downtown247

I don't disagree entirely, but you've got to admit that if a player lacks the ability to score then it is difficult for that player to advance to the college level. In fact it is hard for players like that to get much time at the high school level. I do think a lot of today's players are willing to sacrifice team success for individual stardom. This can and often is hard to watch because it's obvious. However, Kaseem Davidson (who has been talked about on this board) is not like that at all. He is a pass first PG that is always looking to get his teammates involved before he takes a shot. He does have the ability to take over a game when needed. Pyro just has so many weapons that they don't often need a single player to take on that responsibility.

Glad to hear that Wesley and Tyler played well. They're great kids!

Yes...Webb has a team camp. Coach Norris had one when he was at OR and when he moved to Webb I guess he decided to continue having summer camp.

I don't have anything to apologize for. You took s shot at some kids by saying "they weren't elite". I responded. You are right that AAU is supposed to give players the opportunity to play against the best. However, players only get that chance when they play for a prestigous team that travels. The purpose is also for these teams to win. If winning were not important then they wouldn't keep score and have a winner and loser at the end of the game. Are you serious with the character stuff and D1 coaches? Most of them could care less about character! They want athletes that will help them win games first and foremost. Now please give it a rest Oprah!

How did Tyler Hood play? Or has he?

Who won when it mattered? Yeah that's what I thought...PYRO! You sound like one of those jealous parents whose kid got cut by Pyro on tryout day. For a team made up entirely of players from the knoxville area I would have to say Pyro is pretty impressive. They aren't like the Travelers who pull players throughout Tennessee and venture into other states. They aren't quite as athletic as the teams from Memphis, but they find a way to play with and beat some of them. They are a very talented team and will get better in the future. What AAU team do you support? Maybe Pyro would like to pound them. Then maybe you would shut your trap.

If he does that would be a huge mistake because Halls has not been good in quite a few years. Atleast if he's at Union County he gets to play against great competition and have a chance of winning. If all those kids stay at UC then they've got a good shot at 3rd in that district maybe even 2nd.

Steele, Hood, Tarwater, Wilson, and Lopez are the only high school players that will be playing in the Rocky Top League with the college players this summer. However, rumor has it that their will be a fall version of the Rocky Top that will feature the best high school players in East TN. Wouldn't that be a great way to see the best in the area and get these kids some college looks? /cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

This has been a very quiet coaching search. I just went to the grace website and found the below information: Randy Down, High School Principal/Interim Athletic Director rdown@gracebc.org This is who interested applicants need to contact about the coaching vacancy.

I agree with everything you say except the whole Catholic thing (LOL). I know the Hall family and the LC community pretty well. These people are angry because Jordan should come in and take playing time away from several players. It has nothing to do with who his family is or anything like that. He is simply a talented player. Does he have room to improve? Absolutely. I can't tell you one 14 year old kid that doesn't. But the kid can flat out play. For those of you that have not had a chance to see Jordan or the East Tennessee Pyro play you can come check them out at the Pyro Summer Showdown, June 19-21 at Clinton Middle School. I am not advertising a tournament just the players.

Slow down their superstar! Let me first congratulate you on finding a picture of Kwame Brown on the internet. You must be proud! I'm not even sure how involved Nike is or was with him. I can promise you one thing Kwame has made more money in his few bad years in the league than you will see in a lifetime. Please remember that he was a promising McDonald's All American that was committed to Florida when he was drafted #1. Based on your post I'm guessing that you disagree with what I said about Jordan being able to make an immediate impact at LC. If you are finished posting links to pictures of Kwame Brown I would like to know why you disagree.

Sounds like you should become an official. With your overwhelming knowledge of officiating it should be a walk in the park. I have a feeling you would be the guy making the calls on your end and the other guy's end. Which drives everyone crazy! Please remember that no matter how good a job you do their is always going to be one side that thinks the ref did a horrible job. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Turtle my man I am sure the last 2 hoops seasons have been like a nightmare for you. It must be tough for an AE fan to watch your nemesis win back to back championships. I feel for you. Unfortunately it looks like at the very least Fulton will be back at the state tournament next season. Campbell is transferring and from what I have heard their will be other big names that follow him to Fulton. As for AE who is going to replace Lopez and the Jones twins? What is the deal with Pryor? Is he going to be eligible? /blush.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" />

