Nice Story about the EK MINERS

[roncris8]

Mining dreams
EASTERN KENTUCKY CBA TEAM OFFERS GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR BRIGHT LIGHTS OF NBA
By Cassondra Kirby
CKIRBY@HERALD-LEADER.COm


PIKEVILLE --Hidden in the shadows of a locker room tunnel, Coach Kevin Keathley slowly paces before the start of the night's big game.

The dark-haired coach seems oblivious to the pounding basketballs, blaring music and echoes of a raucous crowd roaring around him.

His eyes are focused on the floor, his shoulders slumped.

It is during pregame moments like this that Keathley, coach of the East Kentucky Miners, says he feels the "weight" the most.

"The weight of dreams," he says, with a slight smile.

Last month, far from the glamour of NBA cities, the Pikeville-based Miners tipped off their first season in the Continental Basketball Association, competing with the likes of the Minot SkyRockets, Yakama Sun Kings and Pittsburgh Xplosion.

The oldest professional basketball league in the world, the CBA has a storied history. The league has sent hundreds of players and coaches to the NBA and shepherded such innovations as the collapsible rim, the three-point line and three free throws for a foul on a three-point shooter.

But the league went bankrupt in 2001 and, with the NBA having created its own developmental league, the Miners -- including five players from Kentucky colleges -- are the longest of long shots to hit the big time.

That's not going to stop them from trying.

The players and the team's co-owners, Demetrius Ford and Jay Fiedler, say they are devoted to building a successful franchise in Pikeville. They dream of winning games and attracting sellout crowds. They dream of the day when NBA scouts travel to the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky searching for the next big thing.

They look to Keathley to help make that dream come true. Last year, Pro Basketball News ranked Keathley as one of the top 10 young coaches in America. In seven years as head coach at college and pro-level teams, he has never had a losing season.

"I know in Eastern Kentucky people laugh at you if you say, 'I'm going to be the next Michael Jordan or the next LeBron James.' They say, 'That don't happen around here,'" Keathley said. "But somebody's got to be the next best thing. Somebody's got to be the next Adolph Rupp or Billy Gillispie."

Ties to community

Building a professional basketball team in the heart of coal country, far from big-city lights and interstates, may seem odd to some. But co-owners Ford and Fiedler of Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group say it was an obvious choice.

Basketball is king in Eastern Kentucky, and research shows that such franchises do well in close-knit areas where there aren't lots of other forms of entertainment.

The co-owners said they decided to build a team in Pikeville after visiting the Expo Center in March during the 15th Region high school tournament. The facility was well-equipped to handle professional basketball games, and it was packed with about 5,000 people for the tournament.

Those are numbers a professional team would thrive on, said Fiedler, former quarterback for the Miami Dolphins and several other NFL teams.

The Miners have had a couple thousand people attend their games on average. They look for crowds to pick up as word spreads and the high school basketball season ends.

The Miners are the second professional sports franchise to call Pikeville home. The Pikeville Cubs played minor-league baseball here in the 1980s.

"People around here are so receptive to the team. We can feel the energy building," Fiedler said. "We hope to keep building. By the end of the season we hope to pack this place up."

Pikeville student Brent Collins of Hyden says he thinks the Miners' popularity will continue to grow.

"It's something that's going to keep getting bigger and bigger," said Collins, 22. "Hopefully it will be around here for a while. My friends and I really enjoy the games. It has the same atmosphere as an NBA game."

Digging for inspiration

The team didn't have to look far to find the inspiration for its name.

"What better name than the East Kentucky Miners, because this area was built with the backbone of the hard-working coal miners," said Keathley, who is from neighboring Floyd County.

Keathley, whose father is a retired miner, wants the team's name to evoke feelings of pride in the mountain people.

"Like I tell my guys, we are going to work extremely hard to work half as hard as those coal miners do night in and night out," he said.

