I heard at least two of the three have/are being recruited by D2 schools. The odds of high school players playing college basketball are 1 in 35 (3%). That's some pretty elite company. I would be very surprised if all players being ranked in by people in this thread end up playing college ball.

 

I agree with you conditionally. I think if you look at talent alone, the listed players could probably play somewhere at the next level, however there are lots of external factors that prevent this from happening. Some guys are just not cut out for college classwork, and some guys just have other plans for their lives. College life is not for everyone, so talent alone is not the determining factor.

But that doesn't make him a better player. Maybe he is a more valuable player to his team, but not a better player - right?

 

Agreed. That doesn't mean he is a better player. It is all about perspective and opinion.

I agree with you conditionally. I think if you look at talent alone, the listed players could probably play somewhere at the next level, however there are lots of external factors that prevent this from happening. Some guys are just not cut out for college classwork, and some guys just have other plans for their lives. College life is not for everyone, so talent alone is not the determining factor.

 

I don't believe every one of the players mentioned in this thread will be offered the opportunity to play college basketball--academics considered or not. All are good high school basketball players, however.

 

I believe that for any player that ends up at a D1, D2, or NAIA school on a partial or full athletic scholarship, there's no denying they are elite players. I think there will be 1 or 2 D1 players from this region and 2 to 3 D2 in the class of 2010. Stauffer and Giesler are two of the better prospects in 2011, IMO. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

 

There are players in other regions, for example, Samsel in the 7th and Flannery in the 11th, who don't even get top 10 recognition in their own region, but they both have D2 scholarships/offers now. Much of that came through AAU ball. College coaches usually recognize the better talent when they see it.

IMO Kowolonek will be a premier player this year, especially with more touches. The kid has packed on probably 10lbs of muscle and is ripped up. He has tremendous timing and jumping ability as a rebounder and can get to the rim quickly.

 

Highlands will be the team with the most depth as well so you cant just focus on stopping Stephen K.

 

The team that plays the best as a team will win the region this season. Boone Co will also be a very deep team who play well as a squad. Ryle has a ton returning and are huge.

 

The top 5 teams in the region IMO are Holmes/Highlands/Boone Co/Ryle and NCC.

Earls should be on the list, IMO. Earls, Gabbard, and Popp from Boone will all end up playing college ball somewhere. Earls won the matchup with Geisler last year if I remember correctly.

 

Giesler didn't play against Boone last year, he was still playing football.

I don't believe every one of the players mentioned in this thread will be offered the opportunity to play college basketball--academics considered or not. All are good high school basketball players, however.

 

I believe that for any player that ends up at a D1, D2, or NAIA school on a partial or full athletic scholarship, there's no denying they are elite players. I think there will be 1 or 2 D1 players from this region and 2 to 3 D2 in the class of 2010. Stauffer and Giesler are two of the better prospects in 2011, IMO. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

 

There are players in other regions, for example, Samsel in the 7th and Flannery in the 11th, who don't even get top 10 recognition in their own region, but they both have D2 scholarships/offers now. Much of that came through AAU ball. College coaches usually recognize the better talent when they see it.

 

Not always, i.e. Gillispie.

I debated about Earls but I just haven't seen him be as dominant as he could be. I'll take Giesler because the kid does well inside and will do better this year. Obviously Earls has had a longer/bigger body of work to review vs Giesler and I'm projecting but I feel pretty confident in my projection.

 

It was a tough call on Pangallo/Trammel. I'd take either one on my team. Again, just a gut feel.

 

While I don't think we'll see Avery dominate this year simply due to the talent around him and there only being one ball IMO he's really good.

 

Always room for debate.

 

:thumb: Anyone's list is going to be critiqued or debated at this point. I like the reasoning behind your picks, just offered my two cents.

 

I will say however, that I think Earls gets a bad rap by a lot of people. I read that he should be dominate a lot, and I just don't get it. His numbers last year were good, and I think they'll be better this year. I could be wrong, but from what I've seen, he's a top 10 kid in the Ninth this year year, and it's really not that close (he's a six to eight guy). Just my perspective.

Earls should be on the list, IMO. Earls, Gabbard, and Popp from Boone will all end up playing college ball somewhere. Earls won the matchup with Geisler last year if I remember correctly.

 

Shouldn't Cotton get some mention if we're talking about Boone County players? He had a much more effective season as a junior than Popp, and is one of the better athletes in the region.

Good point Sandman if you are basing it on last season. Cotton flourished and Popp seemed to be in the doghouse. Popp from what I gather checking the Shining Star website and seeing how he performed in the summer against National competition probably has to be considered one of the best 9th Region guards that doesn't get the ink. Cotton had a wicked baseball injury I believe last Spring and probably deterred his summer sports schedule. But you never know because Cotton did stand out to me in the games I watched Boone Co last year and he may pick up where he left off. Fact of the matter is Boone Co will be very good. The 9th Region may very well have 3 Top 10 teams in the state IMO with Holmes, Boone Co and Highlands (with Grubbs n Grote current footballers)

Giesler didn't play against Boone last year, he was still playing football.

 

I'm pretty sure he played. I was at the game. He may have just come back.

Not always, i.e. Gillispie.

 

Euton is still good enough to play D1 basketball. Gillespie recruited him to appease KY fans by recruiting home-grown talent.

Good point Sandman if you are basing it on last season. Cotton flourished and Popp seemed to be in the doghouse. Popp from what I gather checking the Shining Star website and seeing how he performed in the summer against National competition probably has to be considered one of the best 9th Region guards that doesn't get the ink. Cotton had a wicked baseball injury I believe last Spring and probably deterred his summer sports schedule. But you never know because Cotton did stand out to me in the games I watched Boone Co last year and he may pick up where he left off. Fact of the matter is Boone Co will be very good. The 9th Region may very well have 3 Top 10 teams in the state IMO with Holmes, Boone Co and Highlands (with Grubbs n Grote current footballers)

 

Cotton is very athletic. He came on as the season progressed. He had a lot of dunks off of runouts and lobs from Gabbard. That's how he got the majority of his points. He was also able to knock down catch-and-shoot 10 footers. Beyond that, he needs to work on putting the ball on the floor to create for himself. Good shot jumper/blocker, but doesn't have the body/strength to guard the physical bigs when posted up, and he doesn't dribble well enough to be a 1 or 2. That being said, he and Popp should have a good year. Popp played well until he was in the doghouse with his coach the last third of the season. If Popp does what his coaches ask he should get the playing time this year and be recognized of the better guards/players in the ninth. His style of play is more suited to open court, transitional basketball instead of the methodical half court that Boone often plays. He is a penetrator/slasher. He flourished in AAU ball this summer with the Shining Stars and got a lot of college interest as a result. Both of these boys could end up in the top 10.

 

I agree Holmes, Highlands, and Boone should all have 3 of the top 20 teams in the state.

I'm pretty sure he played. I was at the game. He may have just come back.

 

His brother Matthew played but Jake definitly wasn't back from football yet.

His brother Matthew played but Jake definitly wasn't back from football yet.

 

OK. I remember a Giesler hitting from outside and thinking he seemed like a good shooter from outside. The player probably had at least 10 points in the game. Could this have been his brother?

OK. I remember a Giesler hitting from outside and thinking he seemed like a good shooter from outside. The player probably had at least 10 points in the game. Could this have been his brother?

 

Yes