All Things Basketball: It’s Almost Here
Oct. 14, 2008 @ 9:10 a.m. by jlongBy: J. Long
As I look over to my right and see the large stack of basketball surveys that I have to make copies of, I’m reminded that even in the midst of important football games, state tournaments in golf and tennis, and soccer it’s almost time to look at basketball.
In there spirit of that here’s a little something about P.E. that might interest some of you.
I love basketball season. I love the sport. It’s indoors. And it’s two games. You can’t beat that.
So what would you like to read about going into basketball season? Who are some of the players that we should be looking at? Who do you think will win the City League title? Who’s the best: dunker, PG, Big man, 3-point shooter, defender, hustle-man, coach and team?
I heard Kansas is a basketball state so I’m looking to what should be pretty good basketball.
October 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
i hear that north has a freshman this is supposed to be FOR REAL…6′9” or something like that…i read on rivals that KU is already showing interest…i’ll look forward to seeing if he’s the real deal
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Are you talking about Perry Ellis?
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
“That Guy” must be talking about Heights not North. I haven’t heard of any freshman from North that was on KU’s radar.
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Two Words: Luke Meisch
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October 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
heights girls, SE and EAST boys!
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October 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
my bad..i didnt mean to say north..i had RED in my mind..yes Ellis.. from HIEGHTS…sorry folks
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October 14th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Luke Meisch??? Gimme a break. I saw him play on his summer team and the kid from Newton is better than he is.
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October 14th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
In 1a, from Norwich, Mason Hewitt is very skilled. He’s 6-5, big, and can go out and play the perimeter. Big mismatch in small school ball. I dont know bout the rest of Norwich’s team, though. Not sure who else to look for in 1a around here.
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October 14th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I’m setting freshman or our of the area transfers aside because they haven’t proven anything yet…
dunker- 1. Joe Mitchell, SE 2. Dejuan West, South 3. Leon Flowers, East
PG- 1. Dorian Roberts, Heights 2. Brandon Walker, East 3. Cecil Shaw, SE (if he play that position)
Big man- 1. Arthur Gary, South 2. Marcus Adams, East 3. Blake Bell, BC
3-point shooter- 1. Joe Mitchell, SE 2. Terry Webb, Heights 3. Cecil Shaw, SE
Defender- 1. Joe Mitchell, SE 2. Dorain Roberts, Heights 3. Leon Flowers, East
Hustle-man- 1. Austin Bahner, Heights 2. Deonte Hayden, SE 3. Dillon Knox, Kapaun
Coach- 1. Carl Taylor, SE 2. Ron Allen, East 3. Bernie Pearson, Kapaun
Team- 1. East (loaded) 2. Southeast (good returning core from last season) 3. Heights (can easily jump SE as team progresses)
***Players to watch out for- 1. Ja’ln Williams, East 2. Joseph Randle, SE 3. Evan Wessel (sp?), Heights
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October 14th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Steve Walton @ Rose Hill is one to look out for in the smaller schools. He works out with Luke Meisch. He is my darkhorse pick. They should have a good team.
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October 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
clfan, pretty good analysis. However, i’ve been to some hoop mountain central high school fall league games and Jaln Williams has looked a lot better than Brandon Walker as far as running their teams. I like both of them.
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October 14th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I believe East High will win the city league. Southeast and Heights will contend and Bishop Carroll will make a little noise but eventually the depth at East will take over. With that said, there is parity in the league. Talent won’t be enough. Coaching will come into play. I do believe this is one of the weakest senior classes i’ve seen in the past 5 years. With the exception of Joe Mitchell, Cecil Shaw, and Marcus Adams it’s show and prove time for some of these guys, starting with Leon Flowers. Dorian Roberts will also have to provide some leadership on a young Heights team. To answer the questions that were asked. Here goes:City league title-East. Dunker-Marcus Adams, Anthony Dumas. Point guard-Cecil Shaw, Ja’ln Williams, Dorian Roberts. Big Man-Arthur Gary, Blake Bell, Marcus Adams. 3-pt shooter- Austin Bahner, Joe Mitchell, Matt Byers. Defender-Chad Washington, Ja’ln Williams. Deonte Hayden. Hustle-Dyllan Knox, Shaquille Wright Coaching- Ron Allen, Lonnie Lolar, Carl Taylor.
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October 14th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
AT17, i like Luke alot. I saw him in some individual workouts at sunrise this summer and he looks good. I also like Marshall Miller at Andover Central.
