271 replies to this topic

[caldwell]

Amazing what talent can do!!

[NWbballfan]

X will graduate from LCC and Q will keep doing what he's doing with AAU. Neither will go to senior high

[SpartanDome]

vballer66, on 10 February 2014 - 07:17 PM, said:

Always easy to blame coach but if kids don't buy into game plan it's a struggle. They are still young and could be good in a year or two if they stay together, healthy, eligible and quit thinking they know more than coach. Defense is a state of mind. You either do it or you don't and most of those boys don't. Playing defense sucks compared to playing offense but if they would see how many other teams play offense thru their defense they might enjoy playing it more. Had one kid hurt fir first half of season, another kid got suspended for a stretch and they lack a true point guard. Allen does a nice job but I don't consider him a true pg. Blame coach but kids need to take responsibility for lack of effort.

I agree you can always fire the Coach but you can not fire the players. I heard from numerous people that Lima Senior had players told to leave, not try out, we have a point guard etc. One is Tyler Ulis (now in Chicago) and another is Dejorr Gibson (now playing at Mansfield Senior) there may be more, I DO NOT LIVE in Lima and have gotten this info second hand. If this is true then the Coach DOES need to be held responsible for the lack of a true point guard for either 1) forcing these previously named players to go elsewhere 2) not developing a point guard that remained at the school.
If anyone can enlighten me on this I would appreciate it.

[moe_ szyslak]

All I know is that his son is not very good.

[SpartanDome]

West Nile Virus, on 01 March 2013 - 09:25 PM, said:

Lima Sr. is not struggling because it is losing "good" players other schools and not because it is in an extremely tough league. Lima has had terrific talent (Anton Hutchins, Tyler White) and still could not win. Watch them play. If anyone can explain what the offensive strategy is please share it. Is anyone coaching defense? LIma is stuck in the 90's (remember "Can you run with the Spartans"?) Well guess what, everybody can run with the Spartans now and run around them and through them and over them.
They lose because they don't know what to do out there. They play with one plan and if it does not work, they are done. They played Perrysburg pretty even the other night. Perrysburg switched up their defense. Ball game. Take every kid from LCC, Perry, Shawnee or any other school who has Lima Senior flavor and put them back in red and grey and they STILL will not win.
Can you see where I am going with this?

I think the last year the Spartans used the saying "Can You Run with the Spartans?" was the 91-92 season, and I believe the RAN farther than ANY other team had before or has since. The Spartans that I have seen this year and last DO NOT play like that team at all (I know they do not have Simpson, Lyles etc) they do not use their Defense to make their offense go. If they WERE TRYING to employ this style I think they should press A LOT MORE and speed up the game. I feel the girls program at Lima Senior has developed the concept much better. Back in the 90's and before the Lima Senior schedule would consist of a VERY Tough GMC schedule BUT also would include an independent schedule of the top teams in the State. as the saying goes "If you WANT to be the BEST you must PLAY against the BEST" The Spartans schedule is no longer filled with top teams in the State. We play a 14 game league schedule (of which you have ONLY 6-8 TOUGH GAMES each year-St Johns, TCC, Whitmer and Findlay) Our current independent schedule consists of 6 WBL teams LCC and ONLY 1 consistently strong DIVISION 1 team Mansfield Senior. I by no means mean to disrespect the WBL or LCC but anyone with an ounce of Basketball knowledge can not say that the WBL and LCC compare to the likes of Toledo Scott, Toledo Libbey, Middletown, St V StM, Dayton Dunbar, etc etc Does anyone know who do the Spartans scrimmage to prepare for the season? Bottom line if you have lower expectations you get the current results.

[Spartan87]

SpartanDome, on 17 February 2014 - 12:21 PM, said:

I agree you can always fire the Coach but you can not fire the players. I heard from numerous people that Lima Senior had players told to leave, not try out, we have a point guard etc. One is Tyler Ulis (now in Chicago) and another is Dejorr Gibson (now playing at Mansfield Senior) there may be more, I DO NOT LIVE in Lima and have gotten this info second hand. If this is true then the Coach DOES need to be held responsible for the lack of a true point guard for either 1) forcing these previously named players to go elsewhere 2) not developing a point guard that remained at the school.
If anyone can enlighten me on this I would appreciate it.

Tyler Ulis was at Shawnee and was pretty much run off because he was told he had no chance to start as freshman..Shawnee is never going to live that down as Mr. Ulis is one of the top players in the country and on his way to Kentucky. DeJorr Gibson is having a great season with TY. Lima Senior hoops is a train wreck and unless there is a good and hard internal look at what the real problems are it will be another decade with sub standard results.

[NWbballfan]

It's tough when players don't buy into a system/coach. Or they don't want to play for a coach and for whatever reason I see that as a problem in lima senior hoops. Kids don't want to play for Allen and the ones that do don't buy into what he tries to coach. Favoritism for his sons was evident when his first son was starting as a freshman on the team with Anton Hutchins and crew when he was clearly not ready.

Edited by NWbballfan, 17 February 2014 - 01:09 PM.

[SpartanDome]

Spartan87, on 17 February 2014 - 12:58 PM, said:

Tyler Ulis was at Shawnee and was pretty much run off because he was told he had no chance to start as freshman..Shawnee is never going to live that down as Mr. Ulis is one of the top players in the country and on his way to Kentucky. DeJorr Gibson is having a great season with TY. Lima Senior hoops is a train wreck and unless there is a good and hard internal look at what the real problems are it will be another decade with sub standard results.

