New Union Bears head coach Jamie Harless let’s hear your thoughts

[Union_Fan]

The perspective from the LB area...

 

 

[PV8]

Home run for Union. There is only one game left for the Bears to win and he might be the man to get it done. Great hire!

[redtiger]

Not to get too off topic here but if Jessee leaves Lebanon who could blame him? The kid is a legit, big time D1 player(albeit not at RB or WR) and I seriously doubt he had 200 touches last season. 

 

[jreed97]

If you can play they’ll find you. Transferring for college exposure is RIDICULOUS 

[Tigerman10]

1 hour ago, redtiger said:

Not to get too off topic here but if Jessee leaves Lebanon who could blame him? The kid is a legit, big time D1 player(albeit not at RB or WR) and I seriously doubt he had 200 touches last season. 

 

First team all state as a WR had less than 200 touches?  

[Fairlawncat]

Lots more could possibly be behind the story here that we dont know about. Jesse isn't an engineer, nurse, electrician, or CPA. Hes in HS. He doesn't provide for a family. Somebody older than him does. Could be family move related to the job field of a parent or guardian. There's probably more in play behind the scenes than simply "Jesse, a 15 or 16 year old kid wants more exposure so he decides to move to BSG."

[Fairlawncat]

Double Post. No message.

[Tigerman10]

5 minutes ago, Fairlawncat said:

Lots more could possibly be behind the story here that we dont know about. Jesse isn't an engineer, nurse, electrician, or CPA. Hes in HS. He doesn't provide for a family. Somebody older than him does. Could be family move related to the job field of a parent or guardian. There's probably more in play behind the scenes than simply "Jesse, a 15 or 16 year old kid wants more exposure so he decides to move to BSG."

Any move, even for family reasons, would also require a district committee to rule him eligible for postseason, which the M7 is extremely unlikely to do. The new rules are much more difficult on previous transfer tactics. The idea of simply getting an apartment somewhere just isn’t as feasible as it was before.  I see it affecting several schools close to state lines.  Now if the GA bill were to pass at some point then the floodgates would open and you would see movement all over the place, but that wouldn’t happen before football season this year (and hopefully doesn’t happen at all). 
 

The story here is likely the same as it was a couple years ago when the rumor mill and this board had Reece 100% headed to Richlands.  I first heard this one when Turner was still the coach, and with all of the controversy in Union over the last few months, Harless is likely going to have a hard time pulling the stuff he did at LB because him and the Union administration are both under the microscope right now. 

[BigWinners]

51 minutes ago, Tigerman10 said:

Any move, even for family reasons, would also require a district committee to rule him eligible for postseason, which the M7 is extremely unlikely to do. The new rules are much more difficult on previous transfer tactics. The idea of simply getting an apartment somewhere just isn’t as feasible as it was before.  I see it affecting several schools close to state lines.  Now if the GA bill were to pass at some point then the floodgates would open and you would see movement all over the place, but that wouldn’t happen before football season this year (and hopefully doesn’t happen at all). 
 

The story here is likely the same as it was a couple years ago when the rumor mill and this board had Reece 100% headed to Richlands.  I first heard this one when Turner was still the coach, and with all of the controversy in Union over the last few months, Harless is likely going to have a hard time pulling the stuff he did at LB because him and the Union administration are both under the microscope right now. 

Why in the world would they not deem him eligible if his family moved for legit reasons? Thats crazy and there’s no chance the M7 would rule him out if his entire family came to BSG for a job or something. 

[Real Sasquatch]

3 hours ago, redtiger said:

Not to get too off topic here but if Jessee leaves Lebanon who could blame him? The kid is a legit, big time D1 player(albeit not at RB or WR) and I seriously doubt he had 200 touches last season. 

 

If he is legit D1.  He doesn’t need to go anywhere to get noticed.  He is already getting attention.

[redtiger]

2 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

If he is legit D1.  He doesn’t need to go anywhere to get noticed.  He is already getting attention.

Oh hes got plenty of offers from D1 schools, but to get attention from the top programs he needs touches and to play against better competition.  

[redtiger]

4 hours ago, Tigerman10 said:

First team all state as a WR had less than 200 touches?  

He played RB most of the season and they moved him around a lot, when their #1 WR went down they used him as a WR a lot more.

 

Regular season he had less than 100 carries as the starting RB in a 4 wide Run 'n Shoot offense. Idk how many catches he ended up with but it wasnt 100, which is why I said under 200 total touches

[Tigerman10]

1 hour ago, redtiger said:

He played RB most of the season and they moved him around a lot, when their #1 WR went down they used him as a WR a lot more.

