DIV 2A A Teams Middle District North

[Playerscoach]

Best Guess based on things Ive heard. 

Middle North

1. Goodpasture - well coached and talented roster.

2. Clarksville Academy - a few highly regarded, talented players with Div 1 ability. I haven't seen them just heard a coach talked about the new talent they have.

3/4/5/6. DCA- two 6'2" shot blockers and a 5'10" Forward (4 year starter) that is a great defender/rebounder returns after missing almost all of last season with an injury. All district Sr SG returns. Guard play has many steady players and the return of an all district 3 year starter (8th grade HS starter) Jr PG to the team will help. Early season games vs BGA and Ezell Harding will indicate their competitiveness vs quality programs. 

3/4/5/6. Davidson Academy - Lost good players but well coached and have enough back to compete.

4/5/6.  Friendship Christian- Guard play will be good and Jr forward can defend all five positions.

4/5/6. USN- Return of Sr PG Rabb will help this group. Post play will be good but this team is still young at the guard position.

7. NCS- lost some good players and are an unknown.

8. MJCA- only 6 players committed to play as of October per a MJCA parent. Good Sr PG and Fr forward. Well coached group.

9. Hendersonville Christian - unknown?

To me this district outside of Goodpasture is an unknown. If anyone has insight feel free to correct me. Best of luck to all the teams!!!!

Edited November 12, 2017 by Playerscoach

[Playerscoach]

I've been able to see a few teams now. IMO, based on what I've seen, Clarksville Academy is more athletic than anyone else in the entire Middle TN district and region except maybe for Providence Christian. They have a very good high school post player and several good guards. Their nationally ranked player hasn't played yet due to an injury and they are still very good.

Goodpasture is well coached and can get hot behind the 3 pt line but aren't as deep or athletic as CA IMO. They are a contender though because Randolph is a great scorer. 

DCA is a defensive minded team and the two 6'2 posts make it very difficult to score inside. Shooting well from the perimeter is a must if you want to beat them. When DCA shoots it well and the bigs score they can beat anyone in the district/region.

Haven't seen USN or FCS but both appear to be good. USN had a quality win at CPA and FCS is scoring 70+ pts a game.

NCS/Davidson both replaced talented players from last year.

MJCA/Hendersonville Christian - haven't seen them either but their records and scores indicate rebuilding years. Both are well coached and can surprise some teams.

1. CA

2. GCS

3. USN/FCS/DCA

6/7/8/9. NCS/MJCA/HCS/DA

This district has some teams that could be very dangerous come playoff time.  

[Playerscoach]

Have now watched in person and on film CA, Goodpasture and FCS. All three are good, well coached teams. All three can score but CA is very deep at the guard position. They have 5-6 players they can rotate and cause defensive pressure on opposing teams. CA also has the inside game to get points when they need them. Perimeter scoring is not as good as GPC and FCS but they make up for it by playing good defense and getting steals.

Both Goodpasture and FCS rely on hot shooting from the perimeter and FCS gets to the line more than any team I've seen this year. Saw them shoot close to 40 free throws in a game that had them down 17 in the 2nd quarter. 

The best team I've seen in the middle region by a good margin is Providence Christian. They are a post first offense but can score from the perimeter. Defensively they are relentless and cause problems by pressuring every pass and dribble. Their team defense is excellent too so the first and second help rotations are excellent.  With all that being said Coach Hart at FRA has an 8th grade guard who's sister has been D2 POY for Ensworth (Cambridge) who is fantastic in her own right. FRA is well coached as always and has talent.  Providence beat them in a close one earlier this season but those two seem to be the top two teams in the middle region IMO.

My guess for the District 2 seeding tournament:

CA

Goodpasture - in the next two weeks they play both CA and FCS. Will see if they can stay undefeated. It's hard to rely on the 3 as much as they do.

DCA/FCS/USN

DA/NCS/HCS/MJCS

[Playerscoach]

The next eight days will have the top five teams in the district all playing each other. Will show where the seeding is likely to be.

Questions answered:

1. The most important is the preseason district MVP for CA finally cleared to return to play from her preseason injury?

2. Can Goodpasture keep scoring enough from the perimeter to keep their record unblimished?

3. Can FCS keep scoring at such a high rate against good teams by getting to the free throw line? Can they find a consistent 2nd scorer to help their 20+ ppg senior guard?

4. Can USN use its size in the post to wear down the smaller teams like Goodpasture and FCS? 

5. DCA is without their key player for a bit so can they win against USN and DA? Can the two 6'2" post players start to dominate teams? USN and DCA will be about the same size in the post so it will be interesting to see who wins the matchup. USN has all it's key players so they are the favorite.

This district has wins over CPA and Ezell Harding who are in the other middle district.  USN beat  CPA at CPA and Goodpasture beat Ezell by 26 and DCA beat Ezell in a game they dominated excet for the last 5 minutes. Of note are Ezells back to back wins over CPA and Providence. 

[Playerscoach]

Goodpasture is undefeated in the district after there close win at FCS. CA has three district losses (DCA, GP, FCS). FCS has only lost to GP but trailed DCA by 17 before they shot 40 free throws, and won at home vs USN by 3. DCA lost a close won away at GP, to FCS at home after leading by 17, and at home to USN by 10 with two four year starters out. 

The next week has DCA/GP/FCS playing each other so the district championship race will clear up quit a bit.

CA can still place in the top four but with losses to GP/DCA/FCS they have some work to do. Their win at home vs USN negates USNs win against a shorthanded DCA team. Best guess for the final finish. 

1. Goodpasture 

2/3. FCS/DCA

4.  USN

5. CA 

6/7/8. MJCA/DA/NCS

9. HCS

 

[Playerscoach]

Last week seems to have put the race for the 1 seed as

1/2. Goodpasture and FCS

The 3/4/5. Could end up being a three way tie between

USN/CA/DCA

Remaining teams are.

6. NCS

7. MJCA

8. DA

9. HCS

[Playerscoach]

1. Goodpasture 

2. FCS

3. USN

4. CA

5. DCA

Goodpasture shoots the ball extremely well and their motion offense causes problems.

FCS can score but their recent 20 pt loss to USN shows they struggle guarding the low post.

USN had a late season run that just kept going beating DCA, CA, and FCS in a little over a weeks time. Not the most talented team but have the most productive post player in the district.

CA and DCA are sort of the same team. If either team is hitting from outisde they can win the district but if not they just don't score enough to make any noise. CA can turn you over with their quick guards so that helps their lack of perimeter scoring. Both games were close and they each won away games. They play Tuesday in the district tournament at CA.

The final four teams will plat at Goodpasture. Any of those four can win it. 

[Playerscoach]

1. Goodpasture vs Clarksville Academy

CA got Western KY recruit back just in time for the district tourney. She guarded DCAs PG and did a good job even though she gave up 21 pts to her. Goodpasture moves the ball well in their motion offense and shoots the 3 better than any team in the middle TN region. Goodpasture is the favorite here but they have nobody to guard CAs #3. Goodpasture loses it's two best players and will rebuuld next year. CA returns every important piece and will be the favorite to win the district.

3. FCS vs USN - FCS relies on the three headed monster two score and they can so it in bunches. USN is without their best defender and rim attacker so it will be difficult on them. FCS is the favorite. USN's future looks bright though by adding a 6'2" freshman next year that will immediately be an all district player. FCS loses their two best overal players and will have to find another way to win next season.

Prediction:

Championship - GP vs FCS

Consolation - USN vs CA

 Out- DCA- Centers just couldn't establish themselves on the offensive end this season. Agressive post defender will be missed. Enough talent remaining with all district player of the year candidate and 6'3" center with tons of potential. Rising Fr guard could be the missing piece to this team competing for the district championship. 

MJCA- loses several players on an 8 man roster.

DA- still building

NCS- working on their depth

CA/USN/DCA will fight for first place next season with CA having the edge. 

[Playerscoach]

1. Goodpasture- won championship game that was never close. Will be a tough out as they go nine deep with solid fundamental offensive players. A team with an excellent attacking PG will cause them problems. They have enough solid players coming back to repeat.

2. FCS - the twins can score in bunches. They were down by 18 most of the 2nd half in the championship game. Will attack the rim after spreading you out. They lose the two players that score for them and next year they will struggle to make the top four the next several years unless there is an infusion of talent.

3. CA- Beat USN fairly easily in consolation game. They come at you in waves on the defensive end with traps. Very athletic team but a weak 3 point shooting team. They have a tough time against zones. They return everyone and will be the favorite next season.

4. USN- Lost to CA but didn't have their best attacking player and defender. Post play is excellent and will only get better next season with the addition of the 6'2" freshman. They will contend for the championship but will have a difficult time defending the perimeter. 

5. DCA- loses a four year starter, at PF, it's best shooting guard, and 6'2" rim protector. Will be guard heavy next year with a five year Sr all district and POY candidate. Still have a 6'3" center that can protect the rim and score. If the C improves offensively they could win the region. Two freshman guards are talented and can attack the rim.

All the others are still working on their programs. Look for DA to be the one team to come out of the pack and challenge for the top four. Adios until next season.

Edited February 11, 2018 by Playerscoach