questions for coachT

[don23]

First, I wanted to commend the website. This site provides a plethora of insiteful data and analysis of high school basketball. It is also a great recruiting tool with the team and player rankings, also good team sites with the schedules and rosters.

 

Is there any truth to the rumor that Tennessee's most sought after recruit, Brandon Wright, is heading to Oak Hill in the near future? He looks like the next Chris Bosh, unlimied potential.

 

Is Jujuan Smith going to be academically eligible to attend a NCAA school, or will he have to go the juco route? Are any FL jucos calling?

 

 

Just wanted to point out a glaring omission to your top 200 list. Merriman of Chattanooga Central is definitely worthy, he has had many quality outings against quality opposition such as Brainerd and Bradley Central. Tony Fox is another kid who should make this list, I realized this after watching him score 30 points vs. Brentwood Academy and beat Baylor in OT. I'm sure BA is the frontrunner to win the D-2 state championship courtesy Mr. Wright, but watch out for Baylor. They have an excellent coaching staff and a very good starting 5.

 

 

Again great site, keep up the good work.

[gomab2]

don...

 

Merriman was mistakenly left off the last set of rankings, but he is currently ranked now, as were a few others....

 

Fox is ranked as well, but not as high as some would like... The kid can score, but is not only old for his grade, but too many flaws to be ranked any higher, especially as the 2nd leading scorer on KC behind a soph...

[don23]

Gomab:

 

I assume you have nothing to offer concerning my first 2 issues which I inquired about, which is understandable.

 

I am not from this area and moved here just recently, so I haven't seen a great number of the players on your top 170. Where are the new rankings located? Are the rankings based on age or class? Does it matter how old someone is, do college coaches or high school fans care? Also, according to last Friday's Knox-News-Sentinel Fox is KC's leading scorer and second in assists. Fox is easily KC's best player, and is their true "player to watch" as this site would call it. I assume you were referring to Connor, he is a junior. Sure Fox's game has flaws, show me a high school kid which has no flaws in his game.

 

It is obvious you guys just didn't do your homework on these 2 kids, which how could you not miss some kids having to cover such a broad area. Again, this site is cool, the previous state I lived in had nothing of the sort. I am not complaining by any means I appreciate your insite.

[mas1821]

GoMab, for some reason, didn't answer your ? about wright and jujuan.... I'm sure he knows the answer to any ? you could ask about the two of them... As for Brandon going to Oak Hill... I haven't heard of that... The only Oak Hill transfer that is being highly discussed is Tyler Smith from Giles County...

[gomab2]

I have not heard anything about Wright going to Oak Hill, at least nothing legitimate, anyways...

 

I would, however, look for Jamont Gordon to end up at Oak Hill next year, not Smith or Wright... Gordon would come in and start immediately, and could use the academic help as well...

 

As for JuJuan Smith, the word is that he has qualified now with a 20 ACT, but a huge jump from his previous score could put his score under question... UT Asst. Benson was in the stands to watch Smith the other day... JuJuan is a heck of a player, but I feel High Major ball is a slight stretch for him as a 6'2 2G with a streaky shot... He would, however, be a great Mid Major pick up (if elilgible), and I'm hearing Arkansas State currently...

 

I have seen Fox play, and am just not impressed. And with my rankings, I do try to take all factors into play, as my rankings are based on a combination of current production and future potential, thus benefitting College coaches who put any worth into my rankings... I just didn't like Fox's game. And as far as doing my "research", I apologize on the misquote of info on Connor's age, which I quoted off the top of my head, not from my Database, which I have him listed correctly. I have not, however, seen Connor in a year and a half...

 

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask, and I will respond to them in a quicker manner than my tardy reply here...

[mas1821]

So gomab... Do you think Tyler should go to Oak Hill, or stay at GCHS?

[gomab2]

As for Tyler, I think he should do what he and his father thinks is best for him... He does not need the exposure or academic help that could benefit someone like Gordon, so Oak Hill is far from a necessity for Tyler... The only real benefit for Tyler would be the increase in competition that would be nice... On the flip-side, Tyler could stay at GC, and possibly contend for either his 3rd straight state title, or 2nd in 3 years, as well as likely try to win his 1st Mr. Basketball Award as a Senior...

 

So, in conclusion, Tyler needs to do what he feels will benefit himself the most...

[mas1821]

Very good points... I personally think he should stay in GC... However, the talent that he would see playing for oak hill would greatly improve his game...

Edited February 10, 2004 by mas1821

[don23]

Hello Gomab,

 

Thanks for the information.

Wright should go to Oak Hill, he will not improve as much by staying and playing in D-2. He reminds me of Chris Bosh.

I agree with your assessment of Smith, a little under-sized and a little too inconsistent to merit interest from SEC or ACC. He could definitely play in the Southern Conference, OVC, and the like.

 

Obviously size hurts Fox. I also believe he plays with the level of his competition. I was not impressed either initially, until John Higgins (UT) told me he scored over 20 in one half vs. White Station at UT's camp. I then contacted a friend of mine that is an OVC assistant and he said Fox went nuts at the Blue-Chip camp at Georgetown College in KY. I've seen him play twice this year and both games he looked good, scoring 30 vs. BA and 7 straight points in OT to beat Chattanooga Baylor.

He has a good first step, not a great one. He can see the floor, and has a very quick release on his jumper. It would be tough for him to defend at the next level with his size, but he can score. He is the best senior guard in Knoxville, that is not super impressive though. I definitely think he is D-2 or NAIA, but I hear he may try to walk-on at UTC or Middle. Where do you think he belongs?

 

I have seen Merriman once. He is a nice athlete, but like Smith a little too small, and will not be able to play with his back to the rim at the next level. At what level do you see him playing next year?

 

Two more questions if you don't mind.

 

Who is Chattanooga's best senior?

 

I hear great things about Pickel, never seen him play, is UTC after him? Again, thanks for the reply. As I have said before, keep up the good work. I love the site.

[fatjoe8]

He is the best senior guard in Knoxville, that is not super impressive though. I definitely think he is D-2 or NAIA, but I hear he may try to walk-on at UTC or Middle. Where do you think he belongs?

 

 

I take back everything bad I have ever said about etcoach and Govman...don23 is now officially the dumbest, most moronic poster in Coacht History...

 

 

best senior guard in Knoxville---give me a break

pathetic post

[GradfromtheNest]

Fox produces in high school. No question about that. But his potential at a higher level is not that much. I think his attitude and ability to gel with his teammates has something to do with it as well. Haven't seen him in about 2 years, though, so who knows. Just my two cents. Those obvservations are also from when he lived down here in chattanooga. So it could all be different now.

[fatjoe8]

Here are the Knoxville teams and guards I would take over Fox in a heart-beat:

West- anthony bennett

South Doyle- Burroughs AND King

Farragut- Gibson

Bearden- none

CAK/Webb- none

Catholic...

 

I would put Fox 4th, and that's only bc I can't think of any other players in Knoxville