[More Cowbell]

I don't know either,people saying the Wildcats Underachieved!! Andrew has played hurt all season,Swindall hurt knee, Hamilton injured. Cowbell must have His/Her Own ax to Grind.

You are completely clueless. I have no ax to grind, just an unbiased observer who sees an extremely talented team and wants to see them reach their full potential (i.e., a regional championship).

If you don't think they should be considered a top contender for the region, then that's your opinion. But if not, maybe it's YOU who is not being objective here.

[More Cowbell]

I don't know how this went from a Pikeville coaching change to talking about the Wildcats.

I didn't intend for it to go off on a tangent. My original post was in defense of coach Williams, in response to a post that said Pikeville should have won the district with ease. My rebuttal was to state that SV was, in fact, the preseason favorite.

Point being that Williams shouldn't be dinged for not winning district, since IMO it was Valley's to lose all along.

[alleycat53]

Every year it's the same thing, Bart's job is on the line. He lost to a very hot shooting SV team.

[PHSForever]

Every year it's the same thing, Bart's job is on the line. He lost to a very hot shooting SV team.

I think he could have avoided being in the situation to even have to play the first round game. There were opportunities throughout the season to win and they didn't. I like Bart. But it has become sort of a cesspool of parents hating on each other, hating on him, etc. The general air among fans of the school is that it is just time for a change. I have no dog in the fight other than being a fan of the school. My kid doesn't play. But EVERY single knowledgable sports person I talk with is amazed he has lasted this long with some of the controversies that have swirled around the past several years. He has had the talent to advance to Rupp at least 3 times in the last 7 or 8 years, and has come up short. If anyone bases the decision solely on the loss to Valley, that would be idiotic. The way they were shooting from 3, I seriously doubt if Central or Sheldon Clark would have beat them that night.

Consensus is, nice guy, good for 20 wins, but to make the next step when parents are investing as much as they are in AAU ball and travel, etc, they need fresh blood. His train left him at the loading dock after the Kasongo/Ethan Rowe team. Bag in hand, a little forlorn, and the whistle blowing as it rattled down the track. Everyone saw that, just a few in administration who didn't want to believe it.

[Ivebeenthere]

Simple fact: Bart is a great coach! : parents should stay out period! Let the coach , coach and you stay in bleachers watching! Kids that look to their parents in stands to see what to do shouldn't be playing! Forgot; they can transfer , from one school to another to another! Come on KHSAA STOP LETTING THAT HAPPEN !

[Ivebeenthere]

Do you think Hicks will last at SV?

[Mjolnir]

Do you think Hicks will last at SV?

To be fair,I think the question is; Do you think SV will be fortunate enough to keep him?

[PHSForever]

Simple fact: Bart is a great coach! : parents should stay out period! Let the coach , coach and you stay in bleachers watching! Kids that look to their parents in stands to see what to do shouldn't be playing! Forgot; they can transfer , from one school to another to another! Come on KHSAA STOP LETTING THAT HAPPEN !

I agree. The problem is, parents invest so heavily in their kids athletic endeavors now compared to years past, they feel like they should have some say. Not saying I agree with that point of view, and not saying Bart isn't a great guy or even a very good coach (he is both of those things and much more, I think he's awesome as a person), just saying what is leading to these turmoils. Playing a sport seriously now, with all the camps, apparel, travel, etc is an expensive undertaking for any parent and child. Until some of that pressure is alleviated in some way, it will stay that way. A strong AD who tells the parents "complain to me, but keep your mouth shut to the coach" will go a long way. Does Pikeville have that right now? Let's wait and see. But at the end of the day, I'd say a change will happen because there just seems to be so much tension and animosity among the different fans/parents.

