SSSGODWIN

I'm so exhausted with the age argument in all sports. There are kids that are 13 who have a bone age of 15. There are 14 yr olds that have a bone age of 11. Kyle England is a young 8th grader with a bone age of probably a 14.5~15. He's young, but physically mature. I've got a 3rd grade basketball player that is 5'4" 135# and has a December Birthday. I also have a 14.5 year old player that is 5'2" and 92#. 5.5 years between them but the young one dwarfs the old one. Every Kid develops at a different rate. There is nothing wrong with a kid being 14 and in the 8th grade. In fact most kids that start school late with a summer birthday are a little delayed and that is why the parent chooses to not send them. My point is this. If they are in **that** grade then who cares? There is a kid at Tichenor Middle that is 2 years behind his age. He's a giant and dominates on the basketball court. But, they don't play him down with his grade. In reality all of this stuff will level off when all the kids reach 100% of their bone age potential. This happens around 16.5 The fact that we are ranking middle school players is totally for "entertainment" purposes only because it will change NEXT YEAR and the NEXT YEAR and the NEXT YEAR. Don't take this stuff too personal yet.

From KBA this morning. They will offer both age based and grade based State Tournaments for middle schoolers.

I was blessed with the chance to watch the Lewis kid and Kyle England from Ryle go head to head last year in the finals. It was one of the most fun games I've seen at this level. Had Elkhorn given Lewis the ball out of the backfield more, they probably win that game. Is he still hurt?

Must be that Rec coach she had at SOAS when she was 6!

I've not gone and read the actually release. So based on what is here it means that Kentucky can have a grade based State Championship also? This is better than what we use to have two years ago because there are no 2 year hold backs.

Does anyone know the name of the little fast WR for Elkhorn? I heard he got hurt. He may be the quickest kid I've ever seen on the field.

We are in 100% agreement.

I don't know any of those teams in that area that are in that age group. If you can give me some background I can ask some folks that would know. Private message me and i will try to help you out.

