wheelhouse

Is this AAU team affiliated with the Young Life campus organization, or is it just a name coincidence? Also, would you be willing to post a roster? Thanks!

My impression is that continuation or discontinuation of the IB program is currently being discussed at Holmes. There are varying opinions among those who understand IB programs and the IBO in general. Personally, I'm a very big fan of the International Baccalaureate approach and I'd hate to see it go. It's unique and challenging and not for everyone; that means it attracts a pretty small number of students and uses a fair amount of space and personnel resources, so I do understand why some folks aren't as enthusiastic. Sorry for the off-topic post, but I like it when academics are discussed here on BGP.

Sorry about the typo! Englemon was supposed to be included in my original list of Legends players. I heard they looked good at KBA. As for Green and the Players, I haven't seen that team recently and I don't know his reasons. The situation could be akin to ones in which athletes occasionally (or more than occasionally) change schools -- you can fight for playing time on a high-powered unit or you can run the show on, well, a different kind of unit. But again, I really don't know much about that team at the moment and I don't want to say anything out of line.

It looks as though the Holmes freshmen have fanned out -- it's hard to keep tabs. I *think*Green, Mullins, and are with the KY Players; Conrad and Lucky were with one of the Legacy teams last season; Arnold is still with the Legends (as already noted); Moore is with the T-Wolves (as also noted); and Brolley is with Team One in Ohio. Don't know where the other HHS frosh may be playing, so if anyone has updates I'm all ears.

Covington Independent primary schools go up to fifth grade. The middle school, serving 6th through 8th grades, was Two Rivers at Scott and 5th until four academic years ago when they moved the middle school to the main Holmes campus alongside the high school.

That's what I figured. Any clues? Big man or (yikes) yet another guard?

Meaning some Holy Cross players may follow the coach to "Undisclosed Location High School" as opposed to moving to Holmes? Wouldn't that narrow it down either to another private NKY school or to another Kenton County school? Or am I (very likely) missing something? As for your other point, I can't think of a current Holy Cross baller beyond McClendon who would make that much impact at Holmes, but maybe I'm missing something else as well. Or maybe you're thinking of a player from a totally different school who may also go to Holmes next year. This stuff makes my head spin. :isurrender:

Wow. Assuming McClendon arrives, Green stays, and nobody else leaves, Holmes is about to become The Land of a Thousand Combo Guards.

I wonder if a coach at this stage of his career would sacrifice the public school pension to return to a parochial school job. I could be wrong, but a fair number of folks thought that that was part of Coach Listerman's decision to move to Holmes in the first place.

Okay, "Chief" -- we get it. You think Bolden's a better player than Hawkins, even though their styles, builds, and ages are different. You think Hawkins won't get a D1 look, even though he already has at least one -- at which point you attempt to invoke the "UK thread only" clause. You think other BGP posts will somehow "burst his bubble" even though you're the one who's belittling the kid's game. You think a lot of stuff. What you apparently have *not* thought about is the sad, ugly tone you have imposed on what started as a fundamentally positive thread, nor have you thought about the bad name you are giving NKY folks who simply see two good players deserving of decent futures. You've done all you can do here. Please take a break and let the grownups have an uninterrupted conversation.

As the kids say (or text): tru tru. I think we've all noticed that "regular" AAU has begun to take on that EYBL flavor: some players and parents moving from organization to organization searching for more clock and more exposure without much attention to player development, and some organizations recruiting and turning players over like crazy with just as little attention to player development. My biggest concern is that this approach may be gaining momentum in school ball as well. If anyone can think of a solution, or even present a different view, I would be hungry to see it.

Okay, this has become a bit of a thread hijack and I apologize for initially having gotten sucked in -- dinnerforrwo, you probably meant well but this is what happens when someone lobs an inflammatory and unsupportable statement into the conversation. Let's get back to discussing the NCC players involved; they've earned some recognition and deserve their share of positive speculation from various BGP wizards. Discussions about rankings versus tournament play would likely be worthwhile but they should take place on another thread.

wrong thread -- deleted

Last I checked, the best team in a given region is the team that wins that region. Perhaps you were visiting Rupp at some time other than the state tournament.

Can't speak to the larger AAU question, but Under Armour's biggest NBA "shoe rep" right now is Brandon Jennings. I believe Kemba Walker might also have his name on some Under Armour kicks, but I'm not sure.

Holmes did not practice at BOKC before the regional tournament, period. After winning the region, they warmed up for the state tourney in a college setting -- that is their prerogative and it's safe to assume other region winners did the same.

The terms "agree" and "disagree" do not apply here because the rumor is absolutely false. I am also deducting extra points for grammar and punctuation.

I just realized that my last statement could be perceived as falling under the "controversial issues" rule. If so, I apologize and pledge to be more careful in the future.

I think you are right on the money: once one aspect of the game incorporates more physicality, then it's hard for a coach or a player to stand on principle and get run over by opponents. It's a lot like nuclear warfare, isn't it? Even while nations lament the global expansion of weaponry, nobody's going to be the first to give up the edge. Beyond the obvious possibility that more kids are going to get injured, my underlying concern with this trend is that basketball might soon experience the PED scourge that plagues other sports, including some at the high school level. Once you want that edge....

Sorry for the double emoticon -- I swear I was only confused once! Anyway, is this revolving door peculiar to Holmes and Holy Cross? My impression is that athletes and non-athletes alike migrate frequently for any number of reasons. And I'm not even taking the whole basketball prep school phenomenon into consideration because I know so little about those institutions. As for the "educational experience" comment, I respectfully quote Emo Phillips: "I am no stranger to sarcasm."

:confused: I missed something. What is the "it" that now begins and earns the laughing emoticon? No confrontation implied, just puzzlement.:confused:

Rumor has it Green is going to Holy Cross next year and possibly Jeffries (Jeffreys?) as well. That could change the situation among potential varsity and JV guards significantly. Also, don't know of anyone named Martin among current Holmes players -- maybe someone will be arriving or maybe I simply don't recognize everyone's last name.

We prefer the term "going progressive."

Right on the money regarding Ruthsatz. What is hard to see from the stands is how good he is at getting his body into the defender while also maintaining control and keeping an eye on the basket-- once he pulls back, he almost always has a good look. This technique is really important for guys like Ruthsatz or Bolden who are often shorter than their opponents. (I know, this isn't a going-right-or-left observation, but I thought I'd get it in there. Back on topic next post, I promise.)

Holmes' Tuesday practice was at Transy. Don't know if they are using that gym for the whole week or not.