Madisonville's slam-dunk recruit

[ImForKy]

Hood remembers his coach getting in his face and giving him an ultimatum.
"Pretty much the words he used were, 'If you don't dunk the ball in traffic, you're going to come out of the game.' He just told me that once."
Once was enough.

http://www.kentucky.com/275/story/288877.html

[lighthouse]

Well, tonight I went to watch Hood play on the LIT and I wasn't impressed at all. He is tall, lanky, and has some skills, but a kid 4 inches shorter from DeSales took him completely out of his game. After watching the King of The Bluegrass @ Fairdale and seeing Hopson, the kid from Georgia, the 6'8 kid from Louisana, and several others, Hood isn't in the same league as those kids. The best thing he has going for him is his age. He is a 16 yr old Junior, and he will need maturing a lot to play D1. IMHO.

[scfcats]

Well, tonight I went to watch Hood play on the LIT and I wasn't impressed at all. He is tall, lanky, and has some skills, but a kid 4 inches shorter from DeSales took him completely out of his game. After watching the King of The Bluegrass @ Fairdale and seeing Hopson, the kid from Georgia, the 6'8 kid from Louisana, and several others, Hood isn't in the same league as those kids. The best thing he has going for him is his age. He is a 16 yr old Junior, and he will need maturing a lot to play D1. IMHO.

I would be hard pressed to give an evaluation after one game. Miller, Hopson, and Euton have all had at least one absolutely horrid game this season. I think we need to look at Hood's AAU performance as well, that is what got him recognized, and he competed against D1 talent. They all have to work on being consistent, but I think they have what is takes to get there.

[Bombastic Blue]

I watched Darius Miller on TV last night against Lex. Cath., and for three quarters couldn't figure out what people saw in him. He looked big and strong against the other high school kids, but, he couldn't hit a shot and didn't defend particularly well. Then he showed up and played a VERY good fourth quarter.

The point is, maybe the Hood kid never showed up like Miller did in the fourth quarter. If I had turned the TV off after three quarters, I would be convinced that Miller couldn't play a lick and everybody on this board was drunk.

scfcats is right. Too many people bragging on Hood to let one game make your decision.

[lighthouse]

I watched Darius Miller on TV last night against Lex. Cath., and for three quarters couldn't figure out what people saw in him. He looked big and strong against the other high school kids, but, he couldn't hit a shot and didn't defend particularly well. Then he showed up and played a VERY good fourth quarter.

The point is, maybe the Hood kid never showed up like Miller did in the fourth quarter. If I had turned the TV off after three quarters, I would be convinced that Miller couldn't play a lick and everybody on this board was drunk.

scfcats is right. Too many people bragging on Hood to let one game make your decision.

I understand, and I'm only telling what I saw in that one game. He just looked too easy to defend, and sometimes in AAU games defense is absent. He is very young and I've seen kids grow up in every aspect of the game prior to their senior year. Here's hoping he does the same.

[scfcats]

I understand, and I'm only telling what I saw in that one game. He just looked too easy to defend, and sometimes in AAU games defense is absent. He is very young and I've seen kids grow up in every aspect of the game prior to their senior year. Here's hoping he does the same.

Agreed, I'm sure Billy G wants them all working hard to get were they need to be when/if they get to Kentucky.

[UKinGrapevine]

I'm from Madisonville and have seen Hood play in several games this year. Sometimes I say to myself what does everybody see in this guy and then there is games where you say he needs to go to Wildcats. I have to look at the big picture though cause I expect so much when I watch him play. He's got the size, skills and natural abilities to become a great d1 ball player. I know he will be because of the potential he has. What he needs right now is a good coach to get him to that level. And like Lighthouse said he is very young at 16 and to be just 16 he is the leader of the team and can take over a game. He can dribble by anybody, I've seem some great moves...he's got a sweet looking shot...etc. You can just see so much potential. If he didn't have the potential there wouldn't be so many teams looking at him. :thumbup:

[lighthouse]

I'm from Madisonville and have seen Hood play in several games this year. Sometimes I say to myself what does everybody see in this guy and then there is games where you say he needs to go to Wildcats. I have to look at the big picture though cause I expect so much when I watch him play. He's got the size, skills and natural abilities to become a great d1 ball player. I know he will be because of the potential he has. What he needs right now is a good coach to get him to that level. And like Lighthouse said he is very young at 16 and to be just 16 he is the leader of the team and can take over a game. He can dribble by anybody, I've seem some great moves...he's got a sweet looking shot...etc. You can just see so much potential. If he didn't have the potential there wouldn't be so many teams looking at him. :thumbup:

I agree with your comment about needing a good coach to develop his skills. The problem as I see it, he doesn't have that advantage at MNHHS.

