Prep Zone

By ghs

January 11, 2009 10:29 PM | Link to this

first

By Gamer

January 11, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this

Teams outside of Metro Atlanta area do not stand a chance in the higher AAAAA classification with the many transfers used to strengthen a team. You might as well have only those teams (you mentioned) play against one another to declare a state champion. I love the balance in football. You would have to transfer a dozen football players to have the same effect.

By Titus Andronicus

January 11, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this

Weren’t all five of Norcross’ starters last year transfers?

It’s not just the big schools these days. A certain powerhouse in middle Georgia has been accused of recruiting over the years. This little powerhouse has so little to its county seat that the highway bypasses the town completely. And, no, that highway doesn’t have a business route.

Twenty years ago, our much bigger neighbor to the north offered transportation to our star hoopster if his mother could drive two miles to the county line. She reported it to the principal who reported it to the GHSA. Nothing was done.

Looking at the list of past champs, perhaps the last major school to win without transfers was Johnson Savannah in 1992 or perhaps Savannah in 1998. I have no proof of that. Tift County’s 1995 title was majorly won by an exchange student who happened to stay at least two or three years (Pablo Machado, who later rode the pine at Tech). Bible Baptist was proved to have recruited at the beginning of the 1985-86 season, but were only made to forfeit games. They won the Class A title in 1986.

The GHSA needs to get a grip on transfers. Perhaps it should institute an NCAA-ish rule. If you transfer, you must sit out of athletics for one year.

None of this transferring is about bettering education. It’s about an athletic meal ticket.

Believe me kids, if you’re good enough, you’ll be noticed.

By ed

January 12, 2009 3:23 AM | Link to this

why did parker leave marietta he would have gotten plenty of playing time

By Veteran Fan

January 12, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this

This is wrong and all of you know it! High school sports is not all about winning! If that is the criteria, then create a super classification AAAAAA, where there are no rules. These coaches and ADs have no morals or ethics and the fans do not care so let them all prey on each other and let the rest of the schools teach the important lessons of HS sports. The GHSA doesn’t care either or they would put restrictions on this activity! What happens to the young person, who works hard for ten years, whose family lives in a house in the attendance zone, and who finally has made the starting team for his senior year on a good team; when one of these hired guns shows up for one year! He or she is supposed to sacrifice for the team! WHY!!! The really sad thing is that this player has probably already moved or switched to a less high profile sport so they could have a normal high school experience because they are not stupid and they know what is going on! Three seasons ago, I watched an outstanding player for a modest program do whatever he wanted on the floor because the rumor was that this player was going to transfer to Wheeler and his coach was afraid to take him out or demand that he play with his teammates! The coach finally put his foot down and the kid transferred after almost destroying the program! Wake up Thomaston or is it ALL about the MONEY!!!!!

By rand

January 12, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this

Reviewing your list of transferees it should be noted several of the students transferred from private high schools to public, most close to where they were attending the private school. With the economic downturn this is a real situation for private schools.

A second item to consider is the difficulty the parents would have selling a home in one area to move into the new school area. A move just for basketball..or other sports…could be ery expensive.

Interesting column.

By beeshabazz

January 12, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this

Mr. Holcomb this story would have been great about 14 years ago. Are you blind or did you just move to Georgia? Wheeler, Berkmar, Norcross and please don’t forget about the South DeKalb All-Stars better known as Dunwoody have stolen state championships with almost a full roster of transfers not just 1 or 2. At Ga. Tech home games during introductions it’s kinda ridiculous to hear a former Norcross great being introduced as 6foot 8, from College Park ,Gani Lawal! These programs I mentioned above have openly been recruiting players for years. I’ve heard Doug(Wheeler) say kids just find him. But let’s be real what 16,17, or 18 year old kid from South Fulton or City of Atlanta knows anything about the secluded suburban streets of East Cobb.

By johnny heisman

January 12, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

Your list is just the tip of the iceberg. It is ridiculous. Of course, most of the people associated with these kids (aau coaches and selfish parents) think they are doing these kids a favor.

How about doing a story on some of the teams who continually win games (maybe not championships) without the aid of transfers.

As for the economic downturn leading these kids to these schools, that is about the lamest excuse I have ever heard. If you believe that, I have some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you.

By jackpack

January 12, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this

The bigger truth of the matter is a reflection on AAU basketball. Players are establishing relationships with other players that have stimulated such movement. If you were to drill down a little deeper. Andre Malone and Derrick Favors played on the same travel team (Atlanta Celtics). Rchard Howell and Arie Stewart played on the same travel team. Lorenzo Brown and Ryan Fleming played on the same travel team. Parker, Shannon Scott and Julian Royal played on the same travel team.

Here is the bottom line. Whether they played on the same travel team or not, players (as well as the parents) want to be in situations where they can win. A college coach is not as likely to travel to Georgia to see a team that has four or five wins and has one good player, when they can go look at kid, in an entertaining game, that has more than one recruiting prospect, and a track record for winning. I personally, have sat at some high school games without elite players and they can be pretty painful. The quality of basketball in Georgia when you get past the elite players, is not very good. Our non-ranked teams would not do well, in Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, or Indiana, just based on quality of players outside our big names. You can count on one hand how many good role players in the state go to division II schools or NAIA schools for that matter in Georgia. It’s either big-time or bust.

