SOC 1 2009

[Lightle04]

hey not to change the subject but i was talking to caoch HARROP and KIGHT and they were saying that the SHANKS boy was benching 230lbs thats pretty good for haveing those long arms sounds like hes ready for a big year

[thecinderellapick]

hey not to change the subject but i was talking to caoch HARROP and KIGHT and they were saying that the SHANKS boy was benching 230lbs thats pretty good for haveing those long arms sounds like hes ready for a big year

sounds to me like he knows this year is it for him. i think we are gonna see big things outta shanks this season and hopefully on past this season. really like to see the boy go somewhere and play after high school. if anyone deserves it, its him. always like to see the pictures in the paper, kid signing with everyone around them. it has to make 'em feel almost famous.

[Lightle04]

yes i agree it would be a great thing for him and smithson to get to play somrwhere next year

[Eaglesnest]

yes i agree it would be a great thing for him and smithson to get to play somrwhere next year

Shanks yes...Smithson I don't see playing b-ball at the next level.

He is a good high school forward, but not really a "go to" guy even in high school. His ball handling, quickness, and perimeter play would have to improve greatly for him to play at the next level. Still ,we'd love to have him on the other side of the county!

[Lightle04]

eaglesnest' I truely hope that thats the general oppinion on smithson around the league.Because they are all going to be in for a big surprise this year then. This kid has worked his tail off all summer wait till they get a load of WESTERN this season shanks has a running mate now!Western i think is going to make a real run at regional's' this year.They are very well balanced and will have more help out of there bench this year.Lots more help than they have had in the past few years.

[60ft.6in.]

I really hope so....One big problem, I dont think they have heard of defense...
shanks, smithson, penwell, hall, (flint/Wolford)...Cooper from the bench other than that noone else is going to make an impact...The Bakenhaster kid is capable but wont contribute....
The way it sounds, they should be better this year than last. If shanks is pressing 225 (I know last year he couldnt get 185) or whatever it was that you said and smithson has been working as hard as you say, they should be better...... ? IDK though......

[The_Sports_Junky]

1. Western
2. Symmes Valley
3. East
4. Green
5. Eastern
6. ND
7. New Boston
8. Clay

[60ft.6in.]

(Standings) (Talent)
1- Symmes 1- Western
2- East 2- Symmes
3- Western 3- East
4- Green 4- Eastern
5- Eastern 5- Green
6- New Boston 6- Notre Dame
7- Notre Dame 7- New Boston
8- Clay 8- Clay

Lightle- What do you mean, Shanks has a running mate now? He hasnt been the heart and soul of the team any the 3 years he has been there, he wasnt the leader or the Main Man he has always been a 6'5" solid basketball player....9th it was Mcleod/White 10th it was the same 11th it was distributed through smithson, kier and shanks, even Penwell at times....You make it sound like it has been only Shanks at Western for the past 3 years, like he has been doing it by himself all along, that isnt the case, Smithson has always been there, same as Kier....He has had a running mate or two all along....

[sparky]

sawdust,
how about some names?

[Lightle04]

i see what you are saying about white and mcloud my statement was based off of last year who lead the team in points,rebounds,blocks,and handled the ball as much as any one as far as setting up the offenseand breaking the press.im saying with theimprovement of some of the other positon players vince has more help than he did last year.im not knocking zack,mickle,or jeremey or anyone eles im saying the current roster has worked hard and improved.

[60ft.6in.]

Well I hope your right that they have all improved....He has always had "running mates" though
-As far as breaking the press, no one handled the ball, they passed it up (always), and no he didnt handle the ball as much as Penwell setting up plays.
-He is 6'5" what do you expect, sure he led in scoring, and rebounds, but no he did not lead in blocks, Smithson did.
It sounds like I am bashing vince, that isnt the case at all....Shanks could and should be unstoppable this year, I'm just trying to inform you that He hasn't been the reason Western has had two successful season. They have been this good becasue all the players have taken on their specific roles and taken care of them. The reason they have been successful is NOT because SHanks put everyone on his back and carried them to the regionals then to the district finals.
So you think they will be better this year than last? No incoming freshman will make an impact and Cooper/Bakenhaster are first year varsity players, they wont be able to contribute that much.
To say that Shanks finally has a running mate doesnt make since....? As I said before, his freshman and sophomore year he had Mcleod and White, and last year, it was pretty much all the starters (Excluding Downing who played for Defensive Purposes)

[Lightle04]

what im saying is this bobby has improved to the point i think his numbers will mirror vinces copper and bakenhaster will give them breaks during games to keep them fresh for the forth quarter something that will pay dividens all year long. you are 100%correct about mike and jeremy i wasnt trying to take credit from them.and if not for vince whats our record last year.I mean kier was the toughness of the team last year bobby was also a big contributer as well i give them both props but who's the biggest talent there of the 3 were talking basketball now not baseball 60ft.6in.when a team does and did prepair for us do you think last year they said wow!the hole team will beat us so we can't prepair to beathem cause there all so good or did they and will they say ok how do we game plan for there best player to nutralize him so that we make the rest of the team beat us.Im not trying to argue just validate my thinking.

