Fastbreak

HOOPS is indeed an awesome facility, and I'm certainly not knocking the staff there when I say, the staff at the KBA will be sadly missed. Some of the finest youth basketball guys in the game. They made every trip worthwhile. I'll miss you fellas. Hope to see you again real soon... :thumb:

Brutal... emphasis on "Brute"... :lol:

Brutal... emphasis on "Brute"... :lol:

I'll never forget going to 6th grade nationals and seeing a team with three kids over six feet tall. All three could get rim, and two of the three could throw down. Unreal.

Is there a new facility to replace it this side of Louisville?

I will, if I'm not already on my way to Mars... :thumb:

And all I'm saying, is I hope every coach that opposes the Hill this season follows the same game plan... really. :thumb: Shooter, if you find out when that spaceship lifts off, let me know, I may go with you... :lol:

I guess I misunderstood the point of this thread. I thought it was about "this season"... :lol: Who has anyone beat this season? :lol:

I told you he had some real hang time... :lol: I hope the coaches of the teams who play RH this season have the same insight as you Sir, and include this brilliant strategy as part of their game plans... :thumb:

I guess that rules out Valentines and and Christmas Cards too... :lol: By the way, WELCOME "The Mole" I agree with Sportsfan... you make a pretty savvy post for a first timer, but I do welcome you aboard... don't be a stranger. :thumb:

You know, as I read through this thread, I’m reminded why 16th Region threads get shut down more than any other region on BGP… we’re passionate, and we don’t mind expressing it. I love it… I can’t wait to actually play some games instead of just yapping around on BGP… :thumb: There’s no way we’re going to get everyone to agree on one kid as the clear cut number one… or two… or three… but it is evident that there are a handful or so who have separated themselves from their peers. The result is this region is blessed with a higher level of overall talent than we have enjoyed in some time. We have at least six legitimate future college players suiting up this season, with that many or more in supporting roles. Wow! Maybe the 16th will actually get to a Saturday in Rupp in the next two or three years. As far as a top ten, IMO it all boils down to who is most valuable to their high school team, and how far that team is able to go this season. It would be difficult to imagine Elliott being successful without Ferg and the Twins. Rick Mays is a fine coach, and has certainly paid his dues, but there’s no way Elliott would have made it to Rupp without the Big Three... in fact, it’s hard to imagine how Elliott gets out of the region without any one of them. Euton and Jackson are the core of the Rose Hill program. They’re like bacon and eggs… peanut butter and jelly… chips and salsa… mashed potatoes and gravy… (dang… I’m getting hungry… :lol: ) Sure they’re terrific individually, but they’re really good together. They are bigger, stronger and quicker this year. They have a bigger and stronger supporting cast this season. The kids are still growing. Granted, RH has yet to get to Rupp with this bunch, but they wouldn’t have a prayer without Chad and Dakotah. Thomas is the sun around which Ashland’s other players orbit. The same can be said for Selby at Boyd… except, if Thomas is the sun at Ashland, Selby is the Red Giant at BC… :lol: The key for them will be the support they get from their teammates. I realize there are many other good players not named here, and perhaps they will prove they deserve to be listed with this group, but I would venture to state that any coach in the region could take these seven alone and be playing in Rupp Saturday night. :thumb:

Like an 18 wheeler rumbling down Route 7... :lol: :lol: :lol:

You say the horse is dead, and I know a lot of folks wish it would die, but the old cuss still has plenty of whinny left in him... although he has been beaten so badly I’m surprised the ASPCA and PETA haven’t stepped in. :lol: As far as the direct line to HQ… it doesn’t matter who drags you to the proctologist you’re still in for an unpleasant experience… whether you’ve been eating a lot of fiber or not. :lol: If Frank Lee and Antonio Owens can come to the Ramey/Estep Home and be ruled eligible to play at Boyd County, I don’t understand what you think RH has done that equals or exceeds this in terms of a competitive advantage?

Nothing like a Cubster poll to kick off basketball season... :lol: This one is filled with tricks and treats... :lol: I won't attempt to speak for anyone at the Hill but myself... I enjoy Cubster polls. They are a pretty accurate snapshot of where the region is at any given week of the season. As much as I enjoy Cubster's polls, polls never have won games or championships. In this regard, I couldn't care less whether RH is ranked 3rd, 10th or 1st a whole month before the first game of the season. I am 100% content letting the boys earn their rankings. Thanks Cubby... :thumb:

Apart from anything he may have meant to an athletic team, (either at RH or EC) I honestly believe that Kyle Bair's time and experiences at Rose Hill were good for him in ways that added to the quality and focus of his life... and would hope that both he and his family would agree. Kyle is a great kid who is still loved by anyone who was close to him at Rose Hill. We wish him nothing but the best at East Carter. :thumb:

Storm, you're a baseball guy and I like that. I genuinely have no desire to keep stirring this pot, but I have to ask you... "What is your point?" I mean really? What's your issue here? Every kid listed by MC, and any others who (you suggest) are not listed but participating in athletics at RH are 100% legitimate in regard to KHSAA rules. Believe it or not, Rose Hill plays by the exact same rules Boyd County, Ashland, Fairview, Raceland, Russell and every other public school is obligated to follow... maybe more so because everything RH does gets screened by the KHSAA... either voluntarily, or because someone took it upon them self to call Lexington to inform the KHSAA that RH "might" be doing something odd... :lol: You say, "don't make a big deal about this" but you, Golden Gopher, Blue Blazer and others just can't resist slinging mud at Rose Hill. You say it's not at "great kids and great parents", but that's exactly who gets smeared by these claims. If any of you think RH is running afoul of the rules, PLEASE contact the KHSAA and tell them all about it. :thumb:

Not since my sophomore or junior year of high school... :lol: I have body parts that weigh that now... ...and not the ones I wish did... :lol: Like I said, I can only hope our regular season games are as spirited as this forum has been... :thumb:

I didn't miss GG's not-so-subtle assertion. I chose to ignore it. What I do know is that RH has been scrutinized more closely by the KHSAA than any other school in the region. They have passed every conceivable inquiry. Contrary to popular myth, RH has to play by the same rules every other school in the region plays by. If anyone wishes to suggest RH is doing something improper, I STRONGLY recommend they contact the KHSAA. Otherwise, they will be in violation of BGP Rule 4, and subject to an extended BGP vacation. The problem as I see it is that to be successful, AAU is a major commitment of time and resources for individual families. Many parents/coaches don’t want to invest in another three to six months of competitive sport and travel… so, they decide to poo-poo the whole deal for everyone in their system. Which is great if you never compete outside of your town or school district. I know a lot of city champions who will never win a District or Region title. Then by the time it is evident that other parents, coaches and schools have been working harder and investing more in their players and programs, it’s easier to stick their heads in the sand and say the successful schools are doing things they shouldn’t be doing. Sorry boys, the times have changed. Elliott is proof of this, and I’d like to think another 16th Region school will be too. :thumb:

No, you are not wrong... but only in a very narrow sense. :lol: Mayo, Walker, Williams, Taylor, VanHoose, Barker, Blair, Thomas, Dawson, Hill, etc. actually did achieve success at RH due at least in part to the development of their talent via AAU competition. Granted, that was in 2003, but considering that Barker went on to become Fairview's main threat, VanHoose and Blair at Russell, Thomas (and McDavid too) at Ashland, Taylor and Williams at Huntington High. Mayo and Walker everywhere... :lol: it would appear that AAU does at least help develop a player's skills and confidence. To be absolutely fair, I know several players across the state who were beasts in AAU, and later disappeared much of their high school careers. Some kids just blossom earlier than others. Some fade and some persist to finish strong, but to write off the benefits of AAU ball especially regarding RH's current crop of talent after their finish last season is reckless at best. Honestly, can you name one other team playing a legitimate schedule that started two freshmen and an 8th grader that finished with a 20 win season? RH is still an extremely young team. Give 'em a couple more years, and we'll be able to fairly evaluate your contention, (but I think we both know how that is likely to turn out don't we? :lol: ) How about Elliott? The only starter they had much taller than six feet was an 8th grader, (who played AAU) and they ran all over most teams last season. I really don't have a major axe to grind here, I'm just looking for facts.

I can't believe I've waited 188 posts in a 16th Region thread to weigh in... :eek: If the boy’s games are as fiercely contested as some of the previous posts, we'd all better buckle up, we're in for a real ride until March... and that's exactly what I believe we'll enjoy this season. Every team in the region has some talent and coaching. Obviously, some more than others, but on any given night, it’s entirely possible for any one of the 16th Region teams to sneak up and spank another. Granted, it may take a bit more effort to spank Elliott than it will to spank a weaker team, but there is no team in this region that can afford to take a night off… not this season. There will be no cake walks to Rupp. I can’t wait… :thumb: As far as AAU being a benefit or not, the following post by Gopher is mind-boggling to me… Toss out school allegiances and woofing over whose team should win the Region in October, and let’s look at the facts. The entire Elliott team, from the current Junior class down to Freshman Timmy Knipp have actively participated in AAU basketball at a high level. Fairview’s up and coming Sophomore class have all played AAU ball. Ashland’s most outstanding talent Matt Thomas has played AAU ball (as did Drew McDavid.) Rose Hill super sophs Euton and Jackson are the first class at the Hill since Mayo and Walker went on their world tour to play AAU at a high level. Behind them, Freshmen Barber and Malloy, a half dozen 8th graders and another half dozen 7th graders have all played on teams that have won the Kentucky State tourney and competed nationally… some for years. Their success at the elementary and middle school levels against area teams is well documented. It’s a little early to say whether this development and experience will translate to success at the varsity level, but it’s illogical to suggest that it has been a waste of time and energy. Gopher’s point about Euton and Jackson competing against elite competition all summer and not winning in the District tourney is not taking into account that RH started two freshmen and an 8th grader last season. Give ‘em a chance to mature just a bit and we’ll see if that argument still holds water… or, name two other freshmen in the Region who averaged around 20 points and over 10 rebounds per game, were the focal point of every opponent’s defensive game plan, AND have not ever played AAU ball, and I’ll concede your point. :lol:

That is not an unusual sensation when you slosh your beverage into an electronic keyboard... :lol:

What... no love for me? :lol: You just can't resist stirring the pot can you? Little FB ain't so little anymore... when I was 15 I was "thinking" about playing for the Reds. I got invited to a couple of tryouts when I got older, but no contract. :lol: If by “home” you mean returning to Nashville where he was born and spent his early years, I have had a couple of excellent opportunities we kicked around, but we’re kinda wanting to stick around and see what happens in the 16th. It’s just starting to get fun. :thumb:

You guys are cracking me up. I’m gonna tell you right here in public I like you and I like your son a lot. He’s a great kid. I wish him nothing but the best, but if you’re gonna bust my zone, at least quote me for something I actually said… not some urban myth. I never said, "Everyone comes there (Rose Hill) for a Christian education." I know better. They should… but the sad reality is, not everyone comes with that at the top of their list. My hope is that by getting them there, they will ultimately see and appreciate the difference and will experience a very positive change in their own lives. Isn’t honesty refreshing? I did however, defend some of the principles a Christian education should include… which in my opinion includes practicing hard and playing to win in athletic competition. If athletic success is truly something Christians should not be so eager to pursue, what does that say about your program and the emphasis it puts on a winning tradition, championship titles and all-state athletes? If it is really truly wrong, why pursue it? If it is not wrong, why do so many want to bust RH’s chops for attempting to do it too? Does that not seem just a bit hypocritical? It’s like the Globetrotters getting mad at the Generals for actually trying. (Okay, maybe not exactly like that, but you get my drift… :lol: ) Love him or hate him, OJ is about 2,000 miles away and hasn’t suited up in Royal Blue since 2003. Why are you asking me about all the kids and families that skedaddled when OJ and Jeff Hall left the Hill? How could I possibly know what their real motives were? I had nothing to do with any of them being there in the first place. I can only imagine why they left. I certainly don’t feel any guilt or shame when you remind me of it… only disappointment they didn’t stick around. The point of this thread is what the current Rose Hill team needs to do to be effective this season. Discussing the OJ era makes as much sense as us debating why Flynn didn’t win more regional titles in his term at Blazer… at least Flynn is more recent. To that end, I will say that Euton and Jackson are two of the hardest working elite players in the state. If every other kid on the RH team invests the same energy and effort, Rose Hill will be fine this season. They won’t surprise anyone, that’s kinda hard to do with a UK recruit and another future D-1 starter in the lineup. With even a little support from three or four other kids, RH should have a very successful season against genuine competition. It will be interesting for sure… :thumb:

I’m not pushing you to open a can of worms here, but your response (which is apparently shared by certain others) puzzles me. I won’t argue that RH church does many good things to assist RH school, but if there’s a line item in their budget for financing athletics (beyond basic facilities and providing transportation to and from events) as you suggest, parents and coaches are unaware of it. Parents dig into their own pockets and coaches fundraise to support the kids and teams… and have for years. Very few high school athletes go on to play sports in college. Fewer still play professionally, but virtually all learn valuable life lessons from their participation in sports. There are few things that teach the value of hard work, perseverance, or dealing with success and failure more immediately and effectively than athletic competition. If a school is truly focused on preparing young people to face the challenges of life, athletics must be at least a part of the overall plan. I just spent the afternoon yesterday with a young man competing in a cross country event against many runners his age from public schools. Other than the five-year-old jersey on his back and the five dollar tournament entry fee, his parents paid for his shoes, warm up suit, training, travel and everything else that led to his participation in the event. (XC isn’t exactly a big revenue sport…) Before the race began, he prayed with his mom and dad asking God to give him strength and to protect him and his competitors from serious injury… he asked God to receive his sweat and effort as an offering of love in honor of the talent God has given him. After the race began, he prayed continuously as he ran, asking God to help him run through the pain (which never truly goes away… ) asking God to help him not let down his family and school… asking God to help him do his best. I watched him run his guts out to honor the One who gave him the ability to run. Whether he actually won the race or not, he was/is learning how to deal successfully with the challenges life will undoubtedly throw his way. He is but one of dozens of similar young athletes being equipped in a manner any truly Christian church should support in spirit and doctrine… if not financially.

Interesting that C.S. attends most games and seems to enjoy himself thouroughly. He frequently tells the kids and coaches he's proud of their efforts. It's also interesting that you seem to know more about C.S.'s vision than C.S. apparently does himself. I'm not about to defend everyone and everything that goes on at the Hill. There are definitely a bunch of humans there doing what humans do best... trying and failing and trying again. The idea that Christians are supposed to be meek little sheep and be happy with whatever happens to them could be why more people don't really want to be Chirstians... or why some of those who claim to be Christians aren't more effective. If a Christian education does not include being the best you can be, and doing everything you do with excellence as though you are doing it for God Himself, it's not much of an education IMO... Christian or otherwise.