Now the elite players are recognizing this trend and wanting more for themselves. They want to win. They understand that they will look good with better players around them. Don’t plan to see this change anytime soon.

The one X-factor with all of the will be the economy. With the lack of jobs and the housing market changing how apt will be people be to up and move for the sake of their son’s basketball careers. We’ll all just have to stay tuned for that.

With all this said, I’m an old school guy. If you can play, you can play anywhere. My parents would NEVER move, so I could play for a particular coach or program. So you made the best of your situations and created your opportunities right there.

One small plug…. I would like to commend Derrick Favors on his accomplishments, now and in the futue. He wasn’t an elite kid at 12. His parents have never moved him around. He put in the work, and now people want to be around him. That is a great story someone should be telling…….

By doc

January 12, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this

I think the sad pat to this whole story is the fact that the parents are as big in this story as are the kids. Let’s be real with all of the talent that their kids possess they are looking to secure “their” future. Kids cannot transfer without the parents authorization. The bigger the name of the school, the more attractive the offers. This is not abot education, this is financial for both the schools and the parents. I don’t blame te kids, it’s the bigger kids looking to make a ame for themselves. But, that is the great American dream, win at all cost, even if most of these “blue chips” never reach their educational potential at the large D1 schools, and eventually washout. High school sports with the exception of some programs have become a for profit orginazation.

By basketaballjones

January 12, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

Someone made a comment about the Berkmar state championship teams of 1999 and 2000. They only had one transfer, Clark Williams who left Brookwood where as a freshman he played on the freshman team and not even JV. He worked his way into a two time all-state player. Shawn Ipka, a 6’3” center came here from Alabama knew nothing about Ga. basketabll. His parents just happened to move into the Berkmar district. All the other players on that team played middle school ball in Berkmar’s district.

Berkmar clearly is a school that didn’t rely on big-time transfers yet beat Kwame Brown, Gerald Fitch to win two back-to-back championships. They made the most of what they had and won and were nationally ranked in the process.

Honesty does pay.

By happygilmore

January 12, 2009 11:40 AM | Link to this

Jackpack, said…players (as well as the parents) want to be in situations where they can win. A college coach is not as likely to travel to Georgia to see a team that has four or five wins and has one good player, when they can go look at kid, in an entertaining game, that has more than one recruiting prospect, and a track record for winning.

This shows you are an idiot about this particular situation.

Adrian Hubbard played at Peachtree Ridge. They are perenial winners and with him could contend.

Devonte and Richard played at Central. They went to state last year and would contend with them this year.

Dai Jon played at Marietta. College coaches don’t go to Marietta???

Al Farooq Aminu played at Wesleyan before going to Norcross. Wesleyan just sent Thompkins to UGA and Smith to Clemson.

The Reddicks played at Whitefield Academy. They are a perennial power in Class A.

Eric White transferred from Campbell to Milton. You mean to tell me that was about exposure?

For those of us in the know, this is about AAU coaches exploiting kids mentality to gain something for themselves and it is about AAU coaches exploiting uneducated parents about the recruiting process.

Richard Howell is a great example. The school he committed to had already offered him when he transferred. In fact, he has steadily dropped in value SINCE he transferred. On a side note, he has not won A THING since he transferred either. Some of his AAU coaches are among the shadiest around, in many peoples opinions.

By happygilmore

January 12, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

And another thing. All five starters on Norcross boys team are transfers, and have been for the past 3 years. Now, how is that fair to the kids who come up through a program and can’t move? How is that fair to other kids in the state who work hard to achieve a goal that can’t be achieved because someone plays the system.

Dig around on Norcross’ roster and you will find a kid who has played at 5 schools in 4 years. ??????????????

By michael atwater

January 12, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

the landscape of high school basketball has changed dramatically over the last 10 years.When I was in high school if you was the best player on the team ,you would rather play against their best then play with them.The reason high school basketball has changed is because of a 3 letter word. AAU

By JabberJaw

January 12, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

I do know for a fact, that two people who left Peachtree Ridge (Sam Kim-in the middle of the season; Adrian Hubbard-after the year)did not leave to search for a better baksetball team. They left because the coach, Gerald Arnold, was cursing players, and making racist comments to many of the players. This was reported to administration and nothing was done. This coach was allowed to resign from coaching basketball after the season was over, but he is still teaching there. I hear that he will be coming back to coach the girls team. Go figure.

By Todd Holcomb

January 12, 2009 12:15 PM | Link to this

Mr. Holcomb this story would have been great about 14 years ago. Are you blind or did you just move to Georgia?

Fourteen years ago, it was still possible to win the highest class without a transfer. Today, it is not. Wheeler won state earlier this decade with a couple of starters who either didn’t play college basketball or played at a very small school. They were just very good high school players. But last season, Wheeler had five D-1 prospects in its starting lineup and still lost against another team with five D-1 prospects. I think 8 or 9 of the 10 starters were transfers in that game. Was this the way it was 14 years ago? The prevalence and impact of transfers seem to have accelerated significantly in just the past 3-4 years. Somebody tell me if I’m wrong.

