[Ike Cooter]

You've rode this team, their style and primarily their PGs hard all year. It was a down year, some of it was with Paintsville's youthful talent and some of it was with the injury bug. That happens from time to time at small schools. If you thought this team would be similar to the 86-88 teams or the 95-98 clubs you were set up for disappointment from the get go. I saw this bunch play once this year and thought there were a lot of bright spots in the lineup going forward. A lot to look forward to, especially after they get Kash, Phelps and Miller back in the lineup next season. More depth provides the ultimate coach, the bench. Any individual that strictly looks at wins and losses from this season won't see the brighter picture. The team coming back next season will be a Top 5 club in the 15th.
By the way, I really hope you write a "How To Play Team Ball" or a "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Team Work" book in the near future. You are so knowledgeable about the topic, I figured who else could I learn all this wisdom from to implement into my future buddy ball teams from none other than Mr. God Speed. The Godfather of Team Ball. Maybe under your tutelage and book of blueprints, I can win a few championships. I'm honestly surprised that a high school hasn't snatched you up as some type of special assistant to teach the art of team play. You must have got in Norman Dale's ear and caused him to implement the 5 pass rule for Hickory High. I'll be sure to keep an eye out at Barnes and Nobel in the future.

The 15th is the worse region, top to bottom, in the entire state. Being one of the top 5 is nothing to brag about. :redboxer: