bigbluefan4ever

Grainger09, i agree with most of your comments especially the one about turnovers. Sometimes this past season it was painfully hard to sit and watch a game with all the turnovers. I'm not exactly sure how the teams in the new conference will be and if they will be graduating any players or will have everyone coming back. I believe that Claiborne Co. has almost everyone returning and its going around on coacht that former coach Parkey is returning, so they may be tough to handle. Cumberland Gap loses some of their best players don't they, I know they lose Shackleford and I believe one of the 3 pt shooters. I don't know how the incoming freshman will help if they are even put up on varsity. I guess we will find this out when they get things going in the summer. Also heard that Coach Roach is stepping down, does anyone know if this is true or not. So next year will probably be a challenge for the ladies but they just have to pull together and become a team, AND LIMIT THE TURNOVERS. I have said this before but I'll say it again I'm not related to Acuff, I have just enjoyed watching her improve and get better over the years. As far as what I have heard from her parents and others close to her is that she is being recruited by D-1 colleges. She might not have been being recruited as heavily as Skylar was but I know she made an official visit to Belmont, and is recieving attention from ETSU, MTSU, Purdue, Belmont, and Furman is the ones I know of. Alwaysapioneer would probably know more as I believe thats one of her family members as well as BigAmom. I think she has the talent to make it to any of these, but she needs to show that talent night in, night out. I'm just anxious to see who Skylar signs with this year and who Acuff will sign with next year. Good luck to the team over the summer and in 09-10 season moving into the new district. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

He couldn't be in too much trouble at the college level by air-balling a free-throw cause if I remember correctly Scotty Hopson has air-balled free-throws twice this year. Yeah thats right not once but twice, and he's still playing. I just wish the best to Skylar right now, cause as many of us Grainger fans know he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. For those out there that disagree with him being D-1 talent, well maybe you haven't really watched him play ball, and for someone not talented enough to attend D-1 colleges, its funny how there was 2-3 at school watching him the other day. I wish the best to all the Grainger seniors in the years to come as they figure out their places in this world.

bballmomma I'm glad to here from you again its been awhile. Let me correct you on one little thing, I think you meant to say "then come back to lose to Cumberland Gap" instead of Claiborne. Roach is a big loss on the defensive end, and I knew that from the moment she quit the team. Your right about Acuff she sure did pick the wrong time to take a nose-dive in the scoring department...lol. Crews hasn't been as good lately as she had been either. I liked it when in those few games Crews and Acuff were pulling 12-20 pts almost each game. Maybe they can get that back before Friday night, and bring it then. Waldroup didn't play to the potential she can play, which brings me to the question, how did she make the all tourney team over Acuff? I thought Acuff outplayed her in every aspect of the game. I know Acuff wasn't scoring like she had been, but from watching the games it seemed like she outscored Waldroup, and if it wasn't for her assisting these other girls they wouldn't have had most of the points they did. I don't won't to ruffle any feathers but from the reactions of many of the fans, I think I can honestly say that many people was shocked to learn that Waldroup made the team instead of Acuff. But anyway congrats to Crews and Waldroup making the all tourney team. Also just like to tell the girls good luck against Elizabethton Friday night. If you girls play like you did the 2nd half against Claiborne then you can make it to the next round in regionals. But remember you need to play as a team, and work together.

Well the district tournament starts tonight, and does anyone have any predictions on who they think will win. I know G-P plays Claiborne then Grainger plays Union Co. with the winners of these games playing Pigeon Forge and Cumberland Gap tomorrow and automatically getting a game in regionals next week. I don't know much about the G-P/Claiborne game or who might win, but I believe G-P beat Cumberland Gap recently so this might be a good game. Of course with the Grainger/Union Co. game I'm going to give the nod to Grainger based solely on the dominating victories during the season, but we've all heard the saying its hard to beat a team 3 times in a season. But I still think Grainger has to many weapons for Union Co. to overcome. If Grainger can get all their scorers going things could turn out ugly for Union Co. This is the time when Crews, Acuff, and Waldroup need to take on their leadership roles as veterns of this team and lead these ladies to good things. Will this be an easy tourney for the girls to win, no, but can they win if they give it their all and leave it out there on the floor, YES. Crews and Acuff need to keep the offensive intensity coming like they have in the past 8-10 games, and the guards need to handle the ball better and get it to the playmakers hands instead of the other teams hands. If I was a coach from an opposing team I would not want to play the Lady Grizzlies right now because in the past few games they have shown they are a team to be reckoned with if they set their minds to coming out and playing the best ball they know how. Ladies your going to have the home crowd rooting for you so go out there and give them a show. Let's put that district tournament trophy and nets in the trophy case for everyone to see for years to come. Good Luck to the ladies and good luck to all the teams, and may the best team win. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