By old fan

January 12, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this

GHSA should adopt a transfer rule that forces ANYONE who transfers must sit out one year with no hardship or allowed playing with legal move. All transfers could play JV during their sit out year. Only senior could apply for hardship for varsity play. All underclassmen must sit 1 year. You would cut out most transfers then.

By AVikingFan2

January 12, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this

I think that transfers are a part of the game and that will never change. However, most of these transfers (I assume & I know what that can do) appear to be doing so for the purpose of playing basketball and not for school, parents job, etc. I think there are too many transfers taking place and that is bad for basketball and takes away from the game. Also, it opens the door way too much for recruiting and improper actions. The south (mainly Valdosta) has carried this blame for years with football and most cases are just plain false allegations but the appearance is there. Atlanta schools now have more transfers because it is easier to move addresses and schools but keep the same job, church, friends, etc. Something does need to be done to slow the trend and do so for all sports.

By Todd Holcomb

January 12, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this

In Florida, the parents of any student athlete who transfers must sign an affidavit stating that their child was not urged to make the move by a representative of the school. That representative might include another student at the receiving school.

Georgia uses the term ”undue influence” to describe recruiting. It’s not clear to me in Georgia whether another student can be guilty of ”undue influence,” or whether that’s aimed at coaches and other school officials.

In any event, it appears that Florida is taking a more active role in trying to catch illegal recruiting. But it’s a very difficult thing to find and prove.

By Ernest

January 12, 2009 3:23 PM | Link to this

We’ve blogged about this one several times and there have been a few articles in the AJC. If a student transferred to be on the quiz bowl or chess team at the new school, we probably would not care. I’m aware of a few young men that transferred to a perennial basketball power but the receiving school was a magnet and they had the grades to get in. One transferred because the coach did not have a reputation of developing skilled players.

Though I don’t care for it, athletes are trying to put themselves in the best position for their future. It sometimes means transferring to a school that have greater visibility with regards to their athletic program.

I laughed when I read the entry earlier about Dunwoody. I know several in the community that complained about the transfers however others were enjoying the success and publicity that came with the state championships.

At the end of the day, unless money is involved, the GHSA probably lacks interest in pursuing athletic transfers.

By THE BANDIT

January 12, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this

Buford has been doing this for years. Why do you think they have won 3 or 4 championships in football over the past few years.

By Montana Ave.

January 12, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this

Good article. I think you only addressed one side, don’t transfer.

It is a parent choice to transfer a child. Every parent has the right to place their child in what they feel is the best situation, whether they basis is athletics, arts, music, academics, etc…it is their right. Now others may be affected, but it is still their right.

AAU has some shady characters, I don’t think anyone would disagree. However, some high school coaches are not that good and for a variety of reasons, i.e. never played, not committed, in it for check only, etc…. so to send a child/family that has invested years, money, and energy in a sport to a coach or school which is not committed at the same level, your just asking for tons of frustration.

I belive it is the parent’s right.

By atlien052

January 12, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this

I work in schools in TX, and in order for a student to transfer and not have to sit out a year the athletic director of the sending school has to sign off that the kid is not transferring for academic reasons. That means, if the Peachtree Ridge coach thinks his player is transferring to Norcross for b-ball reasons he does not have to sign off and the player has to sit out a year. Also, the player must reside in the attendance zone of the high school in which he/she plays.

It’s not a perfect system, but you don’t hear about this much in TX. Or, the local newspapers aren’t as vigilent as Mr. Holcomb in their reporting.

By GHSA Looks the Other Way

January 12, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this

Parkview and most region 1 AAAAA schools have played the transfer games for years in football and nothing happened so why question it for basketball now? GHSA has always had loose transfer rules and until tightened, the strong will continue to get stronger. Again Georgia is laggind when compared to other states’ high school programs.

By For atlien052

January 12, 2009 5:44 PM | Link to this

Didn’t you mean to say, “is not transferring for athletic reasons”? I grew up in Texas and recall that you had to sit out a year if you transferred. Another area where Texas high school programs reign when compared to Georgia high school programs. It’s hard to be humble when you’re the best.

By BODOG

January 12, 2009 6:12 PM | Link to this

TODD, ALL THE COMMENTS I HAVE READ ARE VALID THOUGHTS. HOWEVER, AS OLD FAN SAID ====THE GHSA IS THE PARTY WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED BY YOU, AND YOU SHOULD GET A QUALIFIED REPLY FROM GHSA CONCERNING THIS STATE WIDE PROBLEM, AND PUBLISH AND POST TO H.S SPORTS ON AJX WEB SO ALL OF US COULD READ THEIR REPLY……..JUST DO IT!!!!

By THE TRUTH

January 12, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this

By GHSA Looks the Other Way, your comment is very true. If someone looked close at the Parkviews, Brookwoods and other schools in Gwinnett County, you would find the an abundance of the kids live in Dekalb County. It’s that way all over metro Atlanta. Certain schools have been identified as a basketball school or football school, and this is where the competitive kids wants to play; therefore, their parents or coaches make it happen by utilizing someone else address. I know this for sure, because I was ask by a high school coach if a kid he was recruiting could use my address. Of course, I decline.

