sportsczar

Firestone, you said that "Bartlett did more to themselves than Central did", I beg to differ. Central's pressure man defense and their halfcourt trap are the reasons why Bartlett committed all those turnovers. When someone is always in a players face, that causes players to think faster than normal and make bad decisions. Central did look pretty awsome those first 6 min., but one thing about basketball, all teams will make a run. Sometimes a big lead is dangerous because the team that's in front will tend to relax and try different sets. Apparently, you have only saw Central twice this season. Out of 34 games, maybe offensive production was down those 2 games you saw. No team does everything perfect every game. True, Central does love to push the ball, but believe you me, they can slow it down and run offense, but when you have a Lamborghini why drive it like a Volkswagon. You mentioned the bench for Central; The purpose of the subs are to rest the starters for however long they may need to recoup. James has come in and hit 2, 3 and sometimes 4 threes in a game. She has led the team in scoring 2 or 3 times at least. Her job is to hit the three ball and defend, which she does well. Some games as a shooter she may not produce, but she will always play good defense and not make game changing turnovers. And, remember, the starter is resting. Butler, #3, will rest the starter, play decent defense, and rebound. She may score occasionally, but she will not make game changing turnovers. And remember the starter is resting. The starters only need about 3 or 4 mins. of rest here and there. The bench does their job well. Central played a horrible game at the City Championship against Overton, but they managed to WIN. Good teams WIN even when the shots don't fall and the offense breaks down and all the rebounds go the other way, good teams WIN with good defense. Central's offense was clicking the 2nd game against Overton at the Regional Championship and the outcome was a blowout. Do you think Bartlett wanted to play they way they did? NO!! Central did have a lot to do with it. Those D-1 players know how to play together as a team and that's why they are successful. And by the way, they beat Houston Feb. 27th 73-52.

I hope they don't just roll over, but they did lose a game by 29pts. this year. I don't think any game will be easy, but the better team will prevail.

Philtenn, thank you for your kind words about Erica Burgess. She is truly an unsung hero for this Central squad. I will go out on a limb and call her the "GLUE" that holds this TEAM together. Eric allows everyone else to be "themselves". She is very unselfish and only cares about" the TEAM". She thinks "pass first" and does not care about who gets the headlines. One of the fastest guards in the Nation with the ball," Southeastern Louisiana", is getting a steal. Maybe she will make some noise in Murfreesboro because she flies, soo low, under the radar. Good luck to" YOYO" as she continues her career at Furman. I will follow her and know that she will be successful because of what you and your wife have put in her.

Well said "MTOWN21", Central is NOT your typical Memphis team. This team can run with the best of them and grind it out if need be. This TEAM plays well together. No selfishness. They are deep enough to overcome foul trouble and a bad first half. They shoot the ball well and attack the rim. Their TEAM defense is suffocating. They come at you in waves and waves. They have been tested on the National stage in Phoenix, Az., losing by one point only after the ref. called a foul with no time on the clock. The competition in West Tenn. with 16AAA, 15AAA, and 14AAA is outstanding and they ran thru the area without a blemish. This team is FOR REAL!! If you have not seen them play this year, please, please, please, make your way to Murfreesboro and check them out. You will not be disappointed. Even when they have a bad game, it's