Dawgfan88

Tough intense game between Hampton and UH tonight, the Dogs pulled out an exciting 47-44 win. Neither team led by more than 6, and the score was tied several times. Great win for the Dogs, as they are a young team which is learning as they go. Great job guys!

Great post!

I've heard that Fritz is a big-school homer, obviously. Not to mention he had kids that went to Elizabethton. That schould explain a lot. I'm glad you e-mailed him, at least he knows that people DO pay attention and arent happy with him. Good job!

The Press didnt have a write-up on the game in the sat paper, so I'm sure they'll say something to the effect of "No-one reported any stats to us". There was a time when they had good coverage of all local teams, but nowadays all they care about are the bigger schools, and as someone posted earlier, Science Hill's new multi-million dollar stadium. I've said many times if someone new to the area picked up that paper, they'd think there were only two schools in the entire area: Kingsport and Science Hill. The press doesnt do right by the kids of all the smaller schools in this area, who really bust their humps and get no recognition for it.

Man, I hope you're awake and aware enough to enjoy the game if you're leaving that early! lol! I hope you have a safe trip, and I'm looking forward to seeing a HUGE crowd from Carter Co in the Murphy!

What an AWESOME video!

The boys sub-state games will be monday night at 7pm. I really doubt if Hyden will be cleared by then, but stranger things have happened, I guess.

Yeah, Dorothy Dugger went down and had to be carried off the court. She couldn't put any weight whatsoever on that knee. Crying shame, she's the real deal. Thankfully she's a sophomore so her career isn't over. Interesting how the Cosby crowd started chanting "We want Hampton" after the game was over. Most of the Hampton boys team was there tonight and saw and heard everything. You might want to be careful what you wish for...

I hope it is. This team has all the pieces needed, they just all need to be used to be effective. I still think that game the other night is being looked at as a learning experience, showing them what to do and not to do, and that they'll recover. I guess we'll find out this week, won't we?

Totally agree with this post! The officials were HORRIBLE! That said, Hampton didnt match CLoudlands intensity or passion. They looked like they had never seen a full-court press before! Turn-overs everywhere. Odds are, half the turn-overs, they win. Maybe they'll realize now they have to FOCUS every game in the play-offs, or it'll be a short run. Give Cloudland credit, though, they played a heck of a game.

I certainly hope the boys play better then the Lady Dogs did tonight,if the guys play like that, Cloudland will eat them alive. I expect the Dogs will show much more intensity and fire than the girls did, and give a much better game. I saw several players there tonight, and I hope they took notice that in the tourneys, you've gotta play each game like it's your last one. It would make Cloudland's year to knock off the Dogs, and they better be ready.

Ward has certainly returned to form the second half of the season, while Hughes has been lights out all year long. I agree, Hill is a MONSTER when he just lets go and plays ball. Jones is a rock-solid point guard who is also re-discovering his shot. When those four get it going, this is a FUN team to watch. I hope they go all the way, because really, they deserve it. Talent like this doesnt come around in a small school very often, so when it does, you enjoy the ride as long as you can, because who knows when it will come back around?

This game should be incredible to watch and enjoy. These two teams are certainly the best District 1 has to offer, and both could potentially go MUCH further down the road. Each, I think, is the other's biggest obstacle, and they each know it. I look for both clubs to hit the floor running, and both fan bases should be out in droves. This is what high school sports is all about. I can't wait, I wish the game was tonight!

This was a game for about the first 4-5 minutes, then Hampton found the upper gears and ran off and left HV, 70-46. The Dogs now stand at 24-3, and are looking VERY good for a deep play-off run, if they can keep their heads straight. With the right mind-set, who knows how far they can go? This bunch of seniors has been a joy to watch, and I'll be sorry to see them go, but that's the way it goes. Now let's get geared up for the tournaments, and see how many titles we can get! Go Dogs!

I hope they do take it to them, I'm a bit nervous about this one myself. Games following emotional hard-fought victories are dangerous. I know HV is down, but I expect their best shot tonight. The Dogs are having a magical season, and I hope it goes on MUCH further down the road! Go Dogs!

That's not a bad idea. It would cost just as much to renovate a nearly 50-year old building as to build a new one. I think VanHuss-White Gym is a fine place to catch a game, and you're right, nobody builds good gyms like that anymore. The name of the game nowadys is cost-cutting, that's why you see so many crappy, cookie-cutter gyms at all levels of schools now.

