Perfect Practice

Why? And, over every other guard in NKY, or just his age group?

I agree with you on this subject. I saw him play this weekend at the Royals tournament and his offense was solid, but the defense seemed to lack a bit. There is no doubt though that the kid can score a bit.

After watching Sewell play in Louisville 2 weeks ago, I find it hard to believe he will be running the point. This kid is a 2 (maybe even a 3). He can jump out of the gym and likes to score the basketball. I would say he is more of a scorer than a distributor. We shall see.

Possibly. I think there will be a lot of competition at this spot for "the best." Also what do you consider NKY. Some people would consider Mason County NKY. If so, Jordan Gilbert will be awfully good in my opinion. Also, when you talk about "true" PG, I think that Jake Flesch of Connor, and possibly Brandon Hatton of Dixie. If Matt Trammel plays the PG for Dixie, then he will be up there too. Most consider Mikey Gabbard as a really good PG as well. If Rico plays the PG, you have to look at him too. But, since you said "true," we'll talk about all these other guys. Should be interesting. Very exciting to watch next season. There are a lot of young men to keep an eye on.

I think there is going to be a lot of competition for this spot next season. Some real solid young junior (to be) PG's in NKY. But, from what i've heard and the little i've seen I would add him to the list of good young PG's. I look forward to seeing him and the others more often.

I agree that Josh Forrest will be the next great PG (if he plays the position) next season. I read that Tilghman needed him to step in and play the PG position last year and he rose to the challenge and exceeded expectations. Not to mention the kid is 6'5" so he will be able to physically dominate the smaller guys. I know a lot of people are talking about the obvious players for next season. Guys like: Shanklin, Jackson, Forrest, etc. But I want to throw some other names out there as guys you'll want to keep an eye on. Jordan Gilbert (Mason County), Chris Harrison (Trinity), Matt Trammel (Dixie Heights) and Jake Flesch (Connor Highschool). Jordan Gilbert (Mason County) did an excellent job last weekend at the Shootout. This kid is quick and can get to the rim, passes well, plays solid defense, plays mistake free (for the most part) and is a good floor leader. I think he'll make some noise at Mason County next season. He aslo lead by example. Chris Harrison (Trinity) is a good ball player. The kid can knock it down from anywhere on the floor. He is a good, verbal court general that seems to pass well. His defense is solid and we'll be hearing about him for a couple years to come. (I just read that he's moving to Michigan. Even if he does, you'll hear about him in recruiting). Also a good FT shooter. Matt Trammel (Dixie Heights) is a great young player. If he plays PG next season you should keep an eye on him. He can score from anywhere on the court. A quick first step to the rim, good defense, leads by example, good FT shooter, and can simply take a game over. Loves a challenge. Jake Flesch (Connor Highschool) is a very quick young talent. I add him in the mix because he was poised to start varsity as a sophomore, but spent 3/4 of the season injured. He passes very well and likes to get teammates involved. He also plays relatively mistake free, can score when he needs to, and his defense is second to none. Excellent FT shooter. Look for these kids to open some eyes and make some noise. Watch them this summer and next season. Each of the previous is a Junior (to be).

I was looking on the internet for non-branded AAU teams that have websites. I found the NKY Bulldogs (http://www.nkybulldogs.com). Does anyone know if the KY players, charlotte court, kentucky blazers, and any other teams like this have websites. Just trying to get more background info on these teams. How long they've been around, where they are from, the players on the teams, etc. Thanks

Does anyone know if some of the non-branded, but still good teams will be playing in this Royals tournament this weekend? Teams like WKY Elite, NKY Bulldogs, Charlotte Court, BA Hoyas (even though this team is somewhat branded by the Basketball Academy, they are still new and just starting out)? I like to watch them play against some of the so-called (on BGP) "big boys."

I agree. It's important for teams to build chemistry with one another. Also, utilize this time to practice new scheme's and to just get the kids playing. My question is... Why not play right now?

I agree with you here.

Sure, AAU is a good ways for young athletes to get noticed by coaches. At tournaments such as Eddie Fords Grassroots Shootout and The Real Deal on the Rock in Arkansas, along with many others I'm sure, many of these games are video taped and coaches have the opportunity to see them. Also, local newswriting and journalists come out to give the boys and girls exposure. But, it's not all about geting recognized, it's also about staying active during your Highschools downtime. Stay active and stay busy. And hey, why not play a game that you love. There are many reasons to play AAU ball, not just to get noticed.