Your agenda seems to be large. But, I like to fish and I'll take your bait. #1) I'm looking for a couple qualified coaches (2nd and 3rd grade). Please send me an email to ggodwin@ymail.com if you're interested. Rather than throwing stones and hiding behind a screen name, I suggest we get to work and help some kids out. I have more kids than I can coach for the upcoming season and need more volunteers. #2) Assuming you take a position mentioned in #1. Don't worry about wins and losses because they will come if you dedicate your self to kids and dedicate your time to helping them make themselves better. However, be ready to work. You will be in charge of 4 hours of practice per week. But as you said the SAME RESULTS will occur. You will succeed at leading these kids to 63,000 dribble reps and 58,000 feet of agility/footwork. In addition you will also teach them how to play man to man defense. But, don't be made if the program doesnt allow you to teach a 2-3 until the week of the State Tournament. (Just the way I run it) You can expect to win 2 of your 4 tournament the kids enter. 2 of the events will be vs. older kids and 2 will be against kids the same age. Hopefully, if they work you will earn anoter State Tournament win. You can keep the trophy. #3) If you are fortunate enough to keep your team together until they reach a middle school age. Be ready to have some of the best memories in your life. You will create some of the greatest relationships and friendships life can offer. However, it will become harder at this point in coaching. You will find out which kids want to get better and which ones that don't. I have coached some of the greatest kids in Northern Ky. I'm very proud of them. Some of them have become very good players and some have not. However, all of them have become extentions of my family and will always have a father figure they can turn to. For those players of mine that have excelled in getting better, I give THEM 100% CREDIT for getting better. It is those kids that do the work, put in the effot and get better. There is NOT a coach in the country that can force a kid to WANT to get better. #4 You will have to be a man of great character. You will have to look people in the eye and be trustworthy. You will have to be honest with your parents and your players. You will also have to fight off other programs that will do whatever they have to take your kids. They will attempt to run you in the ground and make you look bad. But if you have resolve and you are comitted to doing things the right way you will always prevail. I have had to re-tool my team every year because of turnover. Your ability to build realationships with new people will be the fuel that propels your ability to coach. It's not against the rules but it is NOT a practice of mine. I don't go to other programs and recuit their kids. I may have to change this as we grow. But, for now I don't. I do however, like to visit middle schools and meet with new and familiar coaches and find new kids that I can coach. I actually, take it as a compliment that teams come looking at my kids. I must be doing something right if very good teams are recruiting my kids. I'm dead serious. I would like to talk with you about coaching young men. Let me know when you are available. If changing uniforms creates the same success then we have a lot of success a head of us. I recently completed the season for my 2020 team. I had a team with great kids,great players and great families. I told one of my players dad's just yesterday that I was very disappointed in our final results. It was a season left me wanting much more and looking forward to 2016. We played in Eleven events. We won 5 of them. We got runner up in 2 of them. In two of them (Bearcat Classic and 14U State) we did not play good enough to be conisdered one of the better teams in those events. In the other two events I made mistakes that prevented my team from advancing when we should have made it to the finals. I looked my players in the eye and told them "It was on me". As i reviewed this season with that father I think he realized just how fortunate we were to be that sucessful. I had two starters that participated in 40% of our team functions due family issues. I had two other starters miss everything from the End of May until the end of the season. My Candidate for team MVP went to Europe and missed our 9th & 10th events just to return for the 11th where he received a concussion as he finished off D1 State Champ The Ville in the Semi-finals. This was the season of promise that fell short due to many outside factors that coaches can't really control. All this talk about money..free gyms.. etc.. This is all garbage and I can actually prove it. I have recently been offered these very items by a program that is about to announce their new plans for Greater Cincy. I actually lose a lot of money by coaching my teams. it comes with the buisness. I will do what every I have to do to help my kids and my kids families. In closing, I-m going to leave you with this. As you attempt to slander my character behind a hidden screen name. My motives can be summarized right here. Below is a couple screen shots from a troubled youth in Nothern Ky. He attends a school called ACE. He is hoping to have a chance to play basketball for a local highschool soon. I've gotten to know this yound man over the last 6 moths. This past Tuesday night, I took this young man aside and I told him that if he wants to get better to let me know. I told him that I can make his shot much better as long as if he will take my lessons and apply them. I told him that it will take about 20 hours of work to change his bad habits. The young man said "lets go". That very moment we went to the goal. That was Tuesday night. He has contacted me the last two days sending me video and asking me to help him. He has already put in over 8 hours of shooting since Tuesday night. This young man does not play on a middle school team. He does not play a travel club team. He does not have the ability to play for teams we compete against. However, because I came across this young man and he asked me for help them I'm going to help him. I would have never been given this opportunity had I not been volunteering to coach kids at a Rec league. If you want to attack my coaching and character, I suggest you get to know me first. There is not better way to get to know me than to coach with me. I challenge YOU to take on a 2nd grade team and put your money, your time where your mouth is. I will give you the rest. I just want you and your time.

You need to clarify. 13U for 2015 or for 2016?

Keep in mind that the age rules are ONLY boys 8th grade (14U) and below.

The other thread was moved into the Advertising forum.

I don't know what is going on with the threads. But, "No". This is not just 2020,2025 & 2026. Those are just the teams I coach. I made this post originally because I also had a thread announcing my tryouts for the Elementary kids. This and that thread were moved because I didn't know the rules. I didn't want anyone to be confused when I suddenly switched. Then the press releases and everything else came out. Now the other thread has been wiped out for some reason. Regarding EYBL I think there has been a lot of assumptions take place regarding EYBL. I think it's totally too early for anyone to be speaking on behalf of that aspect.

I was told from two AAU reps that during the October meetings they were going to discuss having a grade based National and an Age base. But they were not going to separate it by Div 1,2,3 etc.. Also told the August 31 date would not change.