Spartan87 what do you feel are the "real problems" that could help get the Spartan train back on track? I was told that after Tyler wanted to go to Lima Sr but was told Lima Sr already had a point guard so after leaving the Quest Academy he went and tried Shawnee and was run off.

[Spartan87]

NWbballfan, on 17 February 2014 - 01:03 PM, said:

It's tough when players don't buy into a system/coach. Or they don't want to play for a coach and for whatever reason I see that as a problem in lima senior hoops. Kids don't want to play for Allen and the ones that do don't buy into what he tries to coach. Favoritism for his sons was evident when his first son was starting as a freshman on the team with Anton Hutchins and crew when he was clearly not ready.

BINGO!!! Devon wasn't ready as a freshman, although he's become a very good college player, and I think (know) that rubbed many people the wrong way. There was talent on the bench that should have started in front of him......you get it. Shawn is a great guy, I've known him for years and he does have a wealth of basketball knowledge. But now it is obvious he's checked out. And after the latest series of embarassing losses I don't know how LCS can renew him.

[Spartan87]

SpartanDome, on 17 February 2014 - 01:31 PM, said:

Spartan87 what do you feel are the "real problems" that could help get the Spartan train back on track? I was told that after Tyler wanted to go to Lima Sr but was told Lima Sr already had a point guard so after leaving the Quest Academy he went and tried Shawnee and was run off.

Much like the football program there needs to be a "Lima" guy that comes in and coaches. One whom the kids can relate to but demands respect and discipline. People didn't like Mark Gaffney because he was an "outsider" but I thought he was a great coach. Wasn't afraid to discipline starters if they didn't do what they were supposed to both on and off of the court. That's the basketball aspect. Lima Senior as whole has to toughen the academic standards and show parents that their kids can get a quality education within the Lima City Schools. Until that is fixed and reenforced.....Well my daughter goes to Elida.....you get my point?

[SpartanDome]

Spartan87, on 17 February 2014 - 01:36 PM, said:

Much like the football program there needs to be a "Lima" guy that comes in and coaches. One whom the kids can relate to but demands respect and discipline. People didn't like Mark Gaffney because he was an "outsider" but I thought he was a great coach. Wasn't afraid to discipline starters if they didn't do what they were supposed to both on and off of the court. That's the basketball aspect. Lima Senior as whole has to toughen the academic standards and show parents that their kids can get a quality education within the Lima City Schools. Until that is fixed and reenforced.....Well my daughter goes to Elida.....you get my point?

I understand your point. I saw that Lima Senior has restructured the school from the three schools back down to one at the high school level. This should help somewhat. I also saw they seem to have hired or are trying a little PR program with what all is coming out on Facebok. Looking back 30 some years at the Lima Senior coaches. Niekamp (outsider-retired) Penn (LCC grad-retired) Ovial (outsider) Whitney (LSH grad) Creamer(outsider) Heath(outsider) Gaffney(outsider) Allen(LSH grad). Well looking at the list of previous coaches would Whitney want to come back? Previously mentioned Quincey Simpson? Doug Davis coached back when Whitney was there I think. What other Lima guy is out there coaching???

[NWbballfan]

Spartan87, on 17 February 2014 - 01:33 PM, said:

BINGO!!! Devon wasn't ready as a freshman, although he's become a very good college player, and I think (know) that rubbed many people the wrong way. There was talent on the bench that should have started in front of him......you get it. Shawn is a great guy, I've known him for years and he does have a wealth of basketball knowledge. But now it is obvious he's checked out. And after the latest series of embarassing losses I don't know how LCS can renew him.

Yes Devon is a good basketball player now but was not ready and played in front of talented kids. And with his other son,I'm not sure that the younger one would start on any other team in lima right now with his dad not being the coach. That's just my opinion and the players on senior high and in the school see that and have no respect for him because of it. Therefore you get guys transferring schools or not playing or playing half$&@. And you see the results because of that.

[Spartan87]

You hit it on the head NW.. Brady is a good outside shooter, but that's about it. And you are right, if he's anywhere else in the city, even Temple Christian, he's coming off of the bench.

[Irish Viking 87]

mysteryman2014, on 17 February 2014 - 09:56 AM, said:

I heard from a very reliable source someone close to Quincy that if Lima Senior doent offer him the job hes gonna either send X to Huntington Prep next year or for sure Senior Year. You heard it hear 1st

Because "it's not about the game of basketball, it's about the game of life" Right?

[krumlman]

mysteryman2014, on 17 February 2014 - 09:56 AM, said:

I heard from a very reliable source someone close to Quincy that if Lima Senior doent offer him the job hes gonna either send X to Huntington Prep next year or for sure Senior Year. You heard it hear 1st

[krumlman]

SOOOO WHAT ! I don't think that will break most peoples hearts around here !!!

[NWbballfan]

krumlman, on 18 February 2014 - 04:27 PM, said:

SOOOO WHAT ! I don't think that will break most peoples hearts around here !!!

Lima would be letting again another huge basketball talent slip away

[Colt45]

Who was Shawnees coach when Ulis was a freshmen?

Edited by Colt45, 18 February 2014 - 06:06 PM.

[Rocketman]

I would venture a guess that it was Bertke............

[NWbballfan]

I believe it was Bertke. But I think might of stepped down in the spring before Ulis' freshman season, which Don Vogt would have been the next coach then I think.