Perfect Practice

This year at UK... Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe are the exception, not the rule. I dont know that we will ever see this many GREATLY talented one and done players on one team. UK usually has guys that spend at least 2 seasons at the school.

How many boys do you see sitting on the bench at Division 1 schools that never get in the game. Just look at UK's bench or any of them. Hood is an example and there's a lot more out there.

Hood is a freshman at one of the greatest college basketball programs of all time. Did you expect him to start as a freshman? Sure Wall, Bledsoe, and Cousins all start, and Orton gets a lot of time, but Hood doesnt quite have that athleticism, speed or strength. His time will come at Kentucky. And... I combat your post with Darius Miller. He mad contributions last year as a freshman at Kentucky.

Give Hood time. He will be a necessity at UK. He has been able to slightly produce when he gets his time.

Ky is really putting out the basketball players arnt we,not one division 1 player from the state so far according to the list above.It really looks like the AAU and year round 1 sport mentality is working against creating good quality basketball.There were always 8 or 10 d-1 players from Lex and Lou alone.Maybe the kids are getting to much coaching and not developing on their own in the summers,not working on there skills by themselves.Here in louisville there were good players every year..not anymore.

Check the list above again...

Rico Johnson is going to Ohio U. who just beat Georgetown in the NCAA tournament. Euton is going to Akron to play. Chad Jackson to James Madison. Elisha Justice to Louisville.

These kids will be going to D1 schools. You may be able to question the tradition of some of these schools, but make no mistake. D1 is top level basketball.

Shining Star team last year coached by Pittman is still around with new coach and some new players. Shining Star team coached by Coach Davis will still be very strong.

 

Ice will be be very good with Fucci, Martin, Barnette and I have heard Travis Purvis from GRC back full time.

 

Not sure who will be with DSAS and Coach VanHoose?

 

I would think most of these teams have their roster set or close to set at this time. Tournament action starts first of April?

Is Pittman still coaching a Stars team? Any ideas on who will be on that team from last year?

Who will be some of the better teams in the 17U and 16U age groups?

In the 17's out of KY I am sure you will see teams like SSS 16's from last year, now SSS-DSAS, Charlotte Court, Lex Ice, NKY Bulldogs, Team Kentucky, Hoyas, WKY Elite... much of the same I would think and hope. Some really good teams last year.

I heard Team KY will have a new coach this year... Does this mean all new players as well? Anyone know...

Who will be some of the better teams in the 17U and 16U age groups?

 

Of course the team that will have the bext chance is the Shining Stars - Davis team (formerly DSAS 16U)

How did this shake out? Will it be the exact same team?

How will this play into the SSS 16's of last year with players like Schuette, Gilbert, Pawsat, Pike, and the NCC player.....

Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has come. Congrats to Elisha Justice and the entire Shelby Valley team, but it's time for Kentucky summer AAU ball. From what I have heard, there have been some major changes this year in regards to teams, players and tournaments.

Anyone know of any big names changing teams?

What about teams going away, or new teams coming forth?

I heard the Eddie Ford Grassroots Shootout is no more. Sad. That was a good tournament IMO.

Lets hear it!

Happy AAU summer season to everyone and good luck!

Holmes can't seem to put a team away most of the time. Here's betting that Highlands comes out in a zone the 2nd half and Holmes shooting cools down and let's them back in the game.

Very possible. If the shooting continues the zone breaks down. If Highlands has to go man, they get beat. If Holmes shooting cools, then Highlands can do work. I agree.

If Highlands comes out of the zone, they get beat through the lane. Giving up 2's is better than giving up 3's though I guess. Defense is laxed for Highlands this year. Either way, it's Holmes all the way i think.

After watching Highlands get beat up by Conner, hearing about the Newport loss, and losing to Silver Grove. I dont see Highlands being much of a match for Holmes. Although, not many people thought Ryle would be much of a match. I think Holmes will be focused and wins by 12 to 18 points.

Yes, and probably even if they don't do well in March.

"National Attention", what is "National Attention?" I dont think you're going to be seeing them on ESPN anytime soon. You generally need to have a player or 3 that are ranked 4 and 5 star recruits going to big schools to get that kind of attention. I dont think GRC has that. Zollo is probably the most heard of because of his recruitment at Kentucky (and he is a nice player).

Lets think about Holmes Highschool from last year... They won state, they have a D-1 commit on their team right now, and 2 other players who have gotten a lot of D-1 attention (Pittman, and J. Johnson), and they have recieved little attention regionally, much less nationally.

Also think about Scott County, Chad Jackson (D-1 attention), Gelawn Guyn (D-1 commit at one time i believe), and Euton (UK verbal).... and yet no national attention.

Sad to say, but "National Attention" is VERY hard to come by. If Scott County and Holmes arent getting it, hard to believe GRC would. If you dont have those 4 & 5 star recruits and big D-1 commits, it would be unlikely (unless you are highly touted a prep school).

Maybe I missed something but those players are LISTED at:

 

6'7 Kam Woods

6'6 Lionell Gaines

6'3 Remy Abell

6'3 Arman Marks

6'1 Delquan Thomas

I would certainly say that Gaines is every bit of 6'6". However, I would say that Abell (great player) is 6'1, or 6'2" at best, unless he has grown a lot in 2 or 3 months. The rest sound about right.