[TheChief]

I agree. The problem is, parents invest so heavily in their kids athletic endeavors now compared to years past, they feel like they should have some say. Not saying I agree with that point of view, and not saying Bart isn't a great guy or even a very good coach (he is both of those things and much more, I think he's awesome as a person), just saying what is leading to these turmoils. Playing a sport seriously now, with all the camps, apparel, travel, etc is an expensive undertaking for any parent and child. Until some of that pressure is alleviated in some way, it will stay that way. A strong AD who tells the parents "complain to me, but keep your mouth shut to the coach" will go a long way. Does Pikeville have that right now? Let's wait and see. But at the end of the day, I'd say a change will happen because there just seems to be so much tension and animosity among the different fans/parents.

I hear the coaching change will happen only if the board chair of Pikeville agrees. And I thought that politics only happened in the county.

[Commanche]

Simple fact: Bart is a great coach! : parents should stay out period! Let the coach , coach and you stay in bleachers watching! Kids that look to their parents in stands to see what to do shouldn't be playing! Forgot; they can transfer , from one school to another to another! Come on KHSAA STOP LETTING THAT HAPPEN !

1. Bart has been arguing with parents on the floor for years. He should not even hear them, if he is focused on his JoB at hand.

2. Remember he selected these kids and is playing them. So he is the one facilitating them being on the floor.

3. Nobody has recruited better then Bart. He has benefitted from the transfers not been hurt by them. His former players don't transfer they just walk the halls and play baseball and football instead.

He has recruited 20 win seasons and generally plays a week schedule to assure that.

[sprucepinetiger]

1. Bart has been arguing with parents on the floor for years. He should not even hear them, if he is focused on his JoB at hand.

2. Remember he selected these kids and is playing them. So he is the one facilitating them being on the floor.

3. Nobody has recruited better then Bart. He has benefitted from the transfers not been hurt by them. His former players don't transfer they just walk the halls and play baseball and football instead.

He has recruited 20 win seasons and generally plays a week schedule to assure that.

Very well said Commanche. Almost sounds like you're on the inside!!! Haha.

[Commanche]

Very well said Commanche. Almost sounds like you're on the inside!!! Haha.

Nope just been around a while.

[-STAT-]

I've always thought that Bart has been a very underrated coach.
Definitely what hurt him the most was not winning Region, winning the ALL-A Region with Rowe, Kasongo, etc. a few years back really cooled the hot seat down per say. Would hate to see Bart go, but maybe the new regime at Pikeville thinks it's time for a change. Don't think Booher would step in as he is in administration, would he try and lure in Elisha? Will be an interesting off season in Pikeville.

[The Weatherman]

No way Booher will be coaching. Justice has already pulled one player from Valley to JBS. I think Booher finds a spot for Justice for two reasons. One is that he knows the game of basketball and has a year of coaching experience under his belt. Second is that he wants to keep the talent in their own back door. Mark it down.

[Baseball Man]

Bart should get to stay! He will have one of of top 5 teams in the region next year, and has put a lot of time and energy into the program. It would be a shame to get rid of him now, especially after he was endured the conflicts he has over the last couple of years!

Let him stay 1 more year!!!!

[Commanche]

Bart should get to stay! He will have one of of top 5 teams in the region next year, and has put a lot of time and energy into the program. It would be a shame to get rid of him now, especially after he was endured the conflicts he has over the last couple of years!

Let him stay 1 more year!!!!

What conflicts has the man endured? Inform us please. He has caused a lot of you men to quit the sport after one season playing under him. Kids dont fall out of love with a sport at 14 without a valid reason. I am talking numerous kids who could play the game. His roster is always loaded with underclassmen because the kids just dont want to play for him. Absent the transfers dating back to Kosango, Pikeville would not have had a winning season.

[Big Don]

A reliable source informed me that Billy Clyde Gillispie landed at the Appalachian Airport today and got a police escort to the Texas Roadhouse. Coincidence?????

[Mjolnir]

A reliable source informed me that Billy Clyde Gillispie landed at the Appalachian Airport today and got a police escort to the Texas Roadhouse. Coincidence?????

Good One! Pilot could have got into Billy's beverages!

