Is Syd the best player in the state? maybe not, but not many people will say there are 6 better players...including me. I personally don't determine the top players based on who has the highest PPG avg or highest Reb avg. My biggest knock on Syd is she tends to take a play here and there off on the defensive end. I find it tough to believe that there's truly 6 players with more athleticism and a better all-around game...of course, it's really just subjective anyway.

 

Syd is sometimes TOO unselfish. She would never be selfish, nor would Fookes allow it, but I'm 100% confident that her numbers could be staggering if she wasn't a team player, however, BC would have a couple of more losses as well.

Is Syd the best player in the state? maybe not, but not many people will say there are 6 better players...including me. I personally don't determine the top players based on who has the highest PPG avg or highest Reb avg. My biggest knock on Syd is she tends to take a play here and there off on the defensive end. I find it tough to believe that there's truly 6 players with more athleticism and a better all-around game...of course, it's really just subjective anyway.

 

Syd is sometimes TOO unselfish. She would never be selfish, nor would Fookes allow it, but I'm 100% confident that her numbers could be staggering if she wasn't a team player, however, BC would have a couple of more losses as well.

 

I kinda go by what top DI college coaches are saying about her..........sorta in line with your thoughts! And their opinions are pretty important.

I see Syd move out to a guard position when the game lead extends. Is this to help develop ball handling skills? What position do you see Sydney fitting in at the next level. Just curious.

It depends on the style of play. IMO, she'll be a match-up nightmare at the 3, but can certainly be effective at the 4 as well. A bigger player can't guard her on the perimeter because she''l blow by them and if they give her space she'll knock it down from outside. If a guard defends her she'll move down low and kill'em in the paint. And the fact she's a southpaw adds even more to her game.

 

paNDA...you know as well as I do that a lot of personal opinions are formed based on HS performance so the vast majority of the people have "zero" clue what some of these kids can really do when they play on the big stages against the truly best-of-the-best.

She is a fine player and IMO in the top 7 in the State. There are currently 8 girls with a higher pts. per game average than Moss. Led by Rebecca Greenwell at 34 per game. 11 girls with a higher rebound avg. and 30 plus with a higher field goal percentage. IMO it's a tossup between her and 6 others including Greenwell, Epps, and April Wilson.

 

Last thing Shock...in fairness, because I adore your niece, I have no idea where the stats are located, but I would bet there are 20+ players with higher stats. Absolutely no way do I feel there are that many player's that are better than her. Stats and rankings look good on paper and a fun conversation piece, but for the most part they mean very "zero".

Last thing Shock...in fairness, because I adore your niece, I have no idea where the stats are located, but I would bet there are 20+ players with higher stats. Absolutely no way do I feel there are that many player's that are better than her. Stats and rankings look good on paper and a fun conversation piece, but for the most part they mean very "zero".

I have to agree with the fact that stats mean very little. Every "true" point guard would probably agree also. They don't score a lot of points, but the team can't win without them. The ability to make everyone around you better doesn't show up in the stats!

{Moss} I have seen her score at will from all points on the floor but I am not sure she can defend a quick guard with college level talent. That is why I asked the question of why move her to guard during blowouts. To me she is a natural 3.

I have to agree with the fact that stats mean very little. Every "true" point guard would probably agree also. They don't score a lot of points, but the team can't win without them. The ability to make everyone around you better doesn't show up in the stats!

 

Those who know the game would have no problem identifying the importance of a point guard, most say it is the most important person on the floor and everyone is looking for a great PG.

It depends on the style of play. IMO, she'll be a match-up nightmare at the 3, but can certainly be effective at the 4 as well. A bigger player can't guard her on the perimeter because she''l blow by them and if they give her space she'll knock it down from outside. If a guard defends her she'll move down low and kill'em in the paint. And the fact she's a southpaw adds even more to her game.

