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.

I think you are looking at good ole' burn-out at the end of the regular season. This is the point when teams either hit their stride or fold-up and go home. I don't see CPA folding-up. They don't have the fire under them like last year, and I think a previous poster's point about Z signing to play football vs. basketball may have some truth to it. I still think it is his senior year, and he wants to go out a winner. The seniors on all the teams are facing the same situation... They are ready to graduate and go on to the next phase of their lives. The team that manages to stay focused and REALLY want every win will pervail. David Lipscomb really looks to be hitting their stride of late, and I'm hopeful they can carry that momentum into the tournament. Regardless, CPA and DL will be one of the four teams representing 9AA in the regional. Maybe they are saving their gas for that run... let's hope so! This is the point in the season where coaching really becomes important. You have to keep those seniors focused and hungry!! Thanks for such a great rivalry and keeping us entertained!

Lipscomb has looked really good their last two outings (despite sick players). East Lit is always a dog fight. Ellenburgh, Bridges, and Keen are going to have to stay on the floor, and out of foul trouble to win this game. DL beat East Lit with both Bridges and Ellenburgh fouled out the last game. Neither were in the game the fourth quarter, but Keen and Solomon did a great job moving to the post. Three point shooting and endurance are going to be the key. If DL is hitting, they win. If not, they lose. Keys for East Lit are to get some type of 3 pt game. They need outside shooting to balance their inside game and jump shots. Should be a great game! FRA will not have a problem with Ezell.

The last regular season games brought easy victories for David Lipscomb, CPA, and Ezell. Hume-Fogg beats FRA in a tight one. I 'believe' and I'm not sure of this sets up the following for seeding: CPA Hume-Fogg FRA David Lipscomb Ezell or East Lit MLK Pearl Cohn I believe that Ezell and East Lit are now tied for 5th. (Someone needs to enlighten me if I am accurate). David Lipscomb will not have it easy with either team, since they beat them both in their regular season games. I don't know which one I fear more... Earps is a senior and she is going to want to keep playing. East Lit wants to do what they did last year. I think that Hume-Fogg will have a tough match up with MLK. First round is always a wild card. CPA should handle Pearl-Cohn. DL beat them easily tonight with a team full of sick players. Bench was pulled-in two minutes into the fourth quarter, or it could have been worse. DL's rebounding and hustle was phenomenal. Mind you, I thoroughly enjoyed the Pearl-Cohn band!! They certainly made it feel like HS basketball.

Upsets tonight (well there is no such thing as an upset in the district).... FRA humiliates DL. Smith had the game of her life. I know that DL was suffering with a team full of sick players, but they let this one get out of hand with some poor substitution choices at the end of the first quarter that spiralled. I wish DL's coach would just let the starters play through it... They will rise to the occasion if allowed. Putting in cold players to hit miracle 3 ptrs is not a good game plan. I do not understand why Slater was not playing in this game. She and Wood are the cornerstone as guards on this team. One or both should be on the court at all times. East Lit beats Ezell, so East Lit is making a run for #5 in the district. East Lit came on this time last year, so no one better count them out. I have seen East Lit improving in all areas the past few games. Like I said before, they are starting to look like the tough physical team with grit that they were last year. Tuesday night will be pretty big for the #1 and #2 spots. I predict Hume-Fogg will beat CPA if Gooch and Bagwell are playing their A game. FRA gets to face East Lit. I think FRA will beat them with their good defense and outside shooting. East Lit needs to put on their pads and get physical. This could be the upset of the night. FRA had little to no defense on them in the DL game (except covering Wyatt), so a good physical East Lit team could rattle them. DL should beat Ezell, but DL is going to have to get healthy by then. MLK/Pearl-Cohn - MLK is certainly turning it on, but I predict Pearl-Cohn is going to take this one. Grudge match, and Pearl-Cohn's 3 pt shooting is much better than MLK's. It comes down to Hume-Fogg and CPA for #1. The rest is just seeding, and I don't think there is a trophy for regular season champs. Momentum will play a factor. Flu/cold season is going to take a toll (already is on DL)... who else will have casualties??? The district tournament should be interesting. I still think that any team can win on a given night... Ought to be interesting!!