[sprucepinetiger]

What conflicts has the man endured? Inform us please. He has caused a lot of you men to quit the sport after one season playing under him. Kids dont fall out of love with a sport at 14 without a valid reason. I am talking numerous kids who could play the game. His roster is always loaded with underclassmen because the kids just dont want to play for him. Absent the transfers dating back to Kosango, Pikeville would not have had a winning season.

Again, very well said...You sure you're not on the inside? LOL

[Mjolnir]

Commanche and s,p tiger are right on. IMO the transfers serve 2 purposes. They help them and they can't help the team they came from. Parents need to talk to some of these ex-transfers before they make the same mistake. Investigate and talk simple truth to the coach first. If they promise you the moon-stay away. (Playing time).

[Baseball Man]

The CONFLICT is.... All the so called Pikeville fans!!!! All you have done is COMPLAIN about how Coach Williams doesn't do this and that. If they remove him "You All " will just do the same to the next coach!

As far as the kids not playing. It happens everywhere. Parents get mad because their little baby is starting and they here them complaining, so they blame the coach and stop playing! We see it at every school. Pikeville is NO different! Just blame the coach because the kid doesn't put the time in to get better.

Pikeville has Shelby Valley in their district, NO one beat them in the REGION while Booher was there. Bart did well to get to the region those years and even made it to the REGION FINALS twice!!! So keep on causing trouble until you get a new coach, and then it will be the same thing all over again!

[sprucepinetiger]

I guess this will be the last thing I say about this situation. When two or more people, who are not related and do not talk to one another tell you about things will happen within a program. Whether it be Pikeville, Belfry, Pike Central or whomever. Then, those things that you were told would happen, do happen. And exactly like you were told they would, What do you say? What do you do? You believe what they were telling you. Obviously the same thing has been going on a Pikeville for a while. Does similar stuff go on every where, probably. But that doesn't make it right? One other thing I've noticed on here. Every time someone put's a post on here about their kid not playing or not getting a break. Someone is quick to jump in and say, "maybe your kid's not good enough" or "maybe they should work harder and get better" But what about those that were good enough and busted their butt's, did everything that was asked of them and more and never got their just due? It would be nice to take the politics, the money, whose kid you are and all that crap out of the equation. I don't think that's too much to ask.

[TheChief]

Pikeville will not be a top 5 team next year. They have lost their inside game. Guards will have a hard time scoring without it. Funny how we all heard the seniors to be were the best middle school in the nation. Heck they couldn't even win the county. I hope they keep the coaching staff. It guarantees my Warriors a free ride to region.:hilarious:

[Panther Thunder]

Opinions are fine. I would prefer people kept them to themselves, but they are fine nonetheless.

Just remember the old saying about glass houses.

It sure is nice to get on here and criticize anonymously. I used to be as guilty as anyone. The same people that talk about politics are the same ones that play their political hands in cases like this in attempt to get what they want. Let the administration handle their business. If you have a gripe, I am sure they would welcome your point of view as long as it is presented logically.

I don't believe it is any secret I am a supporter of Coach Williams and I believe he has done a pretty good job leading the program at PHS. He has put in a ton of energy and loves the Maroon and White. Pikeville has been very competitive for a Class A school during his tenure, at a school that has little basketball success since 1959, in a district with schools where basketball is king. The good wins outweigh the bad losses.

It is really easy to sit on the outside and say this and that with no repercussions. But some people have too much pride to admit that maybe their child didn't really need basketball. How can a player say they never had a fair chance when they quit before they are a junior? The easy cop out is "I don't like the coach". A lot easier to say than "I just really don't want to commit all the time it takes to be a part of the program." And that is fine. It is tough. Practice or a game almost every day for 4 months, summer workouts and games.

My biggest point is this: If you are a stakeholder with an interest in PHS and you have a complaint, go through the proper channels of expressing that complaint. If you have praises to issue, do the same thing. I regret some of the things I have posted on here when I was younger about this exact same individual when I spoke out of personal gripes. Publicly and anonymously trashing an individual that does what he can to help PHS succeed does nothing to help the situation or promote the morale of the program. PHS needs people who will come to the games and cheer on the players on the floor and the team representing the school. If that is too much to ask of those with criticisms, then I am not sure your opinion should hold very much weight. And if you cannot support the school because of a few individuals, you need to reexamine your own perspective.

