Stripes3

ShooterX3, I am assuming you will be in Florence to watch the DS Allstars 17's then...

I have to agree with you. Football talent is being pumped in to higher college level competition from KY's high school talent pools more than ever before. We can thank players such as Tim Couch for this. His national attention during his high school days and time at UK was great for KY High School recruitment as it made recruiters take a further look. And with Boone County's Shawn Alexander amazing NFL career unfolding, KY has furthered its attention to scouts. One thing that has sparked better talent in football is allowing spring practices. Finally, KY gridiron in HS is on a level playing field with states like Teaxs and Florida. Another thing that has happened on the state gridiron has been the emergence of UL and in-state recruiting to both UK and UL. Here's some homework, got look up the rosters for Texas schools such as Texas, SMU, Baylor, Texas AM, and Texas Tech. 80% of all their rosters come home-grown talent. Where UK and UL are just the opposite. What AAU tourneys and major camps have done is exposed some of our past hyped players where recruiters are now saying, "Are you kidding me, this is the best KY offers." The biggest problem right now is that most people only see their talent compared to other local talent and base their level on that. Last year, I saw over a dozen major tourneys and camps and I can tell you with some degree of understanding that KY is falling behind. A good example is some in KY think because a kid or team is playing up, that we are ahead of the rest of the country. Thats farthest from the truth. If you really want an understanding of where KY stands, you have to get out of KY and see what the rest of the country is doing and what their talent level is. I saw programs such as Team Ferrari from out of Chicago that had more D1 talent on its 10 man roster than KY appears to have statewide.

Wait a minute. If Dunaway is 6'1" then the Faulkners are 5'9"!!!!

Sykes is an uncoordinated version of Jared Carter (UK and ex Scott County 7 footer) who is still regarded as below average on his footwork. He has tons of potential with his height alone. He is a very good kid and wants to improve. Struggled with even hitting shots point blank, but as the old cliche' goes you cannot coach height and players going in to the lane will have to contend with his long wingspan. Has no agilities at this point, but should he develop at any level especially footwork Sykes could become a solid force for North Hardin his senior year.

Just as I have suggested that 6'0" shooting guard coming out of high school are a tremendous long shot at d1 level college hoops as such with Dunaway being a 6'3" or 6'4" forward. Dunaway is a solid player and competitor, no question. He is just in the wrong court position for his height.

Spring and and Summer ball is becoming a role in player recruitment. Not AAU in particular, but the shoe camps and tourneys are providing the exposure for kids today like never before. AAU Super Regionals and Bci Regionals are good and keeps kids on a competitive playing court during the off season. Camps such as the ABCD, Adidas and Nike Camps, are providing a forum for coaches to see talent in bundles and begin the recruiting process. The Adidas Super 64 had a huge draw for college coaches last year. The Adidas Camp and the Showtime Tourney down in Suwanee, Georgia last year that featured some of our top Kentucky players had a huge turnout of college coaches. High School play is still relevant and the recruitment will include high school performances. However, big time tourneys and camps are fast becoming the centerpiece (or at least a key factor).

Another item where major camps and tourneys are playing a role is the "national rankings" such as rivals, hoopscoop, and more. These kids are being more weighted on by their camp and tourney play than their high school play in most instances. Top talent is playing against other top talent and players can be critiqued on head-to-head performances. I have some national rankings for the class of 2008, 2009, and 2010 with some Kentucky players. Am I allowed to post those on here???

Not AAU in particular, but the shoe camps and tourneys are providing the exposure for kids today like never before. AAU Super Regionals and Bci Regionals are good and keeps kids on a competitive playing court during the off season. Camps such as the ABCD, Adidas and Nike Camps, are providing a forum for coaches to see talent in bundles and begin the recruiting process. The Adidas Super 64 had a huge draw for college coaches last year. The Adidas Camp and the Showtime Tourney down in Suwanee, Georgia last year that featured some of our top Kentucky players had a huge turnout of college coaches. High School play is still relevant and the recruitment will include high school performances. However, big time tourneys and camps are fast becoming the centerpiece (or at least a key factor).

He did not play for DS Allstars last year. It was the Lightning.

Nope.

ShooterX3, what about Russell? What is your opinion there?

They are the twin edition of Kelly "King" Coleman.

I can tell you this though from an "analyst" viewpoint after talking with a college recruiter who is a buddy of mine, they think the Kentucky Classes of 2008 and 2009 have a chance to be deep and rich with talent and rolled off a several names that will be participating in tourneys up this way. Kentucky is improving.

Mel Kiper, haha. Good one!

Name ONE, then just ONE, "Mickey D" player from Kentucky, this year or last or even one that will play next year.

There aren't many that have a better grip on 16th Region teams than the Duckster (okay - Nets, Cubster, TBF, Goliath, Shooterx3, Blue Blazer, Red Blazer, UKNetsfan, Gold Sunrise, Incognito, WoodyJr, Scooterbob, RickyP, GodIsATomcat, Onetoya, RedBlood, LionKing, and maybe 30 or 40 others - but that's it), Frances, it would have been easier to list the 3 total posters for this messageboard that represent the other 15 regions and then simply say "all other user names" don't you think?

Ultra-elite is a term created by 16th region fans that means "2nd coming of Michael Jordan."

I have yet to see Michael Sparks and I have seen about 5 tourneys so far this year. I will be heading up to Cleveland for an Adidas Tourney soon, as well as Cincy, Indy, and Dayton. I will be attending several major camps, both Nike and Adidas. I will try to provide some "objective" feedback. I really am looking forward to the Adidas Super 64 in Vegas too. Michael Sparks I watched play in a high school game this year and had watch him play in the previous summer. I can tell you his progress is coming along well.

Can't someone be a "realist" and not be considered sarcastic? I mean, it would be great to get just one post that is not overly advertising one player, program, or region. On another thread, someone is actually trying embed a message if a player(s) or team is playing up a level that they are superior to the ones in their class that are playing in their rightful age levels. I know players today that are playing up 2 classes, but it means very little in terms of who is elite and who is average for that class. And for all the posters trying to say this region is great and this region is horrible, it don't really matter. Only one team reps a region, not 5 or 6. One more note. College coaches recruit talent, size, quickness, and basketball skills (defense is a priority). Not points per game!!!! Or who makes it to Rupp.

The implied message is that if a players plays up or if a team plays up a level then they are automatically considered elite, is this correct? So if a team or player is playing up two levels in an "Adidas" sponsored event, then they would be ultra-elite??? Is this what is trying to be implied?

TOP 5 Regions (in order) 1. 11th 2. 16th 3. 7th 4. 6th 5. 5th

According to some of the posters, some schools in KY fall into the same category as Oak Hill.

Depends on what high school teams match up with what college teams. Are you playing with a shot clock? A shot clock would favor most college teams. Oak Hill, DeMatha, and other elite high school programs could knock off some college level teams and even challenge some D1 programs. Football would be a whole different psynario. Texas and Florida high school programs are the elites. However, none would challenge any D1 programs.

There is a lot of great young talent in the 16th. There is zero young talent in the rest of the state. No young talents in the 13th, 11th, 6th, and 7th regions.

The 16th is by far the toughest region. No question, hands down, its loaded.