I agree that CPA and DL will advance from this region, and this was not supposed to be a 'basketball year' for DL. Despite some injuries and adversity, DL seems to keep on battling with a deep bench and big team. The one thing CPA has going is their core 5, I think DL substitutes too much. They need to let their starters get in a rythym, and play the majority of the game. DL's coach seems to get frustrated and sit the entire starting line-up. Mind you, there is plenty of talent deep on the bench, but let the starters get their mojo, and they can beat anyone. Substitute one at a time versus the entire line-up???? I am actually looking forward to watching Sanderson become the leader next year. What a player!! Webb looks to be getting his stride back despite the head gear. Simpson is great at point, but needs to keep the team settled down a little more. Hudson, Hunt, and Andrews are all good in the paint for different reasons. Hudson has the size and is the better rebounder, Hunt can spin, drive, and jump! Andrews can shoot outside as good as a point guard. Such a dynamic bunch of players! Lots of talent, just need good game coaching. CPA has the tripple threat. Z, Mason, and Anderson. Dynamic trio. They are a thrill to watch, and they rarely (if ever) make mistakes. I don't see anyone taking their throne. I agree that the entire district has improved (especially East Lit)!! Sad this district will be drastically changed next year. Can you smell an even bigger rivalry between CPA and DL in the years ahead?? I can! Oughta be fun!! Good luck to all, and good job to 9AA for making it a dog fight everynight!!

So no major upsets last night other than MLK over East Lit. FRA gets a win over Pearl-Cohn CPA over Ezell Hume-Fogg over DL. I really thought this one would go differently watching the first quarter. DL does not adjust well to subs, and loses their momentum when you get out of their six primary players. They made the same predictable turnovers, had their best defender in foul trouble, and had no offensive rebounding. You could cut and paste what I wrote about their play in the Ezell game, except this time they lost. I think I have officially given up on them. I loved this team defensively, but it seems that they have lost that edge of late. Defense includes rebounding!! This is the same team that held Hillsboro to nine pts (primarily with rebounding) in the early season. I'm not sure what is broken, but they need to fix it, or they are one and gone in the district tournament. Looks like Hume-Fogg has the gut and grit and awesome fundamentals to win the district. There are still some games to go, but nothing that will shake things up in the standings. All we are looking at now is seeding in the tournament between DL and FRA for three and four. I think Hume-Fogg and CPA are the hungriest and are better fundamentally skilled at passing, dribbling, scoring and rebounding (which is what this game is about). They also make the fewest mistakes. Miracles can happen, but it is doubtful at this point in the season. A team is a team by this point. Good luck to 9AA top two and do us proud in the region.

Per the Tennessean, MLK beat East Lit. Is that right??

Great coaching at FRA, and definitely a lot of great, young talent!! We will miss you in 9AA, but definitely understand the messed-up playing field in TSSAA athletics in Tennessee. Sure wish the privates could form their own league. I know that is easier said than done!! Best of luck with a great program, school, and coaches. FRA= Class act!

This was a good solid win for Lipscomb, and like you mentioned, the first time they have beat Ezell at Ezell. Lipscomb had a good game plan for neutralizing Earps (she only had 2 pts). Ezell, however, had some other players step up and hit some big 3's. DL's Ellenburg had another bit game inside with consistant points. DL's weakness is rebounding. Playing a team reliant on out-side shooting, you would think that DL would have been doing the basics under the goal to rebound, but they did not. When Keene was side-lined with fouls, Ezell was able to keep it close. DL needs Keene in the game to win. She is typically not a big scorer, but she is their best defender, has great passes to the posts, and seems to fire up the rest of the team. Eakes was also out with foul trouble part of the first half, which certainly hurt Ezell's scoring. DL's Webb is certainly earning her points, and has been a perfect 6th man. She can play guard or post. She and Keene collectively have pulled more charges than any team in the district. These two face again on the 10th at DL. I expect it to be another close game with great defense. I will miss this district rivalry.

FRA had a big win over CPA tonight. I would love details of the game from anyone attending. Ezell squeeks past Pearl-Cohn, and DL won over MLK. DL looked pretty sloppy tonight and one of the refs was just plain horrible. He actually cheered when MLK hit a three. MLK has really improved, and their big inside girl is tough to rebound against. Haven't heard about East Lit vs. Hume Fogg. I'm betting it was a good game as well. Ezell and David Lipscomb face tomorrow afternoon. Hard to believe we are heading into the last week of the regular season. It's been a very fun year for 9AA. Best of luck to all in the tournament, and to the seniors as they head into their last high school games.