So, I guess you think he should stop trying to get better? I never said he "can't" lower his shoulder. I probably believe in Kyle as much as any coach that he has every played for. I volunteered to help his 6th grade basketball team on one condition. That being that, I'm allowed to work with Kyle every single day and I did. All it took was for someone to believe in him and give him a little guidance and confidence. I saw him play nearly every game as a 7th grader. In his own Youtube video you can see him dancing using multiple cuts to "break lose". He won't be able to do that when he get's older. In some instances yes, I think he needs to get North/South put a foot in the ground and go. Defenders would literally bounce off of him. Basketball is a sport that a physical player can dominate defensively and rebounding. My point with Kyle is that he could ALSO dominate in basketball if he wanted to. He has played very little and very few would give him a chance. However when he got the chance he, lead his terrible middle school team to be District Champions. My point in both sports is that I don't think he has even scratched the surface of his ability yet. If you have ever watch Brycen Huddleston play basketball you would know that his motor never stops. I've seen kids back down from him that out weigh him by 40 pounds. Kyle could be that same player if he played like that. Just because a kid is great right now doesn't mean that he can't get better.

It's official!! After five tremendous years of representing Shining Star Sports my boys 2020, 2025 & 2026 teams will be moving to Kentucky Premier. This is effective immediately for the SSS girls and Kentucky Boys. (Not Ohio boys) This merger allows us to be an Elite Nike Sponsored program, share resources for recruitment and exposure, and work on building the strongest and most rewarding basketball program in Kentucky and in the Nation. We will be joining a program that is considered one of the top basketball clubs in the country. Kentucky Premier is 1 of 32 Elite Nike Sponsored programs in the Nation and part of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League.

Got it. I think it's a great idea. Should make for interesting 2016. That would just enhance the other organization changes. I'm just glad someone sent me the notice you were looking for me. Because I never would have seen it here.

Personally, I like what they've done with the age situation. I just wish they'd tweak it by moving it to the front of the season. But honestly like Ky Playmaker said. A lot of the best teams don't even play AAU anymore. Based on some information being passed down to my teams. I predict with in 5 years AAU doesn't even deal with high school teams hardly. The shoe companies are starting to control many clubs. When this happens AAU will join up with Nike/UA/Adidas or someone. It's coming.

I've got two kids born on 8-31-2007. These are 2nd graders that are being forced to play vs. 3rd graders. Ky State AAU tournament is in the middle of March. These kids don't won't be 9 until 5 months after their state tournament. If these kids go to Nationals they will be 6wks from their 9th birthday. But yet play all their games at 8 yrs old. These are not kids that are held back. The AAU date makes ZERO sense. I talked to 2 AAU officials yesterday. I was told that the date will NOT change in 2016 but they will offer a grade level National as well. But I'm still holding out hope it changes.

Kyle England and Huddleston I'd say by far are two top players. Interesting though is they are both big strong physical freaks. But, they play very different. If Kyle had Brycen's motor he'd be the most dominant player we've seen in years. If he would lower his should and run over people I honestly would be scared for the other players. Brycen is just a coaches dream. Not only is he as athletic as anyone he is fearless and strong as an ox. He's not afraid to lower his shoulder and could easily hurt someone. The two did meet head to head last year. I made it a point to go and watch. I know Kyle has a YouTube video of last years highlights. Who's the next big QB?

