Hodges is a solid player, but I just don't see him at the D1 level. Against the more athletic big men (Ex: Elijah Pittman), Hodges has struggled mightily. At the D1 level if he plans on playing the small/power forward position, he'll see players like this night in and night out.

 

Down low Hodges gets pushed off the blocks because of lack of strength and outside he doesn't handle the ball well enough to be a guard and isn't quick enough to defend a guard.

 

I think some of you aren't realizing what it truly takes to play at the D1 level.

 

Here is what I do know... Any player that is 6'8" or 6'9" that has any type of skill set is going to garner more attention than any 6'4" or 6'5" guard with the same skill set. Hodges led the state in blocks as a sophomore, and last I checked led the state in blocks as a junior. He averaged probably 10 pts/game and may be 7 or 8 boards. For a junior, these aren't bad numbers.

 

Also, not every college team is made of stars. No one is saying Hodges is going to the NBA, but he could be a role player on some D1 level.

 

Neltner out of Highlands played at Vandy, and the kid from CovCath went to play ball at Vandy as well. If they can do it, Hodges has a chance. You can't rule it out. Especially not just because one guy on a blog says he can't do it.

Edited March 31, 201016 yr by Perfect Practice

If Elijah Pittman (a really good highschool player for Holmes) is the status quo for a D1 player, then we should consider Geisler and Stauffer has prospects as well. From what I understand and saw, both of these gentlemen went toe to toe with him and gave him all he could handle.

 

I really hope Pittman does get his chance somewhere one day!

If Elijah Pittman (a really good highschool player for Holmes) is the status quo for a D1 player, then we should consider Geisler and Stauffer has prospects as well. From what I understand and saw, both of these gentlemen went toe to toe with him and gave him all he could handle.

 

I really hope Pittman does get his chance somewhere one day!

 

I have never seen Geisler or Stauffer play, but the potential Pittman has is amazing. He may have the most potential of any senior in the state. Going toe to toe with Pittman don't mean those guys have his potential as far as going D-1. Don't get me wrong I hope those guys get to go D-1.

Here is what I do know... Any player that is 6'8" or 6'9" that has any type of skill set is going to garner more attention than any 6'4" or 6'5" guard with the same skill set. Hodges led the state in blocks as a sophomore, and last I checked led the state in blocks as a junior. He averaged probably 10 pts/game and may be 7 or 8 boards. For a junior, these aren't bad numbers.

 

Also, not every college team is made of stars. No one is saying Hodges is going to the NBA, but he could be a role player on some D1 level.

 

Neltner out of Highlands played at Vandy, and the kid from CovCath went to play ball at Vandy as well. If they can do it, Hodges has a chance. You can't rule it out. Especially not just because one guy on a blog says he can't do it.

 

Neltner was Mr. Basketball with a good offensive game.

 

The kid from CovCath that you mention is a walk-on at Vandy. Heck, he didn't even get off of the bench in his last high school game. Great young man but lets not use him as a measuring stick.

I could agree with you on the Geisler argument. But, I completely disagree with the Thelen situation. That entire team is run around him. Thelen gets the numbers he gets because they dont really have a ton of talent around him. Don't get me wrong, CovCath has some decent players, no knock there, but they don thave a McLeish and a Coleman, or a Pangallo.

 

Thelen numbers may be skewed, but they are skewed positively for him IMO.

 

My opinion, Geisler and Stauffer are the two best bigs in NKY.

 

That makes Thelens numbers even more impressive because after the first month of the season it was pretty common knowledge that CovCath guards were struggling shooting the ball. Teams could collapse on Thelen and Wellbrock and make it tougher to get the ball inside.

 

Thelen shot 57% from the field for the season and was the leading offensive rebounder in N Ky and 3rd best defensive rebounder in N Ky and top 10 in blocks.

 

CovCath went from a 9 or 10 win season to an 17 or 18 win season and a regional semifinal appearance.

 

Think they are all good players and will get an opportunity to play at the college level but to say Thelen only gets his numbers because CovCath runs everything thru him? He still has to make the shots and go get the rebounds.

So many people are saying things like walk on, role player, or sitting the bench at D1 schools. IMO these are not terrible options and may or may not be choices that a player makes based on their preference. If the opportunity arises I think the individual will handle that call, but just because a player isn't going to be a stud at a high major doesn't mean that they do not have D1 potential at some level. Maybe a player choses to be a stud at a DII school versus sitting the bench at a DI, but the potential was still there and that was his call to make. Someone will take the DI spot and sit the bench. You can believe that.

If Elijah Pittman (a really good highschool player for Holmes) is the status quo for a D1 player, then we should consider Geisler and Stauffer has prospects as well. From what I understand and saw, both of these gentlemen went toe to toe with him and gave him all he could handle.

 

I really hope Pittman does get his chance somewhere one day!

 

Look at Pittman's numbers against those guys...I wouldn't exactly say they went toe to toe with him:

 

Holmes v Newcath:

Pittman- 23 pts, 8 rbs, 3 blks

Geisler- 12 pts, 8 rbs

 

Holmes v Ryle:

Pittman- 18 pts, 8 rbs, 4 blks, 3 ast, 3 stl

 

Not sure of Stauffer's numbers but I know the majority of them came against Rice with Pittman defending Coleman since Ricardo was in foul trouble. Stauffer played very intimidated against Pittman after being dunked on twice in the first quarter.

