along the way, including the kids.

 

I absolutely agree with you. As a coach, you should get into AAU specifically for the kids. If a coach gets recognized for helping kids, GREAT. But, it is about the young athletes. I would certainly hope that there arent to many coaches, or any at all that are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Can you tell it is AAU season yet?