No this is not the case. Jordan is a tremendous talent with a lot of potential for growth as a player. Dyron is not trying to say that Jordan can go straight to the NBA from the 8th grade. He is saying that Jordan can go to LC and make an immediate contribution. I agree with Dyron 100% on this. First of all Jordan has the quickest release of anybody in the entire district. So, getting his shot off will be no trouble. Second, Jordan has added new dimensions to his game since the middle school season ended. He can take the defender off the dribble and has worked to become a good defender. And in case you have forgotten LC has Tyler Hood. Hood is going to command double and triple teams which means people on the perimeter are going to be left open. This plays right into what Jordan does best. Jordan currently plays with the East TN Pyro AAU team and plays against competition that is on the same level with what he will see at the high school level. Oh and he doesn't just play he averages over 20 ppg for the 2nd best AAU team in the entire state. And in case you are doubting the Pyro they beat the Tennessee Travelers and the Memphis War Eagles on their way to finishing 2nd in the state. They play in alot of showcase tournaments which brings in the best competition in the region if not the country. They have been in talks with Adidas who is planning on sponsoring them next season. You don't get sponsored by one of the coveted shoe companies unless you're good! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Any news on who the new coach will be?

I coached a game two years ago and had a kid get a serious concussion and had to be rushed to the E.R. This game was officiated by refs from TSSAA and they had done a decent job all night. Officials can't make a call until something happens. In this particular case a foul was called but only after the kid got hit with an elbow. I guess you are of the opinion that the refs should have used their psychic powers to make the call before the injury occured.

I to have reffed summer games and can tell you that in most cases the officials ref somewhere between 5 and 7 games per day. They are the first ones to arrive and usually the last to leave. And in many cases are unpaid volunteers. It sounds like some of you need to have more realistic expectations of what it means to play in local tournaments during the summer. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> As for you movinonup I would like to see you get out there and officiate that many games in one day. Something tells me that you would be a "slacker" as well. /blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" />

I've seen Pyro play several times this season and they are tough. Rumor has it that Adidas is going to sponsor them next season. That would be a good move for both because they have proven that they can play with anyone in the state. As far as Golden is concerned it worked out better for him with Pyro because he would have had to play guard for the Travelers.

That should come as no surprise. The kid can do it all. He plays hard on the defensive end, and that will make him a success at Fulton. I saw Bearden play several times and he was one of the top 5 players on the team.

I don't think so. I doubt anyone in OR could keep this rumor so quiet. He is a good coach though. OR would be lucky to get him from a coaching standpoint, but I'm not sure if he will be able to relate to the kids at OR. Cumberland County is awfully different from OR.

I'm well aware of the talent that surrounds Hood. Steele had more help. That's not a knock on the talent at LC it's just a fact. Fulton had another D1 guard in Gallman. Steele did hit the game winner, but I can assure you that he did not win the state championship by himself. Jodie Wright coached teams don't have only one player. Everyone plays a role in the success. As far as Fulton's lack of size it's a non issue because they defend so well.

No I wasn't at state...had the opportunity to see Jalen a few times. He is great, Tyler is simply better. But hey that's my opinion. If Jalen had to play in the same disctrict Tyler played in he wouldn't have been at state either. Tyler played much better competition that Jalen did night in and night out. Even outside the district against Walton, GA who had 2 All Americans Tyler had 30 pts 15 rebs. Both are great players but I think Tyler is the best around.

1. Lenoir City- Has the best player in all of East TN and a veteran squad returning along with atleast one added transfer that can play. Not to mention Windell is a great coach. 2. Bearden- Returns some good players in the junior class. Will probably split with LC in reg. season 3. Maryville- Coach Eldridge will have his least experienced group that he has had since he has been at Maryville, but that didn't stop him when he was at AC. 4. West- Possibly the most athletic team in the district. Lacks some solid structure. 5. Catholic- Great coaching and experience combined with a great system. 6. Farragut- Very little varsity experience with this group of rising seniors. Most played jv last year

It's always easy to say what someone should have done after it has already been determined that their actions were not appropriate. The fact of the matter is that no one really knows how they would've reacted to this situation. They were caught between a rock and a hard place because they wanted to do what was right for the players that had worked so hard to make it to that point and report the violation to TSSAA...not an easy position to be in. Most people would've done the same thing.

Sure Catholic has bleachers on both sides...big deal, just one more thing for them to be arrogant about /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />