14A

[HoopsTN1]

The best single A district in the state year in and year out is set to have another competitive year. I think two teams really stand out, and then the rest of the pack will follow. Can a team from 14A make the state tournament after missing out last year for the first time in years? Only time will tell. Here is my predictions for this season.

 

1. Humboldt- They have essentially their whole team coming back, they have tons of size for a single A school, can out athlete just about anyone, and is very well coached. After watching them this summer at the Dyersburg camp, I am sold on them pulling it out, with UC right on their tails. This team has a chance to take it all if the ball bounces their way.

 

2. Union City- They didnt lose much either. Sisco did all of the dirty work, but they still have the talent to easily win the district and much more. Stewart is a pure scorer, you add that with the players around him, and they can beat anyone. The word on the street is the Polk kid isnt playing, so that is why they are my number 2, with him they are a total different animal. I also think the Weddle kid will break out and be one of the best in the district as well. Any Sisco coached team can never be counted out, and we will see them playing late in the post season.

 

3. Halls- They lose King and number 10 that could shoot it, but bring back their PG and 6'6 manimal down low. I dont know if two players can carry a team, but the district wont be as deep as usual so I think they get it done.

 

4. Peabody- They return absolutely everyone from last year. They have two pretty good PGs and the 6'6 Mccurrie kid down low. Coach Allen is one of the best coaches in west TN, and now he has some talent. Look out for them to be the dark horse this year.

 

5. Bradford- They get a big chunk of their nucleus back this year after finishing 5th last year. You know there will be major improvement since they have no football there. Their coach also is one of the best around, and he will always get the most out of his kids.

 

6. Lake County- They lost pretty much everyone from last years 6th place team, but they bring back Jamario Jones who is arguably one of the top two or three players in the district. Other than him, they will have to count on young players to step up and contribute if they want to finish this high. I only pick them at 6 because they always have athletes that can play, I just dont know who they are this year.

 

7. South Fulton- They return everyone from last year it seems, but those players never seemed to gel.If they have improved at all they should at least compete with any team but Humboldt and UC, and could easily finish higher, I just dont see it happening unless their big kid that was kicked off mid season is let back on the team. He can play some ball and is a big piece for them if they want to compete.

 

8. Greenfield- They have a new gym this year, so there will be some excitement, but I dont know who they have that can compete in this district. The best thing they have is their coach, who will always have them ready to play. If he ever gets some talent, he will be competing with the top, but this isnt the year in my opinion.

 

9. Gibson County- I put them here because they lost absolutely everyone. I have no clue who they have except number 10 from last year. He is a lefty that is long and a nice athlete, but I dont think he can carry a team by himself. It seems like another rebuilding job with young kids for Lowry.

[dmm88]

1-3 is so close. I saw UC (3 times), Humboldt (twice) and Halls (once). Union City is gonna live and die with Parker Stewart. That kid is probably the top player in our area (not including Memphis) and for good reason, it's not too much he can't do. BUT he really doesn't have much help aside from Weddle, I think they finish 2nd, and maybe a shot to get to state if things break right.

 

Humboldt is good. But them making state is gonna depend on two things: how much they have improved shooting the

basketball and is Anthony Jones ready to take that leap as a sophmore. Martin and Pankey best low post tandem in the area and those guys are tough to stop inside of 10 feet.

 

Halls will still be good. McKinney is a dominant post, and if the guards can score enough to help him out they have a chance to win the district again.

[mrbigster]

I think Lake Co will surprise people .Lake Co has a guy J.D that looks to be improved and can shoot and Ismail Young played a lot last year,,started some games but just had knee surgery from a football injury so not sure if he will be able to play basketball.Like you said, Jamario (Baby) Jones  is back and jumping out of the gym. Lake Co lost his brother,Quan Jones to gradutation but has a clone of him in Ricky Boyd who has always lived in Lake Co and has played in Dyersburg the past few seasons .He is currently enrolled at Lake Co and word I have is he will be eligible in Jan after sitting out a year .