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October 14th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Dunker: M. Adams (East), A. Dumas (Northwest)
PG: D. Roberts
Big Man: M. Adams (East) A. Kinnard (East)
3PT Shooter: C. Nicholson (Northwest), J. Mitchell (Southeast)
Defender: A. Kinnard (East), J. Mitchell (Southeast)
Coach: C. Taylor (Southeast), R. Allen (East)
Team: 1. East 2. Southeast (noone else close to these two)
3. Carroll 3
Best Player: J. Mitchell (Southeast)
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October 14th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
meant to put on teams 3. Carroll 4. Northwest
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October 14th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I agree on Flowers. He looks like he should just dominate the League. It is time for him to show up consistenly. This could be one of east best teams if he lives up to his hype from the last few years. He has the ability. I really think Heights can find ways to challenge East and SE this year if they continue to develop and don’t wear down. There are few unknowns this year with NW and South’s new coaches. I would predict in this order: East, SE and Heights tied, BC, Kapaun, South, NW, North and West. But the bottom four could finish any order.
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October 14th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
East vs. Heights first game of the year at Heights. They split last year. Doesn’t get any better than that. NWBB- Nicholson is a great shooter. Just not sure how much varsity time he’ll see as a freshman. I like June Johnson also. He’s another good-looking freshman over at Northwest.
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October 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
BBJunkie, thats why he was All Metro last year…
The kid is nasty, give credit where credits due. You will see this season
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
East is strong this year once again it will come down to these two teams for the State title contenders.
Nicholson from NW is one of the best shooters in the city other than Joe Mitchell these two players can put the ball in the hall
look out for Deontae HAyden from SE and Blake BEll they are going to have breakout years
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I would also agree that Jaln Williams looks better than BRandon Walker but that is going to be a loaded backcourt at East this year.
Johnson and Nicholson at NW both look very good .
The senior class in the city is not strong this year I realy like some of the Sophmores and even the Freshman over the city that will play. I cant really remembera year when so many freshman might get a chance to play . Gavin Thurman at SE will play ( I think he could be better than Ellis) If you dont believe me then watch him play , Perry Ellis (everyone knows the super Freshman at Heights) Johnson and Nicholson at NW. Jaln Williams at East and Evan Wessel will also contribute over at Heights
There are alot of new coaches this year how do you think they will all do
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October 15th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Some win, some don’t, but I will agree with most, it is not a great senior class, and whoever wins will be the team that gets the young kids to produce fast. But then, it looks that way all over the state. It is a great chance for players to step up and make their mark.
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October 15th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Four of Northwest five best players are freshmen. So they will get all the playing time they can handle. I think it’s funny that so many people think NW is just gonna be horrible! Watched them freshman beat Heights out at the Hoop Mountain fall league.
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October 15th, 2008 at 6:30 am
I agree with you NWBB. That freshman class at Northwest will be something special to watch. Another good-looking kid is Nathan Jackson over at East. Not sure if he’ll play varsity, but definately some J.V. The classes of 2011 and 2012 are really strong.
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October 15th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Your right varsity1 Nathan is gonna be good also. Not sure if he will play varsity either because they are so deep. But East J.V probably would take fourth in the CL anyway!
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October 15th, 2008 at 7:54 am
What’s the deal with coach Auer at Heights? Last year 3 kids leave who more than likely would have started this year, and already Gavin Thurman one of the top freshman in the city leaves for Southeast.
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October 15th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I think Aisha Woods and Tiffany Bias would give some of the guys a run for their money in a shooting contest. I would love to see them against city league competition.
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October 15th, 2008 at 8:35 am
With their not being any strong upperclassmen in the city league, I realy think Gavin Thurman Transferring to SE (NE Magnet) will hurt Heights this kid can play. SE ended up with one hell of a ball player.
I think this year you could take the top Freshmen/sophomores in the city and put them on a team together and they could take second. I think all of those Freshmen will get a chance to play those kids have all played some high level AAU basketball and been succesful over the years.
Thurman(SE), Ellis (Heights), Jaln Williams (East), Evan Wessel (Heights), June Johnson (NW), Craig Nicholson (NW), Dreamis Smith (Heights), Nathan Jackson(East), Aaron Degraftenreed (Heights).Camron Cornelius (Derby).
You never know whats going to happen over the years but I think that this group of kids could be really special.
I think that after East and SE I think every game in the CL will be a dogfight with the exception of North and West.
