WVFrank

Thanks Shockey! Hey let's get the AAU season going, I'm having withdrawal!

I get that at 113-23 for those four years. Still outstanding but 133 wins would be 33 wins a year! By the way, Marion County was 115-19 over those same four years.

This has been on the Internet for a while but I wanted to wait until the Sweet Sixteen was over. Sydney Moss making a name for herself on Kentucky basketball courts Daughter of NFL star Randy Moss earns her own way into spotlight with talent, work ethic Sydney Moss would never tell you that she averages 23 points and 12 rebounds a game. And the 16-year-old 5-foot-11 power forward from Boone County (Florence, Ky.) would never reveal that she’s the No. 3-ranked basketball player in Northern Kentucky. Or let on that her coach considers her a once-in-a-lifetime athlete — with a killer combination of speed, ball handling and jumps. In fact, you would have to attend a game to know that her fans scream, “You just got Mossed!” every time she steals the ball, shoots through the opposition with razor-sharp aim and ratchets up her team’s score another two points. Sydney prefers to keep things on the down-low. On the other hand, you’ve probably heard of her dad, wide receiver Randy Moss. Sydney’s trip down the court is often accompanied by the chant “Raaaaaaaan-dy”— a sophomoric dig at her dad and his turbulent NFL career, well-defined by his famously short temper and last fall’s leapfrog from the Patriots to the Vikings to the Titans in four short weeks. It’s a nasty nod to the distant dad who lives in Tennessee — away from Sydney, her mom Libby Offutt and her four siblings (Thad, 12, Montigo, 8, Senali , 6, and Sylee, 2). On the other hand, her dad’s notoriety and the resulting public scrutiny have also taught Sydney to keep her cool. Her popularity has nothing to do with Randy’s reputation. She may have inherited his hands and talent — but, bottom line, the girl knows how to play ball. Take last year’s Sweet Sixteen quarterfinals. The Lady Rebels varsity basketball team, needed three points to tie the score late in the game. Sydney, then a sophomore transfer, grabbed an offensive rebound, stepped back and, without hesitation, made the shot to send the game into overtime. “If Sydney feels the pressure, she doesn’t show it,” says Lady Rebels coach Nell Fookes. “She can anticipate the game. She’s a step ahead of everyone, and her pure athleticism and talent is taking our team to a whole higher level.” BORN TO PERFORM Growing up, Sydney followed in no one’s footsteps but her own. Until she was 6 years old, her family lived with her maternal grandfather in West Virginia while her dad finished college. Whether she wanted to watch sports or not, her grandfather, Frank Offutt, was always tuned in. “She’d sit and watch, but I don’t recall her ever commenting,” says Frank, who regularly travels the three-and-a-half hours to watch his granddaughter play in Kentucky. (He’s driven more than 6,000 miles during this season alone.) “When she began playing softball and basketball in middle school, it was clear she had picked up moves from TV that other players her age didn’t have yet,” he adds. “She made it look so easy. It’s a God-given gift.” If her talent came naturally, her motivation came with learning — including one particular day on her driveway basketball court. “My dad played against my brother and me once,” Sydney recalls. “He played defense and made us a deal: If we made a shot over him, he’d take us shopping.” Her little brother, Thad, went up for the shot; Randy palmed the ball, stole it, then dunked it while his son watched from the sideline. “I just walked away,” Sydney says. “There was no way I could make that shot, but I knew I wanted to learn how to take away a ball like that.” Around then, when her junior high gym teacher saw Sydney shooting hoops — switching the ball seamlessly from hand to hand (some coaches still can’t tell she’s a lefty) — her skills had just begun to surface. By the time she’d finished her sophomore year at Boone County, the forward had matured into a power player, helping her team secure a regional title, a near-victory in the Sweet Sixteen quarterfinals and a final record of 28-4. This year, Lady Rebels are ranked fifth in the state, making them a magnet for college recruiters. To date, Sydney has 15 verbal offers from schools in Florida, North Carolina and Kentucky. A DO-IT-ALL PLAYER Even with all the attention, Sydney still gives her team her all — both on and off the court. Sydney Moss is co-captain of the girls basketball team at Boone County (Florence, Ky.). “Syd knows when to buckle down at practice, but she’s hilarious,” says friend and teammate senior Stacie Shrout, 18. “We have an incredibly close team. Syd’s a do-it-all player, but we’re all so tight that we feed off of each other. When she makes a shot, we all start making shots.” Like any star athlete, Sydney shoulders the pressures and responsibilities of being a team leader. As co-captain, she knows that an off-day for her could mean an off-day for the team. “[Coach Fookes] expects a ton from me,” Sydney says. “Sometimes it’s annoying to come in every day and feel like I need to play perfectly.” Even so, Sydney respects and appreciates Coach Fookes’ advice and support. “She brings out the best in me,” Sydney says. “[she’s] taught me that coaches can care about you as a person, not just as an athlete.” SPRING ROLLS AND DIRT BIKES When Sydney isn’t on the court, you’re likely to find her with her bestie, senior Jackie Marchall, 18, and other friends at an Asian buffet. “We tend to eat one of everything,” Jackie jokes. “No, seriously. We eat a lot of food.” And when she’s not scarfing down spring rolls, Sydney’s into riding dirt bikes — a hobby that terrifies her coach. “Last summer, I took a turn and slid out, scraping my knee. I couldn’t bend it for a while and that probably made her nervous,” says Sydney, who loves off-roading with her brother Thad. Coach Fookes can’t help but be protective of her star player. The Lady Rebels hope to snag their first three-peat as regional champs, then bring home a Sweet Sixteen championship. After that, Sydney’s main task will be to narrow her list of prospective colleges to three. “I just hope I make the right decision,” she says. “I’m the first kid, and my mom’s going to have a big impact on where I go. She won’t want me to go far.” Libby couldn’t agree more. “I was 18 years old when I had Sydney,” Libby says. “When she heads off to college, I’ll just cry. I don’t know basketball, but I love watching her. If I could uproot the family to follow her, I would.” Frank and Libby aren’t the only family members cheering Sydney on. At a recent game, as she was about to take a free throw, her little brother Montigo planted himself behind the basket where she could see him cheering, “Go on, Syd! Go on!” Needless to say, she made the shot — then playfully stuck her tongue out at him. And when her sister Senali recently joined a church basketball league, she made sure to ask for Sydney’s number 40 on her team jersey. “But it went to some other girl and she absolutely threw a fit,” Sydney laughs. Family fans aside, the public spotlight on Sydney is only getting brighter, as newspaper and blog headlines continue to tell of how she “steals the show,” and describe her plays as “game-clinching” — or game-ending. Despite the hoops — and the hoopla — it still comes down to one thing for Sydney. “I want to be known for my own name,” she says. Go on, Syd! Go on! Here is the link to the article. There are several nice pictures: http://rise.espn.go.com/all-sports-girls/articles/2011/02/24-sydney-moss.aspx?pursuit=GirlsBasketball And here's a link to the Magazine cover: https://store.espnrise.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=17451&productId=975423&catalogId=19353&categoryId=317590

