Dick Vitale

[quote name="dogs1218" post="1368646" timestamp="1359668885"] Man, you like to instigate huh? ;) [/quote] Yeah....I do! ;D ;D

Do you suggest that Yates play NEDERLAND and win by 60?  ::) ::)...You walked right into that one, man! 8)

Could be blowout city, babbbyyy!  8)....be very careful what you guys are wishing for in SE Texas....Although not the same as the Yates teams in years past, they are still REALLY good....HOWEVER, those little rascals from Kountze are usually FEARLESS!! Could be a real good game, too on second thought! ;)

OK..where was I? As far as recruiting for the next 1-3 years, we will usually have a "hot" list of kids that are underclassmen to watch, but as you know we cannot contact them until the completion of their junior season, but we can send mail, and info on our program to them via their HS coach.  We watch those kids in summer ball and in season, and we determine if he is a fit for our program, then we start the pursuit...IF they are academically qualified, of course..The BEST time to evaluate potential HS kids is the summer entering their senior season...Thats usually when they face the most competition, AND they are playing SO many games. During the HS season, you are usually able to see more TEAM qualities in a kid, and can gauge if they are TRUE winners, or front runners...Honestly, we won't recruit a kid from a losing program, UNLESS, he is WILLING his team to some wins in the process..Losing is a habit, just as winning...We want winners...Hope that helped!  8)

ttt...will finish answering Bluedove's question in a few...Have to do my morning ritual...coffee, oatmeal, emails, etc... :D

First and foremost when we look to fill spots for the coming year with a high school kid (which is rare), we find out FIRST if he is a QUALIFIER academically...Thats core credit hours, GPA, and SAT/ACT score...We generally look at Junior College and/D1 transfers here, but if we are on a high school kid, he is strictly for the future, OR he is a kid that could possibly play at the D1 level....Skill/Talent Level, Upside, Size and Basketball IQ are big factors in what we look at when we evaluate high school kids, in addition to his attitude, or his ability to be coached.  Gotta go break down film right now, but I will finish this later.... ;)

[quote name="Mr. Buddy Garrity" post="1368050" timestamp="1359517328"] We in the playoffs! [/quote] Now, to the old heads from Port Arthur, THAT statement has GOT to be strange!! Playoffs? That used to be AUTOMATIC on the West Side of PA!!  :o....It used to be "who are we facing in Austin!" in Port Arthur! Still...Good win Memorial, way to go! ;)

AAW, so are you saying that he won last year with Roc's team?  ::) ::) ::).... ;)

That means more costs....won't happen. Not now anyway...

[quote name="BLUEDOVE3" post="1367242" timestamp="1359241626"] Winslow and Jackson will go high D-1 because  of their size, skill level, scoring ability, and other intangibles.  They will work on toughness later when they get to college. It is what it is. They won't pass up on these kids. Just because Dickie said he played soft is not a negative comment. I bet Dickie hears that a lot  among his cohorts about players. [/quote] COMMON SENSE finally rears its head on the board!! THANK YOU DOVE!!! Geez! :o [quote author=dogs1218 link=topic=108668.msg1367229#msg1367229 date=1359234688] Well I have good idea then.. How about you let the other schools go recruit him since he doesn't fit "toughness" expectations.. ::) What a joke.. This kid is a flay out ball player. Contributes in every category. Dont judge him from a game where he plays against Justin Jackson.. In case you forgot, but I doubt with your vast knowledge you didn't, they play together during the summer.. They aren't going hard at each other because they dont have to for the high school season [/quote] You are not a very smart guy apparently, or you don't read very well, because I KNOW I said those guys were really good...Read the thread further back "smart guy" and you will SEE where I said there were playing whats called "brother in law" ball against each other...READ! My goodness, some of you folks will NEVER get it!  :o

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1367222" timestamp="1359233386"] DV, I spoke with Williams and Brown, not the first time these two have come to watch these two players. In fact, UNC coach Roy Williams flew down to Nederland on Thursday, first day of Nederland tourney, flew back to North Carolina that night, then flew back to Nederland with his assistant the next day. Jackson's parents told me that Williams has been recruiting Justin for quite some time now. Also, both coaches were there to see Isiah Taylor of The Village. [/quote] And I believe they have, and for good reason! THEY CAN PLAY! Coaches hear about kids and we follow them...No surprises there...

