Surge

I will speak for Gilliam from Volunteer, since I am her mom and know the facts. No, Coach Myers did not help her one bit to receive a basketball scholarship, she did it all on her own by playing travel ball and exposure tournaments. It really comes down to the player and what they want to do. Some, like my daughter really wanted to play in NAIA and no shame to any girl that wants to go that route. She knew in Div I that she would only be a practice dummy and she also looked at herself and knew where her level would be. She did bring in 5 college coaches this past season to the gym at VHS and one Kentucky recruiter for various schools. These coaches saw her in exposure events and the biggest from last summer in Louisville, KY at the Blue Chip where she made the All-Star team. And like Hoopallday states, there were over 150+ in attendance. She received many letters this past year from D1, D2, D3, and NAIA, which anyone will tell you doesn't mean jack, because chances are they sent the same letter to 50 other girls. It is constantly working to improve your game. I do believe that a girl does need to be in travel ball and at exposure events to be seen in this era. Now, why she chose Pikeville, truly the best offer. She narrowed it down to Pikeville, UVA-Wise, and Union in Ky. Loved all 3 schools, but had a gut feeling about UVA-Wise coach that he would leave by her Freshman year (and he resigned last week), loved Union because she could tell the coach was all disciplined, but it was pricey. It came down to the money $'s with Pikeville giving her the best scholarship of all with basketball and academic money and it is the cheapest private school at only $20,000 total a year. Now, the government thinks we're rich, so no financial aid for her, but if she was eligible then she probably would be able to go totally paid, but what minimum it is turning out to be, it will not be a hardship. Also, a big thanks to former coach Todd Whittemore who made the call to the Pikeville coach when he found out she was going for a visit and he truly got her the $'s. Comp, you might be happy when the times comes that your daughter might have to go NAIA, no shame in it at all. VI is getting in my opinion one of the best guards in the state with Fanney. She and my daughter along with another VI player in Orrick played travel together and are outstanding players and show how hard it is out there when it comes down to it. Heck, Fanney was even All-State tournament team. But, Laiken is very proud to become a Lady Bear and she is also looking forward to play in the first team of the Rocky Top League that starts next week in Knoxville and having a Lady Vol on her team too. Hoop, she really appreciated you checking on her a few months ago too, she has a lot of respect for you too.

Re: Big Nine (Eight?) by TommyMan37604 » Tue Sep 01, 2009 10:39 am The 3 Rivers Conference is not on this thread, this is the BIG 8. Thanks for sharing about Volunteer. ........ Yes, exactly the Big 8 -- TN High will more than likely lead the way and a toss up with teams like, Central (though they lost key seniors, they have several ready to step up and with the transfer of Woods - a big boost too). DB will miss Blaine tremendously though they are still a very athletic team they will bring on the pressure. Science Hill will be on a rebuilding period, but have some great freshman coming in. You stated that they have not been in the top half......confused on that one since they have finished in the top four of the conference for the three or so years, then in the top four of District and going at least to the Regionals for the past two/three years. I do think Volunteer could "surprise" - along with Crockett, they are always under rated. Daniel Boone will be well coached as always and I think we'll see a much improved team this year -- Campbell is a good basketball coach. South will also be in the mix -- they still have some great athletes returning -- Any team on any given night can throw an upset - look at District this past year - if ever was the time for Dobyns B to go sub-state and then possible state- it was last year for sure, but South gave an upset.

I think Volunteer lost the most from last year, 4 seniors that started or saw significant playing time last year. I think we only have one junior returning as a senior (Gilliam) who is still an average post at best. We barely had enough for jv/freshmen team last year and 2 or 3 of those have quit so nothing moving up. This was evidenced in summer camps and league, only bright spot is Lindholm who will have a lot on her shoulders next 3 years. We will be smaller and slower than last year and have no depth. An injury to of any one of the girls will really hurt. I know a win is a win but we only won 3 games against any real competition last year, rest were against very weak teams. I'm afraid the rebuilding starts this year! Wow - you sure know Volunteer basketball! Gosh, I wonder if anyone that reads your threads knows that you HATE VHS -- You obiviously do not know anything about their summer --- let's see, first time ever that they go to Daniel Boone Camp and only lose two games out of ten -- Losses to TN High and Unicoi (two toughest teams in the area) -- Then on to Costal Carolina where they won eight games and lost one. You say this is a shabby team? As 2cool said - we have some of the biggest girls in the conference - Gilliam and O'Dell 5'11, Christian 5'10", Adkins 5'9" and very agressive player and we have another senior returning in Ferguson who is also a tall gal, then on to McFarland who is an excellent ball handler and was injured part of the year and yes on to the Sophmore class with Lindholm who will make a mark and you're looking at some other really good players in that class with Snyder (who will box you out and you'll feel it too), Anderson (who is also tall and a wing) and Christian who works hard in the post. You see if you pick one girl to win it all -- it won't work in basketball - it's a TEAM sport and it takes them all to make it happen. Last year we were voted in as number 9, fooled everyone ---and came up after Christmas and started coming together as a team. This same group of gals are like sisters and played a heck of a summer league program this year. There is not one troublemaker on the team and that helps too. And are you really a part of VHS with the "we" all the time when you do nothing but put these gals down constantly ---we left. So, do tell how is the Three Rivers Conference looking??????

Too bad none of the Peck children stayed in town to give Jeff County any offspring. /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" />

Really depends on who the coaches vote on because it boils down to them. Last year, Natalie Pickwell won it and I believe South was in third place and I guess if Crockett could possibly get in top four she would win it, and again holding all records this year in the Big 9 should mean something. It is based on this year and not previous years. I think the top contenders will be: Murr, Montgomery, Moody, Frolich, Devine, or Good.

She should be the winner - she holds the records in the conference and I believe because of her she has made Crockett the team it is. Also, of any senior in the Big 9, she is truly the most improved player. I believe you will see the Big 9 coaches giving her the award she truly deserves. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

You're exactly right. These girls had a hard schedule last week with playing Science Hill on Wednesday and only losing by four points and was bascially a two point game all the way through and at the end of the game had to foul to try and get the ball back and Good hit her foul shots. Friday night played a tough (very physical) game against Crockett (4th in conferene) and won, and then played South on Saturday night which went into double overtime. Most of the starters never even come out of the games on those three nights and then back to practice on Monday. We forget that they also have school work and jobs too and these gals were playing exhausted to say the least and these things happen.

A bunch of girls that are not quiters.

One more thing, you know I love you!!!!

Not a problem with this post, but just don't hide behind it and act like your from the outside looking in when you are within, own up to it, be honest all the way, but I will never debate issues with our own team, maybe opponents, but for this group of girls every girl on VHS varsity and JV are all class acts, these Junior and Seniors have been through more than any high school team should ever have to go through.

Yes and he does

I couldn't agree more -- these posts are total UNCLASS to the whole team, and I know several girls that are not reading any of coacht because of troublemakers like this -- It would be a good idea to keep your assessement at the supper table and let Coach Myers do his thing, that's why he was hired and not you. Also, you contradict yourself in one post wanting to know if the game is Home or Away and then come in and critque each girl and yet you don't know where they're playing? If you are going to mention each girl by name, have the guts to say it to their face and the parents and not getting on here to start a bunch of crap. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

That's funny, just thought of something -- sounds like you are connected to DB, though you said you had a niece that played for VHS and you always sit with the parents at VHS -- you can go check your post over on the Volunteer Christmas Classic section --- guess you are just a lying trouble maker.

VHS post player did great -- looks like you learned a lesson ---