Agree. Based on a quick and incomplete look I would think Marion County would have to be in the favorite role for next season based on what they return. Of course we'll likely see others challenge, perhaps even some that weren't necessarily among the ranked this season. And I wouldn't be surprised to see a few transfers that might have an impact on the strength of some schools for 2001-12.

"dominating sports like basketball and track in ky." Don't know about track because I don't follow that sport.................................but gotta admit you have a way with words! :notworthy: Just curious.........with Rockcastle losing 80% of its scoring and 75% of its rebounding with the graduation of six seniors, obviously a group that's been together for a long time, do you predict RC will "dominate" basketball again next season? Just thought I'd check to know whether anyone else had a chance or should perhaps just forgo next year!

Hammond is a fine, fine player and got off to a great start last night, but, IMO, Lawrence is the MVP for the Rockets. A point guard who can run the offense like she does, handle the pressure she got from Manual, and still hit the many key shots she did in the second half is something few (few!) teams have, and the critical element for highly successful teams. By the way, I like your avatar!

Hammond is a fine, fine player and got off to a great start last night, but, IMO, Lawrence is the MVP for the Rockets. A point guard who can run the offense like she does, handle the pressure she got from Manual, and still hit the many key shots she did in the second half is something not many teams have, and the critical element for highly successful teams. By the way, I like your avatar!