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1367214" timestamp="1359232096"] If the likes of Roy Williams and Larry Brown want these guys on their teams, then I'll take their opinions over anyone on this messageboard.  ;) Don't think these coaches recruit "softies". ::) [/quote] Come on man, don't get "star struck" on me...They heard about these kids and it's their JOB to check them out...They will come to the Houston area ANYWAY because of the talent pool alone...and if these kids are being ranked high in the Houston area, coaches are coming...Its to be expected. [quote author=AggiesAreWe link=topic=108668.msg1367217#msg1367217 date=1359232347] [quote author=Dick Vitale link=topic=108668.msg1367174#msg1367174 date=1359222324] He is playing at St. John's...SPC league... ::) ::)..[b].He is talented, but SUPER SOFT[/b], and though he would be an above average talent in 4A/5A, he would not stand out as spectacular as he is now.  I saw him in November and was not impressed. He COULD have taken over the game against MUCH less talent, but just floated along and blended in..He was not that good then.  HCYA's Justin Jackson, is a really talented player with great upside as well, but once again, that home-school league is not helping his game either. Summer ball will hopefully save them both. Yes Bluedove, AAU is STILL the devil, but it is a necessary evil for some!  8) [/quote] DV, what I put in bold in your post is what may have some up in arms. You cannot make that kind of claim just on one game. [/quote] Maybe I should not say SUPER soft, but he played "brother in law" ball versus Justin Jackson...This came from another college coach watching the game and I seconded that..LOVED his talent, and so did I, just felt he took plays off in that game and did not really defend hard. Thats all..THE KID CAN REALLY PLAY, and is just a junior...Huge upside.

By the way, I think Justin Jackson is also a BIG TIME talent....Thats a no brainer. My thought on HIM was that I think that HE is an example of how AAU can actually HELP a player in his game and recruitment, because of the competetion he plays usually in that home school league is not so good. USUALLY.

And to answer your question, NO I HAVE NOT....If a kid can play, he can make it REGARDLESS of what ANYONE thinks of him.  Its an opinion. Some are more credible than others, but they are all opinions...Sam Bowie was picked ahead of Micheal Jordan in the 84 NBA Draft...Darko Millicick (sp) was picked ahead of Carmelo Anthony in 2003. It DOES happen from time to time. The difference here is that I am NOT saying the kid will not make it. I said HE PLAYED SOFT AS BABY POO WHEN I SAW HIM AT SECOND BAPTIST VERSUS HCYA...Thats what I said, and thats what I meant...YES he is very talented, and it could have been a number of reasons for him playing soft, but the bottom line is he did.  If I were recruiting him, I would go watch him again, because he is talented. AND to see if he is really as soft as he played that day in November.

[quote name="Honest Abe" post="1367205" timestamp="1359231060"] [quote author=Dick Vitale link=topic=108668.msg1367201#msg1367201 date=1359230632] I love how you guys bring up HIGHLIGHT REELS to prove your point... ::) ::)..I evaluate and watch FULL GAMES...You know what...Nevermind, its above some of you guys understanding as fans...my bad. [/quote]So you are telling us that in your experience as a recruiter, you have never evaluated a kid who exceeded your expectations? ??? You have never observed a kid who you thought was 'not all that', yet went on to be a stud somewhere? Happens all the time. Come on DV, stop talking like you are the ONLY person who knows talent when you see it! ::) [/quote] Again..I NEVER said the kid was a BUST! I said he PLAYED SOFT when I saw him, and I KNOW that from watching him play in THAT game.  Some of you guys have HORRIBLE understanding. Once again...I understand...Its ok...MY WORD! :(

I love how you guys bring up HIGHLIGHT REELS to prove your point... ::) ::)..I evaluate and watch FULL GAMES...You know what...Nevermind, its above some of you guys understanding as fans...my bad.

[quote name="fisherman2" post="1367197" timestamp="1359230096"] [quote author=Honest Abe link=topic=108668.msg1367195#msg1367195 date=1359229505] [quote author=jb link=topic=108668.msg1367193#msg1367193 date=1359227693] Here are some condensed highlights from the game. [Hidden Content] Not sure about soft..He has definitely played up with his summer and international play..Honestly, he impressed me more than the Harrison twins. [/quote]So he IS the kid who was the MVP of  the tourney the US Jr Natl team, yet some think he is too 'soft'? ::) Funny, bc when I talk to his AAU coach, he tells me that Winslow is legit. Hmmm?? Who to believe?? ::) [/quote] It's just Dicky V saying he's soft. The kid is phenomenal future NBA star mark my words. [/quote] Are these the same guys that said that Westbury Christian's Ndudi Ebi was a future NBA star, and I said BACK THEN, that his toughness was the only thing that would keep him out of the league? He was 6'10" and SKILLED! Not tough, and could not guard on the perimeter...How is that working out for him now...Justice Winslow IS TALENTED...WHEN I SAW HIM he was not playing with ANY toughness...Deja vu? Perhaps...Good news is he is only a junior...Time is on his side.