 

paNDA...you know as well as I do that a lot of personal opinions are formed based on HS performance so the vast majority of the people have "zero" clue what some of these kids can really do when they play on the big stages against the truly best-of-the-best.

 

Are you talking to the same coaches I'm talking to?!?!?!?! Sounds like it. Lot of what you're saying is what they are saying also....."unique skill set", ability to play in different positions effectively, can score facing up or back to the basket, difficult to defend, strong, quicker than some believe, etc., and the southpaw thing comes into play as well. Other good stuff but I'll not go there. But then you've done your share of talking to coaches too!

{Moss} I have seen her score at will from all points on the floor but I am not sure she can defend a quick guard with college level talent. That is why I asked the question of why move her to guard during blowouts. To me she is a natural 3.

 

I'm sure it's just giving her an opportunity to get some time on the perimeter to handle the ball. You are correct, she cannot defend a guard at the next level so she will won't be far from the basket on "D". She also keeps way too many balls active on the defensive rebound so she won't be guarding on the perimeter too much.

Are you talking to the same coaches I'm talking to?!?!?!?! Sounds like it. Lot of what you're saying is what they are saying also....."unique skill set", ability to play in different positions effectively, can score facing up or back to the basket, difficult to defend, strong, quicker than some believe, etc., and the southpaw thing comes into play as well. Other good stuff but I'll not go there. But then you've done your share of talking to coaches too!

 

I'm ate up with this stuff my friend. When I'm sitting in the stands watching college teams from mid to high majors...I tend to try to picture where, or if, some HS players that I'm most familiar with will fit at the next level or even be able to compete. My opinion means "squat", but it's still my "opinion" so I guess I'm entitled

{Moss} I have seen her score at will from all points on the floor but I am not sure she can defend a quick guard with college level talent. That is why I asked the question of why move her to guard during blowouts. To me she is a natural 3.

 

No doubt learning to defend on the perimeter will be a huge challenge for Syd at the next level, along with the conditioning aspect. I saw her go against some terrific guards this summer. And she sometimes had difficulty staying in front of several of them (as did most everybody else that tried to defend them!). I saw Moriah Jefferson, Texas guard ranked No. 2 in the 2012 class by Hoopgurlz, put a crossover move on Syd that was out of this world to go around her in a flash. I said "uh oh" but was surprised when Syd recovered and blocked Moriah's layup attempt from behind.

 

Like a lot of "scorers" in HS she doesn't always defend as tenaciously as she can/should. But I think she'll learn to do that because she has the skills and will to do that. But I agree she's not going to be the one to defend some of the absolute "burners" at the DI level.

 

I do think Nell is trying to help develop Syd for her future college position by moving her out on the floor. But I also think her handle is better than some thought. College interest went up significantly this summer as colleges saw her play out on the floor for her AAU team. Most I've talked with have no problem with her handle. The desire to defend is another issue but coaches feel that's a matter of application. In most college programs you defend or you sit!

I'm ate up with this stuff my friend. When I'm sitting in the stands watching college teams from mid to high majors...I tend to try to picture where, or if, some HS players that I'm most familiar with will fit at the next level or even be able to compete. My opinion means "squat", but it's still my "opinion" so I guess I'm entitled

 

I know you have great interest and I can see you doing just that. And I see you as someone who has the experience to make some pretty good calls in that respect.

 

Out.....I'm off to Lousiville to watch BC in the LIT.

along with the conditioning aspect

 

You sure hit the nail on the head. I know kids that worked their tails off to be in tip top shape when they arrived on campus and were still no where close to being prepared. There are many reasons why kids quit or transfer to smaller programs, but the vast majority have a difficult time handling 15-18hr days for six days per week. It doesn't take long to find out which players love the game versus which players have a true passion for the game.

Whew! You shocked me shock...I expected you to say Syd was 7th right behind the top 6 players at Ryle. You are slipping my friend where's your loyalty

Ha,ha,ha,ha!