I am just saying this problem is wide spread. You will have none believers, because schools are requiring students to have a signed affidavit. When have you seen a school challenge one of those affidavits? The answer is they will not.

The state school board needs to get involve by randomly checking on the athletes.

By Vanguard

January 12, 2009 6:44 PM | Link to this

The AAU coaches are just flesh peddlers.I will enjoy my son’s teams’ 15 wins this year with home grown talent and him playing than sitting behind a hired gun and winning 22 games.Someone should ask the kid at Milton who started as soph and is now 9th in the rotation as a senior how he feels.

By big dee

January 12, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this

The transfer rule is a joke because now we have kids not living in the school district and playing for that school. If the coach or principal doesn’t complain then GHSA and the School board say its okay. If we are trying to build an Oak Hill of the south then start a basketball elite school, if not the ideal of making them sit out one year is the right thing. We know longer have the neighbor school or kids in one area growing up and playing together. Its a true pleasure to see a kid stay with his home school and fight and scrape to bring it to the top. Look at Derrick Favors everybody tried to get him to move to the north side but he stayed home. If these school would lose county money they would not do all the underhand cheating and we would have better teams all the way round.

By SportsFan31313

January 12, 2009 7:57 PM | Link to this

Greetings Todd,

What’s your thoughts on Region 3-AAAAA in Basketball? How about those Bradwell Institute Girls Basketball?

By Bakari Bryant

January 12, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this

I am responding to solidify that statement about major transfers. The last team to win the state championship without any transfers was 1998 Savannah High basketball squad. The starting line-up was Audrell Mckinney, Vernon Datts, and Bakari Bryant, in which all recieved and football scholarships, Jerry Hampton and James ‘Murdock’ Furgeson. Our six man was either Antario Jenks or Kenneth Jackson. All of these players went to Savannah High for four years and no one does not know about them. Let’s be real, if Coach Jordan, was able to get any major transfer from anywhere he would be the most dominant coach in the state of Georgia. He takes what he is given and put it together to form a power house. How many coaches in 5A led their school to 11 consecutive state playoffs with four year players? He does not recieved half the credit that he should but who am I to complain. Where ever he goes in the state of Georgia he is known for his accomplishments. Every coaching clinic he attends he is acknowledged. Heck if you go back to the State championship game in 2001 against a Berkmar team that had tranfers, everyone at that game knew it was stolen or fixed as we say. Well coaching and Heart will take you far.

By Steph Curry

January 12, 2009 9:30 PM | Link to this

Last I checked, we lived in a free country and paid taxes that funded public schools. If you want to take away a fundamental right and tell a parent that they can’t move then go ahead and try.

This argument is tired. Name a school and I’ll name a transfer.

Seriously, name a school….

By Atown

January 12, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this

Bad for the hs game. Kids these days care too much about promoting themselves rather than the team game.

This has shifted the power structure in the state to metro schools with big time transfers. Period.

By IRA MANNING

January 12, 2009 10:02 PM | Link to this

THE GHSA TRANSFER RULE IS DESIGN TO SUPPORT THOSE ELITE SCHOOLS WITH HUGH BOOSTER CLUBS TO CHURN OUT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES IN BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL. I’M SPEAKING OF THOSE ELITE SCHOOLS ON THE NORTHSIDE OF THE STATE.

JUST LOOK AT THE SCHOOLS INVOLVED.

By steph curry

January 12, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this

I could comment on every post in this blog and point out the stupidity, but I don’t have the time. I’m busy watching Oklahoma / Texas and counting kids that transfered during HS. 12 I’ve counted so far, including a GA boy.

But as for Atown - stupid. Just because you have talent / transfers doesn’t mean your win. The teams that WIN it all understand the team game. That’s why Wheeler hasn’t done ANYTHING since the other schools caught up with their move-ins.

As for Ira Manning - you are just retarded. What does booster clubs have to do with anything and what the heck planet are you sitting on to think that the ones that are winning have good booster clubs?????

Get a clue before you make an asinine fool out of yourself.

By BODOG

January 13, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this

TO; STEPH CURRY: YOU DO NOT DESERVE A REPLY ON THE STUPID REMARKS YOU HAVE JUST MADE; HOWEVER I AM CORRECT WHEN I SAID THAT SOMEONE SHOULD ASK THE GHSA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM(AND IT DOES EXIST). THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY WAY TO GET A QUALIFIED ANSWER SINCE THEY ARE THE POWERS TO BE CONCERNING ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS CO NCERNING ALL HIGHSCHOOL SPORTS ACTIVITES REGARDLESS OF SIZE ETC. REFUTE THAT IF YOU CAN. AND BY THE WAY AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED TEXAS IS IN TEXAS AND THIS IS GEORGIA……GET REAL!!!!!!!

