TheEgoHasLanded

I just have to decide how much to spend on my parents, I know what I'm getting them (gift certificate) I just don't know how much to spend. During thanksgiving I left out a Boston Butt and it was ruined, so I figure a certificate from Honey Baked Ham or something would make a good gift.

You wouldn't believe it...but there are several thousands of kids whose parents do not pay taxes because they can't afford it, yet still get to go to schools because of my tax dollars. That is, a free education for them. In fact, I read just yesterday how all Memphis City Schools must have internet connections in every school and I thought to myself how lucky these kids have it compared to some counties in the state of TN. I'm not complaining about it, because I think it is the right thing to do, and I also believe that it will help the economy eventually. Perhaps you would like to address my two previous posts, instead of picking out one line and trying to question it.

I like how you respond to one of the several points I made that disagree with you. My parents sent me to a private school, not because they wanted me to have an advantage, but because they didn't want me to get shot! The city schools in Memphis are nice, but there are more problems there, then at the typical private school. I went to a church of christ school...I'm not C of C. For college, I go to UTK. Which is a public institute and two semesters at UTK are still less expensive than at my high school. Kids go to private schools for a variety of reasons... 1-religion 2-safety 3-education 4-athletics (that same point can be said for public schools) 5-location (same point can be used for public schools) 6-forced to go...if you are the son or daughter of a worker at a private school, many times the schools ask that your child go to their school. There are many other reasons that you go to a private school...a free education, is a reason you go to a public school.

You're right, Privates do not get special ed kids. We also don't get athletic funding, or money to pay our teachers and coaches from the state of TN. We have to raise it, stop your complaining, you get a free education I don't know why that doesn't sink in for you. Get rid of the Maryville's and the Alcoa's the Memphis Mitchell's, the Westside's, Tredwells, Tyner's and all the other schools that have open enrollment. The best football player in the state goes to a Magnet school...He doesn't go to a private school he goes to a school that is treated like a private except it is free! The best basketball player in the state, Shawne Williams, goes to a school that has open zones. No one else complains about this but you! The best basketball team over the last three years is White Station High School...they also don't have zones...no one is complaining about any of this, cus it isn't as big of an advantage as you make it out to be. The reason that WSHS is so good is because Terry Tippett for WSHS is one of the best coaches in the entire state. They have some of the best facilities, and some of the best academics anywhere in the country! It has nothing to do with the fact that they have open zones...every school in Memphis has open zones! Just because a school has open zones doesn't make them good...especially when you add to the fact you have to pay several thousands of dollars each year! Get rid of those zones, and then you can complain, until then, your argument (which was shot down a few weeks ago across the state) just doesn't hold water.

The best sophomores are: Brandon Wright Pierre Niles...I have personally seen Memphis coaches looking at him as well as ASU, Murray State, etc Thad Young...The sky is the limit for this kid, I think he is a better player actually than BWright just because he is playing much better competetion and eventually it will pay off...his dad was a professional and is teaching this kid a lot...I really like watching him play.

Classification purposes would not matter because at 861..even if it was co-ed they would be in D2-AAA. MUS has 784 boys and they are in D2-AAA...CBHS would play up any way, they aren't scared of playing good competetion. Evidence of this is found in them playing and beating Germantown and Melrose during the regular season.

CBHS' enrollment is not 1722. The TSSAA website is wrong. If that were so, that enrollment would be larger than MUS, Harding, Briarcrest, ECS, Byrne, and Lausanne combined (CBHS is all boys). I believe they get that figure when you take CBHS' enrollment, as well as St. Agnes, Immaculate Conception, and possibly one other all girls school, perhaps St. Mary's, (the sister schools of CBHS) CBHS has about 700 boys, which is still double or triple the amount of boys that Harding, ECS, Briarcrest, and many other D2 schools have... Surprisingly, we compete and succeed regularly against CBHS...and we don't complain about it either.

I don't think that Harding Academy, SBA, ECS, and Briarcrest belong in the second highest classification. SBA is horrible in football...look at their previous years and determine it for yourself. These teams could compete, but I think the fourth classification would be better. Back when everyone played together, these schools were class A and Class AA out of 5 classifications...I think that would still be fair today.

Fairley High School raised 25,000 dollars just to go to Hawaii during Christmas break. If you know anything about Fairley, you will know that they ain't no 2 or 3 miles from 6 figure households...it's a very poor and dangerous area. And those kids had to rely off of donations, standing in the streets asking for money and selling candy bars for a dollar and not the 30 cents they paid for it. They raised it through churches and there are only about 13 guys on the team, as opposed to 30-40 at these 1a public schools...so I don't want to hear any complaining.

spanarkle, I agree with what you are saying, and believe me...I believe you. We do not however, reward some teams for not having money, and other teams for having money. Look at the New York Yankees. Look at UT football, compared to ETSU football. ETSU does not get rewarded nor does UT get punished for having or not having the funds. It is definitely a difference and an advantage to private schools...but I do not believe that your argument is worthy of change, because even the D2 schools have differences. Compare MBA, which costs a lot more and has double the amount of boys, to Memphis Catholic, or Bishop Byrne. Compare Briarcrests new state of the art track and field and recreational center, to Lausannes. These teams compete against each other. We don't say that Lausanne is at a disadvantage because their academics are probably tougher than other schools. I honestly understand where you are coming from, but we do not reward schools for those reasons.

we raised money to build a lockerroom. We worked out all year round, but that is optional...do bake sales, car washes, bingo, whatever, and get money for it. When I was a sophomore, we wanted Douglas Shoulder pads, every kid who raised 400 dollars got a pair...they were awesome, and i wore the same pair for 3 years and I loved every minute of it...I asked my parents for the money, and I asked my relatives...

