justwannacoach

Having seen the majority of the 7th grade teams play, it would have been nice to see the Newport team get a chance to play Highlands, Summit View, St. Pius, and Conner. Newport is very athletic, has arguably the best player in the region that can play any of the 5 spots on the floor, has a guard that can knock down jump shots, and other role players that rebound the ball, and guard you. Newport's pressure is good and they can turn you over in the back court, and run off quick spurts. I know this will stir up some angst, but I think Newport would have been too quick for Pius and too athletic for the Highlands guards. And before someone tells me that the Highlands BIGS would have dominated the Newport inside players, be careful. Newport's inside guys are better than you think. I do think Newport would have matched up well with Conner and with Summit View, and those could have been great games. I think Summit View, Conner, and Newport were the most athletic teams that I saw across their roster. Athletic doesn't always translate to great basketball, but in this case, I think these 3 teams would have had some great games. I see the value of the small schools playing each other - Ludlow, Bellevue, Dayton, Tichneor, etc., at this level, but really wish there was an exception process that would have allowed Newport to get to play these other teams. Their only option was to play in some tournaments, and it is a shame that the Newport administration didn't get them in some of those other tournaments.

Does anyone know the game times and locations for the Small School Championship games on Saturday, Feb 28th. Seems like lots of confusion on the times. I was just looking for the 6th grade time, the 7th grade time, and the 8th grade times? Will the Girls games be played in between the Boys games like they were in the Big School divisions?

No official schedule release, but they have already competed in a few tournaments: MLK Tournament at Sports Plus, they lost Championship game, 54 - 52, to the 8th Grade NKY Royals when the Royals hit a 35ft shot at the buzzer. Landmark Winter Shootout - They won the 8th grade tournament division. Not a good field. KBA Gatorade Invitational - They won the 7th grade division a couple weeks ago, beating Scott Co Elite, Ky Grind, EKY Hotshots, by an average of almost 28ppg. They are playing the next couple weekends in Columbus and Louisville.

Based upon the results of the small school season schedule, maybe they aren't letting BW play. :isurrender:

With the new AAU age rules, it is tough to know how they will stack up against the rest of the State. The roster is filled with NKY kids that can play, and time will tell if they are one of the better teams in the State.

Anyone know anything about the McKee kid or the Martin kid. Last year, I saw them both on the same 6th grade AAU team. Do they fall into U13 or U14 under the new rules?

I meant had the ball with 45secs when they started the stall.

Boys 7th grade, SV beats Pius, 44 - 40. Game was tied at 40, and Pius had the ball with 4 secs. Pius was in the stall and Mayer dribbled it off his foot. SV scored, Pius run a set for Mayer and he was called for a travel. SV scored again and that was ball game. It was a good game but it seemed like SV was 8n control most of game. Pius first lead of game at 39 - 37. I think the better team won today.

I wonder of the kids on the list....Class of 2019, how many are too old to play U14 AAU? Of the Class of 2020, how many are too old to play U13 AAU?

Salter & Huddleston both play AAU for NKY Legends. Legends has some of the best players in NKY, and is coached by Chris McGuire and Richard Skinner. In addition to those two, they have Caleb Jefferson from Newport, Paul Kremer from St Marys, Jared Hicks from Conner, Mikhi Miller from Newport, Joey Moser from St Joes, Neil Green from St Agnes, and several of the other top 7th grade players in the area.

where are the Finals being played?

I have seen HMS play several times this year, and when I have watched, they put their bigs on the blocks, and play a 3 - 2 zone. I am waiting for a team to overload a side against that 3 - 2, put 1 big on the block to screen the bottom defender, and get every short corner jump shot from 12' that you want. Conner & Pius both have the types of team, and coaches that are capable of doing that. But, I can also say that the 2 Bigs from HMS have the ability to absolutely dominate & control the boards.