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October 15th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I know that East and SE are loaded this year, but im curious about the other teams in the city . From Heights to West to Derby. If anyone can provide insight on the various teams this year. please post previews of your teams. Heck im even interested in girls basketball ( that tells you how much ive missed HS hoops.
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October 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Are we really surprised there is NO LOVE for the ladies? Nothing has changed in this great city of Wichita!
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October 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Ok curious, I’d like to read some of them myself so I’ll go first with NORTHWEST.
Anthony Dumas (SR) (C/F) 6-4 Can jump out of the gym!
needs to be the leader of team.
Spenser Gales (FR) (F) 6-5
Craig Nicholson (FR) (G) good ball handler, great shooter
June Johnson (FR) (F) just a freakish athlete
Kimron Burris (FR) (F) good athlete, strong kid
Jeremy Love (SO) (G) suited up some Var as freshman
I would think starters would come from these guys. But Coach Collins probably has different ideas lol. And i’m really guessing on positions the kids will play. So don’t hold me to this. Going strickly off watching kids play and the fall hoop mountain league. If other people have better insight on Northwest please let me know.
Other kids for Northwest (providing they all go out)
Darius Crosby (SR) (G) football player JV last year
Eric Harbitz (SR) (G) baseball player, hurt last bb season
Aaron Baker (JR) (F) has some size, JV player last year
DeMarcus Robinson (JR) (G) of course everyone knows him for FB
Dave Carson (JR) (G)
Chris Fox (JR) (F)
Daunte Carter (FR) (G) good defensive player for freshman
Andrew Ethridge (JR) (F) another football player JV bb last year
and there are a couple more JV guys from last year also. And a couple of transfers. No big time transfers please. I think Northwest will be competetive against most teams. Being young there will be ups and downs I think. But the kids are not lacking in confidence in their abilities either, so if they keep that confidence, Get good senior leadership and play out of Dumas. I think they will suprise some teams that will overlook them because of their youth.
Ok, somebody else’s turn on another school.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Cm scott I love the ladies but Heights wins every year, thats not very exciting. Will anyone come within 20 points of them this year?
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Heights girls should win city with Bishop Carroll a close second. East High has a lot of talent returning including 6′2″ post Danielle Normore, but they lost a strong guard in Olivia Hagler who left for North High. The rest of the girls race is up for grabs. Southeast should be one of the top 4 teams in the city with Jamila Bonner as the top returning scorer.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Curious 1: Derby will struggle this year after losing 7-8 seniors, but look for sophmore Cameron Cornelius to have a breakout year. He’ll be one of the lone bright spots for that team. Cameron, Ja’ln Willams of East, and Evan Wessel of Heights all played together on a really good Wichita TWolves team this summer.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:12 am
99 problems, i agree. Take the top freshman and sophmores in the city, and yes they could contend.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:37 am
NWBB….Dumas may be able to jump but that is all he can do. He is a horrible shooter based on what I saw this summer. The team he played on was not very good.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I would also like to know if any of the men OR WOMEN (cmscott) that are being recruited by any colleges any info would be appreciated.
I will say this the wichita/suburbs year after year produces more D1 players than the more hyped up boys game. So I will give the ladies there respect. I might appreciate them more If I ever coached womens hoops or had a relative playing.
99 problems you are correct about the senior class not being strong this year in the city ( not that they wont be good) but there are no players other than maybe a Joe Mitchell that you say I have to go see that guy play. I am interested in the young guys and I beleive we will see them play this year.
Are there some seniors or Juniors that I am overlooking.
I like Kinnard at East, Adams at East, Flowers at East, Roberts at Heights he plays D like his life depends on it.
What are peoples thoughts on “Jesus Shuttlesworth” (lol!) at Heights Mr. Perry Ellis. I saw him for the first time a few weeks ago he looks like one hell of an athlete and im sure he will be one hell of a ball player but there looks to be alot of talented kids in the city and i dont think they plan on laying down for him. At any rate should make for some exciting basketball watching these guys go at it .
I think Gavin thurman will start at SE before the year is over once Taylor gets him to D up the way he expects him too.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Dumas (NW) wont be winning any three point shooting competitions any time soon. and NW BB some of those guys you named as returning players at NW are terrible. So Im going to have to agree the little Grizzlies will have to play early and often. But from what ive seen they will be better off playing them than the returning players.
Ill be interested to see what type of Coaching style Collins (NW) will have.