Because of who I am and who i coach there is nothing I can say that will be taken in proper context. Everyone will take this as a slight. I have the utmost respect for all the players mentioned. They've all worked hard and deserve 100% credit for their greatness. But, perspective needs to be applied here. 2015 was a very odd year do to many issues for multiple teams. Caleb Jefferson is with out a doubt the best point guard in Northern Ky. Possibly greater Cincy. (BallStars won't agree) Considering, on another thread last winter I stated that I thought Mason Rusch (Calvary) was the best point guard in NKY and Michael Mayer was the best big man in NKY. That comment was a response to someone starting Turkey Foot had the best Point Guard. Clearly they don't. I'm not a biased person when it comes to players. I'll call like it is. I do think Caleb is the best in NKY. However, Caleb and Mason did NOT face each other this season. Mason's dad had open heart surgery just as Mason was recovering from a broken knee cap where he had a cast on all winter. Mason, also came down with Pneumonia the last two weekends we played in 2015. Mason, helped us beat the Rising Stars from Louisville with a 104° temperature. Then didn't play the balance of our season. Mason also is a 13 year old that hasn't hit puberty yet. Coming off a knee injury and not having that extra gear puberty provides held Mason back in 2015. Plus the family was under enormous stress and basketball had to take a back seat. In 2014 Mason could not hold the kid from Clay County. I don't know his name. That kid man handled Mason like I had never seen anyone do before. In 2014 Mason controlled the BallStars point guard to a point of extreme frustration. He teamed with another team mate in 2015 to do they same. But it was a much tougher task this year. He alone caused the BallStars to consider us their biggest rival. (But we are friends and practice together) in 2014 Mason did more than hold his own head to head with Caleb. I would probably give that advantage to Mason. However, they didn't face each other this year. I expect Mason would have struggled more this year with Caleb. In fact, I would guess that he would struggle in a similar way that he did vs. the kid from Clay County. I expect that the puberty advantage those kids had on Mason will level out next year as he also will hit his spurt. Mason has to grown his game in new areas. He and Bryson Huddleston are two of the most fierce competitors I know. Mason is a cutthroat scorer in an up and down game. Moving forward with he will need to grow his half court game and learn to distribute the ball better. He is probably a better soccer player than he is basketball. Caleb Jefferson has an enormous physical advantage that helps him get into the lane. He is extremely strong and quick enough to gain a step. Once he gets his body into you there is nothing you can do. His vision is superb and if you don't pick him up he can finish around the rim. If you help then he finds the open man. The only way to guard him is with someone much quicker or just as big and fast. If he needs to improve on something it is his out side shooting. When he gets to where defenses can't play zone against him then he will be dominant for as long as he has his physical advantage. In addition he seems like a super great kid. I have no idea how tall he will be. The kid from Clay County is very similar but he deadly from outside and plays on a weak team though. ** He is supposed to be a Freshman** he's not a summer birthday kid either. He has a full 1 year advantage on these boys. I forget the team name, but they were always at KBA. He was on the Clay County team in 14' but not 15'. I'm certain he and Caleb faced each other. I don't see this kid growing into greatness. His body type won't support it but now it's an advantage. Because of the surrounding players I don't think there was any kind of advantage of Caleb. Also missing from the list is the kid that played for The Stallions in 2014. (He did not play for them in 15') The last time I saw him play was a football game in the playoffs vs. The Union Raider. The kid has a bounce to his body and calves like Rex Chapman had. He's the fastest point guard I think I've ever seen in this state. Also, played for a bad team. I don't know his name. I don't think any of these kids could guard him one on one. Mason struggled against him in 14' The Louisville Rising Stars and The Ville also have good point guards that are just as good as all these kids listed. It is nearly impossible to judge them all unless they have similar team mates etc... We were 2-1 against these two teams this year and the one loss was when Mason was out with Pnemonia. Personally, I thought the kid for Rising Stars was exceptional. Let me also add. With Players going down this summer I had the chance to coach Grant Disken who plays for his father for NKY Rockets. This kid has less physical gifts than any kid mentioned here. Yet, he may be the craftiest kid I've seen play. He's a joy to work with. Our final tournament we had to play 3 kids that never had a single practice with us. Grant got a load of minutes because of his brains and ability to adapt. He makes his players around him better. I look forward to working with him in the future. The KyPlaymakers didn't even play this year. The point guard they've had over the past couple seasons is probably the 3rd best PG in the state and probably better than all the kids I've listed so far. I think he was hurt this year. I'm not sure but I never saw him and the team didn't even play. They were the best team in the state in 2014. They beat the Mid-Ohio Pumas in the Bearcat and Mid-Ohio is probably the best team I've ever coached against and are Nationally ranked in the top 5ish in 2015. ******2015 was a really odd year in many ways. It may become the norm... Who knows.