KevB, like I posted earlier I heard it was over the coaching staff, specifically Coach Roach. Like I said I'm not exactly sure what went down, but the night it happened I heard Heather tell some people that she could not take how Coach Roach was treating her anymore, and how some other things were transpiring. Didn't here her give details on that, she was mostly telling about herself. Thats why I came on here to find out if anyone else knew what happened. At the game Thursday night against Cherokee I overheard Heather tell another person that Mr. Cabbage had been called in on the situation and that he was taking the situation to Terry Acuff. Again, don't know how credible the info is it's just what I heard Heather saying. The bad thing is it is happening at a very crucial time of the season. I mean the girls have won, I think, 9 of the last 11 games, and on top of that districts begin this coming weekend. I just wished she would have chosen to follow through with the season and if she wanted to quit and not play next year then so be it. But quitting like this is doing nothing but hurting yourself, and most importantly letting your teammates down.

That's funny, but somewhat true. Skylar is a great player on a good team. He is an amazing player but had an off night last night. But all us McBee fans can look past that because he's going to have more great games than he is awful games.

Thanks for the info on Heather, and after seeing last nights game I guess she did really quit. By watching some of the girls actions, I think some of them miss her out their on the floor with them. Anyway getting back to the game, the girls won last night 47-43 (I believe was the final). Crews and Acuff are continuing to play like they know how. Yeah they still have a few slip-ups, but they are doing really well on the offensive end. Acuff had a great game last night scoring 19 points and nailing 3 out of 4 three pointers. Crews also did well scoring 12-14, and hitting a three of her own. The threes though were falling from everywhere last night. Acuff had 3, Crews 1, Lamb 1, Cabbage 1, and Waldroup 1. That's five three pointer from your bigs. Anyway back to the game, there are still too many turnovers especially coming from the guard play, and I don't care if that makes some mad but its just the truth. Yes the bigs turn it over quite a bit but not near as many times as the guards. If these problems still continue then that makes chances of winning the district a long shot because turnovers was the main reasons in the district losses they have now. If they can limit the turnovers and still get this kind of play from Acuff and Crews then the skies the limit for this team cause they can beat any of the teams in the district. Well just want to wish the girls good luck tonight against Hancock Co. and against Seymour tuesday night.

Well the Grizzlies took on Cherokee last night and won 61-49 (I believe). They played a fairly good overall game, but I believe that if it wasn't for Farmer's 28 points they would have lost that game. Skylar was definately having one of them not-so-good nights, and it seemed as though something else was bothering him causing him not to focus as much as his dad, Doug, had to keep telling him to focus. Its just a good thing Bruce wasn't there last night, but then again it just proves he is human after all because not everyone can be perfect night in, night out. Farmer had 7 three pointers last night, and the most I've ever seen him hit in one game has been four. He was just feeling it last night, that's all you can about him. Well, I would just like to wish the boys good luck tonight at Hancock Co., and good luck Tuesday night against Seymour on Senior Night. Maybee Skylar will be playing alot better then.

They have seen him play a few times this year, but Bruce Pearl has been to 2 games (Grainger/Union Co. and Grainger/Carter). I overheard his mom talking to some people last night and she said that they have not offered him anything yet, but that Skylar really hopes they do. I'm like you I don't know what else Skylar can do to show Bruce that he should get him at UT. I've heard that UT is where Skylar really wants to go, and being from around here I would like to see the Vols get a hometown boy. Because like you said he can flat out play and dropping 44 points on anyone should prove that hands down.

Well the Hornets got stung in both the girls and boys action, as the Lady Grizzlies and the Grizzlies both come away with wins. BIG WINS, especially the boys. Well back to the girls, the ladies lead from start to finish (if I remember correctly), and played well. If the girls had found a way to stop Bennett from Carter they would have won by a bigger margin than 42-33. Bennett had 24 of Carter's 33 points. Crews and Acuff played well last night and according to the News Sentinel scored 12 (Crews) and 15 (Acuff) respectively. It's good when both come to play ball on the same night. The rest of the team did good too. I loved to see the hustle coming from the girls. They were diving on the floor fighting for those loose balls. Some of the calls were bad, but have to say they pretty much let them play ball last night. The one thing that worried me about the game last night was Heather Roach going into the locker room and changing then going and sitting in the stands. I heard some people say she quit the team because of disagreements with the coaching staff. Does anyone know anymore about this situation because I hope this info isn't true because she is one of the best defenders on the team, and they need her to continue playing throughout the rest of the season. If it is true then the rest of the girls will have to step it up and make up for her loss on the defensive end. If she quit who will take her starting place in the lineup? Hope someone can answer these questions for me. Anyways good luck to the ladies the rest of this week as they take on Cherokee and travel to Hancock Co.

