kbrks

...However, your comments, as well as many in this thread including my good friend Bigchief, are based off of rampant speculation and misinformation... 

In relation to CPA, whether you agree with them or not, I consider those like Bigchief and rulefollower pretty straight shooters so I am curious, which comments are the ones based on "rampant speculation and misinformation?"   I see where Chief states some specifics of why he views it as he does, yet your general response is about deferring and agreeing to disagree.  

...whine about their talent constantly....i thought Haywood had more talent top to bottom in the rotation than CPA and they proved it winning state....you are not going to get any sympathy from me on talent...

What do you know, found a little time in between March Madness games...

You missed the point, not whining about the talent, from that perspective merely my observation (as is others) on the main reason CPA wins as opposed to those who think it is better coaching and harder working players.

Plus you realize all you did was support the argument, not disprove it.  By naming only one team (this year's Haywood team, which I agree) in the entire state at AA level over the last 5 years (2012 Mitchell was not more talented that year) does nothing to prove your point.  

BTW, I simply make a choice, like everyone else has, to get involved in what has turned into an on-going debate.  I certainly don't start threads like others, knowing where it will end up, but when there is a point to agree to disagree, I choose to stay involved.  Maybe some day I will choose not to, but shouldn't be the concern of anyone else, particularly IMHO those who call me out and take a personal shot hiding behind a screen name.   

.....Then there is Coach Brooks, who I thought was a really good coach, but really diminishes himself obsessing over CPA, let it go, you will have more peace I'm sure....

So you couldn't support my difference of opinion to your post with facts like naming the teams that have as much or more talent than CPA, this is your answer?  Surprise, surprise, another one of those.  There are way too many who take it and make it personal.   I will leave it here with such "knowledgeable" fans like you, it is the off season for HS anyway.  On to the college game.  

Agree 100% with Bluemist. The CPA team I watched yesterday was not an AAU team. Outside of Blackwell and the 8th Grader who else would have been in Haywood's top 8 rotation?

Yes this year, though the AAU reference will stick as long as their best player's are transfers as it has been over last 5 years or so.  I guarantee you the Howell kid would be in anybody's top 8 and if he would have committed to basketball training as opposed to becoming a top football lineman, he would have been an outstanding HS basketball player.  

Congrats Hamilton...big ups to Brentwood

Yes, what a game, glad I did not switch to Maryland-Michigan St when Hamilton went up 15.

I think they get too much credit for all this talent....

Not in comparison to their competition, especially in Mid TN.  How many other teams can you name who had as many players play DI basketball during this time?  Z Mason left Ole Miss to play at UT-Chattanooga, tore it up his senior year and is playing professionally overseas, Hunter Miller played in Atlantic Sun, Craig Bradshaw if not the best, certainly one of the best Belmont players, Jalen Lindsey is playing significant minutes as a freshman on a 20 win Providence team, Jake Allsmiller the same at Sun Belt GA Southern and Bonds left Liberty, where he signed, but was projected to be a key player as a freshman and we will see what he does at UT.  Blackewell is a high major prospect and Campell has high major offers already. Agree, they did not have the talent of their past recent teams, but compare it to the majority of other HS teams and they are definitely towards the very top of the food chain.  

Let me say this... Suck it up and play. The CPA situation is deeper than basketball for me...

I respect the openness and boldness based on your belief of the situation.  I believe in the past you have stated you have a close friend who was close to the Lindsey family.  I don't think those who disagree are not "sucking it up and playing," but simply expressing their dissatisfaction as well.  We know the coaches and players do and will continue to do so, whether change comes or not.  And yes, for me deeper too.  

They have some sort of blinders on that they cannot see what is happening.  It is very sad that it has been allowed to get to this point.  The reputation of the entire school has been affected...  

Could be victims of that age old religious trap, basing it on "look at all the good we do," and "look at the results/the trophies, God must be blessing" as opposed to basing it on the principles of the Word.  If it ever "goes south" for them, it won't be because the leadership wasn't warned.  

Hilarious topic. Brainerd shoots 14% in the second half and scores 2 points in the 4th quarter. My middle school girls team would have had a hard time not running up the score. Perhaps CPA should have loaned their 3 point shooters. You guys are so ridiculous.

Huhhhh???? was my first response with the thought, "Why in the world would the other team's shooting percentage and amount of points scored have anything to do with the argument which is when is the appropriate time to pull the starters in a game that has obviously been decided in order to honor good sportsmanship"  Then I considered the source and I had my answer and was not hard to figure out who was being ridiculous.   

They're not supposed to be recruiting either.

