[Playcaller66]

I think one of the main things you would look at when trying to choose the top coach, would be how is the program now compared to when they were hired, has it improved, stayed the same, went down hill. To me Tony has got the program running at a high level the whole time he been there. Davis has had a couple decent teams but not at the level South has been in the past. Sizemore has improved Bell since he has been there. Parrot has improved Jackson county since he’s been there. Akel has done great at Harlan. Nobody will ever replace Bobby Keith, but Marcum kept the Bar real high at Clay. But it’s a disaster now. I’m not sure now anybody could say he done a good job. To me you need to be at school for a few years before you can tell anything about them, and will see how Valentine does after this year.

Marcum is 10-1 better coach than Gray. Had Marcum been coaching Robinson, Abner, Farmers group then Clay County win Region every year with that group. Tony Patterson is only coach in the 13th Region who could have beaten that group if Marcum is coaching.

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I think Gridiron Raid makes good points about Valentine insofar as he's in an unenviable situation. Expectations are sky-high because of the talent he has. Anything less than a regional title and a good run at Rupp is going to be viewed as a disappointment. I believe it was Steve Spurrier who said that he knew it was time to leave his job (Florida) when it was "a relief to win and disappointment to lose". Valentine did a really good job getting Lexington Christian Academy to a higher level during his time there, so he's showing that he can be a good fit at two different types of programs.

FWIW, I saw North Laurel last year and didn't think that they were as talented as others thought. I think that they had some talent, certainly, but that the kids that they had weren't ideal for how you'd build a team around Sheppard if you were able to construct a roster the way you could at the collegiate level. I always thought that they'd have been better if they'd had some more size and bulk that Sheppard could dump it off to and trust to finish at the rim and who could get after some of his misses on the boards as opposed to having to be so reliant on spacing you out and trying to rely on so many different kids being able to consistently make shots.

Pikeville was a tough match-up for them for this reason-- enough size and length to keep one kid who could TRY to keep a hand in Sheppard's face and contest as best they could without having to send tons of help and still good enough to control the boards while the North's supporting cast had to take deep shots in a big, unfamiliar arena.

The addition of Chadwell certainly went a long way in remedying what they needed, but I still think that they're probably a player or two short of the talent that you'll see on the best teams in the 7th, 9th, 11th, etc.; add another good athlete and another kid with some size and they are probably a solid favorite to win it all.

Yes Chadwell helped solidify North as a Region Championship contender. I watched the North vs Lincoln game earlier in week and Lincoln played with North till 4th quarter. Why didn’t the Brock kid start is my question? He wasn’t injured as he played but not nearly what he’s been playing. It’s easy to see body language of players and it didn’t appear his was especially happy. No one on North bench should be starting over Brock period politics or not.