Correction on the final score it was 49-39. Sorry i just remembered it was a 10pt difference.

Well the ladies traveled to Pigeon Forge last night and lost 56-46 (I believe was the final). The ladies started out like they came to win with Acuff and Waldroup scoring the first 9 points of the game as the raced out to a 9-3 lead. But then the refs showed up, and started calling the pickiest fouls ever which lead to Crews and Acuff with 3 fouls each by early 2nd quarter. Turnovers also lead to their downfall, and not just one girl turning it over but all of them. They had to have the most TOs in that game than in any other game this season. Then foul trouble continued to plague the team as Crews and Acuff both recieved their 4th fouls in the third quarter. Being in foul trouble the whole night those two could never get going and I believe Acuff and Crews finished with 6 and 4 pts. respectively. On most nights both of them are scoring 10-15 each, but last night they scored 10 together. They aren't going to win many games with those two just scoring 10 pts together. Well I hope the team has a better game tonight against the ladies from Cumberland Gap, and avenge the 10-12 pt loss they suffered over there. With a win tonight the ladies should finish 3rd in the district which if I'm correct would mean they would play Union County in first district game. I might be wrong but looking at the standings on coacht I believe that is correct, but don't hold me to it, cause I'm really not sure. I would just like to say good luck to the girls tonight, and go out there and make you hometown fans proud.

GC you are right, I also think the ladies can beat anyone when they play like they did friday night. If I was an opposing coach and seen how the girls played friday night I would not want to play them in the tournament especially with the tourney being held at Grainger. I was really gald to see Crews and Acuff playing good on the same night. Usually if ones playing good the other seems to be off, but not the other night they were both on and I think Waldroup scored in double digits too. It was just an overall good game for all the girls. I believe they have 3 district games left and only one is at home so the other two will be tough on the road, but if they play like they did Friday then I would tell the other teams to watch out. I hope the girls continue to roll right on in to tourney time and if they play hard like they have the past few games good things are to come for the girls. But they have to believe in themselves and in each other that they can do this because I believe they can. I would just like to say congrats to all the girls on their play Friday night.

Sorry i haven't been on here just been extremly busy the past few days. I was at the Union County game and was glad to see the girls get a big district win, and I mean big about 20-25 pt difference. It was a bigger margin until Coach R set the starters and played the backups which he should have done. But the backups did a good job of not letting Union County score that much on them. There was alot of threes going in, and this doesn't seem to happen very often. I didn't get to make it to the Cocke County game cause i didn't want to risk it with the weather the way it was. I seen the box score in the paper today and seen Acuff was the leading scorer with 14, and I believe the next closest to her was Crews with 6. Not going to beat many teams when you just have 1 or 2 girls scoring all the points. You need a total team effort. Also seen in the paper where the girls held DePew to only eight points, which if I'm correct is well below her average right now. Not exactly sure, would have to check the imac thread. Alwaysapioneer, thanks for giving some insight on the game, and was the officiating crew really that bad that Acuff and Crews fouled out and that Roach ended with 4 fouls? Well good luck to the girls friday night against Claiborne County, and if all goes well I should be there to see if they can get back at Claiborne for that early season loss. GOOD LUCK and GO LADY GRIZZLIES.

What does anyone think about the match-up with Union County tonight? I heard it should be a good game, and that if Grainger isn't on their game they may get it handed to them tonight. I also heard that Vittetoe was back to playing, is that true, because I didn't think he played with them in the Christmas tourney. I mean he might have and I may be wrong about that. Anyway good luck to the guys tonight.