Any truth to the rumor that coach Valdez from Heights was demoted from JV to Freshman coach ( that would suck) by Coach Joe Auer
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am
BB!! says:, I did not see him play much this summer but I think he has improved alot in the last couple months. he has had a couple really good games against some good competition out at hoop mountain. Your right about his shot though, alot of his points should come on put backs, and he has been knocking down the 10 footer this fall. and I don’t necessarly mean he has to be a big time scorer to help Northwest alot this year. Just be a leader, rebound well and play defense. Can block shots pretty well also.
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October 15th, 2008 at 11:06 am
99 problems, you make some good points! I know alot of these kids so I just put the information I know out there and let someone else comment on who is terrible or not! lol
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October 15th, 2008 at 11:32 am
A team to wach this year not in the city league will be Sunrise. They are a very talented team. They have a 6-11 guy in teh middle, a great shooter named BJ Bonamy, a guard that can jump out the gym Tamiko Mckinney, and a new point guard that I am sure about. He has been making some wcked passes in the hoop mountain league. This is a fun team to watch and look forward to what the season has for them.
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October 15th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Sptsfan22.. in regards to the ladies… I think it is funny you say there is a lot of talent returning at East.. last year the only thing said about East, was that there was no talent. Normore moved to texas and the East Team will have new coach and probably a young sqaud, I don’t look for a high finish. I do agree after Heights and Carroll it could be anybody, a lot will depend on how well the coaches can get the girls to play together. Kapaun girls have been playing together a lot in the off season, so i’ll put them 3rd.. North is contending with Heights in the “transfer” category, so 4th for them.. then who knows..
This is school number 3 for Haglar, wonder where will she go next year…..
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October 15th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Sunrise will be good. However the big guy in the middle needs a LOT of work. He’s a legit 6′9″ maybe 6′10″, but has absolutely no footwork. He’s not quite as bad as the new transfer at Heights.
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October 15th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Does North High or West have any good players coming back? Or coming in for that matter? West looked like they had a couple athletes anyway in one game I saw them play at hoop mountain.
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October 16th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I met a kid from south DeJuan west and seems like a good kid and an athlete I seen him play and looks to have potential I like south’s team comin back this year they’re my pick to compete with east and southeast… authur gary a big man to cause trouble also
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October 16th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Shaquille Wright, Brison White of North are pretty decent ball players. Tyrell Hardwell at West as well. Ty White the new coach at South has a struggle on his hands but i think they will surprise some people. I wish that program success this year.
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October 16th, 2008 at 8:38 am
arthur gary is tough player always plays great vs se and east and in my opinion is the best big man plays tough d oh! and blocks shots like crazy south will start off slow but watch them dont leave them under your radar for to much longer
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October 16th, 2008 at 9:24 am
jplogan; I thought also that Gary was a little underated at South last year. Did alot of the dirty work and small things to help them last year. And he should get a chance to be the man this year. West is also a good player, but do they have anyone else with chance to be good or will it basically be these two kids?
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October 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
i Seen mr. Dwest play and he’s my player to break out this year and with Authur Gary in the post this is going to be a great duo… i see them both putting up 20 a piece a game both are extremely athletic so look for a fast offensive with dunks but what makes these players future college players is their defense thats how I see south getting wins and finally making it to the tournament..Wish they were in hoop mountain would like to see what other players they have
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:06 am
CL order
1 East 2,3,or 4 Southeast and South and Heights 5 Bishop Carrol 6 Northwest-kapaun-north 9 West
Senoirs to watch
Leon flowers Marcus Adams Demarcus Rodgers East
Dejuan West author Gary South
Joe Mitchel cecil shaw deontae hayden southeast
Dorian roberts (terry webb if elgible) austin bahner heights
Dont kno who’s at other schools
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:07 am
D West and Gary are nice players but the backcourt at South will be very young and inexperienced. They also lost one of their better big men who is now at West high. I see South as maybe a .500 team which isn’t bad considering they lost Russel and Nolan which translates to having to replace a 21pt scorer and a 15pt scorer. Nolan also created 2-3 steals with his defense. I don’t see Gary putting up 20 a game, every game with the amount of double teams he will see. If that backcourt can make teams respect them, Gary and West average 13-16ppg which still won’t be enough.
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I applaud you south high guys for blogging. There is nothing wrong with having that school spirit. That and the influx of all the talented freshmen and sophmores will make this a highly anticipated season.
