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You’re locked in to Truth in the Trenches—where we don’t talk around it… we talk straight through it.

I’m Kevin Howell, founder of The One-Eyed Scout, and in this episode we’re tackling one of the most overlooked topics in the recruiting process: the parent’s role in college athletics.

📊 Did you know nearly 70% of recruited athletes either change their sport focus or face career-ending injuries in college? And here’s the kicker—only 2% of high school athletes receive full athletic scholarships. That’s why parents need to think beyond highlights and letters of intent.

📌 In this episode:

• Breaking down the five college athletic paths: NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO
• Why some D2 programs are more competitive than D1 in certain sports
• The “three-pillar plan” for families: academics, athletics, and financial planning
• Why academic scholarships often outweigh athletic scholarships
• How D3 schools can sometimes offer better aid packages than D1
• The 3 biggest mistakes parents make in recruiting
• How to shift the mindset from “getting recruited” to finding the right fit

💡 Key Takeaway: Athletic talent may open the door, but academics, character, and program fit determine long-term success.

👉 For scouting reports and recruiting tools, visit OneEyedScout.com
.

🍳 Shoutout to our sponsor: The Brunch Spot—where flavor meets hustle. Pull up, grab a plate, and tell ’em The One-Eyed Scout sent you.

🎥 Powered by The One-Eyed Network—where culture meets content.

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You’re locked in to Truth in the Trenches—where we don’t talk around it, we talk straight through it.

Hosted by Kevin Howell, founder of The One-Eyed Scout, this episode features Greg The Sports Guy, a grassroots media voice who’s been putting overlooked hoopers on the map. Together, we break down the truth about highlight videos, recruiting exposure, and the habits that get players recruited.

📌 Inside this episode:

• What makes a highlight video stand out to college coaches
• Why the first 20 seconds can make or break your chance
• Position-by-position breakdown: PG, SG, SF, PF, and C
• The biggest mistakes players make when posting highlights
• How social media is a blessing and a curse in recruiting
• Why recruiting is more about trust than talent

💡 Key Takeaway: The highlight might get you noticed, but the habits will get you recruited.

👉 Visit OneEyedScout.com
for scouting reports, rankings, and tools to help you stand out in the recruiting process.

🍳 Big shoutout to our sponsor: The Brunch Spot—where flavor meets hustle. Pull up, grab a plate, and tell ’em The One-Eyed Scout sent you.

🎥 Powered by The One-Eyed Network—where culture meets content.

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 You’re locked in to Truth in the Trenches—where we don’t talk around it… we talk straight through it.

I’m Kevin Howell, founder of The One-Eyed Scout, and today we’re diving into one of the toughest conversations in grassroots hoops: youth basketball injuries, overuse, and recovery.

The numbers don’t lie: injuries among young hoopers have exploded by 200% in the last decade. Guards are tearing ACLs and battling patellar tendinitis, while bigs are showing back and hip issues we used to only see in NBA vets. Why? Because kids are grinding year-round—AAU, showcases, high school ball—without enough rest.

📌 In this episode:

• Why teenage hoopers are showing pro-level wear and tear
• The 800 direction changes per weekend stat that shocked sports medicine experts
• Position-specific injuries for guards, wings, and bigs
• How elite programs use load management, recovery tech, and movement screening
• Injury prevention strategies every coach and parent can use
• The mental side of recovery that often gets overlooked
• Why programs with rest and recovery protocols win 22% more games

💡 Key Takeaway: More games don’t always mean more growth. The smartest programs are building healthier, stronger athletes by training smarter, not just harder.

👉 Visit OneEyedScout.com
for scouting reports, rankings, and grassroots basketball coverage.

🍳 Shoutout to our sponsor: The Brunch Spot—where flavor meets hustle. Pull up, grab a plate, and tell ’em The One-Eyed Scout sent you.

🎥 Powered by The One-Eyed Network—where culture meets content.

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You’re locked in to Truth in the Trenches—where we don’t talk around it… we talk straight through it.

I’m Kevin Howell, founder of The One-Eyed Scout, and in this episode we dive into one of the most game-changing topics in modern recruiting: the role of social media in college sports.

📌 Here’s what we break down:

• Why 80% of college coaches change their minds on recruits based on social media
• The rise of Twitter/X as the #1 recruiting tool (used by 92% of coaches)
• The three-second rule that determines if a coach moves on—or locks in on you
• How the 40-30-30 content rule builds a complete athlete brand
• The dangers of over-messaging: why 76% of coaches block recruits for going too far
• How AI is changing recruiting with digital relationship timelines and footprint analysis

This is the real playbook for athletes, parents, and coaches who want to understand how social media can make or break a scholarship.