I sure hope we have something to look forward to. I didn't know that only 2 other schools had held Cherokee to that few points. Yes there have been some times this season that we have not played like that, but the times we have I believe we have won those games. You're right offense does come and go but defenses and rebounding need to stay the same. We have had problems wanting to rebound whether offensively or defensively, but the coaches seem to be getting more rebounds out of the girls. Cause like most coaches (high school, college, aau, or pros) have always said: defense + rebounding= championships. Good luck to the girls tomight against Union County. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

I don't know who you think you are or what you think you know about me, but you are all wrong when you think I'm bragging about my own because I am in know way personally affliated with any of the girls on the team. The only time I am in contact with any of the girls is when I tell them good game after the games they have played. I don't know where you get that I am lying or downing others, but you need to take a step back and look at what I said. As far as the not starting, looks like I was telling the truth about that as alwaysapioneer said it was true and that they should know beacuse apparently they are kin to Acuff. I really don't know who you think I was downing or whatever because the only thing I said was that Acuff and Crews didn't not play their best games, and that Cabbage doesn't seem like she can handle starting point guard duties. Both of these I still believe are true in my opinion. So you can think whatever you want to about me and think I'm on here bragging about my own but as I said before I am in no way personally affiliated with any of the girls, just a fan, and a fan of both teams. But don't feel bad I have thought some people on here were someone affiliated with the girls too, but they turn out not to be. For example, I used to think bballmomma was Acuff's mom because they always talked about her but it turns out that it was not her mom, just someone who had always watched her play ball, and liked how she played.

It has been awhile since you've been on here, and I wasn't one of the ones to figure out who you were, but I think I got a good understanding of who you are kin to. I'm glad you came on here and told us what I overheard was true. It wasn't like I was listening purposely to your alls conversation,but Ashlee wasn't being discrete about it while talking to you, and I even heard her telling other people about it. Yes, I was at the game last night. I took a chance at coming to watch the boys and girls even though the weather was pretty bad when I left my house headed to Cherokee. I believe we could have won that game by at least 15 if not more, and I think the final difference was about 9-10 pts. Don't take it personally, alwaysapioneer, but Acuff has not been at her best the past three games. As far as what you said about Crews, I heard her scream and tell Coach J. Combs that if they wasn't going to look at her posting up or give her the ball then she was not going to keep working that hard to post up. Maybe this is what her and Acuff need to do each game because as you said there are a lot of times the girls don't see Acuff, Crews, or Waldroup posting up down low. They would rather take a three-pointer instead of looking inside. I'm not saying these girls post up every single time down the floor, but when they do they are not even looked at most of the time. Well its time to look ahead to friday against Union County. I believe the girls can win the game based on how I seen Union County play at the Christmas Tourney. But just because I think they can win doesn't mean they will. But if they play well and play together as a team like they did most of the game last friday night then they should be okay. If not then anything is a possibility, and I would be afraid to guess at what the outcome might be.

I think any of those teams can win the tourney too. That was a pretty good win for the ladies friday night against G-P. Although coacht has the final margin of victory 37-35, that was actually the boys score and the girls ended up winning by 10-15. Glad to see everyone who played contributing to the score. Of the three games they won, everyone who has played has scored. Doing this takes the pressure off of players such as Crews and Acuff to do all the scoring night in, night out. Its a good thing other were scoring because I believe Crews and Acuff had 6-8 and 8-10 respectively. Not really a good night for either. The game started out kind of odd with Coach Roach not starting Acuff or Maples. I for one had to say I was shocked when neither started the game. I could see Maples not only because of her hand continuing to bother her, but I heard it was getting better. But not starting Acuff shocked many people, including her family members, by the look on some peoples faces. The 2 assistants even seemed a bit shocked by it. Acuff though seemed fine with it and after the game I overheard the reasoning behind it. I overheard Acuff tell her mom and sister that he didn't start her to prove a point to the other girls. The point was that if she didn't have a problem not starting the game then no one else should either. Thats a crazy point to prove and I don't know why the girls should have a problem with who starts or who doesn't, as long as you get to play you should be happy because some of the players don't get to see much playing time if any at all. Maybe Coach R got his point across and will go back to the original line-up because Cabbage doesn't seem like she can handle starting duties at point and they need Acuff's size in the ball game. They travel to Cherokee tuesday night for the non-conference game then it back to conference play at home friday night against Union Co. So Good Luck this week, and GO LADY GRIZZLIES.

That was a tough win. I would also like to say congrats to Skylar for scoring 2000+ pts in his career and still has a chance to score more. I hope the guy from G-P is alright, accidental hit and nasty cut, but I hope he is alright. Good Luck against Cherokee tuesday night.