[87vikingalumni]

Humboldt Vikings are going to be special they have scrimmaged, Obion County, Westview, & won by twenty (20) plus & beat south side in Jamboree & won by eleven (11)! I watched them play Covington tonight & all I can say is this team plays defense & is unselfish! If, teams think they are just going to play a zone against Humboldt well all I can say is they have a inside & outside game was up by thirty (30) on Covington! If, they stay healthy they can have a good year & they have size!!!

Edited November 19, 2016 by 87vikingalumni

[mrbigster]

I had a coach in Single A tell me he thinks Humboldt has a great chance and in his opinion will win the State

[87vikingalumni]

I had a coach in Single A tell me he thinks Humboldt has a great chance and in his opinion will win the State

If, they stay healthy and continue to improve, they might have a chance! I was very impressed with their defense & team quickness and they have some outside shooters which will help their big men! The Jones kid is going to be a beast once he really learns the game had a monster dunk over a player for a and 1!

[87vikingalumni]

Humboldt 80 South Fulton 46, Vikings need to continue to play good defense!

[uctfan]

Humboldt 80 South Fulton 46, Vikings need to continue to play good defense!

South Fulton is very weak.  Union City has played Westview which is not alot better in some way but did beat Liberty as did U C.  U C lead Westview at one point 50 points.  We have lots more than just Parker Stewart....trust me.

[87vikingalumni]

South Fulton is very weak. Union City has played Westview which is not alot better in some way but did beat Liberty as did U C. U C lead Westview at one point 50 points. We have lots more than just Parker Stewart....trust me.

Didn't say anything about UC just having Parker, you did but can't worry about UC until after New Years & the Vikings just need to continue to improve! Humboldt has multiple players that can beat you & we have a starter (Shivers) & back up guard (Brown) that's out with injuries. A lot of younger players are getting playing time which will only improve our depth! Hopefully, after Christmas Humboldt will have everybody back so only time will tell!!

[MrOct1031]

Humboldt Vikings are going to be special they have scrimmaged, Obion County, Westview, & won by twenty (20) plus & beat south side in Jamboree & won by eleven (11)! I watched them play Covington tonight & all I can say is this team plays defense & is unselfish! If, teams think they are just going to play a zone against Humboldt well all I can say is they have a inside & outside game was up by thirty (30) on Covington! If, they stay healthy they can have a good year & they have size!!!

Humbolt I believe will have the same kind of season we had here in Halls last season. Still we had better scorers last year than Humbolt has this year but defense is what wins games and that's why I think Humbolt will go all the way. AND FYI, don't think that we're just gonna lay down for y'all just because we lost a couple of key players lol. We still have 3 of the big 5 returning plus a couple good defenders off the bench to fill those spots we lost lol. That test will be next Friday at our place ( Halls vs Humbolt)... That will be a great atmosphere I can't wait... But I definitely like what y'all are doing this season.

Edited November 27, 2016 by MrOct1031

[87vikingalumni]

Humbolt I believe will have the same kind of season we had here in Halls last season. Still we had better scorers last year than Humbolt has this year but defense is what wins games and that's why I think Humbolt will go all the way. AND FYI, don't think that we're just gonna lay down for y'all just because we lost a couple of key players lol. We still have 3 of the big 5 returning plus a couple good defenders off the bench to fill those spots we lost lol. That test will be next Friday at our place ( Halls vs Humbolt)... That will be a great atmosphere I can't wait... But I definitely like what y'all are doing this season.

Yes, should be a great game & you are right defense will be the Vikings strong point! Humboldt is getting a lot of younger guys playing time so only will make them better! Also, have a starter (Shivers/center) injuries from football as well as a back-up point guard so hopefully they will be ready after x-mas or before district tournaments!

[AFF]

87vikingalumni,have you heard anything about who Humboldt opens the Popular Bluff tournament with?I have a feeling it's going to be an Arkansas school.