I have no, absolutely none, inside information but I'm just guessing that after 26 years as head coach at Boone, on top of six, I believe, years at EKU as an assistant, that Coach Fookes might just be looking to slow down a bit. Second son graduates from Boone this year and perhaps she will look to hand over the reigns to someone else. Again, supposition on my part and perhaps totally wrong. Some don't give up easily. Look at me I'm......mumble, mumble......years old and I'm still working!

Yeah, with another six years of so of coaching girls Coach Dawn might be better than 1-5 with an average minus 8 points per game margin against "Nell Who?"! You do realize last Sunday was his FIRST win in his four years as NCC Girls coach against Nell?!?!? Just teasing a bit because I think Coach Dawn is excellent and also think he won the battle last Sunday with his game plan and his ability to get his players to execute that plan to near perfection. Does help to have those three senior ball handlers on the floor! Also, I don't see any difference in coaching boys or girls in terms of the experience you gain. I did both in youth sports for a bunch of years and I think it all applied for me. But what Coach Fookes has accomplished at Boone County is remarkable and will be difficult for anyone to match going forward. And it's likely the Fookes-Dawn battles will not be around for much longer so we should all enjoy them while we can. Good luck to Coach Dawn and his girls today at BG!

There is another Girls HS BB message board I check out occasionally and the RC fans there have had the State Title won since mid-season or earlier! What we're seeing here is mild in comparison. I suppose we should admire their enthusiasm!?!? Wish I could have seen them play this season, but they were never in any of the tournaments I saw. I saw them last season and I know they had four starters back including Hammond, but I'm not sure I see them as a lock or even the odds-on favorite (I believe I'd personally put Manual in that role). Could they win it all? Absolutely! But I don't see that being as easy as some of their fans seem to. I do believe they are on the esaiest side of the brackets but that doesn't guarantee a title. The Sweet 16 will be fun to follow for sure!

Probably Kentucky Premier. She played a late AAU tourney with them last summer after the Indiana Legends were finished.

I've heard that Region 1 is typically not that strong but I don't know for sure. But I do know they have 6-0 Averee Fields who is going to West Virginia University on scholarship and she has really good numbers at 23.5 PPG and 13.1 RPG. I've seen some short film clips on Fields and she appears to be really solid. They have just one other double figure scorer in 5-4 guard Taylor Futrell so between Fields and Futrell they account for about 55% of Calloway County's scoring. I like the chances that Coach Dawn will find a way to somewhat limit Fields contribution and I think that will give NCC an excellent shot at a win.

I was doing some research and actually found a 2007 thread on BGP that said Christie McDonald coached 12 seasons at NCC, won 216 games over that period, and had a 200-98 record the last 10 years of her tenure. She won 5 "All A" ninth regions and appeared in 3 All A" Title games (I assumed runner-ups each time), and won 2 Ninth region titles to go to the Sweet 16. Also found she is an '87 grad and was inducted into the NCC HOF in 2001 and was the daughter of another NCC HOFamer, Tom Freppon, who was a '60 grad and played basketball at Xavier. Tom is also a member of the NKY Sports HOF and officiated HS BB for 36 years. Interesting stuff!

I agree. Both obviously are among the very best around. Right now the head-to-head is Fookes 4 - Dawn 1 in the three seasons they've gone against one another. Someone pointed out to me today that yesterday's win was Coach Dawn's first against Boone County girls and Fookes. Who knows how it will go from here.

Some days you get the prize, some days it doesn't work out like that. I personally think some of the best lessons in sports come from losing. Anyone can be a good winner, but to learn to lose with class and grace, and then come back to fight again certainly is an important lesson to learn for life as well as sports. Friend of mine says one can't really be a great fan if he (she) can't handle losing. That goes for players as well. And a good off season to you as well! But with AAU ball in just days that isn't very long!

Here it is, from the KY Post: 9th Region Girl's All-tournament team: Newport Central Catholic- Hannah Thiem, Brittany Fryer; Boone County- Sydney Moss, Stacie Shrout; Notre Dame- Chandler Clark, Olivia Voskuhl; St.Henry- Jessica Knaley, Abby Janszen; Highlands- Allie Conner; Holy Cross- DeAsia Beal; Ryle- Ashley Cheesman; Villa Madonna- Allie Hennard. MVP- Kiley Bartels, Newport Central Catholic.