Not to high jack, but I would be curious to know how many people were at this game. Clyde started a thread on attendance, and this game is another example of why fan attendance is down. I believed they tipped around 3:30/4:00 on a Saturday afternoon opposite a UK game. Why in the world would this game be played on a Saturday afternoon? This game would have drawn a great crowd on a Friday night.

Attendance was very low. Nothing compared to a natural Friday night game. Or, even a Saturday night game. It was almost uncomfortably quiet at times. Thank the band!

I can't figure Highlands out. One night they look like they could easily win the region, then the next they look like a one and done. Now they lost to a good Conner team, but does anyone who has followed the 'Birds closely think they have shown to be a little inconsistent?

From what I have heard... Grubbs is out for the season (foot), Grote just got back from an injury (back), and Kowolonek has bad knees (which is unconfirmed on my side).

I attended this game to see what Highlands would bring to the table, and quite honestly, they didnt show much. Inconsistent shooters, not great with penetration and finishing when they did get inside, and were playing off of the shooters for Conner. Highlands inside game looked solid with Watson and Stewart (the junior who is coming into his own on this senior-heavy team), good for him.

For Conner, Robinson and Lang did play well. Hodges also had about 6 points, but was a force defensively. This being said, Flesch is clearly the floor general. He makes the offense go. I think he may have gotten 45 seconds of game-time rest (if that). And, he is just able to completely take the other teams PG out of the game (I have seen him frustrate gabbard, mcleish, and now lother). Lang was knocking shots down from everywhere yesterday afternoon. The young man can pull it. Robinson was strong inside and has a nice move under the basket to get points. Conner is well-rounded and seems poised to make a run.

I curiously wander :confused: what meachem had to do get this deal done... DSAS (kids from all over KY) was thee top team in KY last year. The SSS (kids from several different areas) was 2nd to them, but it wasnt too close IMO. 3rd maybe being the WKY Elite or the NKY Bulldogs (all kids from one small area). Again, this is just for KY.

So, will the SSS program have 2, 3, or 4 teams playing 17U?

Combining those 2 teams could really be good for SSS and for the other AAU teams in the state. Which is great for the state of KY.

The only thing I wander about is what happens to the players from the other SSS 16's from last year. Now they have to play second fiddle to the best in the state.

I have heard that some of the kids that played for the SSS (pittman) team from last year will be leaving the team this year to play with a newly created organization. Is that really true? I cant imagine.

Thelen has earned Top 5 recognition IMO. If you go off performance ytd.

Not yet. Everything is deffered inside to Jake. They have nothing else on the perimeter. His numbers are good, but he has no one to compete with on his own team in the category. He has to score or they lack. Definitely a good player though.

I can tell you from watching several Dixie games that none of those stats are accurate as far as assists, rebounds etc. I am not sure who takes care of that for Dixie but they are doing a poor job of it.

 

Same goes for Conner. Terrible at keeping stats. I went to a game and personally counted the points, assts, steals, and boards of one of their guards, and they were severly incorrect on the enquire site.

Somehow my brain stopped working when I previously mentioned Thelen and Geisler as top contenders for POY next year. I'd put Stauffer in there as well. He will be THE scorer for Ryle next year.

I agree.

There's a lot of talent in nky this year, but how many players that we're mentioning are actually top 5 players?

 

The only legit choices I can think of are the following:

 

Ricardo Johnson

Elijah Pittman

Jeremiah Johnson

Stephen Kowolonek

Demarko Foster

Mike Gabbard

 

These are the 6 best college prospects in NKY, IMO.

For seniors. There are lots of juniors that are allready getting looks in NKY. Some have taken visits, some will be taking visits soon. Legitimate looks and possible offers.

1. Ricardo Johnson - Holmes

2. Elisha Pittman -Holmes

3. Demarco Foster -Newport

4. Grant Pangallo -NCC

5. Mike Gabbard -Boone Co

 

 

A couple others;

 

JJ Johnson

Brandon Sizemore

Andy Earls

Steve Kowolonek

Casey Mcdaniels

Jake Geisler

I personally wouldnt have Andy Earls in my top 10. He is a nice player, but top 10 in NKY is a slight stretch in my opinion. And, i think that if you mention Jake Geisler you have to mention Bobby Stauffer. And, Jake Thelen should be mention if Geisler and Stauffer are. He can score.

3 guys not getting enough pub that all play for Conner... Clay Robinson, Tyler Hodges and Jake Flesch.

For juniors these three guys are pretty darn good. Not to mention, this is Flesch's first year of varsity.

Look out for Conner later this season and next year.

Im telling you the Cats are for real this year.

Good ball club, still not to the level of Holmes. Tough season to be "for real." Holmes will go down state again. Newport is headed in the right direction though and thats good for them.

Hopefully CovCath can get this win. It would be good for NKY, and for the Colonels.

Hey paNDA, as a fan, the pics are great. I appreciate it, and Im sure the others do as well.

Amen to that! And, I think he is finely realizing that as well as he is not shooting from the outside as often either.

So then you admit that Thelen atleast thinks he is a combo player that can slide out.... Thelen can knock down the jumper. No knocks on the kid, he's a good player. He just seems to prefer to work from the outside (and by that I mean 10-12 feet), unless he receives an immediate pass down low.