manarms32

Now you are assuming items you are not sure of their truth since you are implying that the only source the officials listened to was the Dyer coach. Plus you are only drumming up old news. This is no different than interviewing witnesses at an accident, you are going to hear different stories. On this issue I've read anywhere from 3.8 to 7 and some who have timed it have it closer to 7 than 3.8. Who really knows? The atmosphere was intense, it all happens quickly and to think it is going to be absolutely right without the help of review is pretty ridiculous, particularly at the high school level. We are talking about a matter of seconds. No different than whether the last shot was a 2 or a 3. That argument died down when the photo was produced. If you expect it to be more accurate, hope for a review, not the judgment calls of officials. All of us know that is not a system to be counted on.

Also saw where Mr. Carter stated "officials can only change time to what they have knowledge of" so without replay to review going to be subjective and possibility of error. I'd like to know of anyone at that game who would say they knew exactly how much time should have been on the clock, without the help of review, in the two different scenarios questioned.

Why can't it be expected? This is the problem. There are no standards or expectations for sportsmanship. What good will come out of anyone in this tournament who felt justified to act when emotions ran high? Only brings about intense scrutiny and in this media age that is not good for anyone to leave those kinds of lasting images.

It is not a question in how I or anyone else would react or feel. It is a question of standards and in this case the standard of sportsmanship. Those are in place and have a high level of emphasis, at least in theory. We've seen or read it all from this year's state tournament. One-sided officiating, clock errors, a coach chasing and shouting at officials, things thrown on the floor, player losing his composure, etc. Like it or not it takes away from all the good that goes on. By becoming a member of the TSSAA each school - administrators, coaches, players, and even fans are agreeing to uphold the standards of the TSSAA. The TSSAA has standards of sportsmanship. Part of what should happen is what will adminstrators and TSSAA do for those who violated these standards of sportsmanship on the biggest stage of the year. The right kind of penalties would help elimiminate these types of behaviors. Yet standards need to be clear and consequences need to be clear. Yes, it would be nice if TSSAA would take responsibility as well for mistakes, holding officials accountable, etc. That should be part of this process. It will still need to be kept in perspective. If professional sports and major college athletics and their officials need the help of replay, we shouldn't expect too much of the high school game that does not have this luxury. Yet we can still expect sportsmanship of those involved in the high school game. Sports does provide opportunities to build character, but it also has a way of revealing the current level of character. It is up to true leaders to move it in the right direction. That won't happen if all is offered is either excuses or maybe just as bad, silence from those in charge. This year's tournament provides a chance to make changes that are clearly needed.

Probably because there are players, friends of players, mamas and papas or whoever who are posting and feel the need to make sure their boy gets some attention. Or maybe it is because there is too much familiarity with Mason that CPA doesn't realize what they have, as hard as that may be to believe. When you talk about coaches, their are other rivals. I, like others, feel that arguments could have been made for three different coaches for 9AA coach of the year this year and all would have a strong case. When you talk about perimeter players, CPA's perimeters have their rivals. I personally feel, as an overall group, I would take Lipscomb's 4 perimeter players over CPA's 4 perimeter players. This is the main reason why I think Lipscomb was able to compete with CPA this year even though CPA has good perimeter players. But when you talk about Mason he has no rival, not only in the district, but in this region this year. He is so big physically and so athletic and very skilled that he brings a presence to the floor that no other player brings. His presence brings confidence to others. I am beginning to wonder if he has a rival at his position in the state this year. Someone keeps trying to mention Jenkins as a way to show it can't be about a one man team, but in some ways that is comparing apples and oranges. Jenkins is a perimeter and has rivals, though they may be few. I am also sure Jenkins does not affect the defensive end as much as Mason. So when others of us know there are other good coaches, there are other hard working teams, there are other good players then what is the one factor that sets CPA apart this year? The obvious answer to the rest of us is Mason which doesn't take away from any of the other positive contributions of all the others in the program. For some reason CPA fans feel insulted if that is your opinion. I say let the Big Man carry you as far as he can take you and enjoy the ride. No he isn't doing it alone, he only scored 60% of the points in the region championship game and can't defend everyone, but it certainly isn't going to be done without him. (And yes I do realize there are those games when he does not carry that much of the load, but be glad he can do it when needed.)

3+ perimeter shooters AND be able to beat their defender off the dribble, pull up for the mid range shot before having to deal with Mason. Many say the mid-range jumper is a lost art.

Thankfully, another voice of reason rising from the ashes, because I was beginning to think my eyes were deceiving me. I had seen CPA play and came away thinking that the strength of their defense was playing right inside the 3 point line, more packing it then pressure and making teams deal with Mason around the basket. Then I would read the posts being assured the reality was CPA was quick and played great defense, and it was PRESSURE defense. I began to wonder if I had seen the same team. Any team would have a hard time holding the ball against great pressure defense, so I was conflicted in how DL could accomplish such a feat! Any perimeter oriented team who doesn't try to spread CPA out and take away Mason from the basket and manage the clock might as well chalk it up as a loss. Only exception might be if they have at least 3 very good scorers on the perimeter who can shoot the 3 and pull up and hit the mid range jump shot. Probably going to need 4 of those guys and it is still very risky.

One player can put you over the top and Mason is that type of player. One reason is because no other district 9AA team had a way to match up with him. Just one of those years and may be the same way next year. In some ways your comparison applies, in another way it does not. District competition is a factor and Station Camp has White House in their district, do they not? Jenkins is more perimeter and a post player always affects the defensive end more than a perimeter player.

I think you have missed the point of the uniqueness of MLK's situation last year due to Coach Shelton's missing a significant number of games due to illness. You also have supported my point on Mason's impact because all the other good players you mentioned are perimeter, Mason has no equal at his position this year. I have mentioned the contributions of other CPA players at other times, but don't feel I have to keep mentioning if it is not the point I am trying to make on a particular post. I am starting to wonder what is going on over at CPA because the fans seem to have to talk constantly about the others. If the rest of us dont't talk about CPA's "great" starting five, "great" bench, "great" middle school players, "great" injured players and "great" coaching staff then we are labeled as bashers or negative against CPA. Ridiuclous! (I would go back and mention all the different names I have seen posted in reference to CPA, but that would take way too much time.) Last time I looked their is only one true district MVP and everybody recognizes that and only one district 9AA player as a Mr. Basketball finalist, which doesn't happen all that often. Sorry, it really isn't all that hard to pass the ball into the post when it is to the biggest, most athletic guy on the floor who has good hands. Hey, it's basketball. Not all players are created equal, not even at CPA, regardless of others contributions. It would be nice to see CPA fans accept the compliments given, even if it doesn't include every name associated with the program, instead of being labeled as a negative basher as has been the case of many CPA posts this year.

Again I am amused. I honestly don't know what you are talking about. #1 just explaining a system. #2 I have great respect for CPA and the year they have had, up to this point they had handled all challengers. And just because I don't agree with all the posts, doesn't make me a basher. My not thinking CPA is not a pressure defensive team doesn't mean I don't think they play good defense. Obviously they do since they are hard to score on, just not really a result of pressure defense. Time to go Lakers beat the Suns and spoil Shaq's debut.

Last year had some unique variables to it. Coaches didn' t know in the pre-season how much impact Mason's return would have on CPA, he was an unknown. Even more so, MLK had a very slow start, Doc Shelton got sick, and the assistants and players had to rally around each other until Doc returned. After a very slow start, MLK won both the regular season and the district tournament championship. That was probably as much as an award given to recognize the entire coaching staff as it was as only recognizing the head coach as is usually the case.

Is it safe to venture in yet? I'll mix some opinion with what I gather from my sources. All-District voting is done prior to the tournament. Player selections are pretty much dictated by the team's coach who nominates certain players. The opposing coaches will basically put on the team who that coach says he wants on the team. Top teams are allowed more representation than bottom teams. It is really not a true system of each coach voting strictly on who he believes should be All-District, there are certain limits in place. Coach of the year is stricly what each coach thinks about the other. Their criteria is as varied as the opinions on this post. For different reasons, at least three coaches could have easily merited consideration; FRA's, CPA's and Lipscomb's. Age has nothing to do with it, Pierce is young and only in his second year too. Much of the time it will go to the coach who others believe has elevated his team beyond pre-season expectations. Based on that criteria, Pierce is the winner. Coaches normally respect that type of job more than the person who is expected to win because of his talent. At the beginning of the 9AA forum, it was stated CPA was loaded and predicted to finish first. Mason in particular gave CPA a huge talent advantage that other teams did not have. That's just the way it is, like it or not. Congratulations to Mr. Mason as a AA Mr. Basketball finalist as posted on coachT. Anything more need to be said about his unique special abilities? Many of the posts are somewhat amusing. If the roles would have been reversed and CPA was the team who felt like they had to hold the ball to have a chance to win, the CPA fans would have been hollering genius, way to control the tempo and manage the game. And most likely many of the Lipscomb fans would have been saying they didn't want to play us. Interesting. Although I do agree if CPA has as great as pressure defense as I have read on these posts, then why would they sit back? Maybe it is because it is not so much pressure defense as it is Mason defense around the basket. It was a huge game for region seeding purposes and was so close it took 3 OT's to decide the outcome. Due to some of the upsets in district 10A, a big result is that Lipscomb is in the tougher side of the region bracket. That is another tough outcome for a game as close as it was, but that is basketball.

DL will have to control tempo to limit CPA's offensive opportunities and shoot it well to limit CPA's fast break. And they better pull off some type of defensive game plan to at least limit Mason and Miller. When those guys can combine for 50+ points a night, you better do something. 50 points is enough to win a lot of high school games. In my view, that is the Mustangs only real chance. It is relatively simple. CPA gets easier basket than other teams because of Mason. Anytime they need a basket, just throw it up to him, he is going to get it and provide a great chance of points. His shooting % must be phenomenal. Of course the way he dunks helps that percentage. And Mason makes it hard for the other team to get easy baskets. His defensive presence is strong and if there is a rebound up for grabs and he wants it, he is going to get it. Mason's and Miller's talents elevate the play of the others. There is a very small window of opportunity to beat CPA and you'd better take advantage because it won't stay open long. PC mised out on theirs. In the other game, Lipscomb had a 39-21 lead over FRA and then went into a long dry spell allowing FRA to cut it to two. FRA had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead, but had a turnover. To Lipsomb's credit, they did what was necessary to win, but won't be able to afford that type of long dry spell against CPA. I will stand by my earlier post. CPA is a huge favorite to win. The Mustangs were 1 of 2 teams that had at least a chance at winning 3 district tournament games and they still have that chance. It is going to take a great team effort though, 32 minutes+ of very good, consistent play.

I think TSSAA made a ruling before last season to make region sites simply based on a central geographic location or something along those lines.

CPA has to be a huge favorite. As it has been all year long the Mason kid gives them the X factor or should I say the Z factor. It is really interesting how one player changes the complexion of an entire district. I think the only other two teams capable of winning three in the district tourney are Lipscomb and Cohn. Maybe MLK playing at home, but they have been beat at home this year even if they can get back to home after the 1st round. Is the opinion of District 10 based on seeing Marshall and Giles County play this year?