volsb1

Bearden will be deep, relatively speaking. They added a couple of Florida transfers; one is a solid post. I agree, West will once again be the team to beat with Bearden a close second. Farragut, LC, and Maryville will be fighting for third place.

Central Thanksgiving Classic - Central, Lenoir City, Farragut, Austin-East, Tennessee High, Sevier County. Round-robin tourney beginning Monday Nov 21st and ending Saturday Nov 26th

From what I've seen so far in the state AAA, Bearden looks to be the best. White Station is down 3 to Craigmont at the half and having trouble with the press. Bearden's press will give them fits if they meet tomorrow. Hollins is a special talent and White Station's bigs may give Bearden a little trouble, but Bearden wins . . . . if both make it to the final.

Campbell will be a rising senior at Fulton. Transferred from Bearden after sophomore year.

Why would Lawson even consider tranferring? Wouldn't he have to sit out his senior year if he did so . . . . . or would the Galen Campbell rule come into effect? Lawson is a very solid guard and will get plenty of looks at Bearden.

West may be the team to beat next year. They only lost 2 or 3 players and will again be very athletic. They have size with Carson Thompson and JuJuan Mitchell which could cause Bearden some problems next year. Bearden should definitely be the favorite with their guard play - only lost 1 senior. There post play will need some help. Catholic will be a tough matchup for most teams due to their size - they seem to be coached well also. Farragut should be better than last year with Blake Williams and Taylor Diegel returning plus some size moving up to varsity. Maryville should be very solid. Just like last year, there should be 5-6 quality teams with 3 standing out above the rest.

I don't think anyone would argue that Catholic has more than its share of talent. They got hot this year at the right time and finished 2nd in the district, then 4th in the tourney, then lost in region. They are a good program, but play in a competitive district with Bearden and West. I look for Bearden and West to be the favorites for next year followed by Catholic and Farragut. Maryville should be better next year; LC will be rebuilding. Branch, Roth, and Anders all played middle school ball at Karns.

I may be wrong, but I don't think Catholic has beaten Farragut 9 out of 10 times. They beat them twice this year, once in OT, but Catholic had a very good team this year. They didn't play the year prior to that. I don't know about the recruiting, however, private schools do have an advantage in that they can pull kids from several different areas of town. Bearden has had a strong run over the district just as Farragut used to have. Still one of the most competitive districts in state.

TraderB, Not a Bearden fan, just picked up broadcast on radio. I thought Melrose would be more dominant. Bearden guards matched up well, just didn't have size in the post.

Sorry Stank, 18. Thought he was ineligible to play his senior year. Looking forward to when he steps on Knoxville campus.

Bearden hanging tough in 3rd. Melrose Elite must be overated. Chris Jones definitely the best 19-year old junior around.

Final - Bearden by 16!

Where is it being broadcast? Bearden up 1 at the half.

Thanks for the update.

I expect Bearden to roll thru Region 2; don't know how they will match up in Sub-state. I don't see them getting far in state due to lack of size although their guards should match up with anyone.

Lenoir City vs William Blount 6:30 Friday night; West vs Farragut 8:00.

Farragut plays Heritage Wed Feb 17 at 6:30; Maryville plays William Blount at 8. Maryville/W.B. winner plays LC at 6:30 Friday; Farragut/Heritage winner plays West at 8 Friday. All games at LC High School.

Well said Trader B. There are some good teams around the state, Memphis has more population that most of the other areas in the state and seems to always have several really good teams each year. Bearden has a solid team this year in Knoxville, but just doesn't have the size that it did last year to compete at the state level this year - in my opinion. They do have 4 or 5 really talented guards, but no real inside presence. Look forward to tourney time!

I agree that Memphis teams will rule the Class AAA this year. Is there open enrollment into high schools in Memphis? If so, this allows for some pretty stacked teams - East TN doesn't allow the same. There is obviously a lot of talent in Memphis, but allowing kids to pick their schools seems to be quite an advantage. Hasn't Knoxville Fulton (AA) won the State Title last couple of years? They are number 1 in the state currently and should be the favorite to win AA again.

I don't think Webb played West. West doesn't show it as a win on their schedule.

Boyd didn't play and Fulton missed him. West was without Williams. Fulton has a very strong starting 5 with Boyd, but lacks a strong bench. West depth really makes them a complete team that should help them in the post season. Fulton's lack of depth may keep them from a 3-peat.

I agree. The West Coach must have learned from Bearden's Blevins. I was very surprised at West's substitutions the other night and it looked like a few of their players never got their rhythm, except for Tookie. Farragut played an excellent game and earned the win. West still looks to be the most talented team in the district from top to bottom, but you have to play the right players at the right time - Check with Blevins.

The Clinton coach got ejected after back to back technicals. Clinton was down 20 midway through the third and he didn't like a call and said a few words to the officials. Farragut won 75-50.

This will be the biggest game Farragut's had in a long while. Win this one and they could make it to the finals. The players will be out to avenge last year's losses. Should be a good game, but I predict Farragut 27 - 14. Go Ads!

I would assume the Bearden transfer would be one of the 6'2 players listed for Maryville.