******* The state of Ky is loaded with great guards. Those that have been mentioned above are equally as good as anyone in greater Cincinnati. There is one kid in Cincinnati that didn't play locally he may be the best in greater Cincy. I watched his middle school team play twice and he's electric. But, he was not anywhere around here in AAU events. In January his mother told me they were playing for XXXXX someone??! All the kids mentioned above are not the best in Ky or the Midwest. There are two true Elite kids are playing on National Travel teams and never see game time in the state of Ky. Vito Tisdale (Western Ky) plays for We All Can Go. Possibly the best 7th grade team in the Nation last year. I have seen ranked as high as top 15 in the Nation. ***But, I've never seen him play. No comment from me.*** But, I do know something about Justin Powell from Oldham County is a 6'2" point guard. He used to play on the Memphis War Eagles this year he played for World Wide Celtics from Atlanta. Since we were so low on players, Justin was planning to play with us in the The Battle Of The Bridges tournament before he got the invite to the Chris Paul Guard invitational camp. He made the All Star team in that event. He has been ranked by many as the best player in Ky. He is by far the most talented kid in the class of 2020 I've ever seen play. As a 5th grader he often would come to Florence and play in Final Four Events that Jason Betts would run at the old Midwest hoops. He would play for the Spiece team that would roll all of us.This is where I got to meet him and his father Mike. He also formerly played with The Ville. But doesn't play in Ky any more. As an 7th grader he can dunk a basketball and shoot threes just inside half court. Genetically speaking he will have the body to play high Division One in college and has already received a scholarship offer from Memphis University. He has the body of a Luke Dawalt, ball handling of Mason Rusch and outside shooting similar to Kevin Centers but more range. He's expected to grow to about 6'-5". May possibly be the closest player Ky has had since Rex Chapman. He's super strong and super fast but His passing skills may be his best skill of all. I don't have a problem saying that he is the best 2020 player I've ever seen play. However moving forward. 7th and 8th kids ranking is truly irrelevant. There are kids right now that will surpass many of the kids mentioned on this thread as their bodies change. Over the last year, I have adjusted and will continue to adjust based on body type and projections. I'm 6'5 230 and the oldest kid on my team is my son. He has a thyroid issue and his body doesn't produce testosterone... Yet. (Say a prayer) he is 5'0" and 90lbs. He hasn't grown hardly in 4 years. He is 14 and doctors said his body is equal to an 11 year old. This isn't about him though he may never play basketball again. But it is about THE NEXT KID that is just starting to grow. As 7th and 8th graders almost all the teams look the same. Some kids will stop growing and some kids will start growing. The kids that continue to grow and work will elevate above the rest. I mentioned above Kevin Centers. Since our summer break in June he has grown a couple inches. Genetically, I expect him to reach 6'4" ~ 6'-5" and be a point guard. The kid deserves so much credit for the amount of work he puts in. Also, I have another kid who's grandpa was a running back for Ohio State under woody Hayes. He also has genetics that will put him around 6'5". He's one of the best players I've ever coached. Unfortunately he went down with a serious concussion in our win over The Ville in the last tournament t of the season. I mention these two because "today" they are similar to other players they face. But, in 3 years they have the genetic potential to be D1 size guards. There are 200 more kids in this state just like them. They just haven't developed yet. There are so many kids playing basketball not on AAU teams it really isn't fair to compare "who is the best". I have kids available that I know of that didn't play high level AAU that are just as good as some of these we've mentioned. I have kids from Mason County on my team. The Mason county 8th team has been raped by the 9th grade team for this upcoming season. (4 kids moving up) But, Mason Co. Didn't even win their region in 7th grade ball last year. There are great players all over. I'm not in a rush. But, I'm really looking forward to seeing how these kids grow into young men.