Why Don't We Recruit Hp Kids?

Cooley · July 4, 2007

Or at least why don't they consider UNT? I can only remember 1 kid from HP that signed with NT. (place kicker Witt Smith) The kid really had a leg but left after 1 year. If I remember correctly, one of his teammates stole some personal belongings from his Kerr dorm.

Anyway, HP is my early pre-season favorite in hoops to make it to Austin (Class 4A) The attached Tx Hoops article is about the Edwards brothers, however, I really like their point guard (Troy Alexander) and C/PF (Bonner McDermott). The HP kids will play for the Dallas Heroes where they continue to take down some of the more talented AAU teams and players in the state.

Coming to a local UNT gym near you. (during the Great American Shootout) this weekend. Check them out!

http://texashoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=687248

July 4, 2007

Blue Zertuche

TexasHoops.com Recruiting Analyst

They may be twins, but on the court they are a bit different. 6'3", 190-pound shooting guard Matt Edwards and twin brother 6'5", 200-pound Pierce Edwards, play a rugged hard-nose game where they never concede to the competition, but with different styles. Their recruitment is identical, and they aren't ready to part just yet.

The Edwards' are part of the Highland Park HS team.

Their unique styles of play make them players to watch this weekend at the Great American Shoot-Out and they both will draw a big crowd among the recruiters while playing for the Dallas Heroes.

"We are getting recruited by Ivy League schools among others," said Matt. "Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, VMI, West Point(Army), Navy, Air Force, American, William and Mary, SFA, Dallas Baptist, Trinity (San Antonio), and LeHigh are all on our list."

"We don't like one over the other," said Pierce about their recruitment. "We are open to everything and like all options. We are excited about playing in front of all the coaches in July."

On this large list of colleges, many of them are recruiting the Edwards brothers together and also separately. They say that they are happy for each other, but aren't ready to go separate ways yet.

"We are always together," said Pierce. We have played all sorts of sports together since we were little. We would like to go to college and play together on the same team."

"The first option would be for us to go to the same school together, but it is fine for us to go somewhere different," said Matt. The Edwards' compete at an intense level, even when it is a game of 42 at home. Daniel will be a nice addition to Highland Park's Varsity. "It always gets intense, especially when our other brother, Daniel [Edwards] gets involved," added Pierce.

The third brother, Daniel, is a 6'7" sophomore to be and plays for the Pro Skills. "He adds a lot to the work out that we do. We are able to do post drills and shooting drills with him in there," said Matt.

The twins were both All-State pitchers during their sophomore year at Covenant Christian (TAPPS 1A), and All-State 6-man Football. Matt is interested in Pre-law, and Pierce is undecided on what to study in college.

Texas Hoops Analysis: MATTis a tough overall player that can knock down the three point shot. He is a good ball handler and a smart wing player. He uses a variety of moves to escape the defense and will finish at the basket on back-door cuts. He plays physical, will rebound and battle on both ends.

Pierce is a versatile player that will mix it up inside and out. He can hit the open shot, or finish strong at the basket. He will take advantage of a smaller guard by posting up. He is a good rebounder, passer, and a physical player.

Buford_Julep · July 4, 2007

Several years ago we went after 6-9 Highland Park Postman Chris Young, but he chose Princeton instead. While he was in high school Young led Highland Park to the championship of the Dr Pepper Basketball Tournament. Young currently is a pitcher for the San Diego Padres.

July 4, 2007

There are two reasons that we don't recruit HP kids IMO:

1. We are not prestigious enough

2. They seldom have highly regarded college talent

The Highland Park school district is one of the richest in the U.S. and average income for its residents are among the highest also. Most of their graduates go to Ivy League schools, Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford, and the like. The next tier go to SMU, TCU, Tulane, Rice, and the major state universities like Texas, Michigan, Florida, etc. You seldom see them going to the third or fourth best university in a state regardless of how high it is rated academically. Many will inherit businesses and professional practices as soon as they are qualified. We may get a few where our programs are unique. Highland Park, and to a lesser degree University Park, is all about prestige.

Highland Park used to produce some great college athletes but that was long ago. Doak Walker, Bobby Layne and Jack Collins quickly come to mind. I'd say far fewer basketball players have advanced beyond high school. Make no mistake, their high school players are among the best in the country. They pay for, and receive, excellent coaching. The kids are smart and keep themselves in excellent shape. However, they seldom accept scholarships to Division 1-A universities because they have no need. It also seems to me that they have squeezed the most from their talent.

