The Final Chapter

Same old District 3AA....Gibbs wins, Alcoa and Seymour battle for second....same for the last 6 years or so. Just for kicks, when was the last time Gibbs did NOT win this distict?

I think Final Chapter is someone who has been around the game and knows what he is speaking about, but I do have to question his ability to comment that a kid is not ready for "Gold Ball.??? Watched several girls myself over the years and was impressed by the Monday kid from Maryville at the Gibbs tournament this year. This was the first time I had seen her pitch and was impressed with her command of speed and movement pitches. Watched her hold Ooltewah to four hits and one earned run and then turn around and no hit Brentwood Academy. Talked to her travel ball coach (Fred Fekete Maryville Magic) and he informed me that she does indeed play "Gold Ball.??? She played Birmingham, Columbia S.C, Ft. Lauderdale, and Denver Colorado last year and will be playing the same this year. Mr. Fekete stated that she still has a ways to go, but stated that she definitely has the tools to hold her own at an elite level. He would be one that I would think could judge some true talent considering the levels he has coached at and the fact that his daughter competed and succeeded at the highest of highest levels. Have not really seen any of the others mentioned besides Hosfield, Renfro, and Holly Thomas, so I cannot comment on them. I do not think that one can make such a blanket statement without seeing any of these kids pitch at the "Gold Level.??? Moreover, Mr. Fekete told me that his daughter Sarah was told by several coaches and individuals that she could not compete at an elite level either. I think she turned out o.k. at the next level. My point to all of this is to give the kids a chance before you tell them that they are not capable of something. batboy1, I agree totally that Fred would be a good judge of a girls talent. However, the fact that he stated that she still has a way to go....and that she can "hold her own" only emphasizes my previous statement. Just because you play against "Gold" Teams doesn't make you a Gold team, just like signing up as "Gold" doesn't mean you are competive at the Gold level. Fred plays at the tournaments you mentioned to give his girls an opportuntiy to improve and to be seen, as any good coach should. Limiting where you play so that you can have a winning record does no good for the players. You should play the best to be the best. However, the tournaments you spoke about are exposure tournaments with 18A and even 16A teams, NOT Gold qualifiers. There is a difference, plain and simple. I believe even Fred would say he is not taking his Magic team to compete at Gold quailiers, because the girls playing at that level are the best out there and his team is just not ready YET. That is not trashing anyone, only giving the ones who are at that level the well deserved reverence. There have been a few in the area capable of it, but because of egos, or other reasons, a full team has never become a reality. Obviously, Sarah Fekete could have played on any Gold team in the country. Irwin (Central) played in the Gold Nationals last year for the Blues out of NC and did very well. I saw Holifield (Alcoa) throw a 9 inning 2-1 loss against the Ga. Fire Gold (a competitive Gold team) last year in SC. Both of these pitchers had well over 1,000 K's in their HS career and were proven. There seems to be a lot of support for Kim, AND maybe she is ready, I have not seen her throw this season. And if you check the posts, I have yet to say any of the girls mentioned are not capable of playing Gold, only not ready. But if you have not seen true Gold Teams in a Qualifier environment, you may just not understand. Girls (or parents) who truely want to play at that level should go and just watch....just to get an idea what they really need to do to get there. I was blessed with the opportunity to coach on aguably some of the best teams to come out of Knoxville, however, I could NEVER put together a true GOLD team. Even with my softball retirement, I, as much or more than anyone, would love to see a true Gold team come out of Knoxville, but the talent pool for a full team has not presented itself. If you don't believe me, ask Ralph Weekly. He encourages the girls he sees that are capable of playing at the elite level to play in Nashville or Chattanooga. The only way to change this is for the players and parents to make a unrelenting COMMITMENT and sacrifice to the sport here. Too few are willing to do so. Again, my OPINION, but it is well backed by personal experience.

