[PHSForever]

Sorry missed your question the first time.

It’s easy. I think they’re better coaches.
I have watched all three. Justice is a great motivator but I have seen up close what happens during their games. I have sat behind their bench six times in two seasons. I have seen who draws the plays and who’s in charge in the huddles. I really don’t mean to sound rude but sometimes Justice looks lost. I was behind the bench for John Hardin, that last second play, all Newsome. It untelling how many times I have seen an assistant coach look at him and say call timeout.

I’m sorry people I just see it different than you

That’s odd. Because I’ve been to a LOT more than 6 games over the past two years and I’ve seen Justice diagram plays many times. I disagree also regarding the “seem lost” comment. But at least you’ve stated your reasons finally. Frankly, they don’t hold a lot of water, because the logic behind them doesn’t make a ton of sense. But I at least respectfully disagree.

Question for you. As an opinioned and paid writer, what led to Belfrys collapse against Johnson Central in the regionals? Should Thompson, as such a good coach, not have been able to find a way to stem the onslaught? Genuine question, not a sarcastic one.

[CA3]

Remember I also think McKenzie is best coach in the region but I also have stated that I think Thompson does a great job for what he has to work with. Belfry isn’t loaded with basketball talent

[4everUK]

Guys, all the kids in Eastern Ky are the same type of kid. All the kids in the 15th are the same kids in every school. The coaches that understands and works hard to build programs, from the varsity level to the youth level, are the most successful coaches year-in and year-out. The biggest difference, is that a school the size of JC and Belfry should be able to develop more kids.

[hitter]

I noticed when he was at jbs that he wouldn't coach much during the games and when a timeout was called the assistant would be doing everything. Maybe that's just the way he coaches. Wasn't successful at jbs but seems to be working at pikeville. I think we will be able to tell a lot about his coaching when battaile is gone.

[Blackcat Legend]

You would have to fit Gearheart from Prestonsburg in there somewhere. What a job he done bringing along that young group by the end of the year for the district. Giving JC a run for the money in the region! Can't wait to see how this season goes! He may be the best X and O coach in the Region!

[99PIRATEFAN]

I never said it was a bad move on his part. Just stating I think there are several better head coaches in the region. I do think that Pikeville has had the best STAFF for the last two seasons.

One thing everyone needs to learn is about 95% of the time a coach wins because they have good players. That is why I don’t just say well because Justice won the Region he’s the best. I think Coach Thompson is an outstanding coach for what he has to work with.

Pikeville definitely has had the best staff the last two seasons including there head Coach
As for the rest of your comments I have to scratch my head and wonder who pays you to cover ballgames

[99PIRATEFAN]

guys, all the kids in eastern ky are the same type of kid. All the kids in the 15th are the same kids in every school. The coaches that understands and works hard to build programs, from the varsity level to the youth level, are the most successful coaches year-in and year-out. The biggest difference, is that a school the size of jc and belfry should be able to develop more kids.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[PHSForever]

Pikeville definitely has had the best staff the last two seasons including there head Coach
As for the rest of your comments I have to scratch my head and wonder who pays you to cover ballgames

By his own admission, CA3 is a Paintsville grad. Which explains Slone over Justice, and the comments regarding Justice. He probably also saw absolutely nothing wrong with the Paintsville assistant getting in the clock keepers face and accusing him of cheating on time during a game at Pikeville too. Lol

[clipperw]

While he didn't win a District or Region title at JBS, Justice did guide the Crusaders to a 14th Region Semi Final appearance his last year there. They hadn't made the 14th Region Semi Finals since the 2007 team that went on to win the 14th Region.

So I have to disagree that he "wasn't successful at jbs."

JBS has went 4-26, 10-18 since.

[CBDV]

Justice is a good coach.

Every coach you listed has solid staffs, the difference is most are younger than the HC.

When people see Newsome coaching kids up, they see an older guy who has been doing it for a long time and think "he is really the HC".

15th doesnt have bad coaches over all, most are really good. Talent and athleticism are not great and the rise of average AAU teams and social media that recognizes kids that are average to below average has parents and fans thinking some of these kids are something they are not.

[TRex34]

I've only watched 2 pikeville games since hes been the head coach 1 being the john Hardin game... but it seems to me hes not the yell and scream and embarrass your kid kinda coach it seems he tries to teach the game...after every timeout he called when they were on offense 95% of the time they scored coming out of it..and he was very much involved on the sidelines when I watched...and yes hes had battile but I know several coaches who had tremendous players not be able to get the job done...just in the 15th region. Dalton boys fron lawrence county were as good as they come but couldn'tmake it to Rupp whats that say about lawrence. Kevin spurlock had the best PG and possibly the best big guy in the region this year no Rupp hell he also had Braxton Beverly and Justin Johnson no Rupp..johnny Martin had shawn newsome that didn't see Rupp. Bill mike had chaz Harmon and Shane Simmons that didn't go to Rupp. Just bc you got a great player or 2 don't guarantee you success you still have to coach...but back to my guidelines of all those coaches mentioned spurlock is the only one thats put a player into D1 and soon justice will join after battile signs. Are those the only 2 to get a player to that level after high school or am I missing someone

So, Spurlock has had 1 D-1 player?

[Mamba]

So, Spurlock has had 1 D-1 player?

I know of 2. Had Justin Johnson who plays at wku and Braxton Beverly plays at nc state both at Perry central and jr tackett has yet signed idk if he has d1 interest or not tho

[clipperw]

If I am not mistaken, I believe JR Tackett has committed to play at Alice Lloyd next season.

[Mamba]

If I am not mistaken, I believe JR Tackett has committed to play at Alice Lloyd next season.

That's unfortunate..he has d1 talent but on a brighter note Alice Lloyd got a steal.

[TRex34]

I wouldn’t consider Braxton Beverly to be one of Spurlock’s players as he only coached him for a season. He has coached at numerous different schools and has coached for many years. Just surprising that he hasn’t developed more D-1 players.

[Mamba]

I wouldn’t consider Braxton Beverly to be one of Spurlock’s players as he only coached him for a season. He has coached at numerous different schools and has coached for many years. Just surprising that he hasn’t developed more D-1 players.

He may have more that's just all I know of.. he had Sizemore at hazard back in 05 that couldve went d1 but I think he chose to go after football in college..

[Hambley]

Ok in my honest opinion from what I have seen as a player/fan/booster in the 15th region over the last 20 years I have never seen a coach go to a school and win back to back regional championships and NOT been coach of the year. The crazy part is you guys even DEBATE it and he did it at Pikeville under crazy circumstances. I have seen a lot of the off season practices, pre game strategy, overall player development and its not even close. Also keep this in mind when thinking of player development, during the 2016-2017 regional final two out of three leading scorers from Pikeville were not even on the floor the year before. One didnt play at all and one was on the bench. I agree that Pikeville has had a good staff for the last two years but players respond to this head coach and his coaching style.

[RealJokersWild24]

Know it's kind of tangential, but going back a little with this one, I always thought Rowe at Shelby Valley did a really good job and was integral in laying the foundation for the program's later success. Don't know exactly how long he was at Shelby Valley (online records only go back to 1998), but he had a run from the 1999/2000 season to the 2003/2004 season where they were one of the heavy favorites to win region each year and were able to get to Rupp a couple of times.

Always thought his 2003 team was one of the better coaching jobs for getting as much as he could out of what he had. They hung around with eventual runner-up Ballard well enough early, and could have beaten a handful of other teams in that tournament, which had a strong field overall.