BEARCLAW

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> leadfarmer, I know exactly what you are talking about. We have dealt with an official who does basically the same thing with certain players, but I've also seen them "bait" coaches with a bad call, then make sure they stand in front of the coach and taunt them with looks and little grins like you mentioned. One coach in our area was pushed that way and the coach looked up in the stands at his principal. The principal gave him the "thumbs up" to go ahead and take the T, which was his second, and wrote a personal check for the fine. But, lest we bring the ire of some, let's be fair and say that most of the officials don't do this. I still think most do a good job. It's that small percentage of the group that make it rough on the rest. But, it makes me mad over what it does to the kids. They practice and play their hearts out only to have all that hard work damaged by one of these "third legs". I'm glad someone else sees these things go on besides me.

/dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" BattleCat, climb off your high horse and show a little sense on here. Never in ANY of my posts have I bashed or talked down to or about Upward Basketball. My comments were intended to indicate that the level of skill necessary to officiate in the Upward organization/younger players was below the level of an official calling a game at the high school level, and I will stand by that assertion regardless of how you read my post. Your arrogance is astounding. I have the utmost respect for the Upward organization and those who coach and lead these young kids to learn to play sports with sportsmanship and learn the basic skills that later in life make them excellent athletes. You, sir, go in the clown category with the "third leg" officials. Please learn to read and understand what you read before you remove all doubt as to your level of understanding on this post. How dare you accuse me of bashing the Upward program. Never once did I say anything negative about the Upward organization, and never once will I. You, however, need to learn to read or just plain post somewhere else. My apologies to everyone else.

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> I'll have to say it is refreshing and good to hear all the positive comments and best wishes to a top notch young man on and off the court. There are a few who let jealousy come out and want to be critical for no reason other than Skylar is an excellent player. We need to be supportive of all our young athletes throughout the district/region and be supportive of them. Compete on the court, play the game, shake and accept the loss/enjoy the win. It's a game.

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> Again, since I started this mess, I want to say thank you to all those officials who take the job seriously and do a good job. No one can expect more than the best a player has to give, and we don't need to expect more than that from the officials. I also attended a game last night where again...as you have said.....there was one experienced official and two JV/Upward Basketball officials. The experienced guy had his hands full, and DID override a couple of calls that the "rookies" let slip. They didn't miss the calls, they just plain old didn't call them. Let's have a little more accountability for the officials to help those who are "doing the job", and weed out the "third legs" that are messing up the game.

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> Me too! Vowed never to touch it again, and haven't for over 30 years. Had a group of parents chase me home into my driveway after our team lost a tournament title on a shot with one "click" left on the clock. I decided if Middle School parents were that fanatical, they could pay someone instead of getting the job done for free! Just wasn't worth the hassles!

Thank You! Exactly what needs to happen. We all have to police our careers to some extent, and why not override an obvious bad call. Sure would help the learning experience for all. Probably isn't a workable solution to all this, but I don't believe any will beat yours! /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

There has been a lot said today about Skylar's supposed need for improvement in areas of defense and strength. Right now he is the best pick in the area for whatever college chooses him, or he chooses himself. But, let's stop and think a minute. When a new player becomes a part of a new team, he has to learn to be a part of that team. Wherever Skylar goes, he will have to learn to adapt to the team, and still retain his own personality on the court as well. I'm sure all freshmen players go on the team's diet and weight routine as soon as they become a part of the team. Regardless on who that freshman player is, he has to learn to adapt to the new surroundings and "ways" of the new team. Singling out a need for more strength or better defense are mute topics of discussion. If Pearl, Wake Forest, and the others who have given Skylar a look......and several of them have looked many times......didn't see that he already possesses the strength, defensive abilities, offensive abilities, attitude, etc. they wouldn't give him a second look. Stop wasting breath and keystrokes on things that don't matter squat right now. It doesn't matter whether anyone on here thinks he needs to improve defensively or in strength. Skylar has ALREADY proved he has these abilities in the fact that he is being actively watched and is being recruited......even by UT - just without the scholarship monies. What does matter is what the coaches recruiting him are looking at/for. Seems to me that his defensive and offensive skills, attitude, strength, etc. have already proved to be what the recruiters are looking at/for. Can't argue that one!