By mikey

January 13, 2009 6:37 AM | Link to this

Steph Curry = AAU Flesh Peddler

By marco polo

January 13, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this

I mean this is a problem but its just life in this state. I think you should feel proud if home grown talent does well but that kid at milton who started the last 3 years but didnt come close to making a run in the playoffs and lost to wheeler by 20. Now hes on one of the best teams in the state and can compete for a state ring. I think hes pretty happy

By Fan

January 13, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Kids should be allowed to move to the program that best suits their skills, be that athletics or academics. If that is a public school then they need to live in that school district. If that is a private school there should be no restrictions. Nobody is making a kid sit out of math class for a year so as not to raise SAT scores for that school. If your math program isn’t getting the best kids improve you math department hire better teacher and the kids will come. It is the same with basketball. If the program is too challenging for your kid then send him to a different school where he will be able to compete and grow in his skills.
The other issue here is the belief that AAU coaches are manipulating the system and somehow gaining in some form from this manipulation. This might be something one of the reporters for AJC might want to look into; I think that would make for an interesting article.

By Confused

January 13, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this

Transfering from Lovett to Milton? That’s quality parenting.

By observer

January 13, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this

The AAU coaches have taken over the sport. College coaches now go to them instead of the high school coaches about recruiting kids. It is easier(and cheaper) to go to 3 or 4 AAU games and see the top talent rather than having to go to 20 high school games to see the same talent.

By Todd Holcomb

January 13, 2009 10:34 AM | Link to this

Last I checked, we lived in a free country and paid taxes that funded public schools. If you want to take away a fundamental right and tell a parent that they can’t move then go ahead and try.

Nobody is telling parents they can’t move. But the GHSA can tell students they are not eligible. To be eligible, the students and their parents must live legally in the new school district. They must not have been recruited to their new school to play sports. Are all of these moves legal? Can the GHSA do more to ensure the moves are legal?

And regardless of what can and should be done about it, the question remains: Is this good for high school sports? If Norcross wins four straight state titles with lineups made up of transfers, how do rate that accomplishment? Will the community support a team that’s not home-grown? Without the same community pride, will some of these high school teams become more and more like AAU teams who play before small crowds? What’s the future?

The day is coming when a home-grown group of kids from one community or county no longer can win a state title in any classification. Regardless of whether anything can be done to stop that trend, I don’t think many fans of high school basketball see that as a good thing.

By Basketball fan

January 13, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this

I remember back in the 90’s when parents were breakin their necks to put their kids in Douglass and Mays to play basketball. I wish we could bring the championship’s back in the city.

By DE

January 13, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

You watch for some big names going to SMHS in Fayette Co. real soon. Panthers gonna rollllll!

By Titus Andronicus

January 13, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, there are ways around school zone attendance requirements. The child moves in with an uncle, cousin, sibling, family friend, or the family gets a phantom address. They rent an apartment and claim it as a home address, though they never live there.

Though it’d wreak havoc on school systems everywhere, perhaps a school age child not be allowed to move away from parents unless there is a court order.

From the way it looks, Norcross will support a winner. If they happened to have two subpar seasons in a row, those student fans would disappear. Real student support died at the end of the 1980s. Kids don’t go to games unless they are a winner 75% of the time.

I’m curious as to how many kids would play in Clayton County if, say, Jonesboro won at the level of Wheeler or Norcross.

By iknowwhatimtalkingabout

January 13, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

Personally i believe college coaches have taken over the sport more than the aau coaches. As for the question of why transfering to milton from lovett can be answered in a variety of ways. maybe it could be econmoics private school cost close to 20k a year public is cost nothing. it could be the teams. milton is 9-3 and ranked top 5 in the state regardless of class lovett is 1-11. but like my first point said it has to do with college. Last year the valedictorian went to uga on a full scholarship. after leaving lovett scott recieved a full scholarship to uga and a number of other acc, sec, big east schools. when at a school with talent like most 5a schools have there is more opportunity to be seen by college coaches. Also the level of play in 5a is far superior to 2a, which prepares the player for college.

By Blue Collar

January 13, 2009 12:59 PM | Link to this

Since we can’t seem to find anything good to say about GA highschool bball!! Are you all seriuos??? First we have to wait until Jan to get a bball poll, then we don’t even get a REAL POLL!!!??? ALL CLASS?? Does that even matter? Basketball doesn’t have an all-class playoff, so why in the world would the Ajc throw together this worthless poll. Football gets a pre-season poll for all classification from 5-a all the way to 1-a, along with weekly updates to the polls, previews of weekly top ten match ups, recruiting updates, coach and player inteview, etc. But bball gets this crap!! Where is the top ten 5-a poll….4-a poll??? This is just another example of useless research. These are the same teams that the AJC has talked about all year, in fact it even looks like the same article I saw back in November. If the AJC doesn’t care about bball writers, then at least allow people to do their own research and contribute their own weekly columns and updates. How many times has Ga highschool footbal had a number one rated recruit in the nation? Never!! How many number one overall picks have come from GA highschool football? None!! Yet Ga highschool bball has produced several of both, yet still does not recieve a fraction of the coverage that football does. No disrespect to football, but bball does exist and continues to thrive on a national level. Will someone please explain to me the meaning of this. And to the article that was posted yesterday about all the “unfair transferring” that goes in GA bball, must I remind everyone of all the transferring that goes on in football i.e Kaleb King, Jonathan Davis, Cameron Haywood etc. How many people can say they new that last saturday #1 Miller Grove played #2 Tucker, or that #1 McEachern played #1 South Atlanta? Please AJC step up your bball coverage. Thanks goodness for Maxpreps.com and Gasports.com for keeping us updated with whats going on in the world of Ga highschool bball.

