The kid from NCC was Brian Gish. He actually attends West Virginia Wesleyan and is on their roster on their website.

 

Thanks. This is a good example of a player who for one reason or another did not get the opportunity to play much in high school, yet he was recognized for recruited for standing out in AAU ball.

Thanks. This is a good example of a player who for one reason or another did not get the opportunity to play much in high school, yet he was recognized for recruited for standing out in AAU ball.

 

If that is true, I wonder who he played for in AAU because I have never even heard of him.

 

Anyway, were getting off topic here.

Sports at a D3 school are still an extracurricular activity. If a player cannot balance schoolwork with athletics, he/she could have problems. A good D3 coach will not let a "walk-on" freshmen travel until he/she has solid academics. Players miss classes and must be disciplined students first. Many good AAU players who could be great D3 players end up not attending at all because they've spent too much time chasing their basketball dream instead of maintaining the academic standard that will get them even need-based money.

If that is true, I wonder who he played for in AAU because I have never even heard of him.

 

Anyway, were getting off topic here.

 

Yeah I find it odd that he would do well enough to be recruited on the AAU circuit rather then even getting playing time on his high school team. Usually, AAU teams are composed of the areas best talent and in some cases all across an area such as Ky, Tenn, Ohio, and Indy. The competition in AAU tends to be much more competitive because your are playing against all of the best competition throughout the country.

I thought McFarland really improved his game last year and shot better from outside too. McFarland has played AAU ball with several of these types of players. He might not come in as an underclassman and tear it up, but I think he will be a contributor by the time he graduates. Good defender with long arms. Athletic and handles the ball well enough to help bring the ball up the floor. He was Boone's best player last year, IMO.

 

I agree with everything besides the jump shot. Imo, in high school he got the majority of his points from the post, paint, or foul line. In college this won't work due to taller and more athletic players. At the collegiate level he's a 6'4'' wing who is going to need to shoot from the perimeter and take players off the dribble. I just don't think that is his game. Imo, he needs to become more of a guard oriented or shooting forward type player who really needs to work on his speed. I'm not so sure he can keep up with fast pace guards/wings at that level.

 

I think Gabbard and Mcfarland are quite similar even though they play different positions. Both strong, athletic kids however they both lack consistent jump shots. I noticed last year during the region Gabbard hesitated quite a bit with wide open 3 point shots. At the collegiate level you have to have confidence and be able to knock down a high percentage of open shots.

 

But we all know these are fixable things. Both are good kids and have bright futures ahead. Wish them the best.

If that is true, I wonder who he played for in AAU because I have never even heard of him.

 

Anyway, were getting off topic here.

 

He played for Star Sports (offshoot of Shining Star Sports).

Sports at a D3 school are still an extracurricular activity. If a player cannot balance schoolwork with athletics, he/she could have problems. A good D3 coach will not let a "walk-on" freshmen travel until he/she has solid academics. Players miss classes and must be disciplined students first. Many good AAU players who could be great D3 players end up not attending at all because they've spent too much time chasing their basketball dream instead of maintaining the academic standard that will get them even need-based money.

 

Good point. Academics come first and should at any level. I know D2 programs also regularly monitor academic progress of athletes and ensure they are tutored if they need it.

Yeah I find it odd that he would do well enough to be recruited on the AAU circuit rather then even getting playing time on his high school team. Usually, AAU teams are composed of the areas best talent and in some cases all across an area such as Ky, Tenn, Ohio, and Indy. The competition in AAU tends to be much more competitive because your are playing against all of the best competition throughout the country.

 

As often happens in the working world, perhaps it came down to politics, coach's preferences, etc.?

I believe there will be one D1 (R. Johnson) from this class. Pittman could eventually too. J. Johnson could go D2, and Gabbard too. Others could, but admittedly, it is more of a longshot. NAIA is more likely than D2. D3 is nothing to belittle. D3 coaches pick the players, not the other way around...

 

Obviously Rico is a D1 talent as he has already committed to Ohio University. I would say Elijah is the next best player in the region who could end up at a D1. I think he will have a very similar path to Greg Rice. I think you will end up seeing him at a Juco then transfer out to a D1 if he can make the grades. Next, I would say JJ is the most likely to go D1. Especially if Holmes repeats or makes another state run this will increase his chances. But he might be better off at a D2/ NAIA.

 

As for the rest possibly Gabbard may end up NAIA/D2 but if he has already had the Ashland scholarship pulled due to jordan berlin committing then he has to have a heck of a year ,imo, to go on that level.

 

I think the majority of this class will end up at the D3 level if they decide to play. Players such as Gabbard, Popp, Earls, Avery, Mcleish, Kowolonek, and Reiger. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few.

