Leaderboard

I think my original post might be getting misunderstood somewhat. I'll attempt to clarify in simpler terms. Would coaches of past generations (70's, 80's, 90's) have been interviewed for open coaching positions based on what a 16 year old kid and his father wanted? I think administrators back then would have told the kid and his dad to piss off.

On this board, we often discus how kids today are just different than they were in previous generations. I don't think anyone here will argue against that point. The same can be said for the adults in the room. Which is something we rarely, if ever, discuss. Could you imagine for a second, administrators interviewing Phil Robbins, Joel Hicks, Willis White, Norm Lineburg, or Robert Casto based on the whims of a 16 year old kid and his overzealous father?

It’s almost like that’s apart of their culture. The kids are literally the same way. #2 can constantly be heard and seen saying the f word to the other team and fans. (Didn’t realize everyone was talking about the girls I meant boys).

I agree and disagree on this. I agree if it's a first time event for the opponent or JM or a championship appearance where the team hasn't been there for many years such as Martinsville (possibly) this year. But in Radford's case, Cormany had kind of been there and done that. Had many deep runs and some titles. I think there is harm is not giving kids a chance to play, but there is also a lesson learned. Is the harm to the kids that don't play the game against JM greater than the continuous harm and unfairness that the VHSL is allowing annually with the JM situation? That's the discussion that isn't 100% clear. Many could see that both ways. One could argue there is actually a lesson learned for the kids that don't play JM. I can see both sides of this. As for Milan and Muncie Central. I got to hear Ray Craft from Milan speak in the 90's while at the Univ of Texas. Incredible thing. Milan, the true story was much different than the movie. Sure, Milan was an underdog purely based on school size, but......most people don't know that Milan High went to the state semifinals in 1953, the year before they shocked Muncie Central in the state title game and Milan returned ALL 5 starters from the 1953 team to prepare for the 1954 championship season. Milan also had 2 kids Plump (Chitwood in the movie) and Ray Craft both play major Div 1 basketball and not just play, they started. Milan also had a third player play what would be Div 1AA ball back in the day, so yes, small school, major underdog against Muncie, but also much better prepared than the movie let on for 1954. The difference in John Marshall versus a Gate City in 2024 compared to Muncie Central vs Milan in 1954 is FAR greater in talent disparity. Milan only had like 160 kids in the school in 1954 compared to Muncie's 2,000 plus, but....the 5 guys they had on the floor weren't chumps. They could play, including 40% of the starters playing major Div 1 basketball. It was actually Ray Craft who led Milan in scoring in the title game with 14 points. Of course Chitwood (Plump) his the job. Here is the actual real footage, real video clip of the final shot and actually audio recording of the Indiana High School Play by Play Guy that was broadcast that day not just across Indiana, but all across the Midwest nearly 70 years ago to the day. The real actual shot-video of Plump below https://www.thestarpress.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/02/21/ihsaa-basketball-1954-ihsaa-state-championship-milan-muncie-central-restored/4822153002/

Milan doesnt beat Muncie Central and no one knows who Bobby Plump is if they dont play the game. The kids opportunities to play of a state title game are limited to begin with. Taking the game away from them isnt the right call IMO no matter how people feel about the JM program. Go and try to win. You may make something unforgettable happen.

We are a team full of guards. Have no size whatsoever. Tallest player this year was possibly 5'4. It's difficult to win in the toughest district in the state when you are getting outsized by 4-5 inches every game. We did win 5 games this season though, so there has been some progress.

While I agree with everything above, it fails to fully account for the constant complaint older generations make against younger generations. Kids today are often criticized for being "soft" or "lazy." But the older generations raised them to be what they are. Now, that same older generation is basing hiring practices on what those "soft" or "lazy" kids like. It's a nonsensical cycle that is spinning out of control at this point. It likely contributes to why local programs that were once traditional powers, are anything but now.

Why is everyone blaming JM? They just follow the rules as the VHSL sets them. The blame all lies at the feet of the VHSL. Make them fix it.

The pendulum swings too far both ways. I would not want to go back to the 70's type coaching. To be brutally honest, a lot of damn good kids were "run" off for a myriad of bad reasons. Looking back at that era, it was complete inflexibility and kids had no options. Now, the kids have too much influence and coaches are too beholden to the parents in a hope of retaining talent. Be consistent, fair and coach up and develop your kids. Some will leave, it happens. Stay the course. If this guy was hired simply because a kid liked him, it will work itself out.

Lee beat Virginia High pretty easily last season. That was our only win of the year.

I just hope whoever makes it to Richmond has good guards and tries to run 4 corners on JM. Play keepaway as much as possible and then possibly draw fouls and hit FTs if JM wants to be aggressive. Would still be a tough thing to do but would like to see it tried with good ball handlers.

Battle lost a close one and then beat VHS the second time.

well in the past there wasn't an open transfer portal like they are today. lots of parents out there today believe their kid is going to be that D1 superstar when in reality its prob more like 1 in 5,000 in SWVA.

Graham went up 8-0 to start the game, then led 21-16 at halftime, then jaydyn carrico blitz Graham with 19 in the 3rd quarter, she had 9 at halftime and ended up with 36, Graham won every quarter but the 4th, the M7 is just on a different level in girls but still the best game of the night

JM won't have anybody do that unless it's a team that plays them 2 times in a row (goes to two state title games) in a row and loses to them and then on year 3, that team is like, "enough is enough." As long as it's one team here or another team there from the West that makes it every year, it ain't happening. For example, if Gretna won the West, you can be assured they are playing for that title game. Their coach would rationalize it as, "this our is one time chance for our kids and win or lose, they made it to the title game and will remember it forever and our seniors." Martinsviille in Region C if they win the west? New Coach for them and Martinsville has been out of the picture for years and wants to get back to old form and has I think 4 or 5 seniors on the team. Do you think he's setting this out? Not hardly. Same for Union, Graham, Virginia High, and now GC doesn't have Scotty V anymore. GC ain't setting it out either. Only way to stop this is with luck. Martinsville or Radford, GC, Union, Graham somebody become dominant in the West and make the title game 2 years in a row and get beat, then if this same teams makes it again on year 3...........then there's a chance in year 3 for them to set it out, otherwise it's not happening.

Every.single.game.

He's literally been 2 ft from the 3 pt line several times, team has been arguing with refs....no warnings at all,

That's how they roll with V-High, the boys and girls coach both do that, it's nuts.

WHY are the officials in this Union-VHS girls game allowing this screaming HC at VHS to be constantly on the court in the field of play? Not even a warning.

Heard FalconMan got committed to the state hospital!

I'm thinking they'll announce assistants next month after the next school board meeting. Several new staff with a few holdovers...well, counting HC as "new" since he is new to that role.

Graham was in control almost all game tonight.

Somebody should stand up to JM and do something crazy at the state final game. What if you inbound the ball straight to them every time you got it? Let them just shoot layup after layup for 32 min. Make a total mockery of the game. It would probably make sportscenter when they beat a team 300-0 or whatever it would be. That would embarrass JM and the VHSL so bad they would do something and it would be the end of JM in class 2.

Once had official visits to Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee among others... now relinquished to an NAIA school. Glad he's getting a chance somewhere, but so much potential wasted is a shame.

My son , Brock Alley (Tazewell) committed to Ferrum College on Wednesday evening

Clements is too small Right Now to play Div 1 football. You ain't playing running back under 180 in 2024 and that's even pushing it. The exceptions are only a few that are insanely elite. What is Clements true weight? 160ish? I said this on here 2 years ago, he's fantastic, but he will need to be a buck 80 to play 1AA (FCS) ball. Key words in the above paragraph. Right Now. If I could walk on at Tech and had the money or school paid for, I would go to VT as a walk on over UVA Wise because the strength and conditioning program at Tech just has so many more resources for him to get his weight up. Additionally, I think he is a very high GPA type kid, approaching 3.8 or more, so he could possibly get an academic scholly to Blacksburg and get his school paid for that way if he were to walk on, and this might be why he is taking the visit to VT.