Well the ladies traveled to Cumberland Gap and come away with another loss. I can't seem to figure out the problem of this team. Some girls seem like they don't care if they are playing or not and some girls aren't even given the chance to see what they can or cannot do. Last night the final was a 10-12 pt difference, but with the way some of the girls were playing it could have been a bigger margin. We seem to continue to have excessive breakdowns on defense and don't want to reboud on offense. They would rather go back to play defense than try and keep possession on offense. I think Coach R needs to make up his mind whether he is going to coach the entire ball game or not. Last night when Acuff fouled out with about 2 1/2 mins left in the ball game with the girls down 10 he just sits down like he doesn't care whether they win or lose. With that much time left and only 10 pts down, I don't care who fouls out a coach is supposed to continue coaching to the very end. Its disheartening because you can tell it has an effect on some of the girls. Don't get me wrong Coach R may have been a good coach 25-30 years ago, but i think that coaching has passed him up. As far as the girls, it's a good thing Crews was hitting most of her shots or the difference would have been alot worse. Cabbage did a good job filling in for Maples who dislocated or broke her finger (not sure which, but they told her to have it checked out today). Acuff played possibly the worst game of her high school career. She had I believe on 2 or 4 pts and fouled out with about 2 1/2 mins left in the game. The only positive she was really doing was grabbing defensive rebounds. Glad to the pick and roll working last night between Acuff and Crews, with Crews doing the rolling. It seems as though Acuff finds Crews better on the roll than Crews find Acuff. Overall just not a very good game for the girls. I wish them the best of luck for Friday nights game against G-P, maybe they can get things turned around with a win then. I also hope Maples finger isn't hurt worse than they think it might be. GOOD LUCK and GO LADY GRIZZLIES /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Yeah third quarter seems to be there downfall. If they are playing well I don't think they need to go into the locker room at half because it seems to mess with them. They did play a good overall tourney. Crews and Acuff played well averaging about 10 and 15 pts respectively, or close to that total. Well big District game with Cumberland Gap tomorrow night at CG. Should be a tough test but maybe we can come out with the W in the end. GOOD LUCK AND GO LADY GRIZZLIES

Hey guys sorry its been a while. Was out of town, didn't get to catch the Pigeon Forge game, can you give a summary of the game? Made it to the Carter game Friday night and overheard someone say that Acuff was out due to the death of her granddad. I wish her and her family well during this holiday season, and they will be in my thoughts and prayers. The girls tried pulling this game out too, without Acuff there. The 39-38 loss was heartbreaking. Glad to see the girls hitting their free throws better, although they missed enough to make the difference of the game (I think they mised 3-4, and all of them count). Grainger's problem tonight was they couldn't stop Caldwell (who Ithink had about 20 pts). Well I wish all the girls and their families a very Mery Christmas, and I wish them well at the Union Co. Christmas Tourney. PLAY HARD AND GOOD LUCK /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Well the intensity of the game for Grainger might have been better if 2 of the best players weren't spending most of their time on the sidelines with 4 fouls each. They never really had a chance to get into a groove out on the floor. Probably 4 out of 8 of their fouls were very questionable. I heard Roach tell someone that her 1st foul was supposed to go on Crews and that Crews even told her thanks for taking her foul from her (in a joking way), and Acuff"s 1st foul was a jump ball where she was the one with the ball. Not saying all the bad calls were against Grainger because if I remember correctly Claiborne had 10+fouls with 2 mins. to go before half, and that both teams ended up with around 10 in 2nd half. I read where someone posted on the Grainger boys thread that it was recorded that Claiborne shot 40 free throws and Grainger shot 27. These refs wouldn't let any team play. I'm not taking anything away from Claiborne, you guys came across the mountain ready to play and just outplayed us, and with everything that I read that went on last year over there I wish you all the best of luck on the rest of the season, and maybe this will be the season where you guys turn it around. We'll see ya again before long and maybe then we'll be ready to play, and with different officials and hopefully it will be a different ending (and I mean that in a good sportsmanlike type way). Again good luck to you guys and Good Luck to the Lady Grizzlies.

Glad to know you had fun on your vacation, and sand and surf helps out everyone when they need it. I noticed the shiner Acuff had too. She really took a hard hit and I think they ended up giving her the foul on the play after she was the one who got her head knocked off. I laughed my tail off when I heard her tell her mom that she thought the whole side of her face had been ripped off. I know thats not funny, but how she was describing it was. I agree, and have said all along that Coach Roach needs to be starting someone else at point because Maples/Cabbage isn't experienced enough to handle it yet. Glad to see Spaw on the floor more in that game than any other game. She needs more playing time and don't know why Coach R doesn't give her more court time. Crews and Acuff do need to keep stepping it up every game, and then anything is a possibility. I can't wait for the game Friday night to see if the girls can get that 2nd conference win and keep themselves undeafeated in conference as the season goes along. But right now its just one game at a time. Good Luck Lady Grizzlies and beat Claiborne Co. Friday night. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />