Old School

They might have been legit in the 8th with those players, but don't see them anywhere close to top 25 in the state

Actually saw most of those players play AAU together and beat teams like Hoptown, Wayne Co, Warren Central as Frosh & Sophs. Way they have grown, matured, and improved I'd take my chances, just my opinion. But all have chosen different paths, so it is silly to debate.

It's not considered "transferring" at least as far as athletics go, until one is in high school. Where someone goes to elementary school or how many is of little importance.

Call it what you want, when 5 kids off AAU team move from various school districts to play on same team with other AAU teammates, strictly for basketball, in 5th or 6th grade I'll consider it transferring. Just because KHSAA doesn't, doesn't mean it's not.

Many top teams around the state have atleast one if not multiple transfer on current teams. Many kids have started transferring as early as elementary school and have transferred multiple times.

From what I understand Highlands has players who have chosen not to play basketball. The Walton and Williamstown programs have been decimated by transfers over the past 4 years, and the fans making negative comments on this thread, program's have benefitted from some of those transfers. As I've said before (Burns, Helton, Moeves Bros., Mcneil Bros, Daugherty, McCubbins, plus current players) easily makes WV best team in 8th region, top 15 in state this year.

 

Those transfers have chosen to move on, or in Highlands case not play for various reasons, the kids who remain playing on these 3 teams have chosen to stay and play basketball and represent these programs. I've seen all 3 teams last couple of nights, these kids play extremely hard and coaches giving effort like coaching in state finals. Actually kind of refreshing watching kids play for hometown communities, instead of a bunch of transfers playing together. The way kids transfer today a lot of top teams nothing more than AAU teams representing high school districts.

Don't get me wrong, WV will take its lumps against the SK & other top teams on schedule, but Wtown game was a fluke. Kids thought they could just show up & beat wtown like in past. Got a rude awakening, not good enough to overlook anyone. If played as hard last night as did tonight they beat wtown by 15-20 which I would expect next meeting to be.

 

WV strictly a jump shooting team, been in every game against Cooper(down 6 at half, Boone down 7 in 4th, Gallatin up or down 5 basically whole game), but when have no inside game & rely on jump shots will go through stretches in games where can't score. With all the departures kids have very little experience, so overlooking a team like wtown and then beating highlands not as crazy as it sounds.

 

Congrats to Coach Brannen, besides the Wtown debacle, the other four games have been very encouraging. WV will take some lumps but on nights jump shots fall will surprise some teams also. Is enjoyable watching kids being able to play through mistakes and build confidence.

I see people on here put posts saying what a great coach Dan Trame is/was....Im an 8th region guy so I don't know alot about his coaching history in the 9th. As best I can tell he coached SK to a regional title in midway 90's, then moved to HC where he never won a regional game. Then was out of coaching & was coaching girls jv when hired as WV boys coach.

 

All I have to go on his coaching at WV & plain & simple is coaching ability does not pass the eye test. His style is not suited for today's boys basketball...he coaches east/west basketball, no player freedom, everything is about HIS sets. To be honest I think he was headed in right direction coaching girls...his half court set style would fit the girls game very well.

 

Mainly in his 4 yrs @ WV the kids just did not want to play his style & the mass exodus of talent is proof of that. The talent was there...if no one had left would been one of top teams in 8th this past yr & next 2. Coach trame is a great guy & from what I've heard a great teacher but from someone who didn't see him coach in past...his current coaching style just does not pass the eye test!

Congrats to the south oldham kids and coach Simpson! Coach Simpson is a quality coach and even better man. South is very entertaining to watch, play fast yet fundamental basketball.

Exactly what I was thinking Walter....lets just hope Ellis Myles is not coaching them.

Bgcat I would think as talented as your son is you personally would like to see him play against some of the better talent in the region & state.

 

Just think with talent GC has returning 4 or 5 games against better competition would make your team better. But if you would rather continue playing the weaker schedule that is your opinion.

 

Congrats to your son & Braves on a nice season...they played extremely hard all the games I saw them play.

Congrats to GC on a nice season, especially senior Austin Angling. I would pay good money to watch that kid play defense, kept GC in game early with multiple on the ball steals...just fun to watch!

 

Hope GC fans now realize how much the weak schedule ultimately hurt the braves. You can't prepare to play against good pressure defense like Oldham Co. unless you play those type if teams during regular season. As hard as Braves play & potential they have for next year braves fans should demand a serious schedule upgrade to prepare them for next years regional.

Coach Trame reminds me of Tubby Smith....off the court & as a teacher you will never find a more well liked, class act kind of guy. But on the court just an old school, stubborn set in ways, no freedom control every cut, pass, shot style of basketball. Once heard it described as he coached as if he had an X-box controller on every kid on the sideline.

 

Like Tubby he hated the AAU system...and almost seemed to favor the less-skilled role players over the AAU system talent type kids.

 

Think as a coach you must maximize/develop individual talent then each year adjust/tweak your system to match that talent. Coach trame believed the opposite ....many times trying to put square pegs in round holes.

 

A group of kids who were gym rats/ loved the game....ended up dreading even going to practice. Because of this kids wanted out & some have already moved to other schools even some of walton's best Jr. High kids. More of top kids wanted out this year.

 

Coach Trame is a class act....but the tubby smith/bobby knight complete control style of basketball is a thing of the past. Its why tubby & bobby couldn't get top recruits....basically why top talent was leaving WV.

The WV gameplan last night was the basic same gameplan used in the first 2 WV/SK meetings which SK won by 30. Run a spread /Backdoor offense and play triangle/2 or box/1 defense. Big adjustment by coach Trame this time putting right players(5 guards) on the floor to actually run offense.

 

First 2 games with same gameplan .....early in game WV has multiple turnovers, misses shots and SK players besides Sampson & Barnes made early shots. SK gets early leads forces WV to play man to man...game over.

 

Last night...same gameplan...WV takes care of ball, makes shots early...SK role players can't score early...WV builds lead and because of pressure of tourney time, lets just say certain body parts get tight.

 

It was the right gameplan & finally combined with right personnel it almost worked. In 3rd qrt. With score 30-19 WV deviated from game plan with some bad possessions ...combined with missed FT's & SK making shots allowed SK to pull out a very entertaining game.

 

Congrats to WV kids for playing hearts out with nothing to lose & Congrats to SK for doing what it takes at tourney time....SURVIVE & ADVANCE!

Post #99 dead on....could not say it any better.

 

In the 8th Dez Marshall then everyone else.

Congrats to all the player and coach Drury.

The best part & most entertaining part of Zack McNeil's game is his natural instinct's...he sees plays develop & openings before they happen. Combined with his court vision allow him to make some tremendous passes. Just a very savvy player.

 

This year your seeing him coached up vs. Last year being controlled coached making him play timid & confused taking away alot of those natural instints. Glad for Zach...he is a quality kid!

 

I will however argue the talent Zach started with at Walton in what now would have been the junior & sophs would now be as talented as cooper or most others in this area. Mcneil, moeves brothers, burns, Helton, Dougherty, mccubbin, latimore, Catlett, Evans. In Jr. High was scary good....just a shame what could been at WV to what has become.

 

But can't blame the kids that left to be coached by some of the best coaches in n.ky ....Sullivan, code, Jones..they will now reach their full individual talent & unfortunately they realized that wasnt possible under current situation @this WV. Cooper fans should be thankful...got a good kid & a heck of basketball talent...not to mention his little brothers to follow.

My agreed was supposed to be with 40 second shot clock rule.

Agreed!

Congrats to Lady Wildcats & best of luck down state!

Michael haysley & Griffin.

Futures 150 has him in top 50 frosh right now. Extremely athletic, great hops, doesn't play hard every possession & needs to continue to develop jump shot. Tremendous on off boards & running floor.

.where he gets most of his pts.

 

Raw but crazy potential...worth the drive.

Great game! Sampson 32 for sk

..Hasley 34 for South. South had couple players out injured & flu. These 2 teams both have a chance @ the 8th region title.

 

South is my pick to represent 8th @ Rupp.

I'd pay good money to watch Bolden and Ballard's Q Snyder go at it.

 

I completely agree....how tall is Bolden...will he grow more?

Boys @ w-town....ill take Owen /WV in the finals.

Have seen alot of these teams & players play over the last year. Kentucky high school basketball seems to be on the rise. Alot of talented teams & alot next level talent throughout the state.

Grant plays extremely hard & get after it on defense. Difference in last nights game was Grant's domination on boards. Hopefully WV improves towards districts as GC did last year.