SEOAL 2013-2014

[Fighting_Scots1]

I just think that, like in almost anything these days, there are a few bad eggs that give the whole bunch a bad name. And when someone generalizes something that is not accurate in terms of why we do what we do in a forum like this, it does upset people that work very hard to give young people exceptional opportunities (especially for this area). So, we want to get the point across that we know how the process works, and we do our best to help the youth in our program, if that makes sense. We have around 5 (maybe more with focused work habits) sophomores and juniors that will be recruited at different levels ... And we are excited about the things that our program is doing. Examples would include a national AAU schedule, six age groups, kids being recruited at every level collegiately, girls teams in the mix, other programs merging with ours, and other expansion and facility talks as well. So, all I want to do is to help educate that not all AAU programs are bad - ours certainly is not! That's the only thing that I want people to understand. There are very few people like me who dedicate so much time, money, and effort when they have no child playing ... In fact, most programs are coached by parents of the players - not that it's bad, but I don't think it is ideal.

Sorry SEOAL for bringing non-league discussion to your portion of the forum - I've got a lot of passion for what I do and I want to show others that what we are doing with Ohio Valley Hidden Gems is a deviation from the norm ... It is special for this area!

[jottings]

Mattash...Tom Metters, former Athens Messenger sports writer and editor, 73, retired, was on SEOPS for several years. He called me last week and wanted to get back on. I told him I'd check with you, and give you his home phone number and see if you could call him and try to get him back on. Appreciate it. Thanks, Hobe.

Here's Tom's address and phone number:
Tom Metters,
71 Sunnyside Drive,
Athens, Ohio, 45701
Phone--1-740-593-3646

[doubleplay643]

Jackson looks to be still a couple years away from competing in the league, but good luck to the Ironmen squad this year.

[pfloyd]

... this years preseason pics in the SEOAL starts the way it ended the 2012-13 campaign with Coach Maddox's Warren Warriors on top from there ...

Preseason picks:

1. Warren Local
2. Portsmouth
3. Logan
4. Gallia Academy
5. Jackson

... the question is whether the odds on favorite Warren Warriors will be the team at the top when the 2013-14 regular season ends? my old Ouija Board says "why are you even ASKING that question pfloyd!!?? ... ok the odds are STILL on the Warriors to be sitting atop the SEOAL at the end of February as well - the Big 3 of French/Hall/Patton with plenty of support from the youngsters - Kidder/Henthorn/Mazurkiewicz (from this day forward known as "Maz" - takes me 5 mins to find all of those letters on the keyboard!) ... we know Evan French/MIchael Hall/Reece Patton AREN'T going to get worse ONLY adding to D1 skills they already possess and the youngsters will all learn to fill their roles to help TEAM while applying the sound defensive skills they already bring to the table BUT I look for trojandave's Portsmouth boys to bring it right from the get go - Kyre Allison , is a bigger Zac Carter imo, - we will see his further development into a standout offensive/defensive player this season, add to the mix returning soph Sky Oliver to anchor the perimeter with Allison ... let's throw in the Logan Purple into the mix as well ... Coach Helber's squad will have something Logan has lacked for many years - size in the paint ... anchored in the paint by 6-8 Kevin Fisher - a true athletic big man who can score inside above the rim, he is able to put the ball on the floor to get to the rim AND can hit the perimeter jumper ... the Fisher will be the focal point for opposing teams which will open up the lane, the perimeter for sharpshooter Chance Cox (hit the winning trey in OT vs Athens at Logan last season) ... Evan Delong (6-4), Gabe Smith (6-4), Freshman Cory Henthorne (6-5 built like a rock with real size/width) ... Lane Little/Kost on the perimeter with Cox will handle the rock ... Logan will be a difficult "W" all season for opponents but particularly at home ... both Portsmouth and Logan will have a shot at splitting with the Warriors this season imo ...

Warren WILL have grown leaps an bounds as the season plays out - hard pressed to find a tougher schedule in SEO as the Warriors have their eyes focused on another run into the post season ... I'm not going to bet my new/old house against Coach Maddox & the Big 3 but I do see some quality games for WHS from both Portsmouth & Logan (at least on their home courts) ... we will see - which IS the fun part of high school hoops - the games have to be played no matter what the lineups look like on paper ...

[trojandave]

pfloyd: I told Coach Maddox at the SEOAL track meet in Portsmouth last spring that the league might as well inscribe "Warren Warriors" on the 2013-2014 SEOAL championship trophy........of course he downplayed it....... :122245. If the Big Blue doesn't win the league, it will be an upset, but I think my Trojans could cause some problems for WHS with our quickness on defense. The Chieftains should be an interesting team considering losing all 5 starters from a year ago, but gain probably the best big in the entire SE district in Kevin Fisher........look forward to coming to the Land of the Purple in 2013-2014 and talking basketball with you.

As far as schedule strength, for the size of school we are, I think Portsmouth's schedule can stack up with anyone else's in the district, with about 15 of 22 games vs. schools that are D1 or D2........ including two Cleveland schools, John Hay and Martin Luther King, 3 games in Florida, and of course the league schedule (double dip with Warren and Logan).

Hopefully you're getting some good reports on your health situation.

[jottings]

Ex-coach...Do you have a copy of Warren's 2013-14 boys basketball schedule. If so, could u send me one. Thanks.

[wipala]

Great stuff guys, keep it up! As a transplanted Trojan I look to you for updates and insight to the greatest use of wood --
Basketball!, Trojandave great stuff on the alum page. Keep up the great job, and GO TROJANS!
Wipala

[jottings]

Still need Logan and Jackson boys schedules for 2013-14. Would appreciate Meigs, Rock Hill,Chesapeake, Meigs Eastern, Wellston, Vinton County,and Pt. Pleasant, W. Va. Thanks.

[pfloyd]

jottings here's the Logan schedule for 2013-14 ...

December

10 vs Lancaster
13 vs Jackson
14 Chesapeake @ Rio Grande
21 @ Portsmouth
23 @ Unioto
28 vs Bloom Carroll
30 @ St Charles

January

3 vs Gallia Academy
4 @ Teays Valley
7 @ Vinton County
10 @ Warren
14 vs Fairfield Union
17 @ Sheridan
18 vs Watkins Memorial
21 vs Alexander
24 @ Jackson
25 @ Golden Rockets Classic in Wellston vs ???
28 vs Sheridan

February

1 vs Portsmouth
7 @ Gallia Academy
8 vs Vinton County
14 vs Warren