By Blue Collar

January 13, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Can someone tell me if Tucker High would have won the AAAA state title if Jonathan Davis hadn’t have transferred in? This happens in football just the same!!! Where is that story? Caleb King ring a bell?!?!

By jimcpa

January 13, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this

Dunwoody and Norcross are the two KINGS of transfer-based quality progrmas…hmm, a couple state championships and several runs with recruits the past four years for Dunwoody..this year, no recruits, a 6-7 start. The games are actually fun to attend now..I actually can believe the kids live in Dunwoody.

By steph curry

January 13, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this

jimcpa - stupid.

Dunwoody has three transfers playing on this year’s team.

By jimcpa

January 13, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this

sorry steph curry rice. my point exactly; the ratio is the lowest its been in years…and you see the result…why can’t the school field a team that represents the community?

By durwin duke

January 13, 2009 7:47 PM | Link to this

I agree with jimcpa regarding dunwoody basketball. In fact, the local Dunwoody paper, the Dunwoody crier ran an “expose’” on Dunwoody basketball in 2004 indicating the strange circumstances surrounding the “all of a sudden awesome change in the team” and the unique, shall we say, recruiting issues that had arisen. Wilderness, Graham, Jordan, Jordan, Swansey who transferred from Flowery Branch his junior year to play with his “club” buddies and the thug from Gainesville who was a stud thug last year in their last legitimate shot at recruiting another state champion. If you are raised in Dunwoody, and you dominate junior high ball, you still have an exceptional shot at Coach Bracco having you ride the pine while the recruits play the game. I went to only one game last year as I can’t hear myself, as a 50 year old male, think over the extreme rap beat that has come to permetate the DHS games over the last 5 years. Now that the team has lost their AAU recruiting edge, I look forward to more competitive games which I personally hope are between teams that ACTUALLY represent their school communities. I’ll try a couple more games this year to see if the atmosphere has changed.

By leroyese

January 13, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

I agree with jimcpa and durwin, DHS basketball is led by a “win by recruiting only” mentality. Bracco needs to let local kids play and basically say “if you want to step in front of everyone who has grown up here, and take advantage of the excellent education (which is supposedly why the recruits transfer), then maintain a B average for a year here and you can go out for the team then”. Heck, the receruited superstud wildnerness took years to get into Charlotte because of a “suspect” 200+ rise in an SAT score. He was here becaise dorfman wanted to create a superteam..now the legacies have left and Bracco has an opportunity to let REAL local kids play (start). I HATE the concept of high school recruiting. It hurts everyone

By donnie j

January 13, 2009 9:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Steph..didn’t think the Duke bruises would wear off so fast that you could actually type enough to call anyone stupid…

By bigboy

January 13, 2009 10:00 PM | Link to this

High schools have become offshoots of AAU teams. Who you know is where you go. Club sports are taking the place of high school sports.

By steph curry

January 13, 2009 10:56 PM | Link to this

I’m still waiting for people to try and name teams that haven’t had transfers….

As for Dunwoody, Bracco’s record this year is misleading. They have lost THREE starters to injury, the latest being a broken elbow just about two weeks ago.

By Todd Holcomb

January 13, 2009 11:55 PM | Link to this

How many times has Ga highschool footbal had a number one rated recruit in the nation? Never!! How many number one overall picks have come from GA highschool football? None!!

Blue Collar: You make some good points, but just to answer your question, Herschel Walker was the #1 recruit in the nation in 1980, and George Rogers was the #1 pick in the NFL draft in 1981.

Also, the AJC has not posted or published any article about ”unfair transferring.” This blog points out the prevalence of transfers and asks for opinions about it. If anyone is calling it unfair, it’s the readers.

Unfortunately, there are ways around school zone attendance requirements. The child moves in with an uncle, cousin, sibling, family friend, or the family gets a phantom address. They rent an apartment and claim it as a home address, though they never live there.

I’m sure there are ways around it, but to be legal, the student’s parents (or guardians) must move into the new district to be legal. It’s not enough that the student is living with a cousin or aunt or with a friend. It’s where the parents have their primary residence that counts.

By Marco Polo

January 14, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this

I agree it happens im football all the time but i guess since the teams are so much bigger they just dont get as much hype

By Blue Collar

January 14, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

Thanks Mr. Holcomb for acknowledging my points but if you have to go back to the 80’s for that bit of history then thats pretty sad. Meanwhile GA hoops continues to produce top players and nationally ranked teams and with the first article of the season we get an expose about questionable transferring!?! Come on good sir!!! I am available if you all need someone to report on highschool hoops. Since noone at the AJC wants to step up to the plate and cover this sport, I will take responsibility and help you out.