[ky4u]

Coach Gillispie Local paper says he was at Madisonville practice Wensday.This was his second trip to Madisonville .Madisonville coach said he did not talk to any players but stayed about 1 hour ,upon leaving said he would see them later:widcat::widcat::widcat:

[B-Dam Cat]

I'm going to check him out this Friday night. His team is coming here to Ohio county to play us.

[blue35]

I will be there also B-Dam Cat!!! Can't wait to see how good he really is. I don't think our kids will be able to stay with them IMO..

[B-Dam Cat]

We may keep it close the first few minutes. :icon_mrgreen:

[blue35]

We need a coaching change here also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PD is terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#24 has alot of potential, but we will never see it as long as PD coaching IMO.

[B-Dam Cat]

To tell you the truth I haven't really kept up with this year's team. As far as coaching change I don't think that will help either unless alot of things have changed since I graduated. When I was in school it was who you or your parents were and how much money you had. That always translated into playing time. My junior and senior year I could call a few friends and we could give the varsity team all they wanted. And we didn't even try out for the team. Basketball politics at that school I learned in middle school at a young age. And it's really a shame because I've seen and played with some pretty good guys that never even dressed out. But that was a diffferent coach so things could be different. But then again PD and GD are kin aren't they?

Sorry for the rant.:icon_biggrin:

[blue35]

All the "D's" are, but your right, seems like politics and money are involved in all the high schools anymore.


Hope there is alot of "Ky Blue" at the game Friday night. I hope Ohio Co gives him the same reception as they did Rex Chapman. (Although totally different players, and Rex had already commited to the Cats)

[Cat Country]

All the "D's" are, but your right, seems like politics and money are involved in all the high schools anymore.


Hope there is alot of "Ky Blue" at the game Friday night. I hope Ohio Co gives him the same reception as they did Rex Chapman. (Although totally different players, and Rex had already commited to the Cats)

Honestly, I doubt if very many locals even know that we are looking at him. But that's just speculation. I know i'll be there.

[j_allen]

All the "D's" are, but your right, seems like politics and money are involved in all the high schools anymore.


Hope there is alot of "Ky Blue" at the game Friday night. I hope Ohio Co gives him the same reception as they did Rex Chapman. (Although totally different players, and Rex had already commited to the Cats)

i was 12 when king rex came to ohio county and lit them up for 40+ and from that day on i was a fan of king rex, but i played varsity at ohio county as a freshman, and i came from horse branch and i have to disagree with the money and politics but maybe it was just because i was that dang good LOL and i was!!! if you dont believe me...... just ask me LOL

[WildcatRick]

i was 12 when king rex came to ohio county and lit them up for 40+ and from that day on i was a fan of king rex, but i played varsity at ohio county as a freshman, and i came from horse branch and i have to disagree with the money and politics but maybe it was just because i was that dang good LOL and i was!!! if you dont believe me...... just ask me LOL

I believe they are right. I went to OCHS during the early 80's and it was that way then. Some of the best players sit the bench or wasnt even on the team because their parents werent big wigs or their skin was the wrong color.

I was at the game against Rex as well, if I remember correctly he didnt play half the game and lit us up. OC basketball was terrible in those days.

[B-Dam Cat]

Has anyone heard if the game is still on for tonight? Did Madisonville have school today or was it cancelled?

[blue35]

As of 10:00 this morning everything is still as planned.

[B-Dam Cat]

:thumbup: Thanks for the update.

[DBCAT]

Just got back from watching Hood play against Ohio Co., and I know it was just one game, but this kid did not look like division 1 talent at all. He's not even the best player on their team, and Ohio County has a sophomore Kevin Bunton that makes Hood look like a little kid. Like I said, I know it was just one game,...but I was not impressed at all. I don't understand what all the fuss is about this kid. ???

