Coach Cooper

PDHAY, I was all for Maysville, being downtown with them and all, but it was a great game. With an exciting finish.

Fogle from Harrison Co hitting the game winner to beat Maysville to go to state. Great game to watch.

I personnaly think Bracken Co's program is in great hands. A head coach, who has come back to coach at her alma mater! She above all people wants the program to succeed. People have to remember it takes time. At Ripley we have won 9, 8 and 12 in my first 3 years. Each game is a step in the right direction. I have been just as satisified in some of our losses as I have our wins. The 10th Region is a great basketball region, and EVERYTHING GOES IN CYCLES!!! Mason in the 80's was great, then down for a while. Clark, Montgomery, Harrison, Brossart, Paris, and Nicholas have all taken their turn as the dominant team. As for all of these teams in the 5th-8th grades, give these kids time. See which ones really pan out. Once kids hit high school, things change. Boyfriends, cars, jobs, friends, etc all take their toll on a team. Honestly, as a coach, if I can find 3 players in each grade level that can contribute at the high school level I feel lucky. One blessing I have in OH, you cannot move up middle school kids.

Hopefully not New Richmond, I play them next year.

I will be honest, Carmack had a great game against us. Remember she is only around 5-9. I believe she plays out on the perimeter, out of necessity. ALOT of teams double and triple team her on the blocks. Most teams, including us, played her one on one on the perimeter. She is a good shot form 15-17ft. She has a quick release. As a coach, I would live with her taking 15 ft jump shots if it opened up lanes for her to drive to the basket. She plays extremely well on the blocks, but alot of times hse is very undersized doqn there. And I know all about being undersized on the block(my tallest starter is 5-5).

Coach Kelsch is a fine coach. Well deserving of his own Varsity program, if that is what he chooses to do. I have had the opportunity to go against him at the Junior High Level, his teams were always prepared to play. Two things I have learned the last 8 years coaching. The Asst Coach, no matter who it is, is always the most popular person on the staff. Second, there is a heck of alot more pressure sitting in that first chair, than in the Asst's chair. I would not trade the last 3 years as a Head Coach for anything. It has been great, but as a Head Coach, it is all about "what have you done for me lately?" Bracken's Girls have good coaches throughout. That is laying the foundation for the program. It takes time, and ALOT of HARD WORK to build and maintain a program. Seems like they are doing it the right way. Good luck the rest of the year.

Chris Lofton, Dustin Grutza, Jarrod Litzinger, Wes Jones, they were all fun to watch play. I also remember watching Timmy Myrick play.

I only shoot. I do not rebound and I do not play defense. It was hard to do all of those things sitting on the bench. Those who can play, those who can't, well we become coaches!!

Spoke with Coach Thomas today. Still in alot of pain, but he is getting better. Prayers are with him. As good as a coach as he is, and he is a darn good one, he is a much better person, and a great friend. Get well coach.

Good player. Quick release on her shot. Enjoyed coaching against her in MS, and in our game there this past week.

Jerry Fogle from Harrison Co hit a buzzer beater against Maysville in 1991 I believe. I remember being in the Fieldhouse and it was packed.

great news for Megan.

Megan and her family have been thru so much the last 3 seasons. She is one of the most special players I have ever coached. Tonight was the first time i had seen her play in person, in an official game in 3 years. It broke my heart to see her down on the floor. I wish her a speedy recovery, I wish her family strength, and wish the Lady Royals Family a strong season. As coaches and fans, we sometimes forget these are 14-18 year old kids. No one deserved to be on that floor tonight playing, more than Megan. I and my team pray for you.

Harrison co has turned out quite a few talented players. Also Schwegman(sp ?) from brossart. Two blown out knees and still was incredible.

Angie Garrett and Litton from Mason Co. Vanessa Walton from St. Pat Denkins from Nicholas Co. Wiilkerson form Paris. Beth Vice from Montgomery Co.

Recently, Sacred Heart. I would say West Carter has had there share as well in the last 10 years or so. As well Lex Cath, Scott Co. Alot of schools around the state also contribute in any given year, including local schools such as Nicholas Co(Denkins), Montgomery Co(Vice), and Fleming Co(Carver).

I have coached both as well. Boys are easier to coach. i will admit that girls do not rely on their athletic ability as much as boys do. Boys can leave personal feelings off the court, girls do not. If someone is talking to another's boyfriend, then their is going to be conflict. Boys can get along on the court regardless of personal feelings, girls sometimes have a hard timedoing that. Remember these are 14-18 year old kids dealing with the emotions of high school.

I was hoping no one would bring "those days" up. i had a great time playing with Dirty laundry. I miss playing softball, but 2 kids, work, and coaching pretty much take care of any free time I might get!

Jay will do fine. I have coached both. It is easier to go from girls to boys, than it is boys to girls.

Honestly, one of the best techniques to use on your shot, is to get a rubber outdoor basketball and shoot with it. It will help develope touch. Those balls bounce all over the place. Once you become consistent with it, an official ball will be easy to shoot. This is what Baumgartner teaches at his shooting camp.