[More Cowbell]

A transfer is a transfer, no matter if they come from a neighboring school or Canada. If the transfer is good, then someone sits. That's just the way it is. Don't take the easy way out by quitting, leaving, or giving up; fight and work for playing time.

I don't think there is a school in this area that has not benifitted from a transfer. Some like it some don't, some kids work harder to keep their positions or playing time and some give up and quit or don't fight for their playing time.

There is always going to be someone faster, stronger, smarter or better looking. That's life, teach the kids to work and earn what they get not expect to get something just because of who they are or how long they've been there.

I fully recognize that there is competition everywhere in life. But you are way off base if you think you can always win any competition simply by working harder than the next guy.

For example, imagine you are the starting point guard on your high school team. You're a real gym rat, always working on your game. You have been a starter and the on-court leader for your team ever since you were in grade school together. And now you're looking forward to your senior year and hopefully leading your team to a championship. But...

Your school just got a high-profile transfer, some guy named John Wall. You're torn between the excitement of the team getting a great player, but at the same time you're worried about your own playing time and whether that will affect your chances at landing a scholarship to play for the local college. But everyone just tells you to work hard, put in even more time in the gym, and keep that starting spot based on sheer will alone. But...

It doesn't matter. The new guy is just too talented. Even though he barely spends half the time in the gym that you do, his natural God-given talent is just too much to overcome. You go from starting and playing 30+ minutes per game, to coming off the bench for about 10 minutes. Your scoring and assists averages plummet, and any chance at a scholarship dries up.

Now, I'm not saying this is how it will play out. I seriously doubt that either of the Canadians is the next John Wall, that was just an extreme example. Yes, there will be competition in every facet of life. My point is just that saying that "the old players on the team simply have to work harder to keep their spot on the team", may not matter if the new guys are just too talented.

I have no ties to East Ridge, and I don't have a kid in this situation, but I am trying to put myself in their shoes. How would you feel if you had a kid whose senior year was ruined by a "hired gun" mercenary?