Flash

While it's usually not much of a game, Jackson City and Breathitt games always fill the gym and there is a lot of hype.

I think it is a mistake to conclude that anyone who brings up or expresses an opinion on the team's difficulties is not a supporter. Perhaps they are even the best supporters with the teams best interest at heart. Someone who just blindly goes along, refusing to recognize that a problem exists, and choses to blame kids for walking away who have played organized sports since they were todlers, doesn't really help any situation very much, IMO.

I think the sense of things around here is the same thing that kept Ryan Allen and a couple of others from playing this year, they chose not to play for the current coach.

I think what often happens is a kid transfers, turns in a new address, maybe a relative, maybe rents a place, and if the sending school doesn't challenge weather it's a legitimate move or not, it generally flys by the KHSAA. If the sending school challenges it with KHSAA then an investigation ensues.

That would take a rule change with KHSAA with a vote of all participating memebers and let's face it, there are more weak teams across the state then powerehouses.

Hazard the favorite now?

Where'd that come from? Just curious?

One would have to conclude you are correct, for whatever the reason. When watching Beathitt play Buckhorn the other night, either real or imagined, I found myself wondering if a couple of the kids that were playing were really giving as much effort as they might have previously. I mention that because there is another thread about kids quitting and the majority of posters seem to think kids should "stick it out" at all cost. But, if you have unhappy kids, perhaps for legitimate reasons, and they are forced by their parents to continue to play, then you create a whole new list of issues that are subjective, like is he giving his all, etc. I'm not saying that is the case here, just wondering publically.

For everyone who thinks a kid should stick it out and most seem to feel that way, I agree with the principal of teaching a kid to finish what he or she starts. But, when things seem so bad for a kid that they would rather quit something that they are supposed to be enjoying and you make them stay at it, then what happens when you or others decide that they aren't putting 100% into the effort? Often that's a subjective thing and sometimes the perceived lack of effort amy be a bit beyond the kids control. I think every situation has it's own set of circumstances and parents and coaches have to realize that a kid for whatever reason, is choosing to quit doing something that is not a job, but an elected activity that is supposed to be fun.

He was hurt, quit, then un-quit.

Hollon quit also and they talked him back, So to answer your question, I don't see them overcoming this thing, Mainly because the kids that left simply left the problems behind, In other words, the kids wern't the problem and that's usually the case I think.

Actually I think if it goes unchallenged by the school the kid is leaving the KHSAA doesn't rule on it. They make a decision when the sending school won't release the kid. It came up a couple of years ago in football is the only reason I heard a bit about it. 5wide is right on but I thnk maybe Noble would have transfered or not played even if Doug hadn't gone to Owsley.

Wouldn't think so. I look for Colby to graduate and then Channing to continue playing football, but I don't know that for sure. (BTW i meant to say NOT a bad point rather then "no bad point in a response to one of your earlier post)

Fair point. But after Breathitt's 15 or 16 point loss to Buckhorn they are 5-6 I think. I think Coach Hall would have kept this team together and they would be in the top 3 or 4 in the 14th this year. But, it's one of those things we'll never know. We can be certain of one thing however, something is wrong with the Program at Breathitt.

Great post

No a bad opinion but aren't many of these qualities things that a coach should develope in players?

Well, he's a sophomore and wasn't ready to start with the kids they had available. The last kids that hung it up were starters so I don't get your point as far as that goes. But.... he'll probably start now I guess and Breathitt will continue their desent because they are not putting their best players on the floor (because they have left). The overall point is, there is something bad wrong with the basketball program and it involves the whole setup from the Superintendent down. I wouldn't be too judgemental of other kids if I were you, lots can happen in two years.

Much of what has been said is very true I am sure, but it seems to be a foregone conclusion that kids should "tough it out no matter what". Coaches demand a lot now a days, just like in the past, but with today's fast paced game, perhaps more then before in some respects. Kids are told that basketball is their #1 focus, it's their job, etc. Most of us are older and been working for years. What do you do when you have a boss who's a jerk, who makes the wrong decision every time, who favors a co-worker for raises and promotions because of who he's related to or who he knows? If at all possible you quit with a big splash and walk away (If you can afford to do so money wise). Well, the pay for playing high school ball ain't all that much! I'm just saying, sometimes kids, and smart kids at that, say "enough is enough".

Ha, your definition of "politics" doesn't fit in Breathitt County I'm afraid.

Better then Channing Fugate? Or Colby for that matter. You couldn't be more wrong IMO. But time will definately tell. Who are these talented youngsters?

That (down year) just made it easier for the new administration to make a chnage. He could have had another good year and they would have still put their guy in. Heck, they let Coach Denny go after taking Breathitt to state in '96. Change in administration.

Not sure how losing 3 starters, Noble and the two brothers, will somehow help the team but I suppose time will tell. I don't think it's a football issue either. Those boys sure didn't seem to have any issues playing for Holcomb.

I know Salyers went to the City School and Noble went to Owsley, both choosing to set out a year. Combs quit during the season, now the Fugate Brothers have hung it up. So that's 5 that I know of. I really don't think it's a committment issue as was stated. They have kid factions, parent factions, administration factions and fan factions, and someone, the coach IMO has to somehow bring everyone together for the sport and the school. It's a long way from being there.

Both Fugate boys have left the team. It's so very frustrating to not be able to sustain a stable program in Breathitt Boys Basketball. Changes in administration and different connections and pressures end up gutting us every 3 years or so. They should have left Baker alone, he had resurected the program and had it moving toward the top. But ( change in administration)some were determined to see him gone and Coach Hall came along. Two great years then a rebuilding season (and a change in administration) and they sent him packing. They should have left him in place. It's a mess really, attendence is way off and I 'm not sure they will get out of the district. Sad deal for everyone concerned.

Congratulations to Coach Baker. If they had left him at Breathitt he would be closing in on his 200th win! No doubt he'll reach that mark in a few more years though.