Let's not forget Ms. Jones so quickly. Whitfield has a LONG way to go before she hits that level. I like Whitfield a lot, but Jones was a really nice player.

 

Nobody's forgetting Lauren Jones.

 

Jones was a fantastic player - and there were some pretty incredible players at South before her, such as Jennifer Jaracz and Ashley Trosper. Jasmine Whitfield hasn't earned the accolades that Lauren earned - yet. But she may.

 

It's hard to compare the two right now...Whitfield is only beginning her sophomore season. How she develops is yet to be seen. But she is more athletic than Lauren, has the skills to be a better defender, and may turn out to be a better shooter - believe it or not...

 

Only time will tell. But she definitely has the potential to be better than all of them...if she's got the work ethic.

Whitfield is certainly more athletic than Jones, although that's not a slap at Jones' athletic ability. I can't imagine Whitfield ever being close to Jones in shooting ability. Again, not a slap at Whitfield, but didn't Jones lead the state of KY in freethrow %? I would say Lauren Jones might be the best pure shooter in recent memory from the 8th. I'm not down on Whitfield at all, I think she could be one of the best in the region. I just really enjoyed watching Lauren Jones play.

Whitfield is certainly more athletic than Jones, although that's not a slap at Jones' athletic ability. I can't imagine Whitfield ever being close to Jones in shooting ability. Again, not a slap at Whitfield, but didn't Jones lead the state of KY in freethrow %? I would say Lauren Jones might be the best pure shooter in recent memory from the 8th. I'm not down on Whitfield at all, I think she could be one of the best in the region. I just really enjoyed watching Lauren Jones play.

 

Yes, Lauren was the tops in KY her senior year at FT%. But Whitfield's FG% last year of 50% was better than Jones' FG% was her senior year...

 

Of course, this is in NO WAY a slam on Jones. We're talking about an incredible player. And there's no guarantee of what Jasmine may or may not do. I'm just saying that - based on her performance as a freshman, she could very well outdo Lauren... and what a statement that would be about SOHS girls basketball.

Whoo-ee! Whitfield has the potential to be the best player to don an SOHS girls' uniform, and the rest of that class also has a LOT of potential...but becoming the best class ever at SOHS is a tall order that will take some growing into. A very bold statement - albeit very conceivable! :thumb:

 

My statement about the "bet class ever" was in reference to the number of talented players that this class has - numbers wise that can play and have a pretty high basketball IQ, not who will produce the best player ever for the school.

 

As for Whitfield as a player, there is no doubt that she is way more athletic than Jones, and even with that talent, I am not sure she will ever be the type of shooter that Jones was. She may lack the heart and work ethic that Lauren had- the verdict is still out on that. Jasmine has HUGE potential to be a big time player and big time college recruit but not sure the motivation is there for her like it was for Jones.

Whitfield is certainly more athletic than Jones, although that's not a slap at Jones' athletic ability. I can't imagine Whitfield ever being close to Jones in shooting ability. Again, not a slap at Whitfield, but didn't Jones lead the state of KY in freethrow %? I would say Lauren Jones might be the best pure shooter in recent memory from the 8th. I'm not down on Whitfield at all, I think she could be one of the best in the region. I just really enjoyed watching Lauren Jones play.

 

They are two very different players with different abilitiies. Jones was athletic but not like Whitfiled is - when she turns it on it is pretty darn impressive. I agree with your comments on the shooting of Jones though, she was fun to watch, and man, she could shoot. Whitfield has speed with the ball but doesn't finish nearly as well yet- she was only a freshman though and who knows how good she will be in the end. The sky is the limit with her but Whitfield has more players around her that can score so I do think that will make a difference in her stats and she may not put up the scoring numbers but that is not such a bad thing either.

 

Percentage wise, Jones shot in the mid 40's for her career with a lot more attempts (not sure about the 3 pt % etiher )and let's not forget that Jones drew double teams/best defenders every night while still averaging 20+ ppg - big difference between a senior campaign and a freshman season IMO. I really don't think anyone will come close to her free throw percentage/attempts in the region for awhile- not only did she lead the state her senior year, I believe that she is in the record books for her career as well - over 82-83% or something like that.

