gamesetmatch

Baylor, Webb, King's Academy and GPS are in a divided middle region next year. Obviously, whomever is in with Webb will be a runner up.

Michelle Davis Cleveland High School

Webb is by far the favorite to win the tournament, but for the first time in 4 years there are more than one or two teams who could get hot and win in an upset. Lausanne and Webb should win their first game setting up what should be the most interesting matchup of the weekend.

1.Dunlap/Brentwood (Top returning player from 2006 with a championship ring. Selfless player that will do what is necessary to win each night.) 2.Johnson/Webb(Best athlete that dominates nightly) 3.Morrow/GPS(Slow start due to summer ACL surgery but is recovering quickly) All three are returning all-state and are very valuable each night to their respective teams.

The Edwards kid at Cleveland High School kind of gets lost in the shuffle there but probably could make a strong rebounder and defender at the JC level and beyond.

It has been my experience if you have a daughter that has multiple interest whether athletic or not and you have a coach or teacher trying to dominate her time for focus on one activity, get away from them as fast as you can. We all need to remember that a small percentage of HS kids get athletic scholarships even with Title 9. I have heard parents of sixth graders telling their kids to improve their jump shot so they can play in college. It is really sad to see a kid that can shoot but can't run fast later in high school fall behind and not play at the next level. It compounds the situation when his or her high school career is judged by the college interest. Let the kid enjoy high school! The goal of HS athletics and AAU should not be playing at the next level but developing a well rounded kid who will have multiple options for their future. AAU and Travel teams are a great way to do this because it teaches them to perform at a high level and get a long in a team/work atmosphere. However, it is not a guarantee of college offers that parents expect with the $$$$'s invested. In my opinion the question is not AAU or HS Ball, but it should be basketball or any other activity that enables your kid to prepare for college and beyond. There are many ways to pay for college and it starts with a kid that wants the education. If the kid works hard enough at any activity trust me either a college or employer will take notice.

Good win for GPS after fighting back from many injuries. They are returning 5 starters from 05-06 and still missing two in the starting line up. They seem to be building a bit more depth than last year. It was the Kentucky signees third competitive game since last May due to injury. Congratulations GPS on handing Ft Payne their first loss in five years of their tournament.

I attended the game and there are really to many calls to post. GPS had a 15 point lead with 5 minutes to go, when the Ft. Payne Coach began working the officials. In the last minutes there was a "charge" where the GPS girl ended up on the ground after splitting the Ft Payne defenders. She got up went to line and as the official approached the score table and the Ft Payne coach, he signaled the offensive foul. Next was the lane violation where the official did not hold his arm out and called it following the miss and a signal from the Ft Payne Coach (all on film). Finally the phantom foul was a block and the Ft Payne player flopped to the gound. Once again the official signaled no shot until he approached the table and Ft Payne coach and then signaled a foul. All of these are on film! This was GPS's third trip to Ft Payne and you will see this everytime. Last year's final saw Ft Payne shoot 36 free throws to Eufaula's 16 in a four point victory. The only surprising part of this year was that they did not attach a technical somehow to insure 5 free throws to make 4 for the win. My suggestion to all TN schools is to attend this tournament if you want a physical game but don't go there to win.....It is hard to beat 8. Sorry, I meant 9......Ft Payne dribbled the length and across the court to shoot the phantom 3 pointer in 2.8 seconds......she must be pretty quick. Being generous, the film shows at least 4 seconds passed.