hssportsnut

I have enjoyed reading about the passion around this district. As the mother of former AA female basketball player, I can tell you that refs have opinions before they walk on the court (did anyone watch the 60 minutes profile on the NBA ref)? It happens, and it is up to the player to class-up their act to change that refs opinion. As far as CA is concerned, so much attention is given to the twins, but there are three other players on the floor, and I've been VERY impressed with their defense and hustle. The least talked about player for their team, is probably one of their strongest defenders. Other than the twins, the rest of the players have other 'primary' sports, and just love playing basketball. Those other kids will not play scholarship basketball, but just love the game like the majority of your kids. It's all good and in a few years, we will be talking about the domination of another team in this district. Geez... CA has been in the cellar for a long time, let them enjoy their few moments in the sun Great district, great basketball, crappy refs... LOL

CPA and East Lit are the best by a good distance at this point. I am surprised how CPA played that game. CPA normally keeps the post locked down so that it is a low scoring game against a known tough opponent. Cowan is the best all around player in the district. She is the best shooter. CPA has great coaching and incredible game preparation, so will get the next one and walk into the district with the top seed. I agree with Morton and Dr. No about Lipscomb. I've seen some of the best players for this team the past few years, but it seems that if a player gets on a 'run' and scores, they are pulled for a substitution. I have heard there are politics in play at Lipscomb, and while I don't know if this is a fact, it sure looks like it when you watch them play. The last time I saw a true team from Lipscomb was 05/06 season. I understand the next year of a bunch of basketball coaches daughters played, which was a good season. Last year, Lipscomb's defense was the best in the district, but there was a confidence problem offensively, and that is usually because of fear of being benched for missing a shot, or lack of cohesion on the floor between teammates. I commend CPA and Lipscomb for staying with D1, versus becoming 'scholarship athletic schools,' so I hope Lipscomb coaches can learn to play the best players for a full game versus appeasing parents who threatened to take their girls to Ensworth or BA if they do not start or get significant playing time. CPA seems to have it figured out. They play the best players the entire game, and let the younger players develop in practice in AAU/Off-season. My predictions based upon what I've seen... CPA wins district, with East Lit a close second. HFA and PC for close 3rd and 4th. Lipscomb will round out the the top quad. Best of luck to whomever prevails against a very strong AA group statewide this year.

Lipscomb got there by winning games... Unfortunately for Lipscomb, their student body/crowd was a big momentum carrier in post-season, and this week was spring break. Not that it would have made a difference, but it could not have hurt having the students supporting you. We are very proud of you David Lipscomb. Great season!!

I agree. I don't know where the DL students got this one, but it is hilarious and helps alleviate the stress for parents watching a very close game. Makes you remember... this is supposed to be fun! Of all the great years of DL student cheering sections, I must say this year would be hard to beat. Thanks DL students. You are the best!

Every year, there is a middle Tennessee team that the Tennessean actually covers and writes about (which is giving the Tennessean more credit than they deserve for their pitiful HS coverage). CPA was the men's team and Marshall Co was the women's team. All this did was put big fat targets on their backs. Yes... everyone expected CPA to be the dominant team, but you have to remember that they did not dominate last year. They had some very close wins, and just seemed to have heart to pull out the close ones. That is hard to do two years in a row, especially when you have key leaders graduate. Four years ago, CPA was a relatively new, small private in Nashville. This team put CPA on the map. Remember.. CPA is D1, so these are not scholarship athletes. These are kids who go to CPA for the academics, location, christian education or whatever. They do not have the ability to recruit talent like MBA, Ensworth, BA, etc... They have nothing to be ashamed of with their supposed underachieving this year. It's basketball.. any given team can win any night. Marshall County was tough competition, and they had a great game, better than CPA (that night). MC played another great game tonight, but the stars aligned for David Lipscomb. We all know that all three of these teams could win or lose to each other any night, depending on the night. That is why the tournament is so exciting.. you just never know. Talent is the biggest factor, but luck definitely comes into play. CPA - thanks for entertaining us the past four years, and continue to build your program. Thanks for the memories seniors. Good luck in the future. This is coming from a 9AA fan that supports a team that has been whooped by CPA quite a few times the past few yeras. I've enjoyed the rivalry! Hope it continues!!

Hat's off to DL's student cheering section. They were definitely the 6th man this game! Thanks for making the trip and making a difference.

Despite CPA's vs HF's records in district play, Hume-Fogg was the stronger team. Hume-Fogg's speed, raw talent and Bagwell really dominated the district. CPA's defensive coaching was the key to some very close wins. CPA's coaches knew when to put them in 3-2, press 2-2-1, and exploit another teams weaknesses. HF, however, just has the raw athletiscm that coaching cannot control. Both teams are great, and they have represented 9AA. I must say that I am glad to see HF get this win. Good luck to both teams in substate. CPA's D and coaching are going to give someone fits. I have to say with pride that the great competition from a very competitive diverse 9AA have helped get them to this point. Keep that momentum.....

Congratulations Hume-Fogg on a well-deserved Region championship. Looks like you are getting your stride going into sub-state. I've been a fan all season, and am so proud of 9AA! CPA - rooting for you too! Good luck on substate!! Maria Bagwell = Region MVP (or should be).

I think tonight just goes to show you that regular season records are deceiving... If you play in a district where you are fighting for a win every night, you are better prepared for post-season play. If you are in a district with one other strong team...post season can catch up with you. Sorry to see Clarksville and Marshall County go, but that's why it is called March Madness. You just never know. I have to give a BIG shout out to Hume-Fogg. They weren't regular season or tournament winners in 9AA, but they sure could have been. I WILL be at that Hume-Fogg/CPA game. This will be a tough one to call. CPA --better coaching, better D. Hume-Fogg - probably one of the best impact players in the state with Bagwell. These teams know each other. HF has the offensive edge. CPA has the defense and coaching edge... I'm going to put my money on CPA this time. I said in Districts that I thought HF had CPA's number, but CPA seems to always do what it takes to win. That is great coaching. I'll go with coaching an defense on this one. I would love to see either one of these teams play one of the plateau power houses to see how the talent really stacks up.

Congratulations to Hume-Fogg and CPA!!! DL had Lewis County beat until some home-cooking refs, tough trap defense, and foul trouble caught up with DL. I think if DL had been playing CPA they could have persevered, but they gave up. Glad to see the competition in 9AA has paid off for two great teams!! Keep going girls!! We are behind you! Unsung heroes!! Keep your composure, and bring a gold ball back to 9AA.

I think Mark Gaither was referring to the Ezell/DL game on Monday. Whoever loses has to face Marshall County in the first game. Winning that game, puts them in third where they will be on the other side of the bracket.

DL lost (sickness or not). I thought they played really hard, but it definitely was not there best effort of the season. I still stand by Keen being one of the best defenders. She pulled two charges this game, and typically can contain whoever she is assigned. DL has struggled with setting up a defense in transition when they are not playing man-to-man. CPA really turned it on with the press. They deserved the win. I feel it was one of the more exciting games I have seen this year. Good luck to both teams in the region.

As you predicted, the CPA/DL game came down to the last seconds (as usual), with CPA coming out on top again. DL had this game, but too many turnovers.... Story of their season. It was still a good game considering the adversity DL has experienced with sickness the past few weeks. Hume-Fogg really turned up their defense a notch on Ezell. Ought to be good games on Monday and Tuesday. I predict Hume-Fogg may have CPA's number... Good luck to all four teams in the region.

Congratulations Lady Eagles on the upset win over FRA! DL over East Lit Hume Fogg over MLK CPA over Pearl Good luck to the rest of the teams in what is looking to be an exciting tournament.

The regular season is over, it is all about the tournament. I thought a new thread (instead of scrolling through 11 pages of posts from as far back as November) will be helpful to all the 9AA contingency. I have not seen the brackets, but feel the top four seeds will go on to region. How they fall out in the top four will be interesting. Any of these teams can beat each other on any night... CPA's wins over DL were by 3 or less. FRA beat and and lost to DL Hume-Fogg can beat anyone on a given night. I think the darkhorses in the bottom of the bracket are East Lit and MLK. I know that FRA is glad they aren't facing MLK first round! Ezell can still pull out a miracle if Earps and Eakes shoot the lights out of it, but FRA's defense will be just too much for them. It all starts Monday night. I cannot wait to read everyone's perspectives on the games, players, coaching, and refs.