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> More physical and more muscle? Improve his defense? It's a shame you've not watched him play all season. There isn't a more physical player in the district, and he is as strong as any on the court. To score as many points as he does, and make as many assists as he does with 2, 3, and sometimes 4 players on him at once.......I would say he has all the muscle he needs to get the job done. He can "flat out play" as you have stated, but the defense and physical aspects are there. In my opinion, Pearl is saving his scholarship for a player who doesn't have the resources McBee has....hoping McBee will walk on and not cost him anything. Trouble is, it may cost him more if McBee goes to Wake. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Well....now that you've seen, what do you think? /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Evidently you are one of the VERY inexperienced officials my post was aimed at. My post was in support of the officials doing the best job they can. It also was a call to arms to rid the courts of those clowns who should have been suspended at the beginning of the season for doing the same stupid things over and over and over and over..... From your tone and responses, I can only assume you are an official. I guess this is one of those times where should we be having this discussion on the court, I'd be the one getting the technical foul for pointing out changes that need to be made. Again to all those officials who are doing a good job, and are at least trying to be consistent, THANK YOU! But those BeaverNTN officials, why not take up knitting or something else that where your incompetence won't hurt an entire team because of your inabilities! Whoops! There goes the whistle, and here comes my T. Sure do hope he misses those two shots!

How about dropping back and reading the entire post again. You've made an assumption that is absolutely not there! Did I not state almost exactly what you have said in reply to support the officials? The "third leg's" I am refering to is those officials who have no business being on the court or around high school kids......the girls especially. Please, next time your reply, read and reread the post before you make comments. I totally support our officials, but only an idiot would say there are some who need to go. At least read the post, or learn to read one or the other.

/rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" /> I've watched high school basketball in Morristown, Rutledge, Cocke Co, Sevier Co, Claiborne Co, Cumberland Gap, and most of the schools that existed before some of these were formed. I've seen basketball come from 6 ladies on the court and men who played with diginity and sportsmanship. I've also seen some really good officials in all these years, but have seen quite a change in them as well. Bob Pratt, Wimp McDaniel, Roy Noe, Lon Thornton just to name a few were all characters in their day. I always enjoyed watching them and interacting with them at the games when I was in high school and later on before they retired. Thanks guys. Back then it only took 2 officials to get the game underway and finished. Now we have 3 officials on the floor, unless one doesn't show up, and things have changed. What we usually see now is 2 good, or fairly good, officials and one who needs to go back to Upward Basketball. Everyone is going to miss calls from time to time, and we all expect that. But, when one official constantly makes bad calls, and often between the same two teams, and makes them one way, respect for the "Men In Stipes" begins to wane. I want to say up front a big THANK YOU to all you officials who get out there, care for the kids, do a little coaching for both teams on the floor when necessary, and in general keep things moving along as it should. You guys have a tough job without that "third leg" tripping you up. How about it TSSAA, can we get rid of all these "third legs" so things can get a little better for all the other officials. I'm not advocating going back to 2 officials, but getting a little more strict on these guys who wear the "stripes" and spend the game flirting with the lady players, cheerleaders, and ladies in the crowd. Think I'm making it up? Get out and watch what some of these clowns are doing! I don't mean to make life difficult for all of you.....just the opposite. I appreciate what most of you are doing. But let's get rid of all these "third legs" that are taking much of the fun and sport out of a wonderful game. Come on coaches and athletic directors! If all of you will start making the call on some of these Upward guys that somehow made it to high school ball, then maybe things would improve. Just my thinking. Again, thanks to all you "Men In Stripes" who are still making a difference. I salute you!

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> Tuesday night in the Grizzly Den. Ladies at 6:30 and men to follow. Always welcome in the "Den". I think the Grizzlies will be honed and ready for the matchup.

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> What a game Kev! The Grizzlies took it to Union County and a VERY hostile gymnasium and won a big one. Not sure who UC will blame for this one. It was their home court and the deck was definately stacked against the Grizzlies from the tipoff. Bruce Pearl showed up to enjoy the game. I'm not sure who he was there to watch. Hmmmmmmm wonder who it would have been. He saw what Skylar had on both offense and defense, along with a great team game. I believe this was the best "team" game they've played all season. Coaches did a great job with keeping things going from the bench. Just a good night all around! WAY TO GO GRIZZLIES!

/motorbike.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":motorbike:" border="0" alt="motorbike.gif" /> All three games at Claiborne were excellent games. They were pretty physical and tough games on both ends of the court, but the Grizzlies held on for the night. The JV game was a barnburner. Game changes twice with 8 seconds and less on the clock. The ladies really shined in their win. The men fought hard to win this one. Claiborne played their hearts out, but the Grizzlies were ready for the win on the Bulldog's home court. Great win Grizzlies!

Chil and CoachT. Thank you for deleting the original post about Skylar McBee. Thank you for locking my response to that post. No need to further beat a dead horse.

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> IrishBBall, thank you for your post. Skylar is a classy young man. He is as you described everywhere. It is indeed sad that fans, coaches, officials, etc. find it necessary to bash a player just because of his abilities. Claiborne County is an excellent place to play ball. The fans get behind their team, and harass the good players like Skylar....and that is expected. It's all part of the game. I may have come off a little harsh on the Claiborne County group as a whole, buy my focus was on the individual who instigated things with the original post. By the way, much thanks for the time you put in in AAU and the other leagues. It often goes unappreciated and unnoticed.

/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" /> For the sore looser from Claiborne County who posted the garbage about Wake Forest and Skylar McBee that is now locked.....you need to grow up. To CoachT, if you are going to lock a post because of garbage like this one, have the decency to completely remove it and end eveyone reading it. I did expect more from those watching these things. Why in the world would anyone from Wake Forest text a redneck in Claiborne County? I don't know of another player in our area with the ability that Skylar has who refuses to "flaunt" his abilities less than Skylar does. He passes the ball for another player to make the points when necessary, and when necessary, rams it down the middle like he did to the Bulldogs last night. YOU ARE A SORE LOOSER! I sat behind the scorer's table last night and was sick of listening to the Claiborne score keeper/statistician constantly yelling at the officials and Skylar from behind the table. That should have been a technical foul. No class at all. I even heard one make a comment to one of the photographers that "Skylar sure didn't make his average tonight". Well, you are correct...he didn't. He passed the ball off to his teammates and they scored...... AND CLAIBORNE GOT BEAT. CRY, CRY, CRY. Sure, there were some bad calls, both ways.....an many both ways as the other! Why is it that when a kid as talented as Skylar is everyone has to be so jealous of his abilities that they post garbage like the blocked post contains. Claiborne has an excellent team, 3 excellent teams on the floor last night! All 3 played well. The Grizzlies just played better. I would have expected nothing less than a redneck post like the one blocked from some of the Claiborne fans, and I wouldn't rule out someone from the score/clock table. GROW UP BULLDOGS. Skylar didn't beat you....the team did. You were outplayed in 3 games, out coached in 3 games, and YOU LOST 3 GAMES FAIR AND SQUARE! I guess Wake Forest, UT, UK, and Vanderbilt are knocking on your door trying to recruit all your players! I'm sure some are good enough and have the talent, but how many have been aggressively visited by the recruiters. BUNCH OF BABIES AND SORE LOOSERS! GET OVER IT. Way to go Grizzlies!!!!!!!!!!!

