DunkerDon

Defense wins this game tonight either way. Both have very good defenses but both also have stars where you wonder how the other team can stop them. This game is a very intrigueing matchup.

It was reported in the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle the day after that game that Coach Young told his team before the Gallatin game that it was a game that had no meaning or something similar to that. So, the team played like the game was meaningless and gave little effort. Coach Young was also quoted as saying that he learned his lesson about telling his team such things. In addition to that, Gallatin was a really athletic team that matched up well with Clarksville. The Cats played the Green Wave three times this year winning two, the last being in the Region and winning by about 18 or so.

I think Marion is originally from Chicago but he attended High School at Clarksville High. He was on the same team as Trenton Hassel (Austin Peay/Minnesota Timberwolves). Also, across town at that time and playing for Clarksville Northwest was Marques Maybin who was one of the top scorers in the State and eventually became the Point Guard for the Louisville Cardinals.

This game is truly a clash of two Titans and both teams possess the qualities to be crowned State Champion. Regardless of what transpires on the court this evening even if it should be a blowout for either side, I think if these teams played ten times then they would probably split the series of games. It is really a shame that the season will end for one of these teams tonight - coming so close. Caldwell for Clarksville and Allen for Oakland get much of the publicity and press but I think tonight's game is won by the play of the role players and supporting cast. Everyone knows that Oakland is quite good at all five positions. I think many have erroneously viewed Clarksville as a one man show and that is far from the truth. Ryne Harper is a deadly three ball shooter and CHS would not be where they are without Merriwether down low. Last night's game was a good illustration of how Cat players can step up when needed. Merriwether was in foul trouble so Levonte' Henderson contributed above his average on the offensive end. Caldwell got his 20 plus points but Harper hit some really crucial shots from outside (5 treys) at critical times (he's done this all season). Baggett can also hit the jumper but does not shoot that often (his expertise is in running the offense, ball handling, assists and defense) and Dowlen provides some bulk down low when he enters the contest. Both teams play good defense and both teams can score. I think whoever plays the better defense wins tonight's game but I also think tonight's winner will possess that intangible quality of sheer determination and heart. Who is going to win? I don't know - who wants it more? However, if we must give a prediction then my heart is most definitely with the Cats. I think, though, that it might be the Pats advancing to play for the State Championship and give them the ever so slight edge in this contest since it is being played in their back yard. A real heart breaker for me but............ Patriots: 63 Wildcats: 59 I do so hope I am wrong. Good luck to both teams. This game has all the pre-game makings of being a Classic.

Powellfan, Presuming you were listening to the WJZM internet feed, yes, I experienced the same problem especially late in the game.

Yeah, I noticed how that was clearly implied when talking about how he thought his team was in the toughest bracket. If the Cats win over Ridgeway then they will have a tough Oakland team awaiting them in the second round but Oakland and Powell have not yet played.

Another article on the Wildcats but not necessarily an article about the game against Ridgeway. Cat's Guard, Adam Barnes

Because the immediate context is concerned with Graham having played against Allen in AAU competition and if Oden and Crutcher were on Graham's AAU team then the article is merely mentioning those two other guards in connection with Guards also reaching the State tournament. It would not therefore mention Stewart and Twilley if Stewart and Twilley were not on Graham's AAU team who played against Chiassen Allen. In other words; Graham is giving praise to Allen whom he played against in AAU competition and the author of the article seems to merely be adding (in point with the overall theme of the article), "BTW, Graham's AAU team which played against Allen also had Oden and Crutcher who helped lead their respective High School teams to the State playoffs as well."

Yes it does mention Oden and Crutcher as being two Guards that reached the State Tournament in High School and additionally "accompanied him" in AAU ball. This seems the logical extension of the paragraph preceding since it mentions Graham having played against Allen in AAU competition. Could it be that Oden, Crutcher and Graham were AAU teammates last year?

"Mentions all the ones this year, Allen, Graham, Caldwell and thats fine and well." Yes it is since the article is devoted to Guards from Middle Tennessee who will be playing in this year's tournament. The article is not about players from past years as the article's title clearly suggests (Midstate Guards to star in boy's tournament). How can Lockridge write an article like this without mentioning Barry Stewart and Dequan Twilley? Easy, Stewart is playing for Mississippi State and Twilley is playing for ETSU and neither Guards are to star in this year's Tennesse State AAA boy's tournament. I think you totally missed the scope of the article, jrm2x.

The link below is to an article which appeared in today's Clarksville Leaf Chronicle 3/12/07. Ridgeway game Not really much substance in the article itself but did reveal that the Wildcats are practicing hard and physical. Whatever the outcome I just hope Austin Peay can continue it's pipeline with Ridgeway players! Channels and Fields are going to be outstanding by the time they are Seniors and Coach Henning's son, Adriane, was a stud in his four years as a Governor. Received the nickname, "The Stallion." Any more articles about the Clarksville/Ridgeway game I come across I will post them in this thread. Surely there has got to be some Ridgeway fans onboard at CoachT's.

Chiassen Allen should have a very good career at Northeastern and wish him the best as he will be entering a very good CAA conference. I learned that Graham will be playing football for the 'Dores. It is truly saying something about this young man's athletic abilities to be mentioned as one of the top basketball Guards in the State, yet, will be playing football in a top conference like the SEC.

