thomashager

In GA right now so don't have actual schedule in front of me. I know we play at Lex Cath and LCA. We also go to the Georgetown and Centre team camps. How about you guys?

Hoop Dreams 15U wins 2nd game of pool play 81-65 over Raid Nation. Final pool game tomorrow at 2:30.

Hoop Dreams 15U won their first pool play game over GA Stars Elite.

Ok, now I know who you are referring to. Saw them play in Orlando last tear. Team Penny knocked us out (HD 14U last year), then lost to them their next game. If that's the case, Team Penny should be playing up as well. They were every bit as good. In fact, one of the parents said Penny had beaten either them or the Dunk Dogs a couple of weeks prior to win a tournament. All 3 were very, very good. Had size that most teams couldn't match up with.

Have you seen them in person? Will you be there in Atlanta? I'm pretty familiar with the different national rankings and don't recall a top 10 team with which I wasn't familiar. Please get me the team name as I will be there watching Hoop Dreams 15U. I will def make a point to watch him and his team! Also, saw where KY Heat will be there (15U). Anyone know if their players missing from last weekend will be there? Will they have their full squad?

HD is in the same pool with Seventh Woods' team, which is a fresh team? Jordan Fox is on HD's junior team, so are you saying Woods' fresh team is playing up 2 age groups? That would be very unusual in a big tournament like this one.. More likely scenario would be Woods perhaps playing up on a junior team. Where you seeing the bracket? I don't see it on the site.

Purple Pride, I think your analysis is generally spot on and like readimg your write-ups! But I gotta disagree with you on this one. Just like with any job, there are those refs that do the job well and those that don't (and we do have some good ones in our 12th region).These folks are paid professionals that know what they are signing up for - it's not forced upon them nor is it volunteer work. Complaining about the refs isn't synonymous with blaming them. They are on the stage, with the players, and are going to be noticed, like the players - good or bad. In my opinion, their goal should be to leave the floor when the game is done having been a non-factor. That's when you know they've done their job. And it does happen a lot - but not always. BTW, I don't think you're favorite high school coach would agree with your position on this😂😂😂

Agree with EVERYTHiNG you said! :rage:

Wireman - it was a heck of a game...unless you were on the wrong end of the score! Seriously though, as a parent from the opposing team, I have to give credit to Manimal. Those kids never gave up, played with a lot of heart and played well together.

Manimal up 1 at half when I left.

Heard yesterday that they were STILL missing submissions from a few coaches. You going to be at state AAU tonight/this weekend?

Who left the 15's? 16's still in tact? Hagen enjoying it?

HD is not sponsored by Adidas. Manimal is sponsored by Kenneth Faried but not sure how/if any shoe company figures into that. HD 15U has beaten some good teams in both Pitt and Hampton, including sponsored programs (by the big shoe companies)-but didnt win either tourney. We did win the Bearcat Classic in Cincimnati. It had about 40 teams but obviously wasn't at the level of the other 2 tournaments mentioned. I only know of one common opponent this year for any of the state's 15U programs. I think HD and Team Manimal both played the same GA Stars team, though in different tournaments. Haven't seen any of these other teams play but, knowing many of the players, there certainly is a lot of talent in Kentucky the 15U age group.

Didnt get a chance to see Matlock play. We may see you in Pittsburgh. Will got hurt playing at KBA last weekend playing on a team with some Mercer kids. Dr. said sprained shoulder ligament and would be out 2 weeks. Was released 4 days later so got to play with Hoop Dreams today in Cincy. We beat Cincy Lakers and Shining Stars.

Wow, good for Elkins (though not good for us at Mercer I suppose 😁).We played CP3 (their team that is the grade below u guys, of course) last year in the Hampton, VA tourney. That team was really good.. Played E1T1 at nationals year before last. Two very good programs, obviously. Good competition. We (HD 15U) play in a tourney in Cincy this weekend. Don't know several of the teams but our first game is against the Cincy Lakers. Generally a very good team, at least in our age group. Will wont get to play due to a shoulder injury.

How'd u you all end up? Any other KY teams in it?

Granted, it did seem like a stretch when I first heard about the possibility several months ago. I certainly cant argue that point. But laughable and Harrodsburg of all places? Have you seen the facility? Its new and compares favorably with most any high school venue in the state. Harrodsburg is centrally located and is one of the nicer small towns in KY. The Christmas tourney, as stated, has been a very good event for the past several years. Last 2 years we have seen 3 and 4 participant teams make it to state. Coach Britt has done a good job of bringing quality teams and events to Harrodsburg each year, and this would be another (huge) move in that direction. My point is, other than one of the major metro areas in the state (Louisville, Lexington, N KY), I can think of many less likely or less favorable places to have such an event. And yes, I'm from Harrodsburg...😃

15U.

Yes, that is correct regarding Goodin. Was Hatton the other?

Unfortunately, I don't know some of the kids and dont have a roster. Couple of really good ones (that I do know names) are Dixon and Jeremiah Tisdale from Henry Clay. Let me just go ahead and say that neither are very athletic LOL😂😂. We practice in Lexington but won't be at all over sting break.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I watched him again today. I've seen several major D1 kids play at big summer tournaments over the past few years and, again talking only about athleticism, he is right there. NBA? I think it' would be a stretch to truly compare any high school sophomore to NBA athletes. But....that's not (literally) what was being said in the first place.

Actually, I think he could start for the Heat right now. And he's probably better than Durant as of today. Seriously? Come on guys. Re-read what I said. I stated what a freshman said about his athleticism. He was saying that to point out that he's special athletically speaking, not that he's literally as athletic as MJ. Get the point? That is not synonymous with saying he's a future NBA player. Also, I've seen plenty of national (not KY) AAU talent. Guess what? He's still athletic, even there.

I didn't know Elkins was playing with Magic. I think their 15U team has a couple of kids that played with HOop Dreams in the past, though it has been a few years. They were from Dunbar and Madison Central. Also heard Kirby and maybe Drabo were playing for them (Louisville kids). You know their roster? Would think they should be pretty good as well.

Dixon plays for Blazer. Transferred from Huntington last year. I agree with what was said - he could use extra weight and could stand to improve his jump shot. Regarding ball handling, he plays a 3 so that's probably adequate already, though any player could benefit from improving in that area. All of that said, he's a legit 6'6" to 6'7." And very long. Even with room for improvement in those areas, he already stands out in a gym full of quality athletes and players from 15U - 17U. Will's comment was that he is "NBA athletic." If he works, and he's with the right guy (Mike Scott) to do that, his ceiling is as high as anyone I've seen in the state in any grade. And as was said he does appear to have a good attitude as well, which is a key. And Will plays for the 15U team, but Dixon plays for the 16 U team. The two teams scrimmage regularly and it's a battle. Hopefully the Magic 16U and HOop Dreams 16U meet up along the way (at least at state). Should be a good one.

Agrred, Mercer should be a better team next year. It would've helped a lot if we would've had Drew this year as well! Looking at your all's travel schedule, looks like we will be in Pitt as well as the AAU state on the same weekend. We aren't doing anything remotely local other than AAU state. We go to VA, GA, AR, etc.