ball_coach_4

Male. traditionally keeps talent, strong alumni base, and players stay eligible

What did you mean by this quote?

Sloan left before Gatewood decided to leave. Sloan's departure probably encouraged Gatewood to pursue other options. He was loading up on other transfers and young talent (a couple of higher rated 8th graders not from TC originally) to come to Taylor County. Moore would've been his home school (where his brother went and played a few years ago, and Sloan actually played for them as an 8th grader while Gatewood was there while he was at Moore's middle school). He wanted to come home for his last year, but wanted to go to a good bball school, so he chose Ballard. Sloan had never transferred previously in High School as it seems people are alluding to. He simply left with Gatewood immediately after middle school. TC is the only hs that he's been at. So he probably figured he'd have his pick moving back home when he's never been in high school there before. I would've assumed that he'd have been eligible. He could've picked his school coming out of middle school, and could've if he'd have come from out of state, so why not now? I'm with PP on this. It's unfortunate for the kid. Especially when you have a well known player in the same city play for one of the top teams in the state after Christmas, and then decide to transfer to another school in the same region (and city) and actually be ruled eligible to play by the KHSAA by the district tourney in the very same season? It's crazy.

I agree. May actually be a toss up for 2nd. I'm hearing rumblings that Sloan may be ruled ineligible by KHSAA. Heard a couple of weeks ago, so may not be true since I haven't seen anything in the paper about it.

Most of the recruiting services will rank on college potential and not as high school players. Example. Quentin Snider was higher rated high school player, and was the best player in the state, but Raymond Spalding has more NBA potential. McNeil Definitely isn't the 32nd best high school player (much higher), but may not be as high when ranking for the next level than some other bigger or more athletic players.

Agreed.

Didn't know you meant a shoe circuit specifically. You said AAU, so that's a broad statement. Most kids in AAU aren't good enough to play on shoe circuits. Understand your point now.

Does this apply to Out of State teams playing in IN school tourneys? I know that Central went up and won the Gary Holiday Tourney in Gary, IN, last season, and they played Gary Westside and Gary Lew Wallace.

I think that some of how kids are used depends on personnel. For instance, I played at a Division 2 school in college. I'm a 6'5" knock down shooter with a solid handle, but my change of direction and quickness isn't anything to be desired. So I couldn't check a 1, and some 2's (on that level some 2's were 6'1" and cat quick as opposed to 6'4"-6'6". Though I am only 6'5", I was the 3rd tallest player on my team. so though I played much better away from/facing the basket, I played more 4 and 5 than anything (played 2 and 3 when they went zone). I was much better in other situations, and routinely dominated my teammates in individual and open gym format where we didn't have to play within the confines of our system. Even if I wouldn't coached I may have still played the 4 (which I hated at the time). I just probably would've switched to a 4 out offense to take better advantage of my strengths instead of a 3 out 2 in for the most part. In saying that. A kid may be 6'4" with a decent handle, and may can play the 1 or 2 on the AAU circuit because he has others around him bigger or not as skilled. He may have to play the 3-5 on HS because he may be the tallest on the team, and the 5th best ball handler.

This is all true. Romeo is special. Not only in ability, but work ethic and character. When looking at potential, I went by the literal definition - having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something into something in the future. I say Jay has that potential. He has size and athleticism, and the feel for the game. Whether he realizes that is on him. Some kids are great high school players, but don't have realistic pro potential. Whether Jay or any other kid that may have potential actual reaches that is no doubt up to work ethic, character, and the Man upstairs. When I said he had pro potential I didn't say he was NBA bound. I said he has potential. It's on Jay to get on the court first to play, and then to work on his game and become a better player to reach that potential if he really wants it. Hundreds of kids with the potential around the world. Only a few with the work ethic and character to make it. But he has to develop that. That's the key word. But he has the potential to develop into that if he wants.

He was next on the list.

I say pro potential for Jay Scruggs because I've seen him play. Also, his coach his freshman year (Bibby) who's coached two first rounders in Rondo and Russell in high school also felt that the kid has that potential if he keeps his head on straight. Same way Romeo Langford of New Albany is 16 and has pro potential, though he's more seasoned than Jay right now. This isn't used lightly when referring to him.

OOOOOOHHHHHH THANK YOU! I definitely forgot about them. Wesley Cox is definitely top 5! Okay when you bring those in Mike isn't top 10. Let me revisit this list. Here's the top 10: Darrell Griffith Bobby Turner Wesley Cox Ralph Beard Dallas Thornton Winston Bennett George Tinsley Jason Osborne GG Gordon Henry Husky

You are absolutely right. Great talent. If he would've played his freshman year that team for Central that already knocked off Manual, Trinity, and PRP would've been much better. He was the best player in the program that year, and they were a top 10 team in the state. If this kid gets on the court and handles his business, he could be the next pro out of the city. Like Curt, just needs to mature a little. Once he does skies the limit. Curt is a beast as well and is a high major d1 type player if he improves his jumpshot.

You're absolutely right. Despite his shortcomings as a person, I was speaking strictly on basketball terms. You're right about the branding part though. Osborne was Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American in High School.