Correct, no difference in recruiting rules between the two, only difference is DII allowed to give need-based financial aid to athletes, DI is not.  Some lump the two together and get confused.  Amazing how this still comes up every year.  

Is it illegal to go to AAU games? What is the rule on that or what did they do wrong?

My understanding is a HS coach is limited in being in the stands watching his own players. Possibly related to how many on one team, time of year?

...LIKE A DOG WITH A BONE, for Goodness sake!! We could really use you for important matters, Kbrks.

With the role that sports plays in our culture and high school communities, not important?  I beg to differ.  But give me a call this week and we can discuss what other important matters you and "the we" could use me for, maybe I will be convinced to pursue a different interest.  

...CPA has not broken a single TSSAA rule in basketball since Drew Maddox arrived...

That is not true, documented ones include players on campus during dead period, observing players at a summer AAU contest (team was on probationary status for a time) and losing a win one year due to playing an ineligible player.  Let the justification and minimizing begin, but those are TSSAA rules.  Truth is allowed, you just have to know how to sift fact from fiction.  

 

Just my humble opinion.  Does anyone pay attention to Coach Brooks bitter diatribes any more?  Ken, just get over it!

 

I can assure everyone who thinks to the contrary that I am over what ever you think I need to get over (and aren't really concerned whether you believe me or not).  One should not confuse "getting over it" with caring and thus having an opinion.  I spent 26 years of my life developing a Christian athletic philosophy to compete with intensity, compassion and playing to win without compromising values and testimony for the sake of wins.  I do not apologize or ever plan on "getting over that."

ALL CPA could potentially need to do to fix this mess, and possibly stay in D1 is IF they completely change the way the BB program is run.  However, so many in key positions cannot see how different that sport is, when compared to the others in the school.  They think they are "being forced" into other districts, and may be "forced into" d2.  Seriously?  Plus so many favorite people would probably need to lose their jobs.  I don't see it happening.  To do what Coach Brooks has outlined above would be way too hard on too many egos.

Agree

Personally, I think it's outrageous that CPA administration has supported the way the BB program is run, and allowed it to get so out of hand.

Agree, but theoretically it is the church elders who have ultimate authority, they are the ones who could make changes.  Of course that is in theory, actual practice is a different story.

Because they are afraid of the big  E.  Would rather beat up on the public schools.

Not that I would expect anyone to admit it, but there is evidence that points to the fact that once Ensworth showed up in CPA's "backyard" there was a concern, even a "fear" of how it could negatively affect CPA's enrollment and thus changed the approach of athletics to promote and market the school.  IMO this is a primary factor in what created the shift.

when will you CPA haters actually get a pair and write a formal complaint to TSSAA? 

Being successful is a great recruiting tool. If you have proof that a kid was recruited illegally , then turn him in. If CPA is breaking any rules, then  I will support any punishment of CPA.

Another response that is an "oversimplification of a complex issue" and demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the current system in place.

...There are a few things I know for fact that no one talks about...

Because they are not relevant to the topic at hand related to whether undue recruiting influence is being exerted, whether or not improper benefits are being offered and accepted, whether unfair competitive advantages are being created and/or if the school mission and philosophy is being upheld, etc. Two totally separate issues and the one can't be used to justify or excuse the other. 

The topic of Vandy basketball came up. Bill said he usually defends Stallings, but he said that if Vandy ever wants to make it to the big dance every year, they need to replace Stallings with Maddux for the simple reason that Maddux is known for his recruiting and would improve Vandys talent immediately.

Now that would be a switch, moving from where you have been able to create all the advantages to a place where the school itself has specific limitations when it comes to the SEC.  

Coach, I appreciate your opinion and there is definitely some truth in what you say.

 

If you were given immediate control of the CPA athletic department, what immediate changes would you make? How would you fix the problems that you see with the basketball program?

1.  Be a thorough, unbiased investigation, not punishing people for being honest (being viewed as a rat, hater, losing a job, etc.), but rewarding people for being honest.  Sadly, the ones who need to be the most honest have the most to lose and that is hardly ever a good combination, but there are ways to piece it all together.  

2.  Review all practices and change or eliminate those that do not line up with the school's mission or creates potential problems (e.g. elite camps, open gym on Sundays, coach working in admissions). 

3.  If staying D1 because it actually does want to be in line with the school's mission, then implement policies to show all is above board and beyond approach including making any athlete who transfers in during 8th grade and above sit out a year during high school years regardless.  Don't need the TSSAA.  If it really is about the school and not the privilege of being on an athletic team, not too much of a sacrifice for maintaining the testimony of the school.  