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:13 am
curious 1, I would imagine that a number of the girls on the Heights ladies team (probably 5-7) are being looked at by D1 schools. In particular Bowen, Chisom, Chandler, Ivy, Pope & Sims. However they are only sophmores so the contact is limited. Kamisha Richard is at Heights now, she is a junior and I would be willing to bet she is being recruited also. Tiffany Bias of course. I hear Oklahoma State is the front runner for her services. Ashia Woods at Collegiate who is also a sophmore, Jamillah Bonner at SE who is a sophmore. I think Zinnball is right the Normore girl from East moved to Texas. Bishop Carroll has the “Abby’s” Henning and Fawcett who are also being looked at. And lets not forget Julia Marshall at BC. I know a lot of these girls on this level played together on teams this summer. So there is a lot of talent on the ladies side in the CL that have bright futures right now for college. I hope that was what you were looking for.
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Varsity1 if your talking bout the big man with great potential and athleticsism that had bad grades and a poor attitude who is probably going have to sit out a semester at west than i think south has even a better chance of being good this year. other than West and Gary who will put up points every night i see younger players stepping up such as Jaylen Bradley who was starting Varsity as a freshman at the end of the season 6′5 big man Tony Bucunan transfer TJ Thomas and another player who’s going to put 10+ a night Denarious _…will step up and open up the court for DWest and Gary
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October 16th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Maybe the coaches and administrators should take a little responsibility if a kid has ” great potential, athleticism, but bad grades and a poor attitude”. Work with him and see if there is a chance to turn him around. I’ve seen the kid play and he has some ability. He just needs some refinement. I bet Dagnault over at West will get him going in the right direction. Your loss, his gain. As far as the other players you named, i know them, but they are untested. Bradley saw some action and did a decent job. Buchanan’s not bad and Thomas gives you good defensive minutes, but these guys were the mainstays on JV last year (Thomas at Heights) and now you’re asking them to fill a huge void on varsity. Those guards are going to face Joe Mitchell/Cecil Shaw one night, Ja’ln Williams/Brandon Walker the next, Dorian Roberts..etc night in and night out. That’s a huge challenge for anyone.
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October 16th, 2008 at 11:47 am
cmscott, i think the only “problem” i see with the talent at Heights is if there are enough basketballs to go around. I can see some of those girls who are usually scorers being asked to share the ball. How do think that will sit with them. You add Richard, and she is another scorer. Most of Heights games were usually decided by the second quarter and then you’re faced with the pressure of giving the JV or younger girls playing time. It could be a nice problem to have, or your biggest headache.
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October 16th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
varsity1, i believe that some of those girls have played together on the same summer team over the last few years anyway (chisom,pope,chandler,ivy,richard and even sims at one point). So they should be pretty used to each other. In my opinion if word around the city is true, the main issue will be making sure the Sims kid stays on the right track. She has to remember it is a team sport and I hear she has some serious off the court issues. They probably will run through the city league but I don’t know if I would like that because will they be able to perform to the needed level once the competition rises in the state tournament? Or they could be too cocky and get knocked off early. What do you think?
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October 16th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
cmscott I mean no disrespect to the ladies in the area, and like i said the women are more likely around here to end up at D1 schools than the men. Thanks for the insight on the girls. Let me ask you this in 6a in the State of Kansas who will have the top teams besides Heights
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
cmscott, good point made. Competition will come from the blue valley or shawnee schools if they ever meet up. Then again, competition could come from within their own team and cause some problems. I’ve also heard some things about Sims off the court “activities”. I hope someone can direct her to the right path. She’s a talent on the court.
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I think Olathe South, Blue Valley North, and Lawrence. All have excellent teams. Hopefully Heights will succeed and bring the state championship back to the City League for Wichita. Only time will tell!
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
East is stacked this year. this is thier year if they eliminate mistakes early and can finaly get that ring this year.Southeast their getting to hyped up. they had a great squad last year this year team is going to be nothing like last year’s team and this year they’ll be lucky to break .500 carl taylor will get them wins but i dont see nobody really besides Mitchel and Shaw
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
i agree i checked out east at hoop mountain they can do some things this year and i agree southeast is not as good as last year or team as heights south and east those is the teams to watch
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
lol come on heights just lost 3 brothers that would all be starting and contributing i feel sorry for Dorian Roberts left alone to carry the team on his back.. untill i see Perry Ellis in a VARSITY game then i’ll add him to the problem… i dont wanna hear bout freshman who will probably be playing jv suiting Varsity they have to prove them selves and i dont think the senoir class is as bad as everybody makes it its 10+ guards in the city i think will all be going to college. its going to be a dramatic basketball season I can’t wait
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October 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I dont think the Senior class in Wichita is horrible i see the seniors in the same light as the freshmen being talked about. there are some good players who played JV exclusively or who rode the pine for various teams in the city. they havent proved themselves either. One of the reasons they talk about the freshmen class in the city is I cant remember the last time we had a freshmen who was ranked nationally #1 in his class (Perry Ellis class of 2012)
True enough he is a freshman but a very talented freshman and the other s have been discussed on this blog as well. We are all just making our opinions.
