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Tuesday, June 26, 2007
What can a coach do to prevent his star from transferring?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is it is possible for the little guys, the Berkmars and Central Gwinnetts of the world, to catch up to the big guys, if their star players continue to decide that the grass is greener at the Peachtree Ridges and Wheelers?
“What can I do,” asks Berkmar football coach Wendell Early, who saw his best player, junior defensive end Kevin Minter, transfer to Peachtree Ridge this summer.
Central Gwinnett basketball coach David Allen knows the feeling. His superstar Richard Howell transferred to Wheeler this month. Howell’s father cited the need for his son to play on a national schedule—something Wheeler is already doing—in order to increase his exposure.
Howell is considered to be one of the top 30 junior prospects in the nation and already has offers from some of the top programs in the nation. Does he really need any more exposure to pick up that 50th offer?
Besides, Allen was already in the process of putting Central on a national stage. The Knights were scheduled to participate in this year’s Great Florida Shootout, a national tournament featuring many of the top high school programs from across the country.
“We had to bail out, after Richard left,” Allen said. “I’m sitting without a Christmas tournament as of now.”
So the next time a Kevin Minter or Richard Howell walks through the door at a Berkmar or Central Gwinnett, what can the coach do to insure they stay around?
Upgrade facilities? Increase the program’s exposure by playing a national schedule? Install a player-friendly offense?
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it,” admitted Allen, “but you can’t treat a player different than the rest. Something has to be done, though, if we’re going to preserve parity in high school sports.”
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Seeking exposure: Right or wrong?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Their high school basketball programs have reached elite status, and players and parents want in.
The latest family seeking “more exposure” for their athletic child made its move Monday, when Richard Howell Sr. decided to change addresses so that his son could play basketball for Wheeler High. Richard Jr. said good-bye to Central Gwinnett and its one trip to the finals in 1983 and hello to national power Wheeler, which has three state championships in the last six seasons.
Academically, the schools are compatible — each receiving high marks from the state Department of Education. Basketball-wise, there is little comparison. The younger Howell, a 6-7 forward, is one of the top juniors in the country and according to his dad, several of the nation’s top college programs already have offered scholarships.
It’s not the first transfer in metro Atlanta. It won’t be the last. For years, the top players in the state have switched schools easily, with parents sometimes moving a few miles to make the school change legal by GHSA regulations.
But does that make it right? If Howell has received offers from North Carolina, Michigan and others, does he need additional exposure during a high school season?
Your turn to dish: Should the GHSA step in and stop a trend that has resulted in hundreds of high school athletes changing schools in the past 5-10 years for athletic reasons? And what if you are the parent of a gifted basketball player? Would you move so your son or daughter could play for a better program?
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