They will always be competitive and at or near the top of their district, regardless of the sport, every year. The coach's livelihood depends on it. But, those that accept scholarships to less prestigious universities are likely from the "slums' of University Park, where a small bungalow is only $2-300,000.

Cooley · July 5, 2007

Excellent points GrayEagle, I kinda knew that. You might be surprised to know that at least 1 kid annually is legit D1 material.

Chris Young was one of their better players and I believe was drafted in the NBA; electing baseball instead. Billy Allen (son of SMU head coach Sonny) could play for anyone as well. Maybe the long pending UNT law school will help our image (if it ever comes about before the Trinity River project) I really do like their team.

NT03 · July 5, 2007

Young was never drafted in NBA , I think you may of been thinking about current LA Dodgers pitcher , Mark Hendrickson. However , if we had baseball maybe we could of recruited someone like a Chris Young, a 2 sport star.

Edited July 5, 2007 by NT03

NT80 · July 5, 2007

Just say NO to all things HP.

Edited July 5, 2007 by NT80

Buford_Julep · July 5, 2007

Chris Young Was an NBA caliber player. His NCAA basketball career ended after his Soph season in 2000 when he signed a pro baseball contract. It is not surprising that three years later when he became NBA draft elegible that he was not selected. Young was, however, still considered a draft prospect in 2003. As a matter of fact, he was still an NBA prospect in 2004 when he was offered a guaranteed 2-year contract to play with the Sacremento Kings.

Trilli's recruiting pitch to Young was that he play basketball at NT and sign to play pro baseball. At that time it was NCAA legal to be an amateur in one sport and a pro in another.

Edited July 5, 2007 by Buford_Julep

risinggreen · July 5, 2007

We probably haven't actively recruited them because their D1 talent is few and far between. They do well in 4a by continually slipping into that classification and avoiding the MUCH more intense competition in ALL sports in 5a, but their elite individual athletes in most sports are pretty much limited in number. I'm sure that both TD, JJ, and the rest of the crew will keep an eye out for any potential prospects.

Green Mean · July 6, 2007

No doubt their aspirations are going to very highly academically ranked schools but if sports came in the middle I dont think you would see many parents objecting as to which school to attend. Its all about getting the best opportunity. Perhaps NT hasnt really actively recruited and created avenues to HP as other schools may have. Player for player they may not be as physically talented as many other players but many of those kids are really smart and havee brains. I dont know but something can be said about the smart athlete who does work hard. Every year schools in Plano, Allen, McKinney etc do really well even though the majority of them wont sniff top level D1 football. Why? Because obviously they do have some talent but also because they are a part of good systems and academically they are usually more advanced than other districts. I dont know...just my two cents.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Green Mean

NorthTexasFan · July 6, 2007

Several years ago we went after 6-9 Highland Park Postman Chris Young, but he chose Princeton instead. While he was in high school Young led Highland Park to the championship of the Dr Pepper Basketball Tournament. Young currently is a pitcher for the San Diego Padres.

On a far side note (don't get too mad at me!), Young just got voted into the MLB All-Star Game as the 50th guy on the team. Pretty good accomplishment.

Green Mean · July 6, 2007

On a far side note (don't get too mad at me!), Young just got voted into the MLB All-Star Game as the 50th guy on the team. Pretty good accomplishment.

Indeed a great accomplishment but it really makes me teary eyed to think that at one time he was a Texas Ranger :cry:

Harry · July 6, 2007

The biggest problem is we have never called. My cousin was an all district starting guard there a couple of years ago and would have made a great tight end (when we coveted that). Never got a phone call even though I had given them his name. I think much like DISD we had just settled for the fact we couldn't land kids from there (much like Dallas ISD). Hope that changes as they have some great players.

Cooley · July 6, 2007

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...sion&sid=33

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...alum&sid=33

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...tory&sid=33

FirefightnRick · July 6, 2007

What's interesting about HP is that, how in the world do they remain 4A in size which they have been since before I was in high school? It's such a small, tiny community and so very few people can afford to live there. The area seems to be filled up to the very last square foot with no room to expand and is surrounded by Dallas and UP. Most come from old money so how is it that they are able to replace their district with new kids? Maybe the kids move in with mom and dad and the grandparents and continue to multiply?

Rick

PHSCoach · July 6, 2007

Rick

UP is part of HPISD

FirefightnRick · July 7, 2007

Rick
UP is part of HPISD

Ok, still it's interesting how they replace the kids that graduate every year? There's very little, if any space to build new homes. I doubt they allow apartments to be built and I don't see that much turnover in ownership of that size and price of homes in that region. Does HP play above their attendance level? Just curious?