I dont know about 10 senior guards playing in college after this season who are you talking about there are alot of unproven players this year.
And to be honest the most hyped up player this year is Perry Ellis Freshman from Heights who else has been on Sports Illustrated, Been to Elite camps at KU and elsewhere around the country.
Joe Mitchell, Dorian Roberts, Marcus Adams, Anthony Kinnard, Cecil shaw and then who…….a bunch of unproven players including Freshman, sophomores and Juniors.
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October 16th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Southeast overated! You got to be kidding. And South finishing ahead of them in the CL. This is getting good! lol
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October 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
But it is great to hear from people at different schools.
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October 16th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
how tall is the new transfer at heights
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Sports illustrated(kids), elite camps at ku and around the country does not translate into city league success. I can see it now: If Ellis has a half-decent year, it’s see i told you he’s the greatest. If he struggles, it’s ohhh he’s only a freshman. By the way, for $75 bucks, anyone could have attended the KU “Elite” camp. The kid is talented and can play, but let’s let him play and earn what he gets. And yes this senior class is weak with the exception of maybe 3 or 4 players.
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October 16th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
99problems, most of these “unproven” underclassmen proved themselves on the summer tournament circuit. That’s why you see a calmness when these guys play against upperclassmen. I saw about 5 East High varsity practices last year with coach Eck, Ryan Martin, and a couple of other spectators and one thing that stood out to me was the Williams kid not only held his own against Hardeway and Poland, but at times looked better, but i think he only saw scrap minutes as a freshman. So what does that say about the coaching? Or the team? Or is it just not his turn. Don’t think that just because you haven’t seen these kids play, that they can’t play. Heck, Joe Mitchell could have started as a sophmore but he didn’t. Brandon Walker could have started for Heights last year but he didn’t.
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October 16th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
easthighgrad and aceborn, of course southeast won’t be like last year’s team. The whole starting 5 has graduated as well as the majority of the bench. but coach taylor has a system where his JV players are prepared to step in the next year and contribute. The same can be said for every other powerhouse program in any state and in any sport. seniors graduate, you can’t help that. but if you invest time in your lower teams, that will make you a program to be reckoned with and taylor has gotten that down to near perfection.
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October 17th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Playerhater4life, i’ve got to go with varsity1 on this call. The bottom line is this: Yes , Ellis does have to prove himself in the city league just as every up and coming talent has had to. What you’re suggesting is that Ellis is already beyond this level and can skate through it. If that’s the case, let him just go to class the next 3 1/2 years and not play for Heights, or in the city league. You think those “10 major offers” would still be on the table? You guys (and you know exactly who you are) get so emotional and sensitive if someone makes a comment or states an opinion that’s not riding on Ellis’s coattails. If you want to call that hate, then 3/4ths of the people who blog are haters. I would venture to say that the problem stems from the ridiculous atmosphere that’s been created by Ellis’s super sidekick/aau coach. Roaming the halls at Heights, bringing the kid lunch 2-3 times a week, hanging out in coach Auers office, not letting anyone HE doesn’t know within 10 feet of the kid, and these are not rumors or hearsay. This is coming from the Heights students and ball-players themselves. You say let the kids play. I say let the kids LIVE.
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October 17th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Good morning! What! There is nothing good about it. I got to put on my hater suit and serve the HATER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! I am the greatest of all PLAYERHATER4LIFE.
Newsflash, the Ellis Kid made all A’s the first nine weeks. Student/Athlete “suit-up” Thats not possible he only has freshman classes and basket weaving! He not proven as a student, He only goes to public school.
Today is a special day! What! It is cloudy. Sir! it is the first day of College basketball practice. I hear the Ellis kid is going to K.U tonight. “suit up” Hm Coach Self is an idiot bringing that kid that is unproven to PHOG ALLEN and sitting him behind the bench again with the top players in the country. What is Self doing this kid is unproven in the city. Sir! I also heard that Memphis, and Florida wants him to visit soon. “suit up” John and Billy have to be crazy, this kid may not score and has not proven nothing to me! He is soft and plays on weak teams that don’t play no comp. I am the GREATEST HATER!
