EAGLEPROTECTOR

Thanks, we have respect for everyone we play. We just want to win like everyone else does and to see our boys execute in games like they should. I just hope this is a good game. Have a safe trip to the game and back home.

What happened the the Cascade game the other night? Not playing well, not all the ballplayers, or just up against a great team?

I really don't know what to expect out of Temple this year. I expect alot from VB, I will tell you one thing the players that came off the bench done very well Tuesday night, and Baker and Smith are the real deal, I love watching those two play. I also enjoy watching the other guys and to see the proud look on their parents faces when they make a good play. It would be nice to see these boys from the mountain do well this year.

We done well handling the press against Dekalb Count. We have had good seasons the last 4 years with 20 plus wins each year, but seemed to find a way to loose in the Region. What team do you pull for?

Yes, I heard Temple is pretty good. Maybe we can sneak an upset against a team that has made a few State appearances. When I said in an earlier post we would go 8 or so deep, I was meaning playing that many kids. We played that many and more against Dekalb County. If they continue with what they showed Tuesday night they will give alot of teams fits.

How did everyone who has already played games in the District do? Any further comments or predictions since games have been played?

I thought we looked good. I beleive the score was VB 79 and Dekalb 69. We have some areas that needs improvement but overall we looked good. Dekalb has some good athletes, I didn't realize the talent they had returning. I beleive this will be a good year for VB fans, but only time will tell.

Better than I expected really, we will maybe go 8 or so deep. There are some good althletes that played in the alum game a few stars from the past. I think we will do fine in the district. Our first test will be Tuesday night when we face Dekalb County a AA school. A better measuring tape than an alum game.

VB lost 3 from last years team, Chandler, Crain, Cunningham. We will probably know more after Saturday night, it is the alum game. Alot of the times you can't judge by this type of game just like play days, but I am looking forward to seeing the kids that hasn't got much playing time play to see how much they have progressed. I would like to see VB play a little better defense than what they have played over the past few years. VB should start at least 4 seniors and maybe 5 with a cast of others getting playing time. We have boys that can shoot the three and with Baker and Smith out there I like our chances. Smith is big and strong with a sweet touch, put a soft player on him and you will pay. Baker will probably run point again this year unless someone has come in I don't know about, he is strong to the basket, posting up most other guards who can't handle his size and leaping ability. Better have a good game plan, or an outstanding defender to contain him or he will put up monster numbers. Both Baker and Smith are somewhere around 6'4" with both averaging over 18 a game last season. Simmons and Farris can shoot, Sullivan and Thorton has gotten stronger over the summer, Rigsby is a hard worker who is pretty solid. Hillis is fast and and has grown some over the summer. I may be leaving some out that I just can't think of at the moment. I have watched most of these kids play ever since youth league, and not only are they good ball players they have class which to me is the best quality any player can have.

I have been a VB supporter all my life and I hope they win the district this year, buy I don't agree with them not having competetion in the district this year. There are alot of good coaches in this district who prepare their players well. I would be disappointed if any team just out right dominated the other teams in the district. There are usually around at least four teams that can win in our district. There may be more this year. Does anyone know who is at the point at Cascade this year?

Van Buren lost 3 seniors from last years team. Baker and Smith are returning along with a class of others that saw playing time last year. Like I said its hard to say who will come out on top, especially when you throw in things like who has prepared themselves for the next season, and who is willing to step up and fill those empty spots from the kids leaving. There is talent returning from every school in District 9, I saw every school play last year and saw some good players coming up. Cascade has one guy that came off the bench and actually started againt VB last year when Day and others weren't playing and he lit us up from the three point line. I know that this will not be an easy season for any team because most teams can beat the others. I heard Hall left Cascade which is awful if your a Champion fan but loosing Reed at the point is a big loss also, he will be hard to replace. the Rockets lost Shankle and most others from the starting team at Forrest. I saw where someone said that they reloaded from their JV team which was undefeated. No doubt they are well coached at the Blue and White. Eagleville lost Aldorfar he was a force and will be missed. Seems like we can talk about this all day and when the season has ended we look back and see that the games was still played on the gym floors and not on the boards. It's still nice to talk about isn't it? I also saw on the D-10 boards that they are down this year so maybe we can send some teams that will take the Region this year.

I am looking forward to a lot of great games in D-9 this year. With no games being played it is hard to say who will come out on top, but with players returning and those being lost from last years teams I will have to go with the following: VB on top with size and talent returning but how bad do they want it. Eagleville is always good and a tough beat especially at their gym. Forrest lost alot but seems to be in the mix when you think they are down. Cascade lost alot of talent due to graduation, but the loss of Hall may be to much to overcome. Community I think has everyone returning and may suprise some teams this year. MTCS showed signs of life last year and to be honest I don't know what they have coming back. Boyd has some good players but not enough to be a threat. Just my opinion. It should be a good year with a lot of fun games to watch. We should do good in the Region this year, but I think that every year. Good luck to everyone.

Yes, this is a big game for Cascade. This also is a big game for other teams that are trying to keep pace in the District if they take care of their own business. Forrest won last game by about 17 if I can remember correctly, I think this will be a close game. No predictions or anything, but good luck to both teams.

Great win for Van Buren, they hit the boards good, handled the press and don't believe they turned the ball over that much.

Can Eagleville correct their ship before coming to the mountain? Will VB continue to keep Forrest in their sight? Go VB.

Forrest will win by as many as they want. They will probably pull their starters by the second half.

Maybe it will be different next game. You guys seem to be in a tough District. Tell TD I said hey. How did he do tonight?

How did you guys do tonight?

Bledsoebtheboys with you being a innocent by stander in this game I have a question. Do the fans in your District yell at the Chatt. refs when they are playing each other for hacks, slaps, and pushes? Just wondering about it because when we played your guys in the valley your fans were yelling at the refs just like we were. Seq. fans were yelling at the refs. last night just like VB fans were. They knocked us down last night with alot of no calls. I really enjoyed the football game.

I don't think he scored that many but he handled the ball pretty good. He is a scrappy player and physical for a small player, always slapping after the ball.

VB took the lead early and I believe they only gave the lead up once early in the first. The Indians didn't give up and missed some shots tonight. They are physical about like BC and they have a boy on the outside #32 that can shoot. They dive after every loose ball, which they should and will pick you from the back when your head is turned. It should be a good match up between your two teams.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 or 20.

VB wins 64 to 51. Played pretty good team ball tonight.

First of all congrats to the rockets. I can't remember the last time we were beaten by 20 points, Probably more than 3 year. VB is better than we showed last night we were flat from the beginning. I don't know where our defense was, and I have never seen as many balls fly off of players heads as I did last night. Not saying we would have won just would have been better competition. Cascade probably is better than they showed as well. I could be wrong but Ireally think it will be a tight District in the end. I wouldn't count any of the early favorites out at this point. By the way Eagleville looks pretty tough so far.

Yes, I also think it will be a good game. I also like the District, most of the schools we have played has class. And as for the drive everyone of our District road trips are a long way off except for Boyd.