 

Regular season he had less than 100 carries as the starting RB in a 4 wide Run 'n Shoot offense. Idk how many catches he ended up with but it wasnt 100, which is why I said under 200 total touches

This board repeatedly identified Lebanon’s weak line play-seems to me like they were trying to get him the ball in position to succeed.  It worked well enough that he was all-state, which I think would garner plenty of attention. 
 

 

[Stelley]

Not to add fuel to the fire but Jessee’s dad already owns a chiropractor business in Big Stone.

And of course he didn’t get many touches at RB but that’s because they had a top 2 qb in the state and Jessee was the only target physical enough to catch short passes because Reece hardly ever had time

[Tigerman10]

1 minute ago, Stelley said:

Not to add fuel to the fire but Jessee’s dad already owns a chiropractor business in Big Stone.

And of course he didn’t get many touches at RB but that’s because they had a top 2 qb in the state and Jessee was the only target physical enough to catch short passes because Reece hardly ever had time

Pretty sure it’s in Norton not BSG. 

[Real Sasquatch]

The only reason any player that is getting D1 looks would transfer to another school (not referring to this particular situation)...... is to win games.

[Elder statesman]

4 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

The only reason any player that is getting D1 looks would transfer to another school (not referring to this particular situation)...... is to win games.

IMO, I disagree with this and will use Trivette as the example.  Yes, she would have gotten D1 looks at Richlands and would have also won games.  I don't think they would have ever been deep enough of a team to upend the M7 teams for region these last 3 years but that's speculation.  By moving to Abingdon, she was able to play in a district that is arguably the best girls district in the state.  She was able to play against powerhouse teams loaded with D1 talent such as Carroll County with Alyssa Ervin (Elon, Furman), LCA who had 2 current starters for D1 Liberty University, Wise Central with Emmah McCamis (ETSU) as well as D1 talent from Turner Ashby and Lord Botetourt.  I am sure I have missed a few as well.  Abingdon also gave her exposure in the Doc Maples tournament 2 years in a row.  Scouts aren't always looking at how many wins you have, they are also looking at how you match up with other big talent.  They look at how you play in different game speeds, how you react to diversity, and how you relate to your teammates.  If she'd stayed at Richlands, she would have likely scored more overall points for her career and possibly have had a chance to win a regional title at some point.  Not sure she would have gotten the same top offers though.

 

I know this is about 2 different sports but the logic is the same.

[Gridiron60]

I think most of Trivette’s  exposure came from her off season play. Her play in the travel ball circuit & tournaments across several states probably got her more looks and offers than simply switching schools to Abingdon. That’s just my thought anyway. 

[Union_Fan]

Excellent points. I'll also add that some kids realize their situation is not good and they want to go somewhere that is perceived to be better. Better coaching, better opportunities, better exposure, etc...

It may not even be about more wins or possible championships. It could just be a better situation that makes that player a better person.

D1 athletes are such because they already have drive, motivation and ambition. People like that don't stay in deadend jobs, so if they perceive their HS situation is not benefitting their personal growth and goals, they move on.

[tornado99]

16 minutes ago, Union_Fan said:

Excellent points. I'll also add that some kids realize their situation is not good and they want to go somewhere that is perceived to be better. Better coaching, better opportunities, better exposure, etc...

It may not even be about more wins or possible championships. It could just be a better situation that makes that player a better person.

D1 athletes are such because they already have drive, motivation and ambition. People like that don't stay in deadend jobs, so if they perceive their HS situation is not benefitting their personal growth and goals, they move on.

I think with some kids, this is valid, but I believe for most, they want more wins or a title. It doesn’t discount the work they put in, but but honestly, some of those D1 folks weren’t that because drive, motivation, and ambition. It was because of the tools.

Before the high level competition era, my observation was simply gifted with either great size, speed, or both. More often, than not, the less talented players were the ones working hardest.

Examples Trivette and Jesse certainly have put in the work.  Not mentioning past names, but I’m sure all of you have examples of kids who simply had the talent and just showed up and played well.

[Real Sasquatch]

Another factor of why kids move is because Daddy isnt happy with playing time or how the kid is being utilized.  Or maybe Daddy wants their kid to be on a winning team.... So they take their kid to another school.  

I do realize that some kids have benefited from a move, where perhaps a team has some kids being looked at and this may get them looked at as well.  

[tornado99]

1 hour ago, Real Sasquatch said:

Another factor of why kids move is because Daddy isnt happy with playing time or how the kid is being utilized.  Or maybe Daddy wants their kid to be on a winning team.... So they take their kid to another school.  

I do realize that some kids have benefited from a move, where perhaps a team has some kids being looked at and this may get them looked at as well.  

In reality, this probably happens more often than not, nowadays.

[redtiger]

20 hours ago, Tigerman10 said:

This board repeatedly identified Lebanon’s weak line play-seems to me like they were trying to get him the ball in position to succeed.  It worked well enough that he was all-state, which I think would garner plenty of attention. 