By transferathlete

January 14, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

Bottom line is the angry parents on here probably have kids who are whining about not getting any playing time… Who are playing Xbox while I am in the gym. Who are sitting at the pool while I am travelling everyweekend of the summer nationally ranked tournaments in front of coaches because I am trying to get to college. Who are whining and asking the coach to take them out of the game because they cant get up and down the court while I shoot 500 baskets in my driveway after my homework. AND who have the nerve to get mad at me if we lose a game because I missed the game winning shot but are all over me when I carry us to state. Please check yourself before you wreck yourselves…

sincerely yours, transfer student…

By daddyball

January 14, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this

Parents, if you had as opportunity to do the same job your are doing now at another company but have more opportunity and make more money would you stay or resign?

By CHparent

January 14, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this

Mr. Curry- the Collins Hill Boys Varsity Basketball team has 0 transfers. All of the starting 5 played bball in 8th grade at Creekland. Although we are not considered a powerhouse like most of the other schools listed- we are currently ranked #2 in our region. So that is not too shabby for home grown talent.

By marietta_mom

January 14, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

CHparent Region play is rec ball..

How do you rank in state or do you? I doubt it if you lost to Millcreek.. 5 starters what about your bench? any educated bball parent knows it takes more than starters, to win championships!

By marietta_mom

January 14, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

GACS will be a big powerhouse eventually now Eddie left he simply took his recruiting to the private school system since he left Norcross.

Keep an eye out

By recruiter

January 14, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

Can someone tell me if Tucker High would have won the AAAA state title if Jonathan Davis hadn’t have transferred in? This happens in football just the same!!! Where is that story? Caleb King ring a bell?!?!

TUCKER will be the BOMB!

By bungee

January 14, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this

Milton is stacked young team Norcross this year is iffy! But they have an awesome coach. Collins Hill - always had talent should win region but only focus on a few players Peachtree ridge- new coach Watch out Region 7 Shiloh- new coach looking good

AAAAA—Centennial all the way

By CHparent

January 14, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

Marietta mom- our bench has no transfers either. I was responding to Mr. Curry’s mention of asking for someone to name a school with no transfers

By Marietta_mom

January 14, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

chparent, I know what you were commenting on, I was asking you a question about ranking in state? do you really have a kid that even plays ball? Milton stole your best starter anyway…

Dunwoody picked up a kid from Wesleyan

Todd Holcomb sounds like a dummie

By Blue Collar

January 14, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this

Lol at recruiter!!! I’m sure Tucker coaches are in the middle schools now looking for the next big prospect!!! lol.

By westlake bro

January 14, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this

HAlf the bball players in Atlanta can’t spell basketball

By jobama speaks

January 14, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this

I think we should have more gay basketball transfers..especially with those little short shorts

By steph curry

January 14, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this

sigh. stupid and illiterate. Of course there are teams with no transfers this year. I never said that. I asked for people to try to name teams that HADN’T (past tense) had transfers.

Collins Hill. Your leading scorer last season was a transfer from North Gwinnett.

Marietta? Seriously? Don’t insult my intelligence.

By ron jamison

January 15, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this

THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT COACHING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WINNING THESE DAYS IN HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL THESE SCHOOLS ARE SIMPLY GETTING THE BEST PLAYERS AND PUTTING THEM ON THE COURT AND THEN THE COACH LOOKS LIKE A GENIUS WHAT A JOKE!!!! TAKE THESE SAME COACHES AND LET THEM COACH TEAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE ALL THE TRANFER STUFF GOING ON AND SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL THEY WOULD BE——I CAN TELL YOU THEY WOULD NOT BE WORTH A FLIP—-COME WAKE UP GEORGIA BBALL PARENTS AND FANS

By +BODOG

January 15, 2009 1:43 AM | Link to this

TODD———-I HAVE THE ANSWER: WHY DON’T A STATE RAFFLE, AND LET ALL THE QUALITY PLAYERS ENTER A STATE (GHSA) POOL OF TALENT, AND LET EACH PLAYER GO TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!!!!!! WOW…..GET’R DONE………..STOP ALL THIS TRANSFERING, ALL THE QUESTIONS, THE AAU. THE COACHES, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, QUATERBACK CLUBS THAT HAVE INFLUENCE. INTERESTING THOUGHT ….., AND BY THE WAY INFLUENCE OTHER THAN TALK HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE DONE BY CERTIAN PEOPLE IN CERTAIN AREAS OF GEORGIA……OF COURSE HUSH, HUSH..EIC………..

By marietta_mom

January 15, 2009 7:26 AM | Link to this

Steph insult you about what?

you are right Collins Hill leading scorer was a transfer in from NG he plays at a prep school now.

By gwinnett_rules

January 15, 2009 7:35 AM | Link to this

steph curry.. I can only speak for Gwinnett from what I know for the 2008-2009

Peachtree Ridge- no transfer South forsyth- no transfer N forstyh- no transfer millcreek- no transfer duluth—no transfer brookwood -no transfers grayson—no transfer

By steph curry

January 15, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett_rules - can you not read / comprehend words either? YES there are teams that don’t have transfers THIS year - my point is to prove that teams have benifited from transfers at some point!

P.Ridge - Zach Grahm, Eddie Brown, Bassy, etc. All transfers.

Mill Creek - Bollier, Adokey, etc.

Brookwood - chris bolden, transfer and MVP of the season

grayson - don’t know the name of the current kid, and rumor is you are getting a BIG one in about two weeks.