[B-Dam Cat]

Well I went to the game and I wasn't impressed with the play of Hood. He had 8 points in the first half and I believe he finished with like 12 total. He had one dunk, one three pointer, one reverse lay up, and he was 5 of 6 from the free throw line. They beat us by five or six I didn't stay for the last minute. The best player tonight for Madisonville North Hopkins was #44 can't remember his name, but he was a few inches shorter than Hood and had a lot of easy put backs on offensive rebounds. He also had a nice mid range jump shot. I would say he had 20 points easy.
And I was really impressed with the play of the sophmore #24 last name Buntin (sp?) for Ohio Co. This kid is around 6 foot and can drive to the basket and he can post his man and score with ease. Someone at the game told me that he had broke his leg last year, and that this was the first year that he had played. Like blue35 mentioned he has ALOT of potential. With the right coaching he could be a very good player. Out of all the players on the floor "tonight" from both teams Buntin looked like he had the best upside to him. :shrug1:But that's just my opinion.
What does everyone else that went to the game think?

[blue35]

I have to agree with everyone else, at best he is a decent Division 2 player right now. He was throwing bricks and even missed everything on a 8 ft jump shot during warm-ups. He does seem to play hard and unselfish though. #44 Darnel (Not sure on last name) is more of a presence on the floor than Jon Hood. I realize he is just a Junior but he has alot of improving to do before he even sniffs Division 1.

To back what B-Dam Cat said about Ohio Co #24, his name is Kevin Bunton and can jump out of the gym, best player tonite by far. Just needs to develop a better jumpshot and needs to be coached. If he can get on a AAU squad and get the coaching he needs, he will be the best player to come out of Western Ky since Rex Chapman IMO. I know those are big words, but trust me the kid can flat out play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cat Country]

I was there too!!! Bunton was definately the star last night especially since he is only a sophmore, tonight was the first game that i've seen him play without a dunk.....

Maybe we caught Hood on a bad night, but it definately was not what I was expecting.

Nice to see Bigcat25 back on the site.....

[jdeasy]

I've been saying all along that Hood does not appear to be UK caliber. That doesn't win many points around here.

He is a skilled player. His partents were both terrific basketball players. Both were D-1. They met in college. She is a local girl and that's why they came back to madisonville.

Jon is still growing. He is painfully thin. He is young and still can gain weight and strength. They list both Hood and Darnell Moore at 6'6". Hood is close to that, Moore is not as tall. North is poorly coached, but, Hood gets private instruction from several former D-1 players including his Dad.

My gut says he won't be at UK and my opinion is that's OK. But, if BCG really wants him, I will defer judgement to him. He, obviously, sees something or he wouldn't have offered.

The real stud in the 2nd region is Hopson. He could step into a UK uniform and play right now.

[DBCAT]

Just got back from watching Hood play against Ohio Co., and I know it was just one game, but this kid did not look like division 1 talent at all. He's not even the best player on their team, and Ohio County has a sophomore Kevin Bunton that makes Hood look like a little kid. Like I said, I know it was just one game,...but I was not impressed at all. I don't understand what all the fuss is about this kid. ???

My original post about this kid might not have done him justice. It was the first time I watched him and he was not impressive at all. I didn't watch his game last night, but he did put up 39 points and pull down 12 boards against Apollo High School.

[UKinGrapevine]

I was at the District Championship game last night in Madisonville. Madisonville North Hopkins against Hopkins County Central. Hood went in for a slam dunk and got fouled hard (intentional foul). His feet came out from under him and he tried to stop the fall with his right hand. He was out the rest of the game. I have heard today that his wrist is broke. Don't know the extent of it.

I was so looking forward to the regionals next week in Madisonville. Hoping for another Hopson and Hood match up. Oh well, I'll go out and watch Hopson play all next week. That is if they win tonights District Championship game against Hopkinsville.

I pray for a quick and complete healing for Hood!!!

[Josh]

I had been meaning to get over to North to watch Jon play but due to my schedule I never got the chance. I would LOVE to see Hopson play. I may go out and enjoy some good ole high school basketball next week.

[UKinGrapevine]

I had been meaning to get over to North to watch Jon play but due to my schedule I never got the chance. I would LOVE to see Hopson play. I may go out and enjoy some good ole high school basketball next week.

I'll be there.

Looks like Madisonville will be playing Webster Co. on March 5 at 6pm. I believe they'll win this game, but won't have much chance when they face University Heights, without Hood.

Looks like UH and Hopson will be playing March 6 at 6pm against Hopkins Co. Central. Central has a decent team. Madisonville has beaten them 3 times this year though. However, somehow they beat UH this year. Hopson got thrown out of that game because of two technical fouls. I'm sure that helped them in the win. I didn't see that game.