Do you think 7th & 8th grader should play up?

ky wildcats · 01-29-2009, 12:35 AM

???????

Jen · 01-29-2009, 12:57 AM

Absolutely! If they are that good, why hold them back! Seniors on the squad
Probably disagree!

fanatic11 · 01-29-2009, 01:02 AM

definitely. playing against tougher competition is how you get better. playing only against weaker opponents doesnt make you any better.

Muskie13 · 01-29-2009, 01:13 AM

YES, anyone good enough should play up, most schools do this. Only people that would have a problem with this is some parents that have players in the grades ahead of that player. But, a coach is going to do what is best for his program as a whole, most coaches understand that those parents will be negative on those decisions.

Bengal4Life · 01-29-2009, 01:14 AM

I do think that 7th and 8th graders should be aloud to play up. If, the are good enough.

deaton10380 · 01-29-2009, 01:17 AM

Well, I think they should be able to play up. My son is in the 7th grade and he plays for High School.

betsylaynealum · 01-29-2009, 01:38 AM

I say heck yeah.

**thetribe** · 01-29-2009, 01:47 AM

Muskie13 Wrote:YES, anyone good enough should play up, most schools do this. Only people that would have a problem with this is some parents that have players in the grades ahead of that player. But, a coach is going to do what is best for his program as a whole, most coaches understand that those parents will be negative on those decisions.

My thoughts exactly. They should absolutely be allowed to play at a high school level. Playing against others better than you will only make you improve and if you can start doing that in 7th-8th grade then you should be an excellent player in high school.

Comet08 · 01-29-2009, 02:01 AM

Most definite!!!! Players should not be held back from there full potential!!!!

**outdoorsman43** · 01-29-2009, 02:42 AM

Absolutely. The better middle-schoolers would benefit greatly by getting experience being on a freshman team, junior varsity, or varsity team. They may not see the floor much during the course of the season, but being on the team and practicing with the older players would help the younger 7th and 8th graders dramatically in the long run.

IRISH4 · 01-29-2009, 02:49 AM

If they are good enough, play them.

**The Sniper** · 01-29-2009, 04:21 AM

Yes, if they are good enough, stupid question

racer4life · 01-29-2009, 04:56 AM

I think if the kid is good enough then they should be allowed to play high school ball. OJ Mayo and Bill Walker would have been hard to handle in a 7th or 8th grade game if they were not allowed to play up.

Csportsman11 · 01-29-2009, 09:28 AM

Yes,they should be able too if they are good enough,one Ladycat that comes too mind is Kendall Noble she was good as 7th grader and was MVP of 14th region,but usually not many can play up with the upper classman,maybe a few could,their is and 8th grader at Paintsville that can play for most all the tems in 14th region he is that good so yes play them if they are better than upper classman.

MaroonMonkey · 01-29-2009, 10:27 AM

Yes only if they are good enough.

ky wildcats · 01-29-2009, 12:11 PM

The Sniper Wrote:Yes, if they are good enough, stupid question

The only stupid question is one thats not asked. But if they are good enough to play alot of jv do you let them start on 7 and 8th grade too?

BuckeyeMania · 01-29-2009, 12:58 PM

ky wildcats Wrote:...if they are good enough to play alot of jv do you let them start on 7 and 8th grade too?

That's the question that should be presented. Its obvious to me that almost everyone believes that a player should be playing on his or her talent level, but do we play these kids with the people their age as well?

ky wildcats · 01-29-2009, 02:04 PM

BuckeyeMania Wrote:That's the question that should be presented. Its obvious to me that almost everyone believes that a player should be playing on his or her talent level, but do we play these kids with the people their age as well?

Well is someone on here gonna answer that question?

**Stardust** · 01-29-2009, 03:43 PM

If physically mature, and menatally capable, then yes, I have no problem with it.

goodguy · 01-29-2009, 03:44 PM

The best kids should play, period. Actually some 7th and 8th graders should be in high school anyway.

**Stardust** · 01-29-2009, 03:57 PM

goodguy Wrote:The best kids should play, period. Actually some 7th and 8th graders should be in high school anyway.

anybody question whether Bill Walker and OJ Mayo could handle HS basketball when they were in the 7th or 8th grade? Mayo might have been able to play when he was four.....

Jshort5 · 01-29-2009, 03:58 PM

I know alot of people that play up in baseball, but not heard of as much in basketball.

**Stardust** · 01-29-2009, 04:00 PM

Jshort5 Wrote:I know alot of people that play up in baseball, but not heard of as much in basketball.

Not sure why, but it happens all the time in Girls Basketball.

**Wyatt Earp** · 01-29-2009, 04:14 PM

ky wildcats Wrote:The only stupid question is one thats not asked. But if they are good enough to play alot of jv do you let them start on 7 and 8th grade too?

If they play JV and still get adequate practice in with their teamates in the 7th or 8th I personally see no problem in playing. I do think sometimes we stretch kids out with playing on three or four teams and they become a little tired especially with the work load of several practices. Some may practice two or three times a day with their respective teams and that gets to be a pretty long day and especially for young kids. What happens when the JV plays the same night that the 7th and 8th grades have a game? Who makes the choice and what coach is the most understanding? Does the young player that evidently loves to play have to choose. I've known players that have done both and actually faired pretty good and I have known others that only played up and felt that the decision was better for them and their team.

goodguy · 01-29-2009, 07:26 PM

Stardust Wrote:anybody question whether Bill Walker and OJ Mayo could handle HS basketball when they were in the 7th or 8th grade? Mayo might have been able to play when he was four.....

Here's how good they were, I think Mayo was second team all-state in the 7th grade and first team all-state in the 8th grade. I believe Walker was All-state honorable mention in the 8th grade.

I wonder if these guys were held back:lmao:

**The Sniper** · 01-29-2009, 09:33 PM

ky wildcats Wrote:The only stupid question is one thats not asked. But if they are good enough to play alot of jv do you let them start on 7 and 8th grade too?

Never bought into that school of thought Big Grin

Again "Yes" to the question in the second part of your post.

mandan · 01-29-2009, 10:13 PM

If the HS coach thinks they're good enough to play up, let them play. But, I don't think they should be allowed to play both. IMO. If they're that good they aren't going to gain anything by dominating lesser competition in the MS. Just taking playing time from somebody else that needs it more.

KYGal · 01-29-2009, 10:19 PM

I don't think it should matter how old you are, who you are, etc. If you make the team, you make the team. If you have a 7th grader that is a better player than a senior, let them play. Coaches and teams are playing to win.

BunnyJunky101 · 01-29-2009, 11:35 PM

[COLOR="Magenta"]If they're good enough duhh..
Most of them guys were held back anyway soo......[/COLOR]

ky wildcats · 01-30-2009, 12:05 AM

mandan Wrote:If the HS coach thinks they're good enough to play up, let them play. But, I don't think they should be allowed to play both. IMO. If they're that good they aren't going to gain anything by dominating lesser competition in the MS. Just taking playing time from somebody else that needs it more.

This is what i was looking for.