[quote name="Honest Abe" post="1367195" timestamp="1359229505"] [quote author=jb link=topic=108668.msg1367193#msg1367193 date=1359227693] Here are some condensed highlights from the game. [Hidden Content] Not sure about soft..He has definitely played up with his summer and international play..Honestly, he impressed me more than the Harrison twins. [/quote]So he IS the kid who was the MVP of  the tourney the US Jr Natl team, yet some think he is too 'soft'? ::) Funny, bc when I talk to his AAU coach, he tells me that Winslow is legit. Hmmm?? Who to believe?? ::) [/quote] Lets see AAU coach.....College coach who evaluates and recruits for a LIVING....I'm not sure... ::) ::)..Are you kidding me? :o [quote author=jb link=topic=108668.msg1367193#msg1367193 date=1359227693] Here are some condensed highlights from the game. [Hidden Content] Not sure about soft..He has definitely played up with his summer and international play..Honestly, he impressed me more than the Harrison twins. [/quote] Thats when I have tuned everything else your post said out...Better than the Harrison twins? WOW...Ok.. ::) ::)...I said when I SAW HIM IN NOVEMBER he was playing SOFT against HCYA...Have not seen him since, so it MAY have been a game thing..Don't know, but when I saw him, I was amongst coaches from Baylor, and Alabama...Thats what we were discussing...But go ahead and listen to the AAU coaches talk him up... ::) ::)...holy moly... ::)

Didn't say he wouldn't be recruited...The boys can BOTH really play...I think that summer ball will give them their BEST look of competition...Winslow is SOFT, though...However, he is only a junior, which leaves room for his ceiling to become greater...BUT...right now? sofT...yes capital T!  ;D 8)

He is playing at St. John's...SPC league... ::) ::)...He is talented, but SUPER SOFT, and though he would be an above average talent in 4A/5A, he would not stand out as spectacular as he is now.  I saw him in November and was not impressed. He COULD have taken over the game against MUCH less talent, but just floated along and blended in..He was not that good then.  HCYA's Justin Jackson, is a really talented player with great upside as well, but once again, that home-school league is not helping his game either. Summer ball will hopefully save them both. Yes Bluedove, AAU is STILL the devil, but it is a necessary evil for some!  8)

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1366703" timestamp="1359134424"] [quote author=BLUEDOVE3 link=topic=108608.msg1366701#msg1366701 date=1359134266] Saw this prediction on  another forum: 5a -Desoto vs Ft.Bend Travis 4a- Austin LBJ vs ??????? 3a -[b]Yates vs Dallas Madison[/b] Seems like the 5-A and 3-A divisions have at least  6 possible lock-ins to Austin. Obviously 4-A will have their surprises this year. [/quote] Yates and Madison are very solid picks. IMO, two best 3A teams I have personally seen play this year. But that doesn't mean they cannot be beaten in playoffs. ;) [/quote] Honestly....From what I have seen, Silsbee will have the BEST shot to beat Yates in the region, because they are tough, and they play fast, they defend, and they finish...I still think Yates is the favorite, but Silsbee has the best chance at beating them.

[quote name="team first" post="1366588" timestamp="1359085240"] cant believe dicke compared port arthur to the (run down area )  heights. Shows you why kids prefer ned, over pa [/quote] Apparently you have no clue what The Heights USED to look like...Please note: I AM FROM HOUSTON... ;)

How many shots do I get at it? ;D....I would say FB Marshall..talented, with an excellent coach in Gary Nichols (former Willowridge and North Shore coach)...write that one down too, and don't forget it once tourney time rolls around either!!  8)

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="1366523" timestamp="1359066550"] These are the Region III teams currently in the top 25 of the 4A TABC state polls: #1 Fort Bend Marshall #9 Houston Wheatley #10 Beaumont Central #16 Brazosport #17 Georgetown #24 Friendswood #25 Nederland By just taking those teams in consideration, I think Central has a good shot of repping Region III in Austin. [/quote] Central Medical Magnet High School in Beaumont WILL NOT REP REGION 3 IN AUSTIN...Not THIS year..way too young, and for one other reason I will not say... ::)...Write that one down....Hardin Jefferson has a better shot at beating Yates in the playoffs, than that happening! (OK maybe thats a stretch, but you get my point!  ;D ;D)

[quote name="LAZEEK" post="1366477" timestamp="1359060138"] Yep you are correct!!! ::) [/quote] I usually am, anyway... ;) ;D ;D