South Forsyth - post player from two years ago

Duluth - christanson (NG), Charles (Norcross)

KEEP TRYING FOLKS!!!!!! I’m waiting!!!

By nonbeliever

January 15, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this

Recruiting is not allowed so everyone says they don’t recruit. While it’s hard to prove it appears very obvious. Norcross & Wheeler have no one on the team who grew up in their school districts and they play for the 5A championship most years. This year Milton is trying to join them by bringing in most of their team from outside the district. Other than Royal their entire starting team joined Milton this year from outside the district. While it makes for more competitive basketball between those who do “recruit” it eliminates competition with those who play by the rules. Pretty difficult for a home grown team to compete with a team assembled with D1 players. It’s not fair..it’s not right..it takes away the opportunity for kids growing up in these school districts who dreamed of playing for their high school who would play under normal circumstances. GHSA is too underfunded and understaffed to control this situation so it is left to the schools to decide if they are going to play inside or outside the rules. When most students know you are cheating to win, it sends a great message. But with society now who supports winning at all cost even at the elementary school level, and most parents are part of this, it is unlikely to ever change. So if you have a kid who aspires to play basketball in a district that has a team loaded with D1 talent, unless he is a superstar you should steer him to a different sport.

By SportsFan31313

January 15, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this

Hey Todd Holcomb,

I have been reading the blogs and to tell you the truth, much of the bloggers are really not interested in Basketball when other sports writers are commenting. You Sir, are the best in keeping the bloggers interested. Maybe you should have sole ownership on High School Sports.

You keep it interesting. LOL… By the way, Bradwell Institute Girls are pretty darn Good this year. Please check out whom they have played and won against. They even beaten (split) with Region 1-AAAAA Coffee County.

They lost to Region 2-AAAA Brunswick whom are undefeated, and this past Tuesday to Region 3-AAAAA Beach whom are also undefeated. Their schedule is impressive with quality teams in which they have played to include some out of state schools from Florida and Tennessee whom they have beaten as well.

By Devil Lover

January 15, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this

OK, THE QUESTION IS,” Good, bad or moot for high school basketball?” FROM MY POSITION AS A FAN OF NORCROSS I THINK IT IS GOOD.

1. IT PROMOTES AND GIVE TALLENTED PLAYERS A WAY TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH OTHER TALLENTED PLAYERS

2. IT GIVES PLAYERS WHO WANT TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS WITH A TOP TIER COACH THAT ABILITY

3. IT ALLOW THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO DEVELOP TALLENTED TRAVEL TEAMS TO COMPETE WITH OTHER STATE TRAVEL TEAMS AND TO SHOW CASE OUR TOP TALLENT

4. IT GIVES TALLENTED PLAYERS AN BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE CHANCE AT A SCHOLARSHIP FROM A TOP COLLEGE

5. IT PUT PRESSURE ON MEDIOCRE COACHES AND BASKETBALL PROGRAMS TO IMPROVEMENT OR LOSE THEIR BETTER PLAYERS

AND OF COURSE THESE OPPORTUNITIES DON’T COME WITHOUT A PRICE.

1. TYPICALLY IS WILL COST THE PARENT MORE MONEY IN NEW AND ADDITIONAL HOUSING

2. MANY TIMES IT MEANS DISRUPTION FOR THE FAMILY IF THEY HAVE TO MOVE TO A NEW LOCATED

3. THE PLAYERS HAS TO LEARN A NEW SYSTEM AND HOW TO PLAY WITH A NEW GROUP PLAYERS AND COACHES

BOTTOMLINE, IF IT WERE YOUR KID WHO HAD A LOT OF TALLENT WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO GIVE HIM OR HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAM?

By Marco Polo

January 16, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this

Now as a fan I love it i cant lie. Can you imagine the matchups were gonna have? just in region alone we could have Miltion vs Wheeler and Centennial vs Walton like wow. sure its not fair that they have an advantage over schools like Pope, Alpharetta, Roswell schools like that who have ” regular players” but its fun to watch. And for the parents i understand you have a son who has started worked hard and played his whole life at one school but does not have a chance to win cause of transfers but if your kid was the star and he played on a team who was awful and he could transfer and win you would most likley support him in that choice

By Dollarbill

January 16, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

It is funny, as mentioned on here, when you hear the players being announced in college and their home town is announced. I guess in college you don’t have to pretend anymore.

From a fan’s standpoint it makes for some good basketball.

Now if your particular team is playing against a team that is loaded with “move ins” - it kind of bites.

By gwinnett_rules

January 18, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this

steph_curry. Whatever you need to define transfer.

Chris Bolden moved in from another county he didnt transfer to Brookwood for athletics! R U KIDDING ME ??? but that is probably what your little mind believes. And you said MVP of season??? LMAO PLEASE you dnt know your facts.. He was MVP of Deep South Classic over the holidays.

Carry on fool!

By Devil Lover#2

January 18, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this

Devil Lover You covered everything

you said: THE PLAYERS HAS TO LEARN A NEW SYSTEM AND HOW TO PLAY WITH A NEW GROUP PLAYERS AND COACHES

This prepares them for college which is what most people on this blog fail to understand.

Bottom line is Haters are everywhere