None of this is directed at any one poster, just felt it needed to be said. I hope all those that claim to support PHS will do just that by coming to games and cheering on those student athletes and letting administrators do their jobs and coaches do theirs whether you agree or disagree. You at least owe that to the kids that work everyday to wear the Maroon and White. :Thumbs:

[Commanche]

Opinions are fine. I would prefer people kept them to themselves, but they are fine nonetheless.

Just remember the old saying about glass houses.

It sure is nice to get on here and criticize anonymously. I used to be as guilty as anyone. The same people that talk about politics are the same ones that play their political hands in cases like this in attempt to get what they want. Let the administration handle their business. If you have a gripe, I am sure they would welcome your point of view as long as it is presented logically.

I don't believe it is any secret I am a supporter of Coach Williams and I believe he has done a pretty good job leading the program at PHS. He has put in a ton of energy and loves the Maroon and White. Pikeville has been very competitive for a Class A school during his tenure, at a school that has little basketball success since 1959, in a district with schools where basketball is king. The good wins outweigh the bad losses.

It is really easy to sit on the outside and say this and that with no repercussions. But some people have too much pride to admit that maybe their child didn't really need basketball. How can a player say they never had a fair chance when they quit before they are a junior? The easy cop out is "I don't like the coach". A lot easier to say than "I just really don't want to commit all the time it takes to be a part of the program." And that is fine. It is tough. Practice or a game almost every day for 4 months, summer workouts and games.

My biggest point is this: If you are a stakeholder with an interest in PHS and you have a complaint, go through the proper channels of expressing that complaint. If you have praises to issue, do the same thing. I regret some of the things I have posted on here when I was younger about this exact same individual when I spoke out of personal gripes. Publicly and anonymously trashing an individual that does what he can to help PHS succeed does nothing to help the situation or promote the morale of the program. PHS needs people who will come to the games and cheer on the players on the floor and the team representing the school. If that is too much to ask of those with criticisms, then I am not sure your opinion should hold very much weight. And if you cannot support the school because of a few individuals, you need to reexamine your own perspective.

None of this is directed at any one poster, just felt it needed to be said. I hope all those that claim to support PHS will do just that by coming to games and cheering on those student athletes and letting administrators do their jobs and coaches do theirs whether you agree or disagree. You at least owe that to the kids that work everyday to wear the Maroon and White. :Thumbs:

A lot of truth in what you posted.

I will point out the fact that according to the KHSAA rosters for the last four years that Pikeville has listed their rosters as 6 seniors, 10 Juniors, 14 Sophomores, 16 Freshmen, and 6 eighth graders. Of the six seniors at least 3 if I am correct have transferred to Pikeville. The senior class next year will be an exception as they started out with 7 F, 5 So, and 5 Jr playing according to the website. Now what alarms is that their are as many 8th graders on those rosters as Srs.

Most of the players that have quit have kept playing their other sports and have been quite successful, so to assume kids are not committed to hard work is incorrect. I truly dont think that is how you meant it, but could be construed that way.

What about Hobo McCoy, Devin Adams, and Zack Ramey, obviously there you have a 15th player of the year. An All A State Champion starter. A sixth man specialist who has 2 All A State Championships and a State Championship. All three played multiple years at Pikeville in either High School or Middle School. Why did they leave? All appear to have what it took to play at a high level.

[Panther Thunder]

A lot of truth in what you posted.

I will point out the fact that according to the KHSAA rosters for the last four years that Pikeville has listed their rosters as 6 seniors, 10 Juniors, 14 Sophomores, 16 Freshmen, and 6 eighth graders. Of the six seniors at least 3 if I am correct have transferred to Pikeville. The senior class next year will be an exception as they started out with 7 F, 5 So, and 5 Jr playing according to the website. Now what alarms is that their are as many 8th graders on those rosters as Srs.