You know, we all have our "moments" ever now and then, and shoudn't be judged because of them. Coach Jessie is a classy guy...may have "stumbled" a little, but even I "stumble" from time to time. It was a big game, and emotions were high. True, an opposing coach should never get in an opposing player's face for any reason. I'm sure it was done in a moment of frustration, if indeed that's what took place. How true, how true. The Pioneers, and now the Grizzlies are a real "comeback" team. They are a team! It takes all 5 men on the court to win an game, and the same 5 can loose one just as quickly. However, you don't spit into the wind, don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, dont mess around with slim, and you sure DON'T tug on Superman's cape. He may just get hot and put the ball through the hoop several times before you know what hit you! /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Thanks GC! I've known Coach Jessie for several years and the rumor sure didn't sound like him. He's a total classy coach and that was so out of character for him. Don't know many coaches who don't really "get into the game". That's what makes them good coaches! Appreciate the correct information! Union Co. and Grainger Co. will always be a good rivalry! Go Grizzlies! /hungry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":hungry:" border="0" alt="hungry.gif" />

Hey GC! Any truth to the rumor that the Union Co coach ran onto the floor in Skylar's face when the "desperatoin foul" was called. I find it hard to believe as the Union Co. coach is such a classy guy. Heard the fans were into the intimidation as well. Good win. Way to go Grizzlies! /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Charger, not whining about any of it. Just talking to Kev. Simply following up on another conversation. My apologies if you have the idea I want to "rub" any of this in anyone's face. No way would I make light of the injury or the young man involved. A very unfortunate accident. We can argue forever over the call and never agree. Plain and simple two good teams played a hard game and had to fight poor officiating from a couple of the officials. We will never come to an agreement on your coach or any other for that matter spending time on the playing surface when the clock is running. Just not good, but it does happen. Chill out and enjoy the game.....after all that is what it is....a game! Ha, ha, ha! You are correct that one trip down the court would take care of me. I'm just glad to be able to walk in and find my seat! boxn1 is right. Let's drop it and enjoy the reunion during tournament time! /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Hey Kev....I got a tape of the game today and sat down to look at all the bad calls. Guess what? They were pretty much even! The play where the young man from GP was injured was very interesting. McBee went up for the ball, and was hit from behind by a GP player, and as he was coming down, the young man who was injured jumped up and they collided in mid air. It was very unfortunate. I understand the young man had several stitches and came home. A good outcome. According to what is on the tape, the call was a good call. There were plenty of bad calls, but this wasn't one of them. I think the calls are much worse with 3 officials on the floor instead of when we had 2. Even with the bad calls, both ways, and the injury, it was a good game played by two good teams. I even heard one of the GP boys telling our guys they would get them in the tournament as they were shaking hands. Who knows, maybe they will get a third chance to beat us when the tourmanents roll around. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

Since when does the score determine whether the game was a good game or not? Have you not heard of defense? The young men from GP and from Grainger played a fantastic defensive game, and offense was not bad either. Would you not say that it takes a lot of skill on the defensive side to hold good shooters like GP and Grainger have? Give these young men a break. They both played a fantastic game. Both teams were bombarded with bad calls, often leading to a lead change. Neither team gave up. Both fought the scoreboard to the end, and both teams should be commended for playing a FANTASTIC game. Congratulations to both teams of young men. And hopes and prayers that the young man from GP who was injured is doing much better today!

They were in a "wad" when he walked through the door. GP thinks they can walk into any gym in the district and rule. Hey, Eagle, how about GP 22 doing all that pushing under the goal and never got called for it? There were tons of bad calls BOTH WAYS! You guys need to learn that you won't always win every game you play. There are teams who can and will beat you throughout the season. We get bad calls too. Man up and accept the fact that we came back and beat you. Good game, two good teams, one just rose to the top and won. I'm sure things will be different on your court, because you guys never get "home cooking" over there.