Hate it too. I think the reality of the situation is this: 1) Man to Man defense has to be "taught". It has to be drilled in practice. It has to be worked on with boring drills. 2) A "coach" has to be disciplined to teach proper man to man defense. It takes some time. Too many coaches at this level are more interested in teaching "plays" than fundamentals of the game. 3) Coaches yell, "Stop reaching and move your feet", and make some crazy sideways slide on the sidelines, but my guess is that if you asked the coach to "teach" what he just shouted, most would struggle to do so. 4) Playing good man to man defense is hard. It requires some degree of foot speed, anticipation, and desire. Everyone has to recognize where the ball is, how to gap the dribbler, how to sag off your man, and be in a "help" position. It is also susceptible to screens when all defenders are not in sync and they don't talk on defense. 5) Most part-time school coaches haven't realized that basketball is a contact sport, and playing man to man defense requires contact. 6) The way that zones are used in the Middle school games is easy to coach....Stand in this spot, and guard a specific area. As the original posted noted, I think a zone allows more of these lesser athletic kids (who are gonna get cut in HS), play at the middle school level.

I have a boys AAU team.

Conner did lose in the "Sweet 16" but advanced to play in the "Gold" bracket on Sunday. They had a great run on Saturday, but lost their 4 game of the day. The "Gold" bracket is for all the teams that lost in the round of 16. So, the winner of the "Gold" bracket will be ranked 9th in the State.

Conner has won their 2 bracket games beating Madison Middle and then beating Knox Co. Now, they play at 930pm vs Crosby (#1 Seed in their region). If Conner wins this game, they will make the Elite 8 of the State Tournament. They have had a great run today. For the record, they are the only NKY team that went down to play in this tournament.

Looks like Conner's 7th grade boys team has won their first 2 "pool" games at the Kentucky State 7th Grade tournament in Lexington. Conner beat Scott County & Lincoln County. They were seeded #5 (based upon pt differential) in one of the 13 team regions. They will play again tonight. Looks like there were over 50 teams competing.

Based on seeing these teams play, in the 6th grade Highlands is the best Large Division team; and Beechwood is the best Small Division school. In 7th grade, I think Highlands has the best record, but I believe Summit View challenges Highlands (I know High has beat them a couple times already), and I believe that Conner has a really good team. Their big guy is much improved and Conner has the best pair of guards in 7th grade. I think Conner 's pressure will be a factor when they play. Add in Pius because they have a great player that affects the game on both ends and is a goto scorer when they need a bucket. Plus, Dick Maile is the best coach at this level. For the 7th Small Division, i believe Newport has the best group of players, and has the Best player in Jefferson. He makes all his teammates better and he is unguardable when he decides to take over a game. Now, Beechwood, on a good day, has kids that are capable of making 8+ 3pt buckets in a game. If they have a great shooting day, and don't lose their minds against New port's pressure, they have a chance. I think 8th grade in both divisions is a toss up. A lot of similarly matched teams. It should be fun to watch.

I am open to suggestions from any parents about playing time or the things we do on the floor. But, I caution all parents that if you ask me questions or give suggestions, I am going to give you honest feedback about your kid. And maybe I am fortunate that I have had a lot of success with coaching and making kids better. I think when you have a track record of success, and perceived credibility, it makes it easier to have these conversations. But, as coach, and as the guy that spends the time in the gym with the kids, scouting other teams, reading books, and talking with other coaches, i feel prepared for the way we play, the way I teach, and the results that we get.

What age group is this that you are referencing?

Beechwood's Ally Johnson scored her 1000th point last night against Louisville Ballad. Ally is a sophomore at Beechwood, and with the depleted roster at Beechwood, she faces double and triple teams every game they play. Great accomplishment for a great kid!

Has BW 6th grade gotten to play in many tournaments? That might be the only way that they get some competition.

Are you talking about Jack Davin? No decision has been made on HS, but he is about 6'4" and can play.

Anyone know how Conner's 7th grade did against Camp Ernst tonight? Is Grant Co 7th grade doing any good this year? Who won the Highlands 6th grade game against Woodland?

What are some of the records of the 7th grade teams in the BIG school division. I saw that Highlands was 22 - 2. What about Pius, Conner, Summit View, Camp Ernst, IHM, etc? For the tournament, is it accurate to assume that Highlands will have to play the winner of Conner/Pius for the championship. Can SV beat Highlands in the Eastern Division? Are Conner & Pius the best 2 teams in the West? In the SMALL school 7th grade, will it come down to Newport & Beechwood? I suggest this because Camp Co's best player is now out for the season with an injury. In 6th grade, I am guessing that Beechwood will win the SMALL school division, and Highlands will win the LARGE school championships. In 8th grade, I am guessing Beechwood will win SMALL school division; or will it be Newport? What about the LARGE schools? Holmes in the East vs the winner of Pius/Gray in the West? Is Camp Co's 8th grade team any good?