Team officials are working on a promotion in which coal miners could come watch the games at a reduced price if they wear their hard hats. Ticket prices range from $5 to $40, depending on where the seat is located.

To go along with the coal theme, officials picked a canary to be the team mascot. Canaries were once used to detect methane in coal mines. The birds' highly sensitive metabolisms detected methane and carbon monoxide gas traces that signaled potential explosions, poisoned air or both.

It was an extremely effective and rather easy read: If the bird died, get out.

Unfortunately, some fans think the feathered bird (named Hard Hat Harry) running around at Miners games looks more like a chicken. Others aren't aware that canaries were used in coal mines.

"I'm not sure why they didn't just make the mascot a burly coal miner," said John Combs of Pikeville. "The mascot thing could have been thought through a little more."

Some familiar names

Ford, a businessman, and Fiedler wouldn't say how much money goes into starting a professional basketball team. With advertising, finding a mascot and putting together a dance team, Fiedler said, it's "a lot."

Fiedler said the annual budget is about $750,000. About $120,000 of that is used to pay the players, who play about three games a week and make $350 to $1,000 a week, Keathley said.

Five players might be familiar to state college basketball fans: Ed Horton of Murray State; Reo Logan, who played for Murray State and Georgia State; Jason McLeish of Eastern Kentucky University; Bryant Northern of the University of Louisville; and Daniel Price of Pikeville College.

But the best-known Miner to state basketball fans is former UK player Kyle Macy, who became the team's general manager last month. Former UK guard Brandon Stockton was also on the team, but he is listed as inactive after injuring his foot in training camp.

After he was hired, Keathley said, he used his contacts -- NBA scouts, overseas recruiters and coaches at all levels -- to find talent for his team. He also looked for players who had tried out for the NBA but had fallen short, or former NBA players who were looking to get back in the pros.

Nearly two dozen players traveled to Pikeville in August hoping to become Miners.

In the end, Keathley picked 10.

Keathley said he is happy with the team's progress so far. Going into yesterday's game with the Albany Patroons, the Miners were 5-5 and were averaging 108 points a game, among the best in the CBA.

Through nine games, guard Josh Pace was the league's leading scorer, averaging 25 points a game. He was also first in steals and among the leaders in rebounds and assists.

Pace, of Georgia, was the first signee for the Miners. He is New Zealand's reigning player of the year.

"I just want to get better and keep my career moving forward," Pace said. "That's my goal right now."

Horton, who is fresh out of Murray, said he is thrilled at the chance to play professional basketball.

"Playing professional basketball is a little different, "he said. "Different atmosphere, different players."

Everyone's goal is the same: Get to the NBA.

"Right now I'm here to win a CBA championship," former EKU player McLeish said. "But I hope to one day go to the NBA. If I don't get a callup, I'll continue doing what I'm doing. I'll keep striving to get better and -- who knows -- maybe I'll make it."

In the past 20 years, more than 600 CBA players and coaches have gone on to the NBA. They include such notables as Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson and San Antonio Spurs guard Bruce Bowen.

Jackson won his first championship as coach of Albany in 1984. Bowen, a defensive stopper on one of the NBA's best teams, played for the CBA's Rockford Lightning in the mid-1990s.

But it has become tougher to make the leap because of the advent of the NBA's Developmental League, which snatches prospects who used to go to the CBA, officials say.

The Miners deal with low CBA wages, live in small apartments with their teammates and take long road trips to outposts such as Yakima, Wash.; Butte, Mont.; and Minot, N.D.

Hanging over them is the constant fear of their careers ending. If they don't perform well, they could be cut. If the franchise doesn't generate enough excitement, it could be moved or closed altogether.

But those are the woes dream chasers must live with. And it's well worth it, Keathley and his players say.

One special night, someone who matters might notice and hand them the key that will open the door to their ultimate dream.

"I know if I get better my career will keep going," Northern said. "For us -- all of us -- it's about getting better and playing good ball. We would like for the community to come out and see us."


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Reach Cassondra Kirby in the Hazard bureau at (606) 487-8785.

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[MinersFan3]

*Applause* Very nice article, well written.

[not so fast]

These miners coaches are such whiners. Complaining about the veteran players in the CBA. Why don't they sign some? Is this a high school league or the CBA? If Minot has men playing and winning with them, then maybe they should get some men and waive the choir boys!

It is very disingenuous for them to talk about their losses and blame it on the good guy young players. If anything they should have an edge with younger quicker players, maybe its the lousy coaching!!!

I guess if the coach can't step up and be a man you can't expect his players to be men!

[heavesrock]

I assume you are referring to the article in todays EK newspaper. Nowhere in there does it give a quote from the coach. That is the writers opinion. Unless, of course, you have some information we do not know about.

[cat1bb1]

If you look at the rosters of all the teams, there is not that much of a difference in experience. Each team may have 1-2 players who graduated in the 90's. Does that mean a team is better or worse, no. Oh well each coach worries before a game.

[MinersFan3]

These miners coaches are such whiners. Complaining about the veteran players in the CBA. Why don't they sign some? Is this a high school league or the CBA? If Minot has men playing and winning with them, then maybe they should get some men and waive the choir boys!

It is very disingenuous for them to talk about their losses and blame it on the good guy young players. If anything they should have an edge with younger quicker players, maybe its the lousy coaching!!!

I guess if the coach can't step up and be a man you can't expect his players to be men!

Maybe you should heed your name, and slow down with the bashing, and actually READ the article . . . you'll notice that as heaves said, no quote from the coach, other than his positive remarks toward his hardworking team. As for the Miners' coach, again, just read the article. Never had a losing season, coached a team last year to a record setting points total . . . Our coaching staff and our players work hard, and they hold their heads up with a winning attitude no matter what the scoreboard says. I know, as I am usually standing beside the tunnel as they leave the floor with their heads held high, proud of the effort they've just given. So again I say, not so fast, not so fast . . .

[not so fast]

I read the article in the paper there in Kentucky, whether it was the coach or just the beat writer crying about the age of the players, I'm not really sure. But my guess is, if is the beat writer, he got his info from the coach. To make references about the Minot players in what can be called an attack on their character is really and should be beneath the coach or the beat writer. I know Ronnie Fields personally. And because he is older than some of the kentucky players, and had some problems in his youth is no reason to try discredit him, and imply there are two different CBA's. Thats just nonsense. When I look at the standings, all I see is one set of standings. So maybe you guys need to read the article more closely.

I really don't care about all this feel good crap about your coach and team. What matters at the end of the day is wins. Otherwise tell the miners to go join a church league.

[MathProf64]

Ok Guys,

Settle down. It seems we're confused about which article everyone is talking about. This thread was started on a story in the Lexington paper (quoted in the original post). Most of us read that story and posted our thoughts on it.

Others seem to be reading a story from this week's News-Express (which I just found and haven't read through completely yet). It does seem to have a few non-nice things to say about the Minot roster. (link to story: http://www.news-expressky.com/articles/2007/12/12/sports/cba.txt )

Let's be sure which story we're talking about.

[Chuck the Writer]

Ok Guys,

Settle down. It seems we're confused about which article everyone is talking about. This thread was started on a story in the Lexington paper (quoted in the original post). Most of us read that story and posted our thoughts on it.

Others seem to be reading a story from this week's News-Express (which I just found and haven't read through completely yet). It does seem to have a few non-nice things to say about the Minot roster. (link to story: http://www.news-expressky.com/articles/2007/12/12/sports/cba.txt )

Let's be sure which story we're talking about.

I saw that splash photo in the News-Express article... jeez, would somebody please buy John Strickland some shoelaces? Or at least some Velcro for his PF Flyers?

http://images.townnews.com/news-expressky.com/content/articles/2007/12/12/sports/cba.jpg

[zeke41]

Ummm...4 teams are outdoing us out of the 10 CBA teams. Yakama (11-0), Minot (7-2), Albany (6-3), and Oklahoma (6-3). Everyone else is either hovering around where we are in the standings or much worse (i.e. Rio Grande (1-10).

If you take a look at the scoreboard, we've lost several games by less then 5 points, including 2 overtime losses. Not So Fast???? You want to put us in a category with church leagues? You know a lot about basketball! :confused:

[Minor Leaguer]

Chuck, for somebody that is always attending Patroons games, you should know that he could have used them last year as well.

Zeke, you are currently 7th out of 10 teams. I would say after 25% of the season, now is the time you guys better turn things around.

[MinersFan3]

Ah, thanks MathProf for clearing up our little misunderstanding, as I just read the News Express article.

As for you, not so fast, I AGREE with the writer. Strickland was annoying. He obviously thinks he's too good to wear the team warmup, or tie his shoes for that matter (Its VELCRO for crying out loud). I'm not complaining because Minot beat us, as my opinion would have been the same had we won, but IMO the Skyrockets coach needs to get control of his players (and possibly talk to the front office about getting Strickland some shorts that fit).
As for Fields, heck of a player, descent attitude, and seemed to be able to do a front handspring and still manage to get the ball in the hoop. Sounds like from what I've read he should be a retired basketball player doing commentary for ESPN. Strickland on the other hand, should be committed.

I was planning on keeping my thoughts to myself on that one, but just couldn't hold it back anymore.

[Chuck the Writer]

Ah, thanks MathProf for clearing up our little misunderstanding, as I just read the News Express article.

As for you, not so fast, I AGREE with the writer. Strickland was annoying. He obviously thinks he's too good to wear the team warmup, or tie his shoes for that matter (Its VELCRO for crying out loud). I'm not complaining because Minot beat us, as my opinion would have been the same had we won, but IMO the Skyrockets coach needs to get control of his players (and possibly talk to the front office about getting Strickland some shorts that fit).
As for Fields, heck of a player, descent attitude, and seemed to be able to do a front handspring and still manage to get the ball in the hoop. Sounds like from what I've read he should be a retired basketball player doing commentary for ESPN. Strickland on the other hand, should be committed.

I was planning on keeping my thoughts to myself on that one, but just couldn't hold it back anymore.

See, John Strickland has several traits that make him endearing to his home team and annoying as all get-out to the rest of the league.

He can't find a pair of shorts to fit his big frame (last year, with the Patroons, he wore a ligher-colored pair of yellow generic shorts until the team figured out that he could wear Lido the Panda's shorts, so the mascot finished the rest of the season wearing home green pants instead of gold pants - which went to Strickland.

He likes to spit on the floor, he stares at his opponents through hand-binoculars, he talks to his hands after he scores a basket, and he likes to bless himself (father son holy ghost) as he's running up the court.

If he's on your team, you love him. If you're playing against him, you get sick of his histrionics and on-court tics. Now granted, he's scoring 20+ points a night with Minot, and big men in the CBA aren't easy to find (probably the reason why guys like Chris Alexander can always find work in the CBA).

But I just noticed that Minot released Cory Hightower, so at least one of Chris Daleo's Excedrin headaches is off his team.

[FrozenUpHere]

See, John Strickland has several traits that make him endearing to his home team and annoying as all get-out to the rest of the league.



Ha-ha! This is so true. Last year when he played for Albany I thought he was annoying... this year I really enjoy watching him play and how the crowd reacts to him.

I see people smiling and shaking their heads... I see kids looking through make believe binocs back at him... I hear grown men and women shouting "French fries” when he takes his free throws... and then I realize that it’s all just part of the John Strickland show. He's like the Howard Stern of basketball... what’s he gonna do next?

Yea, so he spits and his uniform is never "uniform"... but he captivates his audience. And it’s hard for me to see a negative in that concept. In the end for us fans this is entertainment, and like him or not, Strickland entertains.

[not so fast]

Well All I know is the kentucky coach is full of himself. He has had more press releases than the Bulls had when Michael Jordan returned. He is a such a self promoter, it is truly kind of sickening.

Maybe he should prove himself as a coach before he does all this self promoting. He reminds me of a TV evangelist.

[psbf]

I never really noticed his 'show', when they were here, to be honest. I'm watching the Xplosion more than their opponents. But since you mention it, I'm glad I missed it.

[MinersFan3]

Well All I know is the kentucky coach is full of himself. He has had more press releases than the Bulls had when Michael Jordan returned. He is a such a self promoter, it is truly kind of sickening.

Maybe he should prove himself as a coach before he does all this self promoting. He reminds me of a TV evangelist.

I spose if you're just trying to stir people up you're doing a good job. But seriously, if you really believe the stuff you write, you need to find a new sport to follow . . .

[zeke41]

Well All I know is the Kentucky coach is full of himself. He has had more press releases than the Bulls had when Michael Jordan returned. He is a such a self promoter, it is truly kind of sickening.

Maybe he should prove himself as a coach before he does all this self promoting. He reminds me of a TV evangelist.

Not so Fast, you know that it's a good thing for the entire organization if Coach Keathley is promoted all over the place, right??? Nevertheless, in this day and age, sometimes you HAVE to be a self-promoter. I'm not saying that Keathley is or isn't a self-promoter, because I really don't know who comes up with the opportunities to get out in public, but lets face it - when you are trying to do something great, impressive, inspiring, or whatever you want to call it, more times than not you have to promote yourself to battle all of the haters that will get in your way and tell you otherwise.

As for proving himself as a coach...do you ever "prove" yourself as a coach? Phil Jackson has won all kinds of championships, yet even he battles the haters that assume his win-loss record was more influenced by the players on his roster (Jordan, Bryant, O' Neil) rather than his coaching abilities. He had a pretty rough year by his own standards last season with the Lakers...is he a terrible coach?

You respect the opinion of probasketballnews (I deduced this by researching your past posts...here's an example - http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/showthread.php?p=16131#post16131). Perhaps you are unaware, but they voted Coach Keathley one of the top 10 young coaches in America. The guys a young coach getting it done. You can hate on him all you want, but the guy DOES have a track record for winning and putting points on the board. It doesn't matter where he coached. That would only matter if he won in the weak leagues and sucked it up in more respected leagues. I'd like to think that the CBA has pushed its way back to respectability as of late, and he's 5-7. There are 36 more games.

So basically, all the hating you're spewing in the air just makes you look envious, and it does nothing for your basketball knowledge and respectability. You say he never won in the D-league...well...he's never COACHED in the D-league. He's won games in the CBA though, and has a winning record with every other team that he's coached. Only a fool sits around and waits for everyone else to take notice of one's accomplishments, especially in this day and age with the internet and so many other methods of mass communication. he way I see it, he's just doing a good job marketing himself, his team, and everything involved with the Miners organization.

Heck you probably wouldn't have a great opinion of me either. I'm a self promoter. I think I'm a gifted basketball player (warning...plug coming...warning...plug coming). Check out www.thecrossoverbasketball.com and see what I'm about.

Now...true, true, true...you are entitled to your own opinion, but we've gotten your opinion already...you can keep it moving. I won't speak for anyone else (I'll let the rest of the Miners fans speak up, and I'm sure that they will), but I'll say that all your energy to justify why you think Coach Keathley is a terrible coach and forbidding him from self-promotion in your posts is just making you look like you are jealous that he's in the limelight. In all actuality, you're self-promoting your own basketball intelect by questioning someone else's. You're making such a big deal about this and you have no foundation for what you are saying. How can you discredit a coach who is 5-7 in his first year in the CBA when the guy has been given the respect of probasketball news AND has won on every other level he's worked? What - he's below .500 for the first time in his career (and not far below .500 either) so you figured this would be the best time to jump on him while the team is, let's say, under the weather? Let's talk at the end of the season after we see this thing played out....36 more games, bro...36 more games!

[one way]

Steve Tucker was ranked high on that Pro Basketball news report and he went O-10 in his CBA debut. That alone should tell you what is up with that list. ABA, UPBL, XBA, that does not count. Forfeits, 45 year old guys playing, etc. That stuff is a circus. Win in the CBA and win in the NBDL then come see me about your ranking.

[DazedAndAmused]

Steve Tucker was ranked high on that Pro Basketball news report and he went O-10 in his CBA debut. That alone should tell you what is up with that list. ABA, UPBL, XBA, that does not count. Forfeits, 45 year old guys playing, etc. That stuff is a circus. Win in the CBA and win in the NBDL then come see me about your ranking.
I would tend to agree that the quality of coaching takes a big jump when going to the CBA and D-league. In the "circus" leagues as one way points out, you often have "owner/coaches" with little or no experience leading those squads. Not really a fair fight. If there were only 45 yr olds playing, that might not be so bad (think Bernie T. with the Panthers), it's the 80 yr olds on the court that worry me more.

[not so fast]

Zeke41000, I had to change your name to represent how many times you kiss after your coach. You are so long winded about this guy. I never said anything about your precious coach, until he and your newspaper decided to get personal about players they don't even know, and make excuses for keathley losing. This is suppose to be pro basketball, and if I use your coaches standards for the NBA, then a lot of veteran players should not play and should go home. And as a Bulls fan, I kind of like Joe Smith, and want him to play even if he's alot older than Tyrus Thomas. But apparently, if keathley was coaching in the NBA (God Forbid), veterans should just retire and let only young players play. I wonder would that mean Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, heck Kevin Garnett played with Ronnie Fields in high school, so maybe he should retire also. I wonder what Danny ainge would say?

[zeke41]

A guy drops a couple of close games as a coach, and then you hang him out to dry. Keathley is not 0-10, folks. He's a great motivator. We will win ball games. This discussion can conclude at a later date.

Oh, and...so we shall say the same thing about your Gary Steelheads players on that probasketballnews list. Really, though...probasketballnews is right on when they agree with you, but...when they don't, they are discredited. So those Gary Steelheads players, who according to your post at the time were NOT in the CBA or the D-League (2 in the USBL and 1 in the IBL), shouldn't have been congratulated either!

And by the way, the ABA used to be somewhat legitimate. Keathley coached in the ABA before it became the circus it is today, plus he has college coaching experience, too, where he also won! He's the former coach of Jamario Moon, Anthony Epps, and many other quality players.

Why don't you point out where coach made the accusations you're saying he did about veteran players? And say what you will - I like my coach. I'm a loyal guy...what can I say. You wanna start a war by putting words in other people's mouths, let's battle. I'll defend my coach just like I've defended the players in the ABA that have been getting manipulated by some broke, ill-equipped fake owners with no money. Speaking of ill-equipped, you're ill-equipped to speak on how good of coach Keathley is until he finishes this season, especially when your best argument is he's a self-promoter. Talk to me then!

Whatever, bro...whatever!

[one way]

He cut moon.

[not so fast]

Zeke41000 if hes such a motivator, then tell him to coach and not whine. you don't seem to get it. you must be his brother. And actually I have been educated to know that the USBL has some credibility but the IBL has none. And that upbl was a real laugh. Neither does those rankings in those Pro basketball news. I was blind and now I see. Maybe you should open yours!!!

[zeke41]

Not VERY fast...If he lost at those levels, I'd see why you are talking...but He didn't. What's your point? He's not a good coach because he coached in a bad league and won?:confused: He did what he was supposed to do every where that he went - win!:eek:

[not so fast]

zeke410002, I will change your number, each time you kiss up to this coach. Of course I'm not sure I can count that high.

Just because you win in a bad league does not make you a good or a bad coach. So stop acting like this guy is the next coming of John Wooden. Steve Tucker won in bad leagues too. And far as the ABA is concerned, everyone knows that league is a joke.

If he's a good coach, time will tell. But don't try to discredit someone else if they win and beat him. Just be a man and take your lumps. Listen I've been a Cubs fan for over 40 years, I've learn to accept losing and not blaming others.

Did you guys move from the Dakotas to kentucky?

[MinersFan3]

Obviously not so fast, you just enjoy starting arguments on the internet . . . if not, I think you need to find something else to talk about, because personally, making personal attacks at zeke and coming back with the same thing every post is becoming somewhat annoying. As for what you think of Keathley, thats what makes this country great, you can have your opinion and voice it too. But, that doesn't mean you should spout off everytime you disagree with something, especially when you have NO EARTHLY idea what you're talking about. So, as Zeke said, time will tell. The Miners have lost a couple close games, but they've also been short a couple players due to suspensions. NO, I'm not making excuses, just stating facts. They may not be the best in the CBA, but they're my team, and I'm not going to stand by while some noname in front of a keyboard talks nonsense about them.

[not so fast]

blind miner3, you are so right, I can say what I want when I want, but you and all of you don't seem to get it. I never had nothing to say about your precious coach until you kentucky people started insulting the Minot players. and if you continue to do it, I will continue to expose your little league coach!

I did not start any argument, but I will not stand by while some kentucky farmers attack young african american men, just to make your coach look good while he lost to Minot. 1st of all, none of you grew up in the inner city of the black guettos so you have no earthly idea how difficult a life some of these young men had.

If anything you should be apologizing for the insensitive article in your paper, and the ignorant post on here by others, addressing irevelant things like the uniforms and etc...

So bring it on, I can take all of you on. I am experienced in dealing with trailer parks!!!

[psbf]

taking sides here, Not so fast. But I'm curious, about how the Miners coach insulted the Minot fans? What did he say or do?

[not so fast]

Thanks for being open minded, and by the way, I like the xplosion and your coach.

Theres an article recently I read by the kentucky paper that made reference to the Minot players and the young clean cut kentucky players. It did not have any name as the writer that I saw, but i am going to assume that the information came from the kentucky coach. It made reference to the players past problems etc.. which has no revelance to the farmers of kentucky, it was just a cheap way to try and degrade some of the Minot players, in an attempt to cover up the fact that kentucky lost three games and lost to Minot.

i know more about minorleague basketball than any of these kentucky farmers, and I will not sit back and let them say what they want and not respond. When they make it personal, then I will respond. I read this stuff all the time, and I will monitor it address things that I feel are out of line.

If any of you don't like what the players are wearing, then buy them uniforms. shoes, etc,,, But at the end of the day what matters is who wins.

"Thou kentucky farmer without sin, please cast the first ear of corn!"

[indy legend]

[QUOTE=not so fast;74162]

I did not start any argument, but I will not stand by while some kentucky farmers attack young african american men, just to make your coach look good while he lost to Minot. 1st of all, none of you grew up in the inner city of the black guettos so you have no earthly idea how difficult a life some of these young men had it.
I'm not taking a side in this argument because I didn't see the statements you are refering to but there is absolutly no reason to insult an entire group of people here. No I didn't grow up in the inner city, but I did grow up in the Appalachian region of Kentucky were there are a lot of equaly poor people who have it very hard. If you think these people don't know what having a hard life is you should try it sometime.

[psbf]

your kind words toward the Xplosion, Not so fast.
As far as the article, I learned a long time ago not to assume anything. That can get you into trouble. Artilces that I've read are all written by someone who adds their name to it. It sounds like maybe you never kept track of it. Did the article mention any player's names? What paper was it in?
I can appreciate your feelings about this story, Not so fast. I feel the same way if I feel anyone is attacking my team(Xplosion). But I also try and get the facts first. Not good to loose your cool so easily.

[kyguy378]

I have not read the article but I am a resident if Pikeville and a have a few thoughts. First of all I loved the interaction between Strickland and a some of our fans. Both were talking trash to each other and both seemed to be enjoying it. People having fun at the games is what its all about right. I know hardly anything about Minor league basketball, in fact I really don't like basketball that much; I love football, but i support my team as a season ticket holder. I am sick and tired of all the trailor park and farmer remarks made by some posters here. It is an insult that too many ignorant people want to make. Thank you for some of the information I have gotten from this site but from now on I will get my information from somewhere else. Good Bye

[MinersFan3]

Seriously not so fast. I'm finished talking to you. I will not respond to nor read another comment from you. You've taken an argument about basketball, and turned it into a personal vendetta against myself and other members of this board, and have also brought the people from my homestate into it. That is childish and to be honest, quite lame. You obviously have no idea what goes on in our town, for there is not a farm within two hours of me. We live in a COAL MINING TOWN, hence the name Miners. Now that I've finished EDUCATING YOU, I will say this. I don't care where you come from, or what color you are, if you are going to represent a city, and an organization, you should do it with pride and respect. Obviously we all had our opinions, good and bad, toward the Minot team and its players. I felt no hint of racial or personal attacks toward anyone on Minot's team in the article in the newspaper, or in anyone's posts on this board. I certainly do NOT stand by any type of racism, as I was taught better morals and values as a child. I just become more and more sick everyday of being labeled as a "farmer", "hick", or whathaveyou. You have no business bringing things such as that to this discussion, as you have no knowledge of this community or area. Thats all I have to say about that . . . this argument is over . . . and I bid you adieu not so fast . . .

[not so fast]

Man if you people are so offended by what I said about you, how do think ronnie Fields feels about your paper dragging up his high school problems from such a long time ago. Please allow me to explain this. I was just watching a episode of Home Improvment on TV, and I can't ever remember anyone talking about the fact that tim allen did time in the federal prison for dealing drugs. Why? because he turned his life around. But Ronnie fields comes to town, and its okay for your paper to bring up his past from over 12 years ago as if it has some revelance. I believe it was done for reason, and maybe you guys ought to just think about that, and where I am coming from.

Listen, don't stop reading or communicating on this website because of me. I have no life, but I will find something else to do.

For the record, I Have a several friends from Kentucky, its a great place.

Okay people, wheres my rock, I'm going under now!!!!!!

[psbf]

about the backgrounds of both sides, which I respect. But that has nothing to do with any topics on here, don't let it get personal. This is a rivalry, great! But keep it on the court or in the sport.
I've had enough personal attacks on me from other chat boards, so I know what it feels like, it's frustrating. Getting personal goes way out of bounds. This is a Basketball discussion room and should be kept that way. East Ky fans and a Minot fan. Don't lose sight of that! I was rooting for Minot tonight because the Miners are too close to the Xplosion in the standings. Unfortunately, after tonight's result, the X are now tied with the Miners.

[tafkate]

"I did not start any argument, but I will not stand by while some kentucky farmers attack young african american men, just to make your coach look good while he lost to Minot. 1st of all, none of you grew up in the inner city of the black guettos so you have no earthly idea how difficult a life some of these young men had."

I've read the article three times and I have yet to see where Coach Keathley said anything negative about the player. Why do you assume that the writer got all this info from the Coach? Have you never heard of Google? Just by entering his name into the search engine, it took me 30 seconds to find a page from KXNet.com with the headline being "Minot Skyrocket accused of sexual assault" from Feb this year http://www.kxnet.com/t/ward-county-nd/96658.asp Now this is KXMB, CBS 12 reporting, not a small-town Kentucky paper.

And who is talking trash about African Americans? I don't think there is one white player on East Kentucky's team so that arguement is just as dumb.

[Nubb16]

Great Article!