4.  Move to DII if any sport's practices not going to line up (e.g. time to change the mission) regardless of whether able to give financial aid or not.  (This has been a concern in the past.)

5.  Parent education seminars on what it means to uphold the TSSAA regulations whether DI or DII.  

...I assure you, it's an institution that is made up of sinners and imperfect people, just like the rest of the world (public and private)...

 

Part of the mission of the school is to live and interact in the world at large (public and private)... 

1.  Which is not to be used as an excuse to not repent of actions when these actions do not line up with the standards of the Word of God which is the calling of the school.  Too many times this is used to justify, defend  or excuse (e.g. nobody is perfect).

2.  Which is exactly why "how a program operates" must line up with the mission.  If not about winning, why continue to operate in a manner that only infuriates those you say CPA is trying to interact with?  This only demonstrates a lack of understanding of what testimony really means.  The Bible teaches we are to avoid even those things that have the appearance of wrong doing for the sake of testimony. 

These are 2 key reasons why CPA is viewed in the fashion with which they currently are - lack of humble repentance and lack of understanding of testimony.  It has become about the business of school (image and keeping our customers happy - parents of students) than the mission of the school.  Yes, it is a fine balance, but a balance that must be maintained if the mission is to be upheld.  Nobody likes when someone says they are something when the actions do not support it, this only creates hypocrisy.  And no, this is not saying one must apologize for being successful.   

Once again it is the failure of adults (TSSAA, administrators, coaches, parents) to display the proper values.  If you think the spirit of the TSSAA rules supports moving to a school for basketball purposes you would be mistaken.  You want to solve the problem, then make everyone who transfers into a school when eligible to play HS basketball (8th grade in TN), sit out a year during grades 9-12.  If schools take advantage by bringing them in the 7th grade, keep moving the penalty down.  At least one could have more respect and think there are legitimate reasons for a move to a different school system if willing to sit out a year and actually make a sacrifice which is what is supposed to happen when transferring for athletic purposes. You think Bradshaw (or a host of others) would have transferred if he had to sit out his junior year?  

They tried to double team Blackwell WITH Edmonson in the 2nd half. That didnt work either

I can understand why that did not work unless you have the size and athleticism.  Blackwell is too athletic and skilled.  I would think a better strategy would be a more sagging man to man, invite both Blackwell Campbell to shoot jumpers and hope you can keep them from getting to the basket.  

...when public & private school graduates go to college do they attend different colleges or are they mixed together? When they enter the job market will the public school graduates have to compete for jobs against the private school graduates or just public school graduates? IMO, all public & private schools should compete against each other if for no other reason than to show everyone that at it's core it is just kids playing basketball.

Yes, let's continue to erode at our culture moving down into high school sports to teach our kids how attractive it is not play within the spirit of fair competition and how tempting it is to give into certain tangible benefits by creating unfair advantages.  What a great lesson for our youth.  

...The only valid argument is that CPA does have the best COACHES money can buy...

Not the only valid argument, others include philosophy and spirit of fair competition.

I watched cpa play on tv last night for the first time against hoover, Alabama. to me, they didn't look that good outside of Blackwell. blackman, on the other hand was a solid team.

CPA is not as talented as they have been the last 3 years, but they still have enough to win it all. Last year with the talent level was a surprise they did not win it all, this year I say 50-50 due to less talent and less experience, can see it going either way.  Blackwell is almost an impossible match-up for most every team with his size and perimeter ball handling skills.  Both he and Campbell can consistently get to the basket for easy points.  They have spot up shooters like Ragsdale and Davis who feed off the penetration ability of Blackwell and Campbell and some "beef" guys like Howell and Johnson who can bang and can also contribute offensively.  

Going to come down if a team can match-up well enough, finding a way to protect the basket without giving help off the shooters, some type of "triangle and 2" principles.  Offensively, the opponent will have to have a good shooting night, since hard to score at the basket or expect a lot of offensive rebounds/2nd chance opportunities, especially with Blackwell down there.    

Most teams want out of CPA's district- because of the "unlevel" playing field.  10AA didn't want them and I am sure nobody in 12AA wants them either.  Unless something changes- nobody will want them.  Now with the Las Vegas/Iowa/CPA 8th grade point guard sensation- they have 4 more years to bring in some "new talent" to displace some current CPA basketball player so the machine can continue after Blackwell graduates next year.

True which is why it is not "they 'hate' us because they ain't us" (e.g. jealous of our success), but "they 'hate' us because they can't trust us."  Trust is critical when it comes to competition just likes it is in all walks of life, sports is no exception.  If the trust was there, the respect would be there and there is a very good reason why the respect is not there.