Mr Playerhater4life! What if a coach should call someone in that Ellis circle about a kid you know? What should they do? Talk nice and build the kid? Not say anything? Hm be a BIGGER HATER?
STAY TUNE!
PLAYERHATER4LIFE
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October 17th, 2008 at 9:12 am
I as well have to go with Varsity1 on this subject. He also makes sense on alot of the things he says. I gotta admit it took longer than I expected before people started talking stupid crap. I thought everyone was being pretty good about sharing information or giving their point of views. Lets face it alot of people know quite abit about what kids can do on basketball court anymore. It isn’t like it use to be where about the only time anyone ever saw kids play was at a few high school games.
Someone said Southeast lost all of its starters from last year? I thought Mitchell and Shaw were starters last year, is that not correct? And I also thought Randle played quite abit.
PLAYERHATER4LIFE, like i said I’m just on here because I find some information people have to say to be interesting. Not on here to make any kids look bad, just to talk sports. Apparently you are the man with all the knowledge so I need to be asking you the questions. 1) A kid already has 10 offers from BCS schools? I didn’t relize they could even make offers (that actually hold up as a scholarship offer) to freshman, or sophmore athletes for that matter. 2) Can these schools can also have freshman in for visits? Guess I did not know that either. 3) How do you get access to kids report cards? Is there a website or something you go too?
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October 17th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Also I have a question for anyone to answer.
Which do you think helps a kids get a scholarship more, playing on AAU / Summer Team, or playing on his / her high school team?
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October 17th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I imagine the AAU/Summer teams get more exposure since the college coaches are coaching their own teams during school season.
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October 17th, 2008 at 9:37 am
NWBB, I would say AAU/Summer. My kid plays AAU/Summer Ball and is also being recruited. I can say that of all the letters and recruitment info we have seen they reference to seeing play on the AAU/Summer circuit. You have to inform the tournaments of your kids High School and that is how they get that information. When your kid is too young for colleges to contact(before Junior year), they use your High School coach to get information to you. My kid does basketball and track and it has been the same in both instances. Area colleges may know you from High School, but you are known country wide from summer play. Once you get your name out there in summer play that brings attention to your High School to Colleges outside of your area. That is my opinion anyway!
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October 17th, 2008 at 10:16 am
10+ senoirs who could play at the college level go by schools
Southeast
Joe Mitchell
Cecil Shaw
Deontae hayden
Kayelon Gary
Nathan
Heights
Dorian roberts (football recruit too
Terry Webb (could walk on if grades aren’t up)
Austin bahner (track)
East
Leon flowers
Marcus adam
Demarcus Rogers
marcelous
Anthony
South
Arthur gary
DeJuan West
Kobiemarshal (transfer from N.C.)
West
Hardwell
So how is this year;s senoirs not good they just had to play behind a talented ‘08 class and ‘09 could be just as good
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October 17th, 2008 at 10:31 am
all i have to say is the CL has great great talent and players this year. East is stacked.Southeast has quite a few starters to replace and heights has an outstanding freshman and a well rounded senior guard. i look at south to pull some upsets this year returning seniors authur Gary and Dejuan West.also adding heights transfer T.J Thomas and a south carolina transfer (Kobie Marshall”slim”) that attended south his sophomore year who has a pretty solid game and i a good student who i had a chance to teach.i love this year and being a teacher south i will be looking for my boys to shock the CL.
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October 17th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Good morning NWBB! Hold up let me put my Hater Cape on. It not a good day! Let me see if I can find the answer to your questions! I went to the “word on the street dictionary” Can college offer an 8th grader a scholarship? Yes!
The kid gave a verbal to Kentucky last year. “It is not binding and the kid can get out of it if he chooses before he signs as a senior. The college can also back out.
Can you visit a college? If you want you can have an unofficial visit if you are interested in the school and the school interested in the kid.
The report card issue? That would be like saying a Coach eats with a kid and patrols halls everyday.LOL I went to my street resource guide and a snitch told another snitch about the grades. Please Don’t tell knowbody, You know I am the GREATEST! PLAYERHATER4LIFE
You know I wish you the best!
