[Number One Fan]

I think it's one of the most common misconceptions that there are numerous great players walking the halls at all schools.
If they aren't playing, that means they probably aren't willing to put in the work to be a good player, much less a great one.
I've seen coaches every fall think they have a great athlete in another sport, football or baseball usually, who will come in as a junior or senior and help the team. I think coach Shackleford had a few of those this fall at Middlesboro, from what I heard. They almost always don't actually show up when the work begins, or they quit early in the season, and then you have to rework your rotation.
It's easy to say you "could have" been great, and it's the "coach's fault" I'm not there.

I've watched these kids for years, basketball, football and baseball. But you are exactly right when you say all these players from other sports told him they would come and play, and that is what he counted on and pushed others to the side. But, it is the same kids that do this in every sport, and as long as he has been an assistant, he knows this. Don't count your chickens before they hatch and don't ignore any kid that wants to play for you because you are waiting for the other ones who are good at other sports. Just because you can kick ass in football does not mean you will do the same in another sport. I think in this area where there is nothing for kids except running the streets or drugs, coaches should encourage more kids to play ball. Politics is a small town is bad, but it has been the same in Middlesboro for years and years. Who you know and who you are. Now there have been a few that grew up with nothing, and turned out to be the best players they had. Instead of trying to help them get to the next level, when they're done with them, they're done. It is a parents responsibility to encourage their child as well, but that doesn't happen much either.