👉 Visit OneEyedScout.com
for scouting reports, recruiting tools, and grassroots basketball coverage.

🍳 Shoutout to our sponsor: The Brunch Spot—where flavor meets hustle. Pull up, grab a plate, and tell ’em The One-Eyed Scout sent you.

🎥 Powered by The One Eyed Network—where culture meets content.

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You’re locked into Truth in the Trenches—where we don’t talk around it, we talk straight through it.

In this episode, Kevin Howell (Founder of The One-Eyed Scout) sits down with Coach Bissell to break down the raw, unfiltered reality of Junior College basketball (JUCO)—one of the most misunderstood levels of the game.

🔥 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why JUCO hoops is NOT a “Plan B” but a battlefield that builds dogs
• The difference between NJCAA Division I, II, and III scholarships
• The financial grind JUCO athletes face vs. D1 athletes
• How the transfer portal has changed JUCO recruiting opportunities
• Why JUCO players graduate at higher rates when they move on to four-year programs

💡 If you’re a player, parent, or coach—don’t sleep on JUCO. This is where the real grind happens.

👉 Visit OneEyedScout.com
for scouting reports, rankings, and grassroots basketball coverage.

🍳 Special shoutout to our sponsor: The Brunch Spot—where flavor meets hustle. Pull up and tell ‘em The One-Eyed Scout sent you.

🎥 Powered by The One Eyed Network—because Truth Travels Faster Than Hype.

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Learn how to create eye-catching basketball highlight videos that grab the attention of college coaches, teammates, and fans. In this episode, we walk through the step-by-step process of building highlight reels—from selecting the right clips to editing with overlays and music. Perfect for players, parents, and coaches who want to showcase talent and maximize exposure.

👉 You’ll learn:

• How to pick the right plays for highlight reels
• Editing tips to keep coaches focused on your skills
• How to share highlights effectively on social media

🎥 Powered by The One-Eyed Network | It Ain’t for Everybody

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Getting a letter from a college coach feels exciting — but not all letters mean the same thing. In this episode, Kevin Howell breaks down the different types of recruitment letters, from generic interest notes to personal invitations, and explains how to read between the lines. Learn the key signs that a coach is genuinely recruiting you, how to respond without overplaying your hand, and the steps to keep your name on their radar. Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this is your playbook for making smart moves in the recruiting process.

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Parents, this one’s for you. In this episode of Truth in the Trenches, Kevin Howell (@KevinOneEye) breaks down the real role parents should play in their athlete’s college recruiting journey. From understanding NCAA/NAIA/JUCO levels to avoiding the common pitfalls that stall progress, this is the no-fluff, real-talk guide every sports parent needs.

You’ll learn:

• How to help your athlete identify their true college level
• Why academics still matter more than you think
• What to know about scholarships, FAFSA, and financial aid
• How to avoid being “that parent” in the recruiting process
• What social and cultural fit actually means for your kid’s future

Whether your child is aiming for a D1 scholarship or just looking to keep playing the game they love, this episode is packed with insights that will keep you from doing too much — or too little.

📌 Stay locked in. This is The One-Eyed Network.
🔥 It Ain’t for Everybody.

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Hashtags and Handles: Getting Seen by College Coaches
Hosted by Kevin Howell | The One-Eyed Network

In this episode, we get real about how high school hoopers can use Twitter (X) the right way to build exposure, attract college interest, and stand out in the digital age of recruiting. Kevin Howell — founder of The One-Eyed Scout and 12-year grassroots vet — breaks down exactly what to post, how often to post, and what coaches are really looking for when they scroll your timeline.

Whether you're a player, parent, or coach, this episode gives you a gritty, no-fluff roadmap to turning hashtags into handshakes.

💡 Topics Covered:

• What college coaches actually pay attention to online
• Game highlight posting tips
• How to format your bio
• Mistakes that will cost you exposure
• Tweet examples that work
• Profile audit advice

🔥 This isn’t about clout. It’s about college.

🧠 Real talk. Real value. The One-Eyed Way.

#GrassrootsHoops #CollegeBasketball #RecruitingTips #TheOneEyedScout

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Welcome back to Truth in the Trenches!
In today’s episode, we’re joined once again by elite basketball trainer and owner of Spartan Training, Tim Springer. Known for his player-first mindset and relentless focus on skill development, Tim has worked with athletes at every level—from high school standouts to pros. 

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