[thecinderellapick]

They have been this good becasue all the players have taken on their specific roles and taken care of them. The reason they have been successful is NOT because SHanks put everyone on his back and carried them to the regionals then to the district finals.

first of all, since when did regionals come before the districts? news to me... and second, i dont think ANYONE is sayin shanks has "carried the team" the past 3 years. obviously white and mcloud had the talent when they played, they were the go to guys. but i DO think shanks stepped up into one of the roles of being a leader last year. do i think shanks will do so again this year? you bet! BUT it will be nice to know that he wont be the ONLY one doing so. smithson and shanks have played basketball together since they were in diapers practically. theyve always dealt with people comparing them, like they were AGAINST each other or something. but what people DONT realize is that THEY know that they are on the SAME TEAM.

[Eaglesnest]

(Standings) (Talent)
1- Symmes 1- Western
2- East 2- Symmes
3- Western 3- East
4- Green 4- Eastern
5- Eastern 5- Green
6- New Boston 6- Notre Dame
7- Notre Dame 7- New Boston
8- Clay 8- Clay

Man 60ft.6in, you sure aren't giving Eastern-Pike much hope in your predictions????? What is your logic with picking us 5th?

[Eaglesnest]

1. Western
2. Symmes Valley
3. East
4. Green
5. Eastern
6. ND
7. New Boston
8. Clay

Sports Junkie,

What is your thought process for picking Eastern-Pike 5th? Just curious.

Thanks.

[60ft.6in.]

They may end up 4th in the standings, but I just dont see them beating WP, SV, or East....Its a weak league but thats what makes it competitive, no one team stands out that much....They may be a team that surprises everyone but just to be safe I put them 5th in standings and 4th in talent...

[Eaglesnest]

They may end up 4th in the standings, but I just dont see them beating WP, SV, or East....Its a weak league but thats what makes it competitive, no one team stands out that much....They may be a team that surprises everyone but just to be safe I put them 5th in standings and 4th in talent...

Makes sense. In my book Western by far has the most "tools" for the coach to work with. Green is probably #2 in terms of basketball talent. SV always has some horses and East's coach does a nice job. But, I still think if Eastern-Pike sells out on the defensive end, we will finish better than 5th. Thanks for the insight!

[60ft.6in.]

first of all, since when did regionals come before the districts?

Cinderella, Western went to the Regionals Vinces sophomore year, which was first, then they went to the districts his junior year, which was second. This must be new news to you. Also, no Shanks did not step up to a leading role last year, no one did, they had no ONE leader. This year, he is going to be the leader without a doubt with Smithson at his side, which makes me see where Lightle is coming from. Also, I'm not comparing the two, Lightle is the one who said that Smithson is now comparable to Shanks, not me.

Lightle, I understand your points, I just didnt know if you were trying to say that Shanks has been doing it by himself the last few years, because he hasnt. Now that you clear it up sure, I'm over it, it makes sense. Yes, opposing teams did focus 70% on Shanks because he is 6'5" with SKILL, but toward the end of the season the focus shifted more evenly through the three of them (shanks smithson and kier) Smithson is going to contribute as much as Vince this year.

- It is going to be done by Shanks, this is HIS year, but in the past it has been a contribution of the 5 starters. This year it will have to been done by him and Smithson. And if you say that the rest of the players have improved, then a may be another year of contribution which will lead them to the convo....We'll have to wait and see.

-This is a new year, lets put last year and the year before that behind us.....

[thecinderellapick]

first of all, since when did regionals come before the districts?

Cinderella, Western went to the Regionals Vinces sophomore year, which was first, then they went to the districts his junior year, which was second. This must be new news to you.

60ft.6in.
my bad on that one. i was just thinkin in tourney run itself. i apologize. anyways, the regional and district runs werent NEW news to me, but news they were! noone in the SOC expected whs to make it that far either time. lets agree to disagree on our feelings for the kids sake. im sure they get on here from time to time, see what people are sayin about 'em and i dont wanna get them down before the season even starts. why let them see fans bickering back and forth over stuff thats in the past? truce?

[60ft.6in.]

Yeah, I agree. Its over. I hope they make it back to the Convo..