So many people are saying things like walk on, role player, or sitting the bench at D1 schools. IMO these are not terrible options and may or may not be choices that a player makes based on their preference. If the opportunity arises I think the individual will handle that call, but just because a player isn't going to be a stud at a high major doesn't mean that they do not have D1 potential at some level. Maybe a player choses to be a stud at a DII school versus sitting the bench at a DI, but the potential was still there and that was his call to make. Someone will take the DI spot and sit the bench. You can believe that.

 

Great post! I know first hand of someone who turned down D1 offers and the so-called preferred offers to walkon high major D1's. It really is up to the athlete. It's all about doing what feels right for them, going to a program that is a good fit athletically and academically.

 

Sometimes it hard to see why a talented young man or woman would sacrafice not playing the game they love just to say they wore the uniform. God knows the physical ability to play the game at a high level does not stay with them forever. It all comes down to what makes him or her happy.

So many people are saying things like walk on, role player, or sitting the bench at D1 schools. IMO these are not terrible options and may or may not be choices that a player makes based on their preference. If the opportunity arises I think the individual will handle that call, but just because a player isn't going to be a stud at a high major doesn't mean that they do not have D1 potential at some level. Maybe a player choses to be a stud at a DII school versus sitting the bench at a DI, but the potential was still there and that was his call to make. Someone will take the DI spot and sit the bench. You can believe that.

 

I personally just don't see the D1 potential which is why I don't think any nky kids will receive a D1 offer this coming year.

 

Look at McFarland from Boone last year....he ended up at Georgetown. I think that would be a good place for Hodges or Stauffer but I don't see either of them at a D1 program.

Did I seriously read a post that said Brady Jolly to NKU? No way? Not ragging on the kid, but no way is he good enough to play there.

 

Not ragging on the kid? Actually you are by saying he is not good enough to play there but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I guess the coaches saw something in him that you did not. He can handle the ball pretty well for 6'5" and can shoot the lights out, not sure how that will convert in the DII Level but wishing him the best.

Look at Pittman's numbers against those guys...I wouldn't exactly say they went toe to toe with him:

 

Holmes v Newcath:

Pittman- 23 pts, 8 rbs, 3 blks

Geisler- 12 pts, 8 rbs

 

Holmes v Ryle:

Pittman- 18 pts, 8 rbs, 4 blks, 3 ast, 3 stl

 

Not sure of Stauffer's numbers but I know the majority of them came against Rice with Pittman defending Coleman since Ricardo was in foul trouble. Stauffer played very intimidated against Pittman after being dunked on twice in the first quarter.

 

Stauffer had 16 in that game. Not sure about rebounds. Although I have yet to see anyone who intimidates Stauffer. He plays with more fire than anyone I have seen in NKY. I also find it really hard to believe that Ryle gets the win with an intimidated Stauffer.

DI, DII, or NAIA, what does it matter? If a high school kid is going to play at any of these three levels, that means all or a portion of their college is being paid for with an athletic scholarship (unless they walk-on). For any high school athlete to be fortunate enough to play at that level is a great accomplishment and I congratulate them. A very small percentage of high school basketball players go on to play college basketball.

 

Every kid wants a DI offer but I believe if it were my kid I would rather my son go to a school that will give him the best opportunity for success academically. If his passion is to play, then a DI offer may not be the best situation for him. A lower level could result in immediate playing time or playing time at a earlier stage in his college career.

 

Different strokes for different folks!:thumb:

DI, DII, or NAIA, what does it matter? If a high school kid is going to play at any of these three levels, that means all or a portion of their college is being paid for with an athletic scholarship (unless they walk-on). For any high school athlete to be fortunate enough to play at that level is a great accomplishment and I congratulate them. A very small percentage of high school basketball players go on to play college basketball.

 

Every kid wants a DI offer but I believe if it were my kid I would rather my son go to a school that will give him the best opportunity for success academically. If his passion is to play, then a DI offer may not be the best situation for him. A lower level could result in immediate playing time or playing time at a earlier stage in his college career.

 

Different strokes for different folks!:thumb:

I agree 100%.

Neltner was Mr. Basketball with a good offensive game.

 

The kid from CovCath that you mention is a walk-on at Vandy. Heck, he didn't even get off of the bench in his last high school game. Great young man but lets not use him as a measuring stick.

 

That's my point. Neltner was Mr. Basketball, and was from NKY, and played D1 college basketball. So, it's not far-fetched to think a kid from NKY can go D1. Also, the kid may have walked on at Vandy, but they must have seen something to have a spot for him. Some of these NKY kids have potential. Potential doesnt mean you will go, or will play, but all it takes is for a kid to get a chance.

That makes Thelens numbers even more impressive because after the first month of the season it was pretty common knowledge that CovCath guards were struggling shooting the ball. Teams could collapse on Thelen and Wellbrock and make it tougher to get the ball inside.

 

Thelen shot 57% from the field for the season and was the leading offensive rebounder in N Ky and 3rd best defensive rebounder in N Ky and top 10 in blocks.

 

CovCath went from a 9 or 10 win season to an 17 or 18 win season and a regional semifinal appearance.

 

Think they are all good players and will get an opportunity to play at the college level but to say Thelen only gets his numbers because CovCath runs everything thru him? He still has to make the shots and go get the rebounds.

 

Dont get me wrong, I said that Thelen is one of the top 3 big men in NKY's 2011 class. I just think that Geisler and Stauffer bring more to the table. I saw Thelen play Stauffer last summer and Thelen had nothing for him. Stauffer was much to strong and was able to beat him from the blocks.

 

I like Thelen. I am really hoping he gets a good college opportunity.