Most of the players that have quit have kept playing their other sports and have been quite successful, so to assume kids are not committed to hard work is incorrect. I truly dont think that is how you meant it, but could be construed that way.

What about Hobo McCoy, Devin Adams, and Zack Ramey, obviously there you have a 15th player of the year. An All A State Champion starter. A sixth man specialist who has 2 All A State Championships and a State Championship. All three played multiple years at Pikeville in either High School or Middle School. Why did they leave? All appear to have what it took to play at a high level.

Correct, not how I meant it to be taken. They obviously showed the commitment to the other sports so it is there, just not for basketball. The same as some have the commitment to basketball that do not play baseball or football. It happens at every school. I would encourage every athlete to play every sport they can. I think it serves them well in the end and it is the best chance for success for PHS, but unfortunately, it isn't for everyone and seems to be getting worse across the country. The pressure to specialize is very great for a variety of reasons.

I may be drawing a blank, but I can't remember any 8th graders playing much varsity. I would assume it was this current group of Juniors that dressed some after the Junior High season ended. I can't answer for each individual, but I would say the rates of attrition are not so different at a lot of schools. It isn't too farfetched to think an 8th grade team of 8-9-10 players moves on to freshman year and one or two don't come out. Then you play your freshman team games with a team of 6-7-8 freshman and likely a couple 8th graders. Move on to sophomore year. You have a JV team comprised of 5-6 sophomores, some freshman, maybe an 8th grader. Some at this point have probably received some varsity minutes, some see the writing on the wall. Junior year arrives and you have a core group of 3-4-5 juniors who will receive a healthy share of minutes. Mixed in with seniors, sophomores, maybe a freshman or two-three. That's a team of at least 10-12. How many will play significant minutes? Probably 7-9 any given year.

I think the main issue and why it can be perceived as people being "run off" is that the athletes that are your "house-hold" names so to speak out of junior high have an expectation of playing early, serious varsity minutes. And when they are asked to play JV, out of no disrespect mind you, it is kind of a wake up call. JV and Freshman basketball isn't glamorous, or at least as glamorous as playing varsity. IMO, some just don't see the trade off as worth it when they are getting a ton of PT in baseball or football at the same age. In basketball, you are going to start out of the gate in any given grade with a relatively low number of players compared to a sport like baseball or football. So any attrition is much more noticeable.

As for the individuals you brought up, I am not sure I can give you the answer you want. I don't know enough about each situation other than some things just off the top of the head. I think Hobo (who never played for Coach Williams) benefited from the transfer more than he would have at PHS. I think he went to a perfect fit for himself. I would have loved to have seen him at PHS, he could have been a great help, but he made a move that made sense based on family ties and available PT. He would have started his career at PHS in a program with some guards that were pretty good as well in Matt Clevenger and Ethan Rowe, both played college ball at Transy and both were already in the program. Gatlin Clark and Devin Burchett were a year ahead and in the program. Will Branham was another that really developed in to a very good player by his junior and senior years. So you had several very good guards within a 4 year window. I think he saw an opportunity to go to a school close to home and be the man from almost day 1, not that he could not have been that guy eventually at PHS, but the opportunity was there now at PC. You can't really fault him. And I'm not 100% but I don't believe he ever defeated PHS at his time at PC. Just an aside lol.

Ramey (another intial transfer while in Jr. High), I really have no idea. He really went from PHS as a small role guy and blossomed at SV as a role player as well, but he was on a very, very good team and that helps. One could argue, much like Adams, he saw an opportunity to play with a team with an opportunity to win a state title and leave a school where he had no roots, so it didn't make the switch that difficult.

Adams? I'm not sure either. He was a starter for a couple years at PHS. Played a ton of minutes. Was, I believe, a transfer to PHS initially, btw so had no roots so to speak and you could say would be susceptible to being swayed to leave if the right opportunity arose. And that opportunity was a chance to go to SV and join an ultra successful team and have a chance to play for a State Title. Something he wasn't going to get at PHS. Hurts to say, but is truthful. I also believe it was thought that he had a better chance to be seen in the recruiting arena at SV, with which I don't necessarily agree, but who am I to tell someone what is best for him or her. SV did play in some high profile tourneys and then the All "A" and Sweet 16 so there was some more exposure, so the argument would have some merit.

Maybe those explanations are off target, but I don't really believe there is anyone to fault. Transfers happen. Both in and out. Everyone is in a different situation and has different motivations for doing what they do. I think to lay the blame at the feet of one man is a little over-the-top.

I hope I replied in a way that conveyed my side as well as possible. I want to see PHS be the best in anything it does, and I would love to see those who support it stay united and not let these situations get in the way of that. It is not humanly possible to appease everyone and when one tries to do so, they usually appease no one. Some are going to agree, some will disagree, it is how it goes.

[Ivebeenthere]

What conflicts has the man endured? Inform us please. He has caused a lot of you men to quit the sport after one season playing under him. Kids dont fall out of love with a sport at 14 without a valid reason. I am talking numerous kids who could play the game. His roster is always loaded with underclassmen because the kids just dont want to play for him. Absent the transfers dating back to Kosango, Pikeville would not have had a winning season.

I'm not sure of what you say but I do know this.
1. Kids that quit get mad because they aren't the Ho to guy or can't shoot and parents have them quit because they think their kids are great when in fact are not very good at all.
2. Kids quit because they don't line bro g golf what to do or yelled at . Cry babies is what they amount to . If you are gonna at the game you must go by coaches rules!
3. Just how much talent is at Pikeville? Enrollment of what 300. PCC and Belfry have 800-900 and can't find quality players to win with.
4. Kids today would rather play video games and sit on their tales rather than play a sport .
5. What people forget. No matter how much talent you have, it takes an enormous amount of luck to win a regional . Kids dont play their best every night and once in District Tourn. One bad night and you go home.

Now blame the coach because he has to put up with kids that are cry babies and parents who want to coach from the stands and constantly pushing their kids playing time when they don't deserve it. It's easy to point the finger at the coach, but there has to be blame also placed where it is due.

[TheChief]

I am hoping that none of these online posters supporting Coach Williams are being paid as a member of the coaching staff. Doubt the new athletic director would want his coaches spending their time on this site. Especially if they are accessing the site during school time.

[alleycat53]

Commanche and s,p tiger are right on. IMO the transfers serve 2 purposes. They help them and they can't help the team they came from. Parents need to talk to some of these ex-transfers before they make the same mistake. Investigate and talk simple truth to the coach first. If they promise you the moon-stay away. (Playing time).

Huffman couldn't have helped Shelby Valley?

[Commanche]

I'm not sure of what you say but I do know this.
1. Kids that quit get mad because they aren't the Ho to guy or can't shoot and parents have them quit because they think their kids are great when in fact are not very good at all.
2. Kids quit because they don't line bro g golf what to do or yelled at . Cry babies is what they amount to . If you are gonna at the game you must go by coaches rules!
3. Just how much talent is at Pikeville? Enrollment of what 300. PCC and Belfry have 800-900 and can't find quality players to win with.
4. Kids today would rather play video games and sit on their tales rather than play a sport .
5. What people forget. No matter how much talent you have, it takes an enormous amount of luck to win a regional . Kids dont play their best every night and once in District Tourn. One bad night and you go home.

Now blame the coach because he has to put up with kids that are cry babies and parents who want to coach from the stands and constantly pushing their kids playing time when they don't deserve it. It's easy to point the finger at the coach, but there has to be blame also placed where it is due.

Apparently you have spiked your coffee, because you are making no sense whatsoever.

Kids and parents arent the problem when you graduate 6 seniors in 4 years and 3 of them transferred in. That means you actually graduated 3 seniors who started out playing for you if the KHSAA Rosters are accurate. Not my numbers but something someone from Pikeville administration posted.

Several of the kids who quit were prime athletes at Pikeville, not gamers.