Rick

PHSCoach · July 7, 2007

Ok, still it's interesting how they replace the kids that graduate every year? There's very little, if any space to build new homes. I doubt they allow apartments to be built and I don't see that much turnover in ownership of that size and price of homes in that region. Does HP play above their attendance level? Just curious?
Rick

In the HP area last year about 820 units were sold. Its a joke around here "what is the upper 4A cut off? Look at HP to see what number they turned in". For the last six years they have been within 5 students of going 5A

Green Mean · July 7, 2007

After thinking about it....I think we need to create avenues for HP recruiting. If we can do that then I think we would get a lot of support because HP is just like Southlake in that sense.....upper class societies that are pretty close.

NT80 · July 7, 2007

In the HP area last year about 820 units were sold. Its a joke around here "what is the upper 4A cut off? Look at HP to see what number they turned in". For the last six years they have been within 5 students of going 5A

Those same HP accountants must keep SMUt 1-A attendance numbers; just enough to meet the criteria. In 40 years of following high school athletics I have never seen fans act so poorly after losing than those from HP.

July 7, 2007

Ok, still it's interesting how they replace the kids that graduate every year? There's very little, if any space to build new homes. I doubt they allow apartments to be built and I don't see that much turnover in ownership of that size and price of homes in that region. Does HP play above their attendance level? Just curious?
Rick

Highland Park is mostly old money. University Park is mostly somewhat aging yuppies. As PHS coach pointed out, the two cities combine to make up HPISD. There isn't much turnover (i.e. home sales) in Highland Park but there is some in University Park, even though it's still a fairly expensive area. HPISD is the big attraction for buying a home there; people with some money want their kids to have a good education. Highland Park ISD has very good teachers, coaches and administrators and they pay them well.

The combined population of the Park Cities is around 30,000 which these days is borderline between 4A and 5A. Currently, they are the second largest high school in their district, with a few students less than Richardson Pearce. They are likely in the top 10 in size (for 4A schools) in the state. I've quietly thought that someone at the UIL used Highland Park as the enrollment mark between 4A and 5A. What I totally fail to understand though is why Highland Park has NEVER been paired in a district with any Dallas ISD schools.

I agree with NT80's comment about Hi Park being poor losers. One thing is, they are not used to losing, either in academics or sports. Another reason is that they pay through the nose to have the best and it's a great disappointment when they don't.

Cooley · July 10, 2007

HP (Dallas Heroes) kicked butt in Denton! Wins the NBA Division of the Great American Shootout

Cooley · July 11, 2007

Highland Park point guard Troy Alexander committed to Santa Clara this week after the Dallas Heroes 17 won the NBA red division of the Great American Shootout.

Cooley · July 11, 2007

Santa Comes Early for Alexander

July 10, 2007

TexasHoops.com Recruiting Staff

Going into the Great American Shootout in Denton this past weekend, Troy Alexander was simply hoping to help his Dallas Heroes AAU squad win some games and accelerate his college recruitment. Boy, did the sleeper 6-foot-1, 175-pound point guard from Highland Park High School do both. Not only did Alexander help the Heroes to the GASO NBA Red Division title, he also earned a scholarship offer from his top school and accepted it on the spot.

"I just got off the phone with Coach (Kerry) Keating at Santa Clara and I verbally committed to them," Alexander said on Tuesday afternoon. "They've been one of my top schools since early on. I had gone up there for an Elite camp in June and I really liked the coaching staff and really liked the campus. I feel that their conference is really good for my style of play and I didn't see any reason to wait so I committed."

Santa Clara had been recruiting Alexander for some time, but after the point guard led the Heroes to the GASO title and playing well along the way, the Broncos put the offer on the table. "They really like how I'm a pure point guard and how I find my scorers and don't make mistakes," Alexander said. "I'm able to get the ball from point A to point B. I can run the team and run the show."

Alexander also earned offers from Stephen F. Austin and Centenary after the GASO, and more from the likes of American, Harvard, and other Patriot League and Ivy League schools could have been on their way. But Santa Clara was the perfect fit for the point guard who's still working hard to improve his game, so Alexander didn't hesitate.

"It's all been a whirlwind," Alexander said. "I got to win the tournament and I expected recruiting to go into August where I'd take some visits, but all of a sudden this happens. I'm excited."

Texas Hoops Analysis: TROY is a true point guard that gets everyone involved on the court. He is very good at using his body against defenses and quicker players. He has tremendous court vision and makes the tough pass seem easy. He is a very smart defender with quick hands and feet. He competes on both ends of the court and is scrappy. He is a very heady player on offense and will hit the open three and has a nice floater and pull-up jumper in the paint.