As often happens in the working world, perhaps it came down to politics, coach's preferences, etc.?

 

If I am correct, I believe he has some connection to the school.

I agree with everything besides the jump shot. Imo, in high school he got the majority of his points from the post, paint, or foul line. In college this won't work due to taller and more athletic players. At the collegiate level he's a 6'4'' wing who is going to need to shoot from the perimeter and take players off the dribble. I just don't think that is his game. Imo, he needs to become more of a guard oriented or shooting forward type player who really needs to work on his speed. I'm not so sure he can keep up with fast pace guards/wings at that level.

 

I think Gabbard and Mcfarland are quite similar even though they play different positions. Both strong, athletic kids however they both lack consistent jump shots. I noticed last year during the region Gabbard hesitated quite a bit with wide open 3 point shots. At the collegiate level you have to have confidence and be able to knock down a high percentage of open shots.

 

But we all know these are fixable things. Both are good kids and have bright futures ahead. Wish them the best.

 

Yes, Gabbard, Popp, and Schulze all hestitated at taking threes last year, as compared to the previous year. I've heard that it wasn't encouraged as much last year as it was the previous year, and I also saw hesitancy/second guessing that affected their accuracy. Maybe they were afraid they would be pulled from the game for taking/missing certain types of shots. I feel Popp and Gabbard can knock down 3s more consistently when they have the green light. I've seen them do it for several years in AAU, and prior to last year, in school ball.

Yes, Gabbard, Popp, and Schulze all hestitated at taking threes last year, as compared to the previous year. I've heard that it wasn't encouraged as much last year as it was the previous year, and I also saw hesitancy/second guessing that affected their accuracy. Maybe they were afraid they would be pulled from the game for taking/missing certain types of shots. I feel Popp and Gabbard can knock down 3s more consistently when they have the green light. I've seen them do it for several years in AAU, and prior to last year, in school ball.

 

This might be true, I'm just saying to be a college player you need to be the total package as you go up a division. You need to be a consistent shooter with speed, size, and ability. Also, a very consistent work ethic.

Obviously Rico is a D1 talent as he has already committed to Ohio University. I would say Elijah is the next best player in the region who could end up at a D1. I think he will have a very similar path to Greg Rice. I think you will end up seeing him at a Juco then transfer out to a D1 if he can make the grades. Next, I would say JJ is the most likely to go D1. Especially if Holmes repeats or makes another state run this will increase his chances. But he might be better off at a D2/ NAIA.

 

As for the rest possibly Gabbard may end up NAIA/D2 but if he has already had the Ashland scholarship pulled due to jordan berlin committing then he has to have a heck of a year ,imo, to go on that level.

 

I think the majority of this class will end up at the D3 level if they decide to play. Players such as Gabbard, Popp, Earls, Avery, Mcleish, Kowolonek, and Reiger. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few.

 

Everything you said here is likely, but there's always a possibility that someone like a Brian Gish (class of 2009) lands a D2 offer. Nonetheless, D3 or NAIA are nothing to sneeze at. Not many high school players have the chance to continue playing basketball after high school. I hope all of these boys get to play beyond high school if they want to. All are fine players.

This might be true, I'm just saying to be a college player you need to be the total package as you go up a division. You need to be a consistent shooter with speed, size, and ability. Also, a very consistent work ethic.

 

True, although size is not as much a factor at D3 and NAIA. Even the D2 schools have small guards, but most are very quick and very good shooters.

Obviously Rico is a D1 talent as he has already committed to Ohio University. I would say Elijah is the next best player in the region who could end up at a D1. I think he will have a very similar path to Greg Rice. I think you will end up seeing him at a Juco then transfer out to a D1 if he can make the grades. Next, I would say JJ is the most likely to go D1. Especially if Holmes repeats or makes another state run this will increase his chances. But he might be better off at a D2/ NAIA.

 

As for the rest possibly Gabbard may end up NAIA/D2 but if he has already had the Ashland scholarship pulled due to jordan berlin committing then he has to have a heck of a year ,imo, to go on that level.

 

I think the majority of this class will end up at the D3 level if they decide to play. Players such as Gabbard, Popp, Earls, Avery, Mcleish, Kowolonek, and Reiger. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few.

 

Daniel O'Conner from Scott has a scholarship offer from Tusculum which is a good D2 school in Tenn.

 

I think Gabbard will end up at a D2 school and have heard of schools like West Liberty State and UMass-Lowell having an interest.

 

Not a knock on any of the players on the list but I don't think any of them are as talented as Corey Pelle and he ended up at West Liberty and has had a really nice career.

 

He had to overcome that small school stigma playing for Silver Grove but he could flat out play. His AAU experience got him to that D2 level.