Handy Manny

Once the season starts this list can be thrown away.

I can't argue anyhting about that list. One thing for sure is that Eastern will be tough to beat this year.

I agree. The top 10 player list is laughable. No Travis Montgomery? Conner and Boone are ranked 1 and 2 in every poll, but combined they have 1 player in the top 10 on this list. It is unfortunate that so many in Ky read this publication and the information is clearly inaccurate. Also, I realize Holmes has a new coach, but why is the 9th region the only region that has a picture of a coach over the top rated player?

ALways a pleasure to hear from you FB. Congrats to Kellen.

Due to the amount of variables such as schedule and team play is why I chose to only post the stats from their head to head meeting. Scott and Conner play a different style of ball against different opponents. This may influence certain stats. I like the head to head meetings and look forward to being able to see one this year. It will no doubt make for interesting viewing.

Unforunately due to injury, Flesch only has one year of varsity under his belt. He was slated as the starter for Conner his sophmore year, but was diagnosed with a lower back fracture after their second exhibition game. He had to sit out that year. His junior year was his first true year of varsity and still managed to put up nice numbers. The idea that Smith would be top 3 in the 9th with Thelan and Giesler is very debatable and I think Stauffer may have something to say about that.

Playing the 5 is more dependent on physical stature and strength than height alone. Aside from shot blocking (which Hodges does well) a stronger bigger player has the advantage on the block. Thelan and Giesler. Hodges is not a good matchup for either of them in the post, but neither of them can go to the perimeter and defend Hodges and have any sucess. He can hit the three and has added the abilty to drive the lane this summer. If he gets the opportunity to play as a wing forward this year, he will be a force. He isn't going to outmuscle you, but he will get his in his own way.

No disrespect Mr. Walter because I truely value your opinion, but you mention Flesch & Smith as if there is no comparison. I have to ask if you have even seen Flesch play and if so how many times? Unfortunately, the Conner Scott game last season was cancelled due to weather. This would had made for a nice matchup. I know personally that Flesch has defended several higher level guards than Mr. Smith with great sucess. Names like Barksdale, Forrest, & Fucci come to mind. Not taking anything from Kellen because he is definately a top player in the 10th. The only matchup betweeen the 2 last year was at the state tournament at the KBA. There wasn't much separation in their numbers. Smith - 5 pts, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 steals, & 3 blocks Flesch - 4 pts, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals, & 0 blocks.

Holmes should be very fun to watch this year if they bring the fast pace in your face game. They may change the 9th. region.

I had the opportunity to see almost all of these kids play this summer. I like Stauffer at the top. This kids works and works. He gives you 110 percent all the time. Giesler is my number two. He has amazing size and works extremely well with it. He has also slimmed up a bit and that has added to his quickness which will help him alot this coming season. Thelan and Brown coming up next. These guys know where their money is and they go get it. How can you fault guys for that. They are both double digit scorers every game this year and can easily average a double double. T. Mont. and Hodges are next. These kids have the highest ceilings on the list IMO. Travis is freakishly athletic. If he continues to improve his jumpshot and handles, he could jump to the top of this list i na hurry. Hodges is another player with a tremendous upside. He is a 6'8" wing player. He needs add some strength and hopefully the confidence he had at the end of AAU will carry over and he will have a nice season. He is the biggest missmatch on the list. Next are Trammel and Flesch. These two guys are the best guards in the 9th. I did say the 9th. Trammel is healthy and has really improved his shot. He will be a tremendous asset for Dixie this year. Flesch is a defensive machine. He can stop anyone. He is not a huge scorer, but he will create opportunites for everyone else and can play lock down D. Reminds me of the Eraser. I like Jack Stewart next. This kid is hard working. He knows the game and has improved so much in the last two years. I look for him to jump up on this list as well. He will have a huge year leading Highlands. For the 10 spot I am taking Hatton. This kid can shoot. I would like to see him become a little more well rounded, but he has a few years to do it.

Congrats to Mr. Shanklin. I do not know him, but I am always happy to see the KY kids have the opportunity to play at the next level.

Congrats to Lyonell. He is an excellent person with tremendous skills. I am very happy for him.

I like Dixie, Conner, then Boone as my top 3.

Ryle and Conner both have pretty good size.

Travis Montgomery with the NKY Bulldogs PPG - 9.6 Rebounds - 3.7 Assists - 1.7 Steals - .8 Field Goal % - 50 Free Throw % - 75

You can't forget about Jack Stewart at Highlands. He will be tough this year after having a great summer. There is also Tyler Hodges. He is a legit 6'8", but plays stronger as a wing than a big man.

Hodges is always a factor. If he doesn't block a shot, he alters it. He mixed the post with the wing position this week and was very effective also. He averaged over 8 points and 4 boards a game. He shot the ball well and was great at attacking the rim for put backs.

As was stated in another thread, the NKY Buldlogs chose Ft. Wayne over Vegas and Orlando due mainly to limited vacation and finances on the part of some of their players. Trips to Vegas and Orlando are very expensive and being a completely parent funded group, the Bulldogs decided Ft. Wayne was best. There were several D1 and D2 coaches along with tons of D3 and NAIA schools present. I also feel like winning the tournament garnered more exposure than just showing up. The Bulldogs are happy and their parents are happy. Lets not try to discourage the feat. I applaud anyone from KY who was successful this summer and in my opinion, the Buldlogs had a very successful summer.

Thank you. This was an amazing ending to a great season for an awesome group of kids. They played extremely well and as a team. There were several coaches watching each game as the Bulldogs worked their way through the field to dismantle the Fieldhouse Elite Knights. Some of the Bulldogs are already hearing from several schools and I expect this to increase. There was great play from everyone.

To answer your question, there were several reasons the Bulldogs decided on Ft. Wayne over Florida. The parents were given the options and voted to go to Ft. Wayne. Time constraints and finances led the way.

Travis also finished his dunks on every first attempt. The dunk that "beat" Travis was a second attempt. IMO. Travis won the contest. He just didn't get the award. The local guy, set up a really amazing dunk, but failed to throw it down on his attempt. He was given a second attempt and he changed his dunk. You make your own assumptions.

Stewart had a great game against the Pump N Run. He actually hit a 3 at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

I will check my stats. I was rushing to get data entered before I got timed out.

Congrats to all of the KY teams at Hoopfest. I know that the Ky 17's definately represented the bluegrass state and it sounds like the other age groups did well also.

The NKY Bulldogs were eliminated in an overtime loss to Progeny in the final 13 of the gold bracket. The Bulldogs had an excellent showing this week and garnered a tremendous amount of attention for their players. Tyler Hodges, Bobby Stauffer, Robbie Barber, Travis Montgomery, Jack Stewart, Jacob Flesch, Matt Trammel, Todd Vollet, & Chris Hayes all played well and were asked about in different games.