I know some districts have different policies regarding middle-schoolers playing up, but in your opinion who do you think should have the say on if a middle school kid should be able to play up at the high school level or not?

It has to be the trifecta of high school/middle school/parents.

 

Talent is only one of the factors involved.

Every situation is different.

 

At Mercer County they moved up two 8th graders to play freshman ball and I am hearing one may even play some varsity. I believe it was the high school coach who initiated that move.

 

At Burgin, they moved up two 8th graders to play freshman ball but that is a move moreso about numbers than it is about talent. Again, that was likely initiated by the high school coach.

I agree that it should be a coach and parent joint decision.

 

One concern for the parent is that the rule has changed, as I understand, and if a middle schooler plays high school, they have to sit a year if they go to a different high school.

I agree that it should be a coach and parent joint decision.

 

One concern for the parent is that the rule has changed, as I understand, and if a middle schooler plays high school, they have to sit a year if they go to a different high school.

 

Did that rule get passed?

I agree that it should be a coach and parent joint decision.

 

One concern for the parent is that the rule has changed, as I understand, and if a middle schooler plays high school, they have to sit a year if they go to a different high school.

 

Did that rule get passed?

 

Checked the KHSAA website. It looks like a JR high kid is ONLY allowed to play for a high school in his district.

 

No mention of sitting out a year should they change high schools the following year.

Every situation is different.

 

At Mercer County they moved up two 8th graders to play freshman ball and I am hearing one may even play some varsity. I believe it was the high school coach who initiated that move.

 

At Burgin, they moved up two 8th graders to play freshman ball but that is a move moreso about numbers than it is about talent. Again, that was likely initiated by the high school coach.

 

Is the Mercer Co. player playing varsity, Will Hager? I would think he is ready for varsity.

I think the player, parents, and varsity coach should make the decision.

I agree that it should be a coach and parent joint decision.

 

One concern for the parent is that the rule has changed, as I understand, and if a middle schooler plays high school, they have to sit a year if they go to a different high school.

I believe you may be mistaken.

My opinion is if the kid has the talent to play varsity let him play. My son started playing varsity as an 8th grader at the recommendation of coach and held his own. I feel the early exposure has been good for him. He is now a junior starting varsity.

What is amazing to me is that players playing up in other sports such as Cross Country, Golf, and Baseball is much more accepted. There are rules against players playing up in football and soccer as far as varsity goes. It just seems that boys basketball there are many more discussions about whether this is a good thing or not. My belief is that the COACH, who gets paid to make these decisions, should make the decision that is best for the student athlete and his program. (IN THAT ORDER)

My opinion is if the kid has the talent to play varsity let him play. My son started playing varsity as an 8th grader at the recommendation of coach and held his own. I feel the early exposure has been good for him. He is now a junior starting varsity.

 

I agree.Example Baxton Beverly.

Is the Mercer Co. player playing varsity, Will Hager? I would think he is ready for varsity.

 

Yes. I know for certain he will play freshman ball. I am pretty sure he'll play JV and there are rumblings he may see some varsity time also. I am assuming he will dress varsity. I have been told he has been performing well in practices with varsity at point guard however the projected starting point guard is still playing football. I am guessing Will is the backup point guard at this point. His middle school career is over.

 

Drew Davis is the other 8th grader playing freshman ball. His middle school career is over as well.

Is there ever a concern about a big age difference on the court or field? In girls soccer we were told that junior girls could not be on JV because some schools have to put 8th graders on their JV teams just to field a team and that juniors and 8th graders could not be on the field at the same time. Maybe that was just coaches choice?

Has to be the HS coach and parents joint decision. Every kid goes thru puberty a different way and at different times. Some kids are as big as they will be when the graduate in the 8th grade. Why not move them up and let them play. I wished the middle schools done the same. If you have a taleted 6th grader, let him play up if he can. So if he is ready to moved up to HS as a 8th grader, he is better prepared.