My point is that you're saying AAU style of play should be implemented in 9th region ball because of how well it works in AAU in the summer. However, once the high school season starts defenses are completely different (ie actually thought about and implemented) as compared to the up-and-down AAU season. Your point IMO would only be valid if 9th region teams played the same lackluster D as is played in AAU. It's not, thus, you need to come up with something to attach real defenses.

 

Again, the "system" that Boone runs puts up as many or more points on a consistent basis than any other top team in NKY so what's the issue?

 

I don't think you can generalize AAU ball as not having good defense. It boils down to individual players. Some are very good defenders, whether it is in AAU or high school and they play hard regardless. I have talked to several college coaches who prefer the dribble drive and up and down high scoring offenses over the slow half court motion offenses, and they recruit athletes who fit that mold. Let your best athletes make plays, and if your team has several great athletes, no need to constrain them into a slow methodical offense that allows lesser talented teams set up their defense. The lower scoring the game, the beter chance an underdog or lesser talented team has to stay close or win and for refs to decide the outcome.

I would argue that parents close to the program at Boone are the number 1, number 2, and number 3 problems.

 

Its funny how parents and players going at least 5 years straight have said the same things. Hard to imagine if you aren't in that situation yourself, I guess.

Out of the following schools, Boone was #2 in scoring last year.

 

Newport, NCC, Holmes, CCH, Conner, Ryle, Highlands, St Henry, Dixie, and Holy Cross.

 

So is Boone's offensive "system" really a problem? Or is it actually working?

 

Seems like all of these teams were low scoring to me as compared to other areas of the state.

Boone's system works great. Just look at McQueary's recent success on the court. He has done a great job with the players he was been dealt. I believe Gabbard and McFarland are both playing college ball. He has also coached some other good athletes; Cotton (baseball), Brown (football). IMO, he has done a great job with his program. He runs a very disciplined system that demands player's respect and attention to detail. I know he has had to fight lots of outside pressure since he took over and has succeeded in spite of all the outside distractions. Kudos to Coach McQueary.

 

Discipline and respect are expected by every coach, but do they earn that respect from their players? Boone's coach has had the most success of his career at Boone, and that is also probably where he has had the best athletes to work with. I believe he had a career losing record in the 10-15 years before coming to Boone. Is the winning following the coach or the players?

Dontel Rice of Holmes will be in the discussion after a few games

Dontel Rice of Holmes will be in the discussion after a few games

 

I've been saying this since the end of last season.

 

Bottom line, this kid is a player. Talent wise, there might not be a better player in the region. Those who haven't seen him will realize when they see him play. I can't stress enough how much similar his game is to older cousin Greg Rice.

 

The only difference is Dontel is quicker, more explosive, better jumper/mid range game, and much more disciplined defensively.

Actually coach4life brougth up the 'system' talk in his post. Thanks Coach!! I just agreed with him. Lol.

 

And I was not complaining about the system per se, just the fact that in that system it is difficult to showcase his shooting ability because taking 3 point shots is frowned upon. There is nothing wrong with a coach preferring to get inside shots or penetration to the rim, but for someone who can shoot outside this is difficult to showcase.

Coach, you had the opportunity to see Dontel Rice a lot over the summer.

 

Do you think he is a legit top 10 player in the region?

Ok, perhaps I am missing something here, in my book 'system' and 'style of play' mean the same thing. I may need a definition, word origin and can I have both used in a sentence. Only kiddng....

 

I guess I should say, in my opinion, Boone's 'style of play' (or system???) isn't condusive to fully utilize Boone's players talents (Montgomery, Brown, Cotton, Popp, Gabbard, etc.) for the past few years.

 

My definition........

AAU 'style of play' = John Calipari's 'system' >>> up and down the court, helter skelter, cutting and slashing, etc. Exciting style

9th region basketball 'style of play' = Tubby Smith's 'system' >>> walk ball up the court, set offense, running plays, motion,etc. Boring style

Does that sound about right?

 

You are correct especially about the bold part

What about Kevon Rice? He will be a 3 yr starter and goes 6'6 and has shown glimpses of being very talented offensively. I know he has lost his cool a few times and been in the doghouse but Booher's new system may suit him fine since he is pretty athletic.

I've been saying this since the end of last season.

 

Bottom line, this kid is a player. Talent wise, there might not be a better player in the region. Those who haven't seen him will realize when they see him play. I can't stress enough how much similar his game is to older cousin Greg Rice.

 

The only difference is Dontel is quicker, more explosive, better jumper/mid range game, and much more disciplined defensively.

 

Yeah and that's scary no doubt because for those that watched Greg Rice throughout his career like I did he was pretty amazing. Greg Rice was the best player in the state tournament his sophomore year I believe so saying Dontel may be better is really saying something. Also with the new coach liking to run more I look for Keyvon Rice to finally shine. Holmes will likely have these two and maybe more on the Top 10 list come seasons end.

Surprising to me how many more posts the threads on top players have gotten than the threads on top teams.:confused:

 

I guess it really is all about the Jimmy's and Joe's (and which ones get the most shout outs). There must be an "I" in team somewhere.

Out of the following schools, Boone was #2 in scoring last year.

 

Newport, NCC, Holmes, CCH, Conner, Ryle, Highlands, St Henry, Dixie, and Holy Cross.

 

So is Boone's offensive "system" really a problem? Or is it actually working?

 

 

Excellent question, and excellent point.:thumb: Easily the best post in the thread.

I am going to have to disagree with your comment about lackluster defense in AAU. I think the tempo of the game changes due to the amount of high talent athletic players coupled with very limited team offensive sets. This allows for a faster tempo. I don't think high school teams play better defense. I think high school teams generaly lack the number of high caliber players.

 

No, high school teams play much better defense. It's not close.

What about Kevon Rice? He will be a 3 yr starter and goes 6'6 and has shown glimpses of being very talented offensively. I know he has lost his cool a few times and been in the doghouse but Booher's new system may suit him fine since he is pretty athletic.

 

Kevon will be a 4 year varsity letterman, but only a 2 year starter. He was 6th or 7th man off the bench his sophomore year and freshman year saw a lot of time because Holmes blew everyone out on a consistent basis. (Henderson & Co. senior year)

 

I really think he's a top 10 TALENT, but he needs to put it all together to be considered a top 10 player. When he is attacking the rim, he's easily top 5 in this region and one of the better players in the state for his class. It's when he hangs out around the perimeter that he becomes an average player. With Booher's attacking, fast paced style, I look for the Kevon that is top 5 to show up.

 

Honestly though, he may not even be the best player on this year's Holmes' team. Many people, myself included, think younger brother Dontel is the better prospect out of the two.

 

I think Chris Hayes is also being overlooked big time as well. People forget how good he was for Holmes last year on a team full of stars.