takeittothehole

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!

You are still avoiding my question. But it's OK...I understand why. I know the story anyway so no need to air laundry. Anyway, no I do not think Rachael is the best post player in the league. Blaine is...BUT Blaine is injured. And statistics say that her injury won't go away but will only reoccur and with worse consequenses than before. If she overcomes the injury and it doesn't come back then she will be a statistic. I wish the best for her. She is a wonderful person and very desirving of the best life can give her. She did not desirve to be faded away like her injury will most likely impeed. I don't mean to sound negative but the out look is not bright. But this is one of those strange injuries that happen so very infrequently that it's anybody's guess. I wish her the best. Then we have Julie. Julie is primed to take up where Blaine leaves off. Julie, is not on Blaines level of play. But she is s workhorse. She can go full speed at great lengths and not need rest. She can control the ball on a fast break, she is a tenascious rebounder, has a wonderful jump shot, and will fight in the paint. But Rachael will beat her in every facet while she is in the game. Crucial statement...while she is in the game. Any team that runs the ball and runs it hard will put Rachael on the bench in short order. South has no post player that can hang with either of these three. Daniel Boone and Volunteer have post players worth mentioning but not quite on the level of the afore mentioned players. Not sure yet what Science Hill has. New place might be new attitude. This statement proves you do in fact agree that Kimmie has issues. Central will be a player but Kimmie or no Kimmie they will not compete for the top spot. So yes, I feel that the top 3 post players in the league are Blaine, Rachael, and Julie. However, remember I haven't evaluated Science Hill. Blaine is injured. Rachael is overweight. Julie is not a true post. She is kind of in the same boat as Mack Campbell from South. Both these girls can play the whole court. So all things considered it seems to be wide open. Am I to assume that Volunteer got the post mentioned in another thread. If not I am afraid the Lindholm girl is going to be in the same position the Price girl was while she was here.

Doesn't seem to be much interest in Big 9(8) so far. I think overall it will be a lot weaker than it has been in the past.

What will favorites be now that camps are over and had a look at next years teams? Looks to me like Science Hill, DB, if Frolich ok, South then a scramble to stay off bottom.

WOW!! What part of Hawkins County is Unaka in?

Coastal Carolina and Daniel Boone HS. Good Luck Girls!

I think the summer camp results will be a big part of how long he stays. With returning players, what few freshmen move up and no incoming freshmen talent he has nothing to work with for next 2 - 3 years. I don't think his personality type can take it that long. PS - Pat Summit he ain't.

Have you heard anything about Myers at Volunteer, I don't think he got what he was expecting talent wise. We only had 6 or 7 for JV last year and rumor is 2 and possibly 3 of better JV players aren't playing next year. We lost 4 seniors from last year so that only leaves total 8 or 9 girls for varsity next year including ones moving up from JV. With nothing coming up from middle schools, I think rebuilding program is becoming a lot tougher than he thought, he will have have his job cut out for him for next several years.

Being involved with the rec league, 2 feeder middle schools and Volunteer sports for the past nine years I know all too well how things work in East Hawkins County. And you are right about the pressure from parents arising soon, Meyers will be tested. One is already making it known who they think should go to this years summer camp, the criteria for being on next years team and who they expect to see on floor with their daughter next season. It has nothing to do with developing skills and sad thing is, just like last year, what they want they will get. Before I retire, I am trying to get one person designated to make sure the middle school coaches teach the game and work on developing skills and the middle schools and high school are on the same system. When these kids reach high school it is way to late to begin learning fundamentals and a system. If players are willing to work hard 2 -3 years developing skills prior to high school you will have only the most dedicated kids and their parents and a lot of problems will be eliminated. In my years coaching most all trouble comes from the worst players and their parents.

You seem to be pretty angry with the seniors, their parents and the coach for evidently bowing to political pressure. There were a couple of incidents last year but in talking with parents when these occurred, instigation was not by any of the seniors but by an underclassmen that recruited support from a couple of the seniors. A lot of us hoped when Volunteer hired Meyers from outside, he would cut out some of the crap. If he did not handle the parent and player problems from last season it will resurface again this upcoming season and will be impossible as you say "to implement what HE wants to". Eventually some parent of future teams will also create problems, there is no way to rebuild a program without the commitment of the coach to put the best players on the floor despite political pressure. Any coach who doesn't loses the respect of his best players current and future, loses community support of those who are willing to sacrifice to build a good program and his reputation. Go read posts on Subject "When should a coach step aside" seems like parents run every program.