They are two very different players with different abilitiies. Jones was athletic but not like Whitfiled is - when she turns it on it is pretty darn impressive. I agree with your comments on the shooting of Jones though, she was fun to watch, and man, she could shoot. Whitfield has speed with the ball but doesn't finish nearly as well yet- she was only a freshman though and who knows how good she will be in the end. The sky is the limit with her but Whitfield has more players around her that can score so I do think that will make a difference in her stats and she may not put up the scoring numbers but that is not such a bad thing either.

 

Percentage wise, Jones shot in the mid 40's for her career with a lot more attempts (not sure about the 3 pt % etiher )and let's not forget that Jones drew double teams/best defenders every night while still averaging 20+ ppg - big difference between a senior campaign and a freshman season IMO. I really don't think anyone will come close to her free throw percentage/attempts in the region for awhile- not only did she lead the state her senior year, I believe that she is in the record books for her career as well - over 82-83% or something like that.

 

I really dislike comparing players. It's really not fair to either. Lauren was an incredible player who produced night in and night out, despite every opponent throwing their entire defense at her. She had little in the way of a supporting cast, offensively. She was truly special to watch and a gem that comes along only rarely. Like you said, Crazy8s, her FT mark may stand quite a while...

 

Jasmine is potentially a four-year star, like Lauren was. But they are completely different players. I stand by my statement that she could be the best ever to don a Lady Dragons' uniform - and I've seen every player that's come through the school. However, for Jasmine right now, it's all about POTENTIAL. We'll talk again at the end of the 2011-12 season...

Jones was one of the best shooters in the history of the 8th region. She was automatic if given the littlest opening. If Whitfield can even get in the same ball park shooting wise that Jones was in, she will be an almost impossible cover.

I really dislike comparing players. It's really not fair to either. Lauren was an incredible player who produced night in and night out, despite every opponent throwing their entire defense at her. She had little in the way of a supporting cast, offensively. She was truly special to watch and a gem that comes along only rarely. Like you said, Crazy8s, her FT mark may stand quite a while...

 

Jasmine is potentially a four-year star, like Lauren was. But they are completely different players. I stand by my statement that she could be the best ever to don a Lady Dragons' uniform - and I've seen every player that's come through the school. However, for Jasmine right now, it's all about POTENTIAL. We'll talk again at the end of the 2011-12 season...

 

So true - it is really unfair to try and compare these two players - potential is the key word about Jasmine- very well said.

Jones was one of the best shooters in the history of the 8th region. She was automatic if given the littlest opening. If Whitfield can even get in the same ball park shooting wise that Jones was in, she will be an almost impossible cover.

 

Whitfield has a tendency to settle for the long jumper too much and that really is not her best strength - getting to the rim is IMO. 3 pt shooting is definitely an area that she needs to improve on- her percentage was pretty low last year but her mid range jumper is pretty good.

Whitfield has a tendency to settle for the long jumper too much and that really is not her best strength - getting to the rim is IMO. 3 pt shooting is definitely an area that she needs to improve on- her percentage was pretty low last year but her mid range jumper is pretty good.

 

Her final three point % last year wasn't all that bad, but I agree...her strength could be as a slasher... and she can be devastating on the front of that press.

Her final three point % last year wasn't all that bad, but I agree...her strength could be as a slasher... and she can be devastating on the front of that press.

 

Very true- her athleticism really serves her well here. She can cover ground very quickly and at times it is very deceptive.

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Very true- her athleticism really serves her well here. She can cover ground very quickly and at times it is very deceptive.

 

Another physical advantage she has is her arm span...

 

Coaches always say "you can't coach height"...I guess the same is true about arm length. Whitfield's "wingspan" is considerable and makes her deadly on defense.

 

Best young defender I saw in the 8th last year among all the young talent that populated the 8th.