TruBlu

If you are insinuating Ashland has politics in sports...show me any school system completely void of influence and politics? Even the private schools have their fair share of "influence". I will say that the Ashland Boosters have been around the Ashland program MUCH longer and have more heart involved in AHS sports than any newcomers be it players, coaches, administrators, etc. Sure there is influence, but there is SUPPORT in doing what is best for the kids first. Too many people like to scream "politics" when things don't go their way. My opinion.

Well yes the T-cats can play with East. Ashland's mojo is determined by the pace of Will Skaggs and if Skaggs is on his game and able to hit Bonner underneath they should do well. If Skaggs is off it's another story. If Delaney gets warmed up and comfortable and manages to find the open spot I think a win is possible.

Not surprising with the powerhouse Elliott is currently. People will travel to watch a great team.

Matt was a much scrappier player and very competitive. Again, I think the kids who play other sports like football, which Matt did or even soccer like Will Skaggs does where you have to put a body on the opponent ..... they are just mentally more conditioned to playing aggressively on the basketball court. However, some kids are just more naturally agressive than others.

To the response about the Ashland Boosters having influence and the postgame coaches interview being tense: I have known many of the Tomcat boosters for years and they are just that....BOOSTERS. They are all about support of the Ashland sports programs. David Payne has long been the man that interviews coach on the radio after the game and I listen to nearly every broadcast. I definitley do not feel there is any tension there. However, when a team loses 5 out of 6 games it must be difficult on both the interviewer and the coach to be positive. I think both do the best they can to "save face" on the radio under the circumstances. It couldn't be an easy task to accomplish for either. I think to imply there is tension there is reaching and stirring the pot that doesn't need stirring.

No, the assistant basketball coach, Jeff Wilcox got inducted into the BASEBALL Hall of Fame not basketball.

Yes 5 losses but they looked sharp against Ironton with the exception of rebounding and thats where they lost it. They are too soft under the basket. No muscle in there other than Bonner. Royalty is strong but not tall enough to get the big rebounds however he did his best. It will take work and with hard work I believe they can continue to improve.

Makes sense about the budget cuts not allowing coaches to bring their own staff. Personally I think Mike Polley is one of the better coaches in the Ashland system but he doesn't have a great amount of talent in his 9th grade program. There is no size at all on his freshman team. Definitely kids are just not as into sports as they were when I was a kid. Many are lazy and wouldn't run a lap if their life depended on it! My feeling is to award the kids who do come out to practice everyday with encouragement and a little praise once in awhile. They are the ones making the sacrifices to wear the school letter when their peers are sitting at home behind a computer like I'm doing right now. But, being 63 years old gives me that right! haha At 16 I was busting my butt on the football field and basketball court and holding down a job bagging groceries. I think another problem is Coach Biggs has a great deal of pressure coming into the "winningest program in the state" and he is desperate to bring it back. Sometimes he's too desperate, is negative to the kids and from what I see either him or his staff aren't concerned with building from the young kids he has. Ashland is a tradition for more than just winning...it's about pride, dignity and being proud of the young players you have...not looking to bring "talent" in from elsewhere. If they had built a program they would never need to do that. It started back in the 90s with bringing in Darrell Arbaugh from Greenup. Develop and play the kids you have. All this moving around is ridiculous. I mean really....how many OJ Mayos are out there? How many of these kids will actually even play in college? Parents are over the moon with unrealistic expectations and that makes it hard for coaches. Thats my opinion and I realize many will disagree.

I agree with you. They were a solid team at the beginning of the season then lost their cohesiveness but its obviously coming back now. Some younger players are still making some big mistakes but they are beginning to make up for it and with encouragement these young men have the definite potential to pull it back together. When they play as a team with full out effort hitting the open man instead of making the selfish shots that don't always fall they are good competition for any team. Delaney is a great shooter, Skaggs an excellent point guard and assist man and Bonner is a huge presence under the basket. With a little seasoning Cody Withrow will be able to provide that strength that has been collapsing inside at times. I think T-cats will finish just fine.

Have seen all mentioned play at one time or another and for my money I would go with Timmy Knipp hands down. If his body continues to develop there will be no stopping him. Excellent athlete.

Bonner will be extremely hard to replace! Will they be better without him? Probably not but the question was "who is coming up that could make an impact in the future?"..... not who would replace Bonner. Most I mentioned are sophomores & 1 freshman so they have time to develop. As of next year the only returning starter logical to move into Bonner's center position is Chris Johnson and he needs to get alot stronger under the basket. Also all other players need to step up their game. A team is made up of 10 to 15 players....each one able to contribute something, obviously some will be able to contribute more than others.

I have only been there for the end of some very close games, all wins for the T-cats, and have been impressed by #10 Culop a guard who can shoot, #25 Gibbs tall strong rebounder & hustle, #44 (Royalty former quarterback who hustles, thick strong body) and of course #43 Cody Withrow is a natural athlete. It appears there will only be 1 start spot open with only losing Bonner but these young men definitely have ability and it they stick with it they will only make Ashland a stronger all around team.

haha thats funny! I was there and the T-cats definitely outplayed the Devils on this one. Much stronger defense and a big performance by Cody Withrow but we'll see how the next one goes! wink wink

Thanks guys. I was pretty sure it was a school by school rule but wasn't sure.

You are a great success story! You are correct that players need to do what is in their own best interest and if situations aren't working with a coach or other teammates then an exit may be in a kids favor overall. I doubt seriously that the most current young man, Bowling, will be a quitter in life. He was easily one of the hardest workers on the Ashland team. I saw him constantly working on basketball at the Y long after practices were over. When called into the game he was one of the few who sprinted onto the court with enthusiasm, the same when coming out of a game. I think it comes down to the fact that some coaches lack the ability to communicate with their players on a human level. Yes, players should ALWAYS respect their coaches, but coaches need to remember that players ALSO deserve respect and encouragement. Just my opinion....

Is it true that if a varsity player quits in the middle of the year is he/she ineligible to play another varsity sport that they are a member of? Could someone please bing me up to speed? Thank you.

Well, due to the proximity to each other this will always be a big rivalry due to tradition. It's true that neither team are the powerhouses they once were. The first time out this year Ashland scored over 100 points playing BC on their own court. It's a shame that both teams have endured the loss of some key players.

I do not think that any player should walk away in the middle of a season for any reason and would be very disappointed if my grandchildren would ever quit anything. I believe it sends the wrong message. However, when this has happened over and over in the Ashland program in the last 2 years one can only wonder WHY? All the kids you mention are good kids from solid families...doesn't make sense. What I do see is Coach Biggs constantly yelling and belittling players in front of crowds. I realize there is a time to be a tough coach but I see very little encouragement of players on that coaching staff as a whole. I see the end of JV games and there is upcoming talent (both height, speed and strong defense from a couple) but they are being snubbed on varsity. I would think if Biggs was trying to build a program he would at least attempt to play more than 7-8 players in close games. I don't understand his coaching strategies. I think he is alll about the WIN today and forgetting to encourage and develop the kids who come out everyday to give their all in practice. This is an opinion shared by everyone who sat around me last night at the Ashland/BC game. His strategies are just not working. So quitting is the better option rather than busting his butt and working harder to get back out on the court? That's a great attitude for kids to adapt. I feel sorry for kids who decide to quit. They'll go thru life never holding down a job for very long because they'll quit whenever somebody they don't feel deserves it get's the promotion over them.

Out of the 16th region I would have to give kudos to Rex Cooksey. He is tough but you can tell he encourages kids wot get the best out of them...doesn't tear them down like some other coaches do.