It is not evident to me at all...not being ready for Gold and not Gold material are two different things. Just because a freshman is not ready for Gold doesn't mean she won't be in a year or two. And I wasn't pointing out you mispelled a word...just making sure I understand your intention. Again, I mentioned the girls in the previous post in a positive light....not negative AT ALL. But the ones that have played at the Gold level and succeeded deserve a little separation. They have earned it. In time maybe the others will as well. By the way, I am not "hiding"...there are plenty who know me on these boards....AND who says I know so much...I thought message boards were made to express opinons....this one is mine.....take it or leave it. I have been around for a while.....and seen more softball than the average parent....but that doens't make me right.....just old! If you disagree just say so....I promise not be cross in my retort:)

See there you go...I didn't say they were not Gold material....just that they are not ready for the elite...read the post. I assume when you say "Have you seen all there patetials?" that you mean have you seen all their potential...and no.....I am sure they will all improve and could make Gold level pitchers...but it is only partially hard work....the other is just intrinsic ability....even genetics..... Regardless, until they have seen and played real Gold Ball, and proven themselves worthy, you shouldn't take away from the elite by just saying they can! Can any of these girls put up the numbers the three I listed can...against the competition they have....again not slamming....just stand back and be objective.

Irwin out of Central....Holifield out of Alcoa.....maybe Gale from Bearden....

There are no "gold teams" in Knoxville or the surrounding area....and only a couple of real "gold" teams in the entire state. There was only one TN team in the field of 64 last year and the pitcher for that team went to Southern Illinois. She was one of the best to come out of TN. Kim is good...so is the Monday kid from Maryville....Thomas from Gibbs....Woods from Unicoi....but none are ready for real Gold ball.....this is not a slam....just a fact. True gold pitchers.....how about Holly Thomas from Ooltewah, Hosfield from Riverdale (injured though), or Renfro out west....maybe a few more. There were a couple of Gold level pitchers out of knoxville the past couple of years....one is playing at UTC right now. Please, don't reply and get ugly....there is a difference between good (even great) and the elite.....Knoxville has some good...even great pitching...but give the elite girls thier due!

With Maryville's history, I understand why they will be favored regardless of class...but from what I understand WB may be the best team they play all year until at least the state tournament. How do the teams compare, especially offensively at QB, RB, and WR. Both have been putting up big numbers.....who has the edge in scoring.

Shows what I know....Congratulations to Stone....great win and great team....I expect you will represent the region well at state. I hope gibbs doesn't overlook Unicoi....they are tough.....and I hear Unicoi is especially tough to beat at home.

I don't know how many seniors....how many years....but I am pretty sure Gibbs has been to the State Tourney like 24 of the last 25 years or something crazy like that! Then only time recently they did not make it was I think three years ago when they lost in the first Region elimination game. If there is a record...I am sure they have it!

I have watched them both up close....taking nothing away from Stone because they are a very good team....but Gibbs is truly the better team. Stone's pitching is very good...but so is Gibbs. Gibbs definately has the advantage in defense and especially offense. Against Seymour, Stone tallied 4 hits, 4 runs (all unearned) and 10 K's in 6 innings of work. Even in the 9 inning District 3 Winners Bracket Championship game, Gibbs had 10 hits (scattered), 1 earned run, and only 5 K's. (We will not mention the other Seymour vs Gibbs games) Seymours pitcher is very good, she had 320 K's this year and over 1,000 in her career....but Gibbs hits good pitching well (at least better than Stone)....and from here on...you will only see good pitching! I definately do not see a blow out....Brown will keep Stone close....but Gibbs wins 8 out of 10 games. Gibbs was a good team last year....placing 4th in State.....but this year they are realistically a contender for another championship. Regardless....I think Stone beats Unicoi in a close game to follow Gibbs to state! I say 2 Region 2 teams in the top 5! Good luck to all Region 2 teams....make E. Tennessee proud....because AAA belongs to Nashville and Chattanooga!

I believe the AAA Region for Knoxville is set. It should be #1 District 4 Maryville vs. #2 District 3 Central #1 District 3 Powell vs. #2 District 4 Heritage I missed the Maryville prediction...I should have known better....Hawkins may be the best big game coach in the Knoxville area. However, I believe District 3 will prove to be too much for District 4 this year.....Powell AND Central advance to substate! AA should finish tonight, as long as the rain holds off. Right now - Gibbs vs Seymour Stone vs Kingston Seymour played Gibbs to a 1-0 loss in 9 innings in the winners bracket championship. Kingston lost 1-0 in 7 on an unearned run in the same winners bracket game (I think!) Tonight - Seymour and Kingston has a hard row to hoe...you don't often (maybe never) beat teams of Gibbs and Stone's caliber in back to back games. However, I like the underdog's chances in a one game Region elimination game. Stone and Gibbs may be the favorite's but the pitching for all teams is very good....that make for a very interesting and possibly upsetting Region Tournament.

Region 2 AA has a history of strength...mainly because of Gibbs. However District 4 had its own state champion just three years ago with Lenoir City. This team was led by Sarah Vaughn, one of the best players to ever come out of the KIL. I believe at least 7 (maybe more) state championships have come out of Region 2 in the past 20 years....I pretty sure 6+ are from Gibbs....not to shabby for a bunch of East Tennessee players. As for Stone, I watched them play early in the season...and they are solid. But there are some pretty good teams they will have to face in District 4. CAK, because of pitching, may pose the biggest threat, but Stone should get out easily in the top 2. Depending on how District 3 shakes out, you will likely see either Gibbs or Seymour and either should give you all you want, but if you advance and don't finish 1st in Region...I am sure you will run into Unicoi County in sub-state...and they are always tough. IF you get to state.....you get rewarded by playing 5 time defending state champion (the last in AA) Goodpasture at some point, so get ready for a tough road....AA is no cake walk!

Stone is District 4, Region 2 in AA...same a CAK, Kingston, Anderson Co etc. I don't see how they could not be in Prep Xtra?

I'll give it a go....mine is slightly different> 1. Gibbs - Pprobably the best all-around team in the Knoxville area...good pitching, hitting and defense! 2. Central - With Irwin on the mound Central can beat anyone in the state...they just have to score a 1 (maybe 2). 3. Powell - Like Gibbs, another potent hitting lineup...and Sutphin is good enough to beat most teams. 4. Stone Memorial - This team is tough...but flying way under the radar (not even mentioned above). They may be state bound in 2A. 5. Heritage - Great pitching with Fagg...and a strong lineup to boot. No real superstars, but this team may have the most depth in Knoxville. 6. Farragut - This Ingleby kid is giving up little from the mound...but where did Farragut learn to hit? 7, 8, 9 - Halls, Karns, Mo. West - It is a tossup here. They all have good athletes...Mo West has the pitching edge. 10. Seymour - Also not mentioned above, but could be a sleeper. Lost a lot of games by one run due to defensive errors, but hits the ball well and Monday has amassed over 230 k's (the only one close to Irwin in Knoxville) already this year. Gibbs gave them a sound beating, but they could easily give everyone on the list trouble. Gibbs is going to state again in AA (I think that is like 21 out of the last 22 years....which is beyond belief). I expect either Stone or Seymour will get by the Region 1 (Unicoi) teams to follow them. Gibbs will give Goodpasture a good game for a possible state title. Irwin will likely pitch Central into another state trip. I believe either Powell or Heritage will get by Science Hill to join them. I hope Central gets to play Riverdale so that the best two pitchers in the state get to duel...it could set a single game strikeout record. But AAA will be Soddy's or Riverdale's to lose...just too much for Knoxville area teams.

No scholarships?? I am near positive at least two of the girls are on "scholarship" and were "recuited" from their summer team. And I agree, you can get a transfer to play at other schools....but public schools don't offer the things that GPS can....a tremendous education for starters....at a reduced (or free) cost....again based on athletic ability. Again....not knocking the system....just being honest.