Attention, yes. Top D1 attention? Doubtful.

Lebanon was weak up front, that doesnt negate his limited touches. Idk what Reeses numbers were but he probably had more carries than Jessee and isn't a D1 recruit, although he was a Senior.

The film just isn't great. Lebanon probably wont make the playoffs next season and a Sr season beating up on 1A teams wont help either.

As where a program like Graham, Union, etc will play several playoffs games and likely face other REALLY good talent.

Look at Stephen Peoples from Galax several years ago, a walk on at VT because he played 1A ball. If hes at a better program his film is better and he probably gets a ton of offers(he may have and chose VT, idk). 

Trivett is a good example, she was dominant all season in a outstanding district and was the best player on the floor in the 3A title game. Shes signed to NC State and had before all of that. You think if she would have been with a program making that type of run 2 years ago that her offers wouldnt have been better?

A friend of mines daughter played mid-major D1 basketball and he was told straight out by the coach that signed her if she had played 1A ball they wouldnt have signed her. Playing 2A ball, winning state titles, and high level travel ball got her noticed.

Im not a proponent of transferring in general, but being underutilized and that limiting his recruitment is a valid reason imo.

And ive derailed the conversation 🤦

[Elder statesman]

47 minutes ago, redtiger said:

Attention, yes. Top D1 attention? Doubtful.

Lebanon was weak up front, that doesnt negate his limited touches. Idk what Reeses numbers were but he probably had more carries than Jessee and isn't a D1 recruit, although he was a Senior.

The film just isn't great. Lebanon probably wont make the playoffs next season and a Sr season beating up on 1A teams wont help either.

As where a program like Graham, Union, etc will play several playoffs games and likely face other REALLY good talent.

Look at Stephen Peoples from Galax several years ago, a walk on at VT because he played 1A ball. If hes at a better program his film is better and he probably gets a ton of offers(he may have and chose VT, idk). 

Trivett is a good example, she was dominant all season in a outstanding district and was the best player on the floor in the 3A title game. Shes signed to NC State and had before all of that. You think if she would have been with a program making that type of run 2 years ago that her offers wouldnt have been better?

A friend of mines daughter played mid-major D1 basketball and he was told straight out by the coach that signed her if she had played 1A ball they wouldnt have signed her. Playing 2A ball, winning state titles, and high level travel ball got her noticed.

Im not a proponent of transferring in general, but being underutilized and that limiting his recruitment is a valid reason imo.

And ive derailed the conversation 🤦

You are right that she signed with NC State before this season's run.  But it was after playing in the M7, region 3D and 3A state tournaments as a sophomore and junior which put her against some great players and competition that she wouldn't have seen playing at Richlands.  She also had a better supporting cast to complement her abilities and help her play a pace and system that helped her improve.  Richlands' regular season schedule has games against the lesser SWD teams as well as non-district games against weaker 1A schools.  I do believe the travel circuit with the WV Thunder and winning a national title in AAU was a large factor and provided great opportunities.  I just think if she had stayed at Richlands and only had the travel circuit to scout, her D1 offers would have been a little lower.  It's obvious that talent improves while playing against better competition.

[Union_Fan]

4 hours ago, tornado99 said:

I think with some kids, this is valid, but I believe for most, they want more wins or a title. It doesn’t discount the work they put in, but but honestly, some of those D1 folks weren’t that because drive, motivation, and ambition. It was because of the tools.

Before the high level competition era, my observation was simply gifted with either great size, speed, or both. More often, than not, the less talented players were the ones working hardest.

Examples Trivette and Jesse certainly have put in the work.  Not mentioning past names, but I’m sure all of you have examples of kids who simply had the talent and just showed up and played well.

What drives a person? Money, power, status, etc...? Different for everyone, right?

Lots of different reasons listed on this page, and all are just as valid as they are different. For every player that we've seen over the past 15 -20 years that has transferred, each one could have had a different reason for doing so. Hard to say.

Players come and go, but what has always stood out to me has been the stories about the character of the ones that excelled. QBs that spend off season and time after designated practices to throw more, get timing down, study film, etc... Basketball is full of guys that shoot a 1000 or so free throws every week(or more often) beyond practice.

I remember Thomas Jones talking about his dad challenging him to do 25 pushups each night before bed no matter how sore, sleepy or tired he was. And if he forgot or just didn't do them, he'd feel guilty and do them as soon as he woke up. His dad told him that if he was mentally strong enough to do those each night, he could accomplish anything.

That's the type of drive, motivation and ambition I'm talking about. Even if they have the physical talent, they need those mental skills to take advantage of it. Name any sport and any player. I don't think they'd be what they were without that extra something beyond what everyone else did.