I totally agree with what you say here. I wondered about that myself, but our wonderful commishioners seem bent on saving as much $ as possible, even if the extra money is truly needed. It's just like when the new elementary in Hampton was being built, the original design had six more classrooms than what wound up being built, the county commishioners said those rooms werent needed. Look what happened! Severe over-crowding and portable classrooms! I've always said the east side of Carter County was the forgotten side in county politics, and it's still true. I'm no CLoudland fan for sure, but it's shameful how the kids in Roan Mountain are being neglected by the powers that be. The Cloudland High gym is a first-rate example. In this day and age, knowing there are attendance capacities that have to be met by state rules, to let the current gym just stay the same with no upgrades is a crying shame.

I felt this could be a trap game, coming on the heels of that blasting of Cloudland, when the boys are perhaps feeling a little too good about themselves. I give Unaka credit, they came to play, and didnt back down at any time. Hampton needs to keep their focus, and not over-look ANYONE. That cost us the sub-state game last year, and it could bite'em again if they're not careful. Hughes seems to be the only one with that "killer instinct", that desire to get that shot, that rebound, that free throw, that'll be the nail to finish off an opponent. Some have accused him of being selfish, I don't. At least he WANTS that ball, that shot, to be the one to end it. Others on this team need to step up and help out. I know we're continuing to win, but others need to realize Hughes can't do it all, all the time. That being said, I'm just happy the Dogs won, they're 17-3 now, undefeated in conference, and can look ahead to what's left of the regular season. Go Dogs!

Yeah, I saw a couple of schools represented tonight, and to be honest, I'm glad we had a game tonight instead of waiting till firday to look like they did tonight. I was a bit worried about this game, coming on the heels of that highly-charged game with Unicoi saturday, and the guys showed the hang-over. By the fourth qurter, however, they FINALLY got it going. I expect practice this week will be pretty brutal, considering the showing tonight, and hopefully they'll come out with a lot more fire friday. Go Dogs!

Just a reminder, Rockwood was the other team with Harriman. They had lots of issues in that tourney, they lost both games they played up here.

I was told Feb 14

The Dogs looked much better and MUCH more focused tonight at E-Town, winning 71-48. The hustle and focus that wasn't there at Unicoi was displayed tonight. I believe Hampton played full-court the entire game, which I havent seen in YEARS. Betsy seemed surprised and rattled by it, as well. Anytime we get a win at EHS, I'm happy, not to mention win by this much! Just shows how much focus and intensity can either work for you or against you if you dont have it. Several players played much better tonight, maybe they're finally starting to shake off the football rust? Even so, this team is only going to get better as time goes on. Now for some on here who seem to think all Hampton fans are braggers, fact is, this team has a LOAD of talent. When they all can get their basketball legs, they'll be tough to handle. Gonna be a fun year in this conference! Lots of great B-ball to come!

You make a great point about getting back on D. It drove me crazy how many times that guard snuck around back and got uncontested lay-ups! As I said, Unicoi just plain out-hustled Hampton. It reminded me of football this past season. When they decide to play hard, watch out. If not, Ho-hum! This team is WAY too talented to settle for that.

This game was obviously their worst offensive performance of the year. Unicoi beat them to every loose ball, boxed on every rebound, played tight defense. For all that, as bad as Hampton shot and played offense, they were in the game all the way. Maybe a wake-up call was needed, to show that they have to show up and play hard, that other teams aren't going to stand in awe of their talent when they show up. I understand also that some sickness is going through, hopefully it won't get all the guys. For some some reason Hampton just has never shot the ball well in Unicoi's new gym. From day one there, they havent played good there. I know, there have been some awesome Unicoi teams down there in that time, but we certainly helped. Maybe they'll see how this played out tonight and go into practice tomorrow and learn what they did wrong tonight, and come out friday and get it done RIGHT. I knew they werent going to go undefeated through the entire season, but to play like they played tonight is irritating, to say the least. I found myself just sitting and staring into space at times, and anybody who knows me at games knows I dont do that! Here's hoping they can work out the bugs that were exposed tonight, and come out next game and let'em have it! Go Dogs!