DB should be preseason favorite, South, JOCY, TN High and Central will battle it out for 2 thru 5. Rest will again be struggling to stay off bottom, especially if a couple of smaller schools did drop out of conference.

Congrats to Coach Meyers and girls. Losing the 4 seniors and not having anyone their caliber for next year and nothing coming up from middle schools I am afraid we just had our best year for a while. Easttnboy, I am glad someone else recognizes the main problem at Volunteer.

On another thread I said girls were wanting to win 10 games this year and I predicted a couple of upsets. Looks like both were were achieved! Great job girls!! I also posted seniors need to set pace for future which they have done. This season with the 4 seniors playing was a tribute to coach Anderson. Next year the rebuilding starts and hopefully the can win attitude and commitment they have shown will be carried forward by underclassmen. It will be hard to replace these 4 girls 3 which have been starting and playing together for so long. Looks like the program is on the right track at high school level, need to start on feeder system NOW!!! Go Falcons!!

I guess your'e right, I just got my hopes up for a good finish for rest of season after lasts weeks games and was a little shell shocked. Especially for the seniors, when they have worked so hard for so long. Hope these type games are far and few between.

I had to wait a while to digest last nights game and I figured replying to this post sums it all up any way. What the @^%$# was that last night?

Coachh17 and Supertoe thanks for keeping this civil. With a family member playing and another one coming up next year I would like to see program improving. I do have concerns about getting the level of committment needed though. I have repeatedly offered to work with my family member anytime she wants on basic skills and have told her she can invite any team mate that wants to particpate. She has yet to accept my offer. I am afraid this is the norm not the exception. Also from what I have seen at middle school games we are in for a lot of the same for a long time.

Not expecting miracles, just a little improvement in basic skills and to be a little more competitive. It is disheartening to lose a game when all the other team has to do is execute a pressure defense or fast break offense for 2 - 3 minutes run lead up 14 - 18 points and we play catch up rest of game. It does take time to develop a winning program and it has to start with players committing to improving basic skills year round and extra work outside of team practise during season. If you are not constantly working on improving your skills you are always playing at same level. You may be playing hard but you are not playing better. If you objectively watch games each one is almost a mirror image of the other. Not boxing out for rebounds, turnovers (dribbling and passing), panicking under pressure and any team with someone that can dribble goes through our defense like a knife through butter. This late in the season I would have expected some improvement in at least one of these areas.

We have the horses, but some of them whether at home, teammates or in their on mind have been convinced they are thorough breds runnning individual races instead of part of a team pulling a wagon.

Well 1st half of season is over and he has had some time, preseason games, Happy Valley Tournament, Volunteer Classic. I have to admit I was expecting us to be more competitive by now and capable of pulling off a couple of upsets at home. I don't know if he has implemented same system he used in VA but it apparently is not working against TN teams and Big 9 that is a little weak this year. Maybe things will get better last part of season, but from what I saw in last 2 games against Central and DB it is going to be a long hard 2nd half also. Go Falcons!!!

Couple of good mental wins for Volunteer and good game with Elizabethton. Look out Big 9, here we come!!! Go Falcons!!!

I think you will have to consider Volunteer somewhere in the middle by mid season, we have already won as many games as last year and have greatly improved. We are now getting balanced scoring from 4 or 5 girls, committing less turnovers and starting to click. I think we will do well in Volunteer Classic, possibly win! Looks like new coach is starting to turn things around! GO FALCONS!!!

I agree it will take time and sacrifice from all to turn program around. The girls that were starters last year and are not starting every game or getting as much playing time this year are showing much more maturity than their parents. Good to see that attitude from a great bunch of girls. Go Falcons!!!

I think you have Crockett and Volunteer transposed. Crockett won. I had high hopes for Volunteer but they have only beaten North. This should have been one of their best years with 3 - 4 seniors and a junior that has been on varisty for three years on floor at any given time. If you know basketball and watch games objectively I am afraid we are in for more of the same for a long time.

Wasn't able to make it to game last night, how did we do? Did we handle press? Look good inside? Defense? Turnovers?

I am not going to name names but I only agree with one or possibly two of your picks. I think by mid season at least three of your picks if they do not really step it up will be not be considered core. Myers has other girls that for time on floor consistently outperform them offensively and defensively. I reinterate previous comment about Myers having a touchy situation because positions have not had to be earned in past. Give Meyers time, he will have best players / team not best athletes on floor. He is giving everyone opportunity to earn playing time based on performance. It is a new concept that is hard for some to grasp and welcomed by others.