The Tennessean; 3/11/07. Best Guards With respect to Caldwell, the article states; "Caldwell is just now beginning to garner big-time attention. Austin Peay has been recruiting him from the start, but coaches from Mississippi State, Virginia and Clemson have taken notice." Well, quite a few more universities have shown interest (to varying degrees) than the four mentioned. Florida State, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee and Florida and some others have also shown some interest in Caldwell. Tyrone has stated that his desire is to play in the ACC but who knows when he will make a decision and what he will decide is best for him? He is a Junior and still has one more year of High School and AAU ball. All three Guards are to be commended for their high level of play and the leadership they bring to their respective teams.

Congratulations to the Cougars! I don't know if it was just an off night for the Eagles or the Cougars defense but seemed like NE was just not making many shots. The Cougars simply dominated the boards which was huge toward a victory.

Fast paced game with both teams up and down the court.

Hehe, I guess you've got the updates covered, timbp. 5:46 remaining in first half. I believe that is the first time the announcer has mentioned the clock.

Memphis Northside Cougars vs. Clarksville Northeast Eagles 13-10 Northside. End of 1st Quarter. The radio announcer has not once mentioned how much time is on the clock.

What I think does not really help is that a new High School is needed to be built every few years which, I think, serves to dilute the talent pool at the schools which are affected by new zoning. I believe they have already broken ground on the new Clarksville West Creek High School which will draw students away from Northeast, Kenwood and possibly Northwest. I also speculate, due to the rapid growth of the Sango area of Clarksville that a new High School might need to be built in that area as well in ten years or so serving to draw students away from CHS and Rossview or perhaps CHS and Montgomery Central. So, potentially, girls who have been playing together for several years suddenly find themselves in different schools. Just my conjecture but this is one reason I think teams and programs are so successful in the smaller towns. These girls have played ball with one another since childhood and there is much to be said for the continuity, camradery and discipline associated with that - not to mention that the community support seems to be there for them as well.

I agree, theglove d_up. Northeast is losing a lot from this team and Evans is really irreplaceable. I think NE will definitely be in rebuilding mode for the next few seasons. However, there was a recent article in the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle talking about the strides girls High School basketball has made over the past several years in the city and the article noted several players who are now playing in Middle School which really look to have promising futures as evidenced by their play on their school's teams as well as in AAU. So, the beforehand unheard (a girl's basketball team from Clarksville even making it out of their district) should become more commonplace in the future although it could involve Northeast or one of the other High Schools in the area.

Congratulations, Eagles. Nice accomplishment to enter the State Tournament for the first time and come away with a very nice win.

How well do you think Powell will shoot in an arena setting? Do they play in an arena or have they been practicing in an arena in order to try to acclimate themselves somewhat with potential problems associated with depth perception? Not saying that will be the case with Powell or any other team that shoots well from outside but I do think it is the case, historically, that first round games in the Murphy Center feature some pretty poor shooting from outside and I think that is due to teams not being used to playing in an arena. I think teams that can penetrate and/or have a solid inside game have the advantage at least in the first round.

Gameday article from the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. Northeast/Greeneville

Yes, that is my point about the poll. The votes are homer votes and Oakland has the most homers on this board. At least you recognize it for what it is. Objectively speaking, there should not be such a wide disparity in the votes.

Yes, and your post also has a signature which says, "Let's Bring It Home Oakland." I don't wish to be overly contentious about this but the poll is what it is and that is moreso a measure of fan support on this board rather than a poll of objective selecting. I certainly do not mind if Oakland has more votes in a poll but there is no reason from an objective standpoint for there to be such a disparity in the votes other than that there are that many more Pat supporters on this board. Oakland is a good pick. So are some of the others. Yes, Oakland has lost 3 games. Clarksville has lost 2 and is ranked #1 in the CoachT strenth ranking as well as the Tennessean high school rankings and Clarksville recently defeated one of the teams which handed Oakland one of its 3 losses. Clarksville has thumped a few very good opponents along the way as well. Again, Oakland would be a good pick. Oakland has a great team. Objectively speaking, though, they should not have the lions share of the votes and such a disparity between Oakland and Whites Creek/Clarksville and the others should not be that large. The reason, I surmise, that Oakland has a current 15 vote lead is simply in recognition of the fact that Oakland High School and its District/Region have more supporters on this board than the others. I'm not bashing being a homer. I'm a homer. But this is a homer poll and has little do with objective picking. Hence, the querist need not be too surprised given the number of Pat fans on this site.

How many posters on this board do you see from East Tennessee or West Tennessee as compared to the number of posters you see from Murfreesboro and vicinity? The Pats are probably the most represented team on this board insofar as AAA ball is concerned. Not that many Clarksvillians or Whites Creeksters on this board insofar as I have seen either. I suspect the vast majority are just homers for their hometown team. The Pats have a good local following and, hence, the most homers. Ha, some kid from Powell might be one of a handful of Powell supporters on this board. The kid goes to school tomorrow (Powell) and enlists dozens of friends to support the team by signing up to CoachT and voting for Powell. Next thing you know, Powell surges ahead in the poll. I bet if Raleigh Egypt had gone undefeated this year and destroyed every team they faced in the District, Region and sub-State entering the State tournament recognized as one of the top 10 high school teams in in the nation that Oakland would still be ahead in this poll. Oakland has an outstanding team and could very well win the State. This poll though is more about fan support than anything else.