coach4life

Ashley will be tested this year. The last two years he had a ton of talent and this incoming freshman group has a couple really good players, but it drops after that. They also do not have much size at all this year, which he has had the last two years. We will be able to really see his coaching talent this year if he is able to pull another championship with the group he has coming in.

Way to go Travis! A great kid and an absolute beast on the football field! I look forward to great things from him the next 3 years!

From what I understand, he works out 3 hours a day and eats a lot of protein (shakes, egg whites, etc.) As far as what he does when he works out, I don't know. I do know that he is a tremendous kid and student and he works very hard at what he does. In my 12 years of coaching, he is probably one of the toughest competitors I've ever known - when he is on the court/field he goes all out every minute.

Not sure - I was just told that he maxed 315 lbs. The kid is strong as a ox and works out a ton, so I don't doubt it.

I heard from a pretty reliable source that he is up to 315 lbs.

Actually, I'm not sure if it is the same NKY Tarheel team that you are talking about, but there was a NKY Tarheel team at the BCI tournament this weekend that was not too impressive. I'm just not sure if they were 14U or 15U. If they were the 14U then they held their own against some 15U teams. But, if that was the 15U team, I wouldn't consider them a favorite in the state tourney this weekend. I also saw the NKY Rhinos (15U) in the same tournament. They were a decent team, but lack some size. I heard they picked up two of the big men from NKY Heat - one about 6'6 and the other about 6'3. Both can play above the rim. I think these additions will make them a much better team come tournament time.

I actually heard it from one of them last night. I wish them nothing but the best. Two great young men.

Any updates from the Freshman tourney?

I agree!

Congrats Heather! You definitely deserve it!

No biggie...I just hate to see a great kid look bad because of a second-hand account of he said/she said. Good luck to both teams tonight!

I'm going to tell you that this probably did not happen. I've known and coached Cotton for years and this is completely out of character for him. He sat with me a lot of the NCC game and I can assure you that nothing was said. As for during the Highlands game, it is not like him to focus on anything else while he is on the floor. Plus half the game he was in the locker room with the trainer working on his ankle. Just wanted to clear that up. With that said, as a Boone alumni - I'm going to have to go with them for this game. Even though they won the last match-up, I know they still feel like they have something to prove.

Gabbard is coming off of an illness this past week. Not sure if that was why he was sitting more than usual though.

I agree! I have been watching him since his middle school days, and I knew he was going to be a special player even 5 years ago! Plus, a great kid off the court! Can't wait to see him play on this stage tomorrow!

Boone swept the JV and Frosh tourneys.

I know Boone defeated Scott, but I'm not sure of the score. Does anyone have the schedule for the remaining games?

I have seen many times where parents coach from the stands. It's a case where the parents THINK they know more than the coach. One parent in particular, who has never coached basketball before, was not only coaching his son from the stands, but decided he was going to call other players by name and coach them during games. I had the other players and parents of the other players ask me to tell him to stop. That's pretty bad when everybody in the stands wants you to be quiet. Plus, this parent's kid actually asked me to remove his father from the stands so he could play without listening to his dad. Pretty sad if you ask me. I think it's a case where the parent never amounted to much in athletics and is trying to live through his kids experiences. I just think it is sad that this happens. In my experience, the kids want to please their coaches and their parents and this puts them in the middle, which is not at all fair to them. Many years ago I coached girl's basketball and actually had a player crying in the locker room after the game because she was afraid she disappointed her dad because she didn't do what he was telling her to do (I think it was something like bringing the ball up the floor, but she was NOT a guard and had no business doing that in games). Why do some parents put their kids through this? Coaches are doing their job, trying to teach basketball, teamwork, work ethic, and other intangibles that will help their child in the long run, yet they face adversity with every move? Parents need to let the coaches do their job, and if they have an issue, take it up with the appropriate authorities. Otherwise, let the coaches coach and let the kids play!

His work ethic does not surprise me at all. I'm so glad for his success because he does work very hard on his game. He is a tremendous leader with his poise and confidence on the court, which surely helps the younger players around him. Plus, he is a great kid off the court too.

You hit the nail on the head! I had the priviledge of meeting 4-5 of these Holmes boys over the summer, and they were extremely polite and respectful. I coach some kids over the summer, and they came to some practices and really tried to help some of the younger kids. They set a great example of sportsmanship and teamwork, as well as how to play the game the right way. I can teach this to my younger kids until I am blue in the face, but when they saw these kids who were as talented as they come, in the gym playing together, it changed the atmosphere completely. The unselfishness and comraderie of these players was amazing. Many of my younger players can be spotted at some of the Holmes games and have become lifelong fans and have benefitted greatly from knowing these Holmes players. I wish nothing but the best for the Holmes boys because they absolutely deserve it!

IMO this statement isn't quite fair to Dom. He may have had a few turnovers in one stretch of the game, but he pulled himself together and overall had a decent game, which shows a lot of maturity on his part. I just don't think the turnovers can be put on one kid. It seemed to be an off night for most of the players. Rico and Housley seemed to come alive in the 4th to help seal the win though. Arnold also seemed to play with a little more poise tonight too.

I thought I read somewhere that a few of the late round games in this tournament would be broadcast on the web. Anyone recall this and if so, where and when will this broadcast be?

At our school, closed practices are the rule. The main concern is the kids. If you ask most of the kids, they do not want their parents there. Many of the parents who want to attend all of the practices want to do so probably because they want to coach their own kid from the stands. I have a parent in the past that even wanted to go to all of the meetings/film sessions, and team-bonding outings. The kid of this particular parent actually asked me if I could ban his parent from all of the games. I know parents think they are being supportive, but they are actually distancing themselves from their child. It can also cause safety issues and liability concerns. For example, if you allow open practices, then you end up having the friends and siblings of the players come and then the coach ends up not only having to worry about their players and the practice, but the little kids running around the gym and the other students from the school that want to hang out, with no supervision. If the gym doors are left unlocked, anyone can come into the school. When I was coaching middle school basketball about 5-6 years ago, I actually had a high school kid come into the practice and try to "beat-up" one of the middle school players. Things like this are rare, but can happen and as a coach, I will always put the safety and concern of my players first.

Actually, I saw Riley play in about 10-15 games this summer, and he shot like that in most of them and averaged about 25-30 points a game. Many of those shots were with someone in his face. He just doesn't miss many shots and is pretty selective about when he shoots too. His basketball IQ is very high.

Yes, Boone did beat Holy Cross but I do not know the score.

I'm glad that Riley is getting some recognition! I saw him play several times this summer and he is almost always lights out. He also has great poise and can control a game.