Two add to the original list. Corey Mills from CBHS which you stated, but his two teammates, one of them is Brandon Pearce, and the other is a 6'5 250 lineman both have committed to play at Memphis. Thats three lineman that are going D1 on one team!

A free education and free lunches free transportation and the ability to go to any school you want in the Memphis area are advantages for the city schools in Memphis. Many of these schools are brand new (Mitchell) and it just so happens that Mitchell goes to the state championship last year, and also has a phenomenal 6'8 basketball player whose only a sophomore. These are advantages that schools have, but you don't see me complaining...actually I'm quite proud of some of the success these schools have had lately.

I think this senior class is loaded with talent. The best senior class that I can remember in my brief life was the 95-96 season. Tony Harris- UT Robert O' Kelley- Wake Forrest Corey Bradford-Illinois Those three were awesome. Then you had guys like Paris London, Deltorio "Bam" Campbell, and a few other guys that were recognized according to street and smith magazine. London was actually a jr that year thats why I don't include him with the others.

Briarcrest also won the next day by over 40.

Jamont Gordon is a special player, he can really play any position on the court...I think he's more explosive than JP. I like JP my brother and him are very good friends, I think he's definitely a top 3 player...I'd put him a head of the Delk twins but behind Smith and Gordon.

Public beats private very handily... Perhaps things might start changing in 2A...Lipscomb is going to lose one of their best players in RB Cutler Robinson, perhaps publics will continue to do well in AA. HHS beat DLHS pretty bad (if this was reversed publics would be calling foul). Congrats to the AA State Champions. Believe me, you earned it whenever you beat someone that bad in a state championship game. Maybe 1A might see a changing of the guard as well.

Has anyone ever heard of someone named Willie Guy? I believe that was his name...his team went 1-9 but he still made all american...I think he went to Trezevant, it was definitely a city school in Memphis...later signed with Notre Dame. You have to be good to be all american and go 1-9. He played a lot of different positions so you might not want to put him at RB. Fleming was very good as well.

They still might administer a multiplier. I just do not think the problem is as severe as you all make it...A problem exists and I think a multiplier will take care of it.

Maybe they didn't like traveling to Memphis and playing ECS. What message are you talking about? About 5 years ago Goodpasture had this 6'8 guy named Lucas Brohmine who was awesome, they also had another big man. They won the state championship that year (or got to the finals and lost). A few years later they had a guy by the name of Shaka Hill (he was also an underclassmen when they were in D2) Mr. Hill now plays LB for the University of Memphis, I highly doubt they left just for the athletics... Perhaps you should look these things up, before assuming that they left because of losing.

I don't want to say names, but I am discouraged by how some of the public school supporters have handled the situation. They went to the ruling body and the ruling body decided that there wasn't a problem. Instead of respecting their decision (and analyzing yourselves) ya'll decided to say that private school supporters were still wrong, and that the individuals who voted were bias. This same thing happened when the Supreme Court sided with Brentwood Academy. You all need to take a deep breath, and realize that nonbias people also agree that there is not a problem (atleast not to the degree that ya'll think). (I tried to be polite, so hopefully it won't get locked)

Maybe people should realize, that the private schools aren't all cheaters. I think the participation for private schools is much higher than that of public schools. I would be willing to bet that Cloudland has a larger amount of boys on the football team than most public schools. Is there any coincidence then that they are better than must public schools? I have seen teams like Brentwood Academy, MUS, and CBHS line up with over 100 boys before, compared to 55...thats definitely an advantage. The gap between my school with 430 boys and girls and CBHS with over 600 boys is very large...but we don't complain, we just do the best we can. AKA WE MUST WORK HARDER

You could get him a Fossil Watch for about 55 dollars. Get one of the arkitekt Fossil watches cus they look like expensive Movado watches (if you know anything about watches). When I was graduating I got money and one friend gave me a green blanket (Which I thought was kinda dumb). A very close family friend gave me a very big white towel with a orange power T on it. It also had my name embroidered in orange lettering, you could tell they had spent a lot of time and energy to get me that gift.

I just don't think many of the public 1A schools are that great this year. Fayette Academy is pretty good, but when they were in DII they struggled and left because of it. We beat them at home 39-0, and the next reason they bolt, struggled in all sports really (against teams that were just about their size).

For the most part, you can not tell who will be a great player at 13. I have helped coach 13 year old kids with AAU basketball and it's very tough to tell who will do real well and who won't. The attitudes of some people on this board are very discouraging. The things that are said are only half truths (I'm sure I was guilty of this when I got in this argument). I hope private schools leave the TSSAA and then they form their own league. I could see them suing the TSSAA, and also forming a league that let kids transfer from school to school and not have to sit out a year...and even GIVE KIDS FULL FINANCIAL AIDE! I would be careful what you ask for public school supporters (I didn't say I wanted private schools to do this, just that I could envision these things happen).