Athens basketball 2014/2015

[The Gloaming]

Athens had enough talent to make a run this past year and would have been primed again to do it this coming season.
I'm surprised Watson would leave a talented roster behind but i'm not that surprised, here's my thought....

...before Joe Butcher took over at Federal Hocking in the early 2000's, the lancers had some quality teams that didn't win a lot games. I think the 2001 group started 6'7,6'4.6'3,6',5'11 with a raw 6'11 kid on the bench that never saw a minute, beat the Eastern squad that went to state, a nice team that won under 10 games. The 2002 team won 5 games and lost a handful of close games, with a 6'11 kid on the bench that never saw a minute.

They made a coaching change.

In 2003, Butcher took the 5-16 team and made them a 14 or 15 win team, the 6'11 kid played and averaged 10pts/10rbs/ and 3 blocked shots a game. The Lancers won 15+ games like 4 out of 5 years.

Coaching matters.

[bman]

If you believe the rumors, Watson is going to Pickerington Central, which has a vastly superior roster to that of Athens, even with everyone on board.

[4thgoal]

Athens had enough talent to make a run this past year and would have been primed again to do it this coming season.
I'm surprised Watson would leave a talented roster behind but i'm not that surprised, here's my thought....

...before Joe Butcher took over at Federal Hocking in the early 2000's, the lancers had some quality teams that didn't win a lot games. I think the 2001 group started 6'7,6'4.6'3,6',5'11 with a raw 6'11 kid on the bench that never saw a minute, beat the Eastern squad that went to state, a nice team that won under 10 games. The 2002 team won 5 games and lost a handful of close games, with a 6'11 kid on the bench that never saw a minute.

They made a coaching change.

In 2003, Butcher took the 5-16 team and made them a 14 or 15 win team, the 6'11 kid played and averaged 10pts/10rbs/ and 3 blocked shots a game. The Lancers won 15+ games like 4 out of 5 years.

Coaching matters.

Coaching matters, but who in their right mind would leave a 6'11 kid on the bench for 2 straight years without seeing a minute?!? I have no high school coaching experience, but I have seen enough high school basketball in this area to know that a 6'11 kid who really isn't an excellent talent could be so disruptive and attract attention that he SHOULD be playing at least some. Heck, by wingspan alone he should get a couple rebounds and blocks just by accident...

[TigerBacker#1]

I can assure you I have seen a 6' 8 kid with nice size that I would not play against Good 7th graders. Size matters. Skill decides who plays.

[athens78]

Good point "Coaching Matters" it showed in the sectional championship last year.

[morgeen]

Good point "Coaching Matters" it showed in the sectional championship last year.

In watching both boys and girls games on Nelsonville Cable last year I would like to see Athens have the girls Coach Horsely take a crack at coaching these athletes. That guy can really coach. i think he could have gotten that group last year to the Schott. My Athens friends kept saying that this is a once in a generation group of atheletes. Youve got to think there is a reason that they have had kids now transfer out two years in a row when they have been so loaded with talent.

[bman]

Good point "Coaching Matters" it showed in the sectional championship last year.

In watching both boys and girls games on Nelsonville Cable last year I would like to see Athens have the girls Coach Horsely take a crack at coaching these athletes. That guy can really coach. i think he could have gotten that group last year to the Schott. My Athens friends kept saying that this is a once in a generation group of atheletes. Youve got to think there is a reason that they have had kids now transfer out two years in a row when they have been so loaded with talent.

Watterson was pretty good.

[93Bulldog]

I'm pretty sure the two players transferred for personal reasons, wanting to benefit themselves and their future. Thinking that playing in central Ohio and for a bigger program would bring them greater exposure - and ultimately more attention from potential college coaches.

I don't think it had anything to do with coaching at Athens what so ever. I've heard 'level of competition' as being a factor - but never any negative comments toward the coaching staff.

[RadioLady]

Whatever happened to kids being loyal to their school and MOST OF ALL their buddies? Sounds like the CUT AND RUN philosophy has trickled down into the hallways. :122246

[WarriorBlue]

Whatever happened to kids being loyal to their school and MOST OF ALL their buddies? Sounds like the CUT AND RUN philosophy has trickled down into the hallways. :122246

AMEN!!!

[AxGrinder]

Saw on Facebook that the Bulldogs were 3-0 in Chesapeake Shootout and won at The Hoosier Gym today. Sorry Athens 78 to disappoint you! Looks like the team is doing fine and I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with the coaching.

By the way 78 why don't you just drop the Athens part. If you can't be supportive of Athens teams, players and coaches you shouldn't be carrying "Athens" in your name. IMO!!!

[SouthGallia#1 in bball]

The Bulldogs won't be bad, but are far from the slam dunk to win the district that they were with their two studs.

[athens78]

worrying more about officials in close games and taking home two or three time outs when you have a chance to set up a nice set doesn't win close games (which effect seeding in tournaments exp. Logan Elm, Warren) or many sectionals, districts or Regionals just ask or watch coach Maddox. Athens has enough talent to win the TVC. Still Solid players in place. The difference between Warren and a Logan Elm is the calm cool manor in which way Maddox and Stiverson handle situations and their team. As far as loyalty there is no such thing anymore or could it be kids wanting out of a situation which involves tempers, foul language and no discipline. Someone mentioned Coach Horsely above. I'd be willing to bet he'd have had this team in the State Tournament at least once by now.

[93Bulldog]

It's all in the eye of the beholder ...

You can look at it another way too athens78

In 2012 Athens lost its PG (Devon Sharp) after the grading period, had to piece together a lineup that included freshmen Joe Burrow, but still ended up upsetting Logan Elm in Logan and making the district tournament.
In 2013 Athens basically strolled out 3 sophomores and 2 freshmen (along with sr. Elmore) and won a district title - and lost in the regionals in OVERTIME to Warren (who made the final four).
In 2014 everything just didn't go as planned from the get-go. Half the team was playing football in late November, they had a few practices and had to step onto the floor with a "basketball savvy" Logan Elm team and still barely lost. That game truly marked the most important date on the Bulldogs calendar last season. That 2-point loss changed everything, had they won and Athens was the No. 1 or No. 2 seed - I think they have a much better chance of beating Warren at the Convo instead of in Jim Myers.

- But - who was gong to beat Watterson anyways last year? Nobody from around here that's for sure.

It would have been nice to beat Warren in Logan, but theoretically, it would have only given Athens one or two more games to play.

[Raider6309]

Ibi's dad got a job in Lima and his mom works at the college. Pickerington is halfway between the two. Sad SEO wont get to see Watson and Stewart play. Athens is still loaded.
Prediction: Lutz has a break out year and becomes one of the best players in seo

[Crab's Brother]

If Burrow plans to leave high school after football season, then why is he taking the chance of playing summer basketball? Joey played at Chesapeake Saturday and that doesn't make a lot of sense for a kid that won't be playing in the winter.

[moonshine]

If Burrow plans to leave high school after football season, then why is he taking the chance of playing summer basketball? Joey played at Chesapeake Saturday and that doesn't make a lot of sense for a kid that won't be playing in the winter.

Maybe we better copy Coach Meyer on this! As a Booster and friend of the program Burrow needs to concentrate on FOOTBALL ONLY!

[Spartan]

Booster and Friend of the program? Funny.

[86LancerLover]

People need to let the kid be a kid and go out and have fun. Even though my boys French and Hall owned him like he was a farm animal, I do enjoy watching him play.

[moonshine]

Booster and Friend of the program? Funny.

Let me clarify this OSU alum