Yeah, I have heard of this tournament. This should be a really good one! I am also hearing about the Royals AAU Super-regional this coming weekend. This should be good as well. I saw on the Shining Stars website that they will be in this tournament. Obviously the Cincinnati Royals. I'm assuming you'll see many of the teams that were at the Grassroots shootout or Bearcat classic at this tournament too. Not sure though. Anyone know of other teams in this tournament (Royals AAU Superregional)?

Anyone going to check out tournaments this weekend? If so, what teams will be involved?

I believe the kid you may be talking about is Jack Stewart. He is a Junior to be from Highlands. He was playing for the NKY Bulldogs at the Grassroots Shootout. I saw him play in a couple of games. He played well. I agree with the "loyalty" concept. And, those Holmes kids are great basketball players and the KY Players are a good team. They should make some noise with a few other U17 teams this season.

Early, yet in full swing! Time for some basketball boys and girls.

I absolutely agree with you. As a coach, you should get into AAU specifically for the kids. If a coach gets recognized for helping kids, GREAT. But, it is about the young athletes. I would certainly hope that there arent to many coaches, or any at all that are doing it for the wrong reasons.

This is exactly what I'm trying to say! Kudos to you sir or ma'am. If your child plays for a good organization (i.e. SS sports, DSAS, I.E. etc), thats good. But, it doesnt guarantee or confirm exposure.

Also,it appears that some of the names on this list, are kids who may have played with this organization at one time or another, but not only this organization. But this list is somewhat impressive nonetheless. Kudos on getting that info.

This is fantastic news! Thank you. Congrats to those kids! But again, you are talking about 2 kids out of how many players in the entire organization. Just back to my point that, you DONT have to play for any specific organization to get recognition OR college scholarhsips. These kids just have to play to the best of their ability, and i do think that they should play in some of the bigger tournaments.

Just as SS sports may be a good program that offers kids opportunities so they can go to school for their education, smaller less well known teams may offer kids the same opportunity. Or, if kids play for SS sports so they can go to school for education THATS GREAT! But, those same kids could play for any other organization and have an opportunity to possibly do the same thing.

By no means am I trying to take "shots" at SS sports. I know they have a good program. Very good players. Some good coaches. However, I completely disagree that you must have a brand such as the SS to get team and player recognition. Kids from all around can compete. I applaud the SS for what they have been able to do. Especially the U17 teams. In my opinion, I think SS (McFarland) will be really, really good this year, after what I saw this weekend. Give McFarland some time, and he'll have them near unbeatable in my opinion.

I wasnt singling you out on this. Just stating this fact in general. Jody Demling is great. Has a wonderful blog. But, to know his blog, isnt knowing AAU basketball. Again, a statement in general. Which is where i think many get information. I think you have to watch the tournaments and see the games and the kids play. I didn't mean for it to sound that way.

I couldn't have said it better. I didnt say that any of these kids will get any recognition at all. But, a coach will target the big name tournamentd. If a team like the Bulldogs, Court, WKY Elite or whomever are playing in these bigger tournaments against your so-called "teams where elite players play", they will get to see teams like the non-branded teams give them their best shot. Whether an AAU team beats another AAU team is not on a coaches agenda either. A college coach wants to see the players play the game. Final score means nothing to no one except those teams and those affiliated with it. Branded organizations or local teams, doesnt matter. Compete in the big tournaments and you CAN gain recognition. Both for teams and players.

Completely incorrect in my opinion. College Coaches gravitate to the big name TOURNAMENTS. If any of these more local teams show up, any player or any team could get noticed. How could you not see that? And, if the NKY Bulldogs, WKY Elite, Charlotte Court, KY Players or anyone else play well, or have players that perform well against your so-called "big name organizations" then those players/teams will get noticed. If they didnt, then why not just have a tournament that only allows the 3 "big" organizations to play in it (DSAS, I.E. & Shining Stars). Well, simply because coaches and AAU tournament programs know that not all the great/good players want to play for those organizations.

These thoughts keep coming back to me. There seem to be a lot of Shining Stars fans on here. Wow. Thats good. I have no direct affiliation. Just a curious AAU fan. Question: If this (SS) is an elite group or team, where is Shanklin? Fants? Avery? Forrest? Stroud? Harrison? Barkesdale? Jeremiah Davis? Are the Shining Stars second rate compared to DSAS and Indy Elite organizations and team? And, if they are... dont guys like Schuette and Gibson leave to play wit DSAS or Indy Elite? Who is the last "BIG" name, or D-1 commited player to play with the Shining Stars? Just questions.