Thanks Shockey. As I said, some people apparently don't think about what they say. Syd gets her athletic abilty from her father (as well as a smidgen from her grandfather! ), but her personality make-up and attitude is uniquely her own.

Thanks for some perspective. More truth in your post than is actually known. I also wonder how many of the posters here are 100% at their jobs every day. It's tough when you're close to a player to sit back and not respond to some of the type things being said in this thread, but I've been toughened to it over the years. My best-approach take is that some people just don't think about what they are saying sometimes. My worst-approach take would probably get me banned!

I've got a bunch of thoughts and comments I could throw in in response to this and some other posts in this thread but I'll just say this.................................the team that deserved to win the game won it, with a great game plan and outstanding guard play......Bartels was just sensational running their offense and hitting her shots. Congrats to NCC and go get 'em at Bowling Green!

9th Region at NKU St. Henry......7 3 12 11 33 Boone Co......9 4 13 16 42 St. Henry (20-9) -- Janszen 16, Knaley 12, Fugate 3, Gamm 2, O'Daniel 0. Boone Co. (28-5) -- Moss 20, Nash 7, Browning 4, Shrout 4, Robertson 3, Jones 2, Switzer 2. St. Henry held the ball for extended periods of time, one time during the second quarter taking 3 minutes off the clock on a single possession. Boone didn't seem to develop any rythm offensively the entire first half. Moss took over the game in the third quarter by coming out front, taking the ball and simply going one-on-one, scoring 11 of Boone's 13 points in the quarter. Then in the fourth Boone's offensive clicked better and the Lady Rebels got the lead out to around 10 and held it there. Not the type game I personally enjoy but a good plan by the St. Henry coach

Actually..................................... "the Pandas, who shot 65.2 percent (15-for-23) in the first half while Ryle shot 28 percent (9-for-31)" From the Enquirer article on the game. Sorry, Shockey, but you know how I am with the facts.

27 points and 10 (unofficial) rebounds.

I certainly didn't see a lot of congratulations from the Ryle side toward Boone County players or fans, but I didn't expect to see a lot and think jumpball's post is very valid. But there were a few congratulations offered, even to me, and I personally saw one big display of sportsmanship from the Ryle side from a player and her mother after the Boone team came out of their lockerroom to head home. Dawn Johnson, who banged most of the game with Sydney Moss, and her mother (I assume it was her mother) both approached Moss and hugged and congratulated her on her performance, first the mom and then Dawn. The congratulations were genuine and there were smiles and mutual respect between the two players, despite the physicality of their competition during the game. So, despite the agony of a defeat to a big rival, Dawn and her mom certainly stepped up to the plate.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader: High school girls: Dave Cantrall's top 25 12:00am on Feb 28, 2011; Modified: 11:13am on Feb 28, 2011 1. Manual (27-4) 86.0 2. Rockcastle Co. (29-1) 85.6 3. Bowling Green (21-1) 85.1 4. Mercy (22-7) 85.0 5. Butler (24-4) 83.4 6. Boone Co. (26-5) 83.3 7. Marion Co. (22-6) 83.2 8. Elizabethtown (27-3) 83.0 9. Perry Central (24-3) 81.9 9. Sacred Heart (23-5) 81.9 11. South Oldham (21-5) 80.8 12. Calloway Co. (27-1) 80.4 12. Newport Catholic (22-4)80.4 14. Clay Co. (23-6) 80.3 14. Scott Co. (17-10) 80.3 16. Ryle (23-6) 79.3 17. Monroe Co. (22-6) 77.2 18. Casey Co. (23-6) 76.6 19. Lincoln Co. (22-6) 76.5 20. Franklin Co. (20-11) 75.7 21. Murray (20-9) 75.2 22. Madison Central (20-9) 74.5 23. Notre Dame (18-8) 74.1 24. Bullitt East (23-8) 73.5 24. Ballard (12-14) 73.5 Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/02/28/1651810/high-school-girls-dave-cantralls.html#ixzz1FHIneoJc

The schedule as shown in the Enquirer is now on the KHSAA website. I'd assume that makes it official.