[Truewords]

Little left before his 8th grade year to go to Pikeville. He played JV and practiced with big stronger kids every day.  Look how much he has improved over rest of them.

Weddington, Wallace, and now rash have went to Phelps.  Maybe playing those kids up gets them more connected to program.  Which gives a chance they are still at Belfry

Rash and Keithley were always neck and neck for who was best player in that 2027 class through middle school.  Rash hasn’t developed at rate others have in that class.  Still a nice basketball player but not seen the development of keithley, Slone, little and a few more. 

Did that year of not having anyone to go against to challenge you in practice hurt their development.  Getting challenged everyday makes you a better player, esp learning to play more physical and faster.  Those kids during that year didn’t get challenged in what usually is highest growth of a player (14-15 yo age). 

Maybe it’s just a coincidence or other factors,  but it’s something to consider.

Agree that practicing against better will make you better and also it did help Little. The belfry staff then and in past never worked JV to make them better let alone 8th graders.