Transferring needs to stop

Well another top notch player has decided to move and enter into another school. Well the parents of the kid decided to move. I saw where Chris Bolden, an outstanding freshman from Brookwood decided to move to Norcross. I know it's not for the academics of the school. It just seems that people are moving into Norcross, Wheeler, now Milton and schools like this so there kid can play for a winning team. But at what cost?

Richard Howell transferred to Wheeler last year from Central. Devonte White transferred to Centennial this past year from Central Gwinnett. Adrian Hubbard moved from Peachtree Ridge to Norcross in hopes of another state title. What does this say? Sure these programs are good but how can guys like Len Garner's North Gwinnett Bulldogs ever hope to make an impact with his home grown players. Basically he can't.

Is it fair? Well the GHSA doesn't have any rules about it. After talking to coach Garner about some of this subject, he thought a good idea would be if they transfer within 50 miles of the previous school they should sit out. I agree. Look at college. Guys have to sit out and I think the GHSA should prohibit stuff like this.

David Boyd at Milton had a few kids move in and I understand some parents of players that were there for a long time and grew up in the area weren't to happy. Yes, Boyd is a great coach and I like him a lot but when kids are moving into the area for the sake of winning a state title I just think it's crazy. I think winning one with guys that grew up in the area is more fun for the community. How can you go to a game and cheer your school on knowing you either A. recruited these kids or B. They come there just to get seen for a year and move on.

Take Kevin Minter who transferred from Berkmar to Peachtree Ridge in football. I really think that was a great move. I had someone from Berkmar tell me he would not have gotten the attention he needed to get a major scholarship from an LSU while he was at Berkmar. That's one thing. And he did help his team make the finals in football. He was an added piece. However, guys going to Wheeler, Norcross and all these places reminds me of the New York Yankees trying to buy a championship. I think a great team like South had with Kevon Jenkins, Reggie Brice and Mario Vasser was a great team that has played a long time together. South had some transplants in the days of Louis Williams. Mike Mercer transferred in. But overall it was a home grown team. Collins Hill's girls won it with Maya Moore but had a few girls move into the area like Jordan Jones. It's going to happen and as long as the GHSA allows it, it will continue to happen. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Now that Maya is gone you don't see any more girls begging to move into the area.

These parents seem to go to great lengths. They have to sell the house, buy a new house, change jobs or whatever else that comes with moving. Yes I'd do just about anything for my child but is it worth it. It is about getting an education and the athletics should be second. If they can go hand in hand that's great. We'll see what the GHSA does about it. Something needs to change.