Syke! LOL
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October 17th, 2008 at 11:06 am
playerhater4life, it’s obvious that you don’t have any interest in city league basketball. You say support all the kids yet it seems that you only have interest in 1. What you guys are doing with Ellis is this: You guys have created a ceiling, a plateau if you will. Once you step off that ceiling/plateau which direction do you go? I love the kid, the fact that he excells in the classroom, the recognition he’s bringing to the area and the anticipation he’s bringing to the city league (if he doesn’t skip straight to KU or Florida or Memphis or the Lakers). The way this situation is being “handled”, Myron Piggie comes to mind. Do your homework if you don’t know who he is. The last comment i will make on this subject is this ( and it’s a little bit off this particular subject), but in all honesty, from the hoop mountain games i’ve seen, June Johnson (Northwest) has outplayed Ellis as far as freshman in that league, with Craig Nicholson (Northwest) not far behind. I challenge anyone who’s been to those games to dispute that!
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October 17th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Playerhater4life. What an ironic name. Seems to me the only hating going on is against the other 150 plus kids who will be on city league rosters this season.
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October 17th, 2008 at 11:22 am
This is for 09 grad, sportsfn22 and varsity1 since you are the same person. Not sure why you reply to yourself seems kind of strange to me but I guess it makes you feel better to agree with yourself.
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October 17th, 2008 at 11:23 am
OH, OH Sounds like the same person? Maybe not? Knowbody will or has said anything negative about a kid. My street resource guide told me that June played on Perrys Summer team and they are great friends. I want every kid in the city to do well, by the way My friend has coached most of the kids you are talking about.
Do you know Myron Piggee? There you go talking about a person you have no knowlege about! June and Craig should do well and me personally I would want them to do well along with every kid in the city. How many kids have you helped? I hope a lot? You know why? the more the better. You are doing God work with kids, don’t make it personal because it is not. Just keep working hard and I’m sure everyone will have fun and enjoy the success of all!
Please remember who is the GREATEST OF ALL! PLAYERHATER4LIFE!
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October 17th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
NWBB, the starters in the state championship game were all seniors (gantt, cyphers, barnes, tomlin, salome)
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October 17th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Thank you CLFan for that information. Shows how much I must be paying attention at games. Because I would’ve sworn Mitchell was a starter. Seemed like he was always in the game whenever I was watching SE.
And Sdp0909; thank you for your opinon. Sounds like you are very informative on the subject.
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October 17th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
That is a good line-up. I got to be mistaking 4 of those starting 5 came from what summer program? Hold -up CLFAN I got to put my CAPE on. Cyphers went to Nike Camp in 06! On who’s recommendation and his ability to play. Adonis went to Texas AM Elite Camp along with Leon Flowers. Who took all of these kids to these Camps? I forgot the guy who only works wth one kid. I forgot who paid for this? Gas, Hotel, Time, Food. If we need to count with me starting, that is more than 1.
By the way I forgot another kid who’s a 9th grader name Wesley has received an offer from Iowa State. “congrats” What team does he play on?
Well on that note: I’m out
Peace, Love and Happiness to All
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October 17th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Got some sensitive folks on here I thought this was just for opinions. Some of yall need to go put some boxing gloves on and meet somewhere. sounds like the bloods and crips on here.
Let me say this
to hell with basketball in 8 years I want all of these kids we are talking about to be college graduates and productive members of society, at some point the ball stops bouncing for everyone. You either get jobs or you become one of the many arguing grown folks arguing at Evergreen mens league lol!.
So lets all take a deep breath and get ready to watch some good basketball this year.
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October 17th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Point taken.
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October 18th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Leon Flowers is nice hands down best player in the CL. Cecil Shaw is nice to tho along with Marcus Adams… Which seniors do u think will go D1?
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October 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
i dont think south get as much credit as they should. going from 7-15 to 15-7 in a year that was a great leap. being a south high player i see south goin far and upsetting a lot of the top CL teams.but talk is cheap we will let the court handle it. south has a ton of great players who can contribute to the team in some kind of way.
South high potential players:
Arthur Gary SR - great post player, dunker, big time shot blocker
D-West SR - hustler, rebounder, dunker, defense
Kobie Marshall SR - shooter, dunker good defense
Stephen McGill SR - mid-range, hustler, play maker lock up defense
D-Randle SR - rebounder, decent inside prescence
Danarius Powell JR - shooter, play maker, dunker
TJ Thomas JR - ball handler, great play maker defense
Tony Bucannon JR - good post player, dunker inside defense
Khalid Smith JR - shooter, physcial player
Jay Bradley SO - ball handler, great play maker, nice shot
Adrian SO - nice shot, play maker, good defense
yea south is also stacked with talent tip off is in december!!!!!
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November 14th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
all i can say is look out for kapaun this year dyllon knox and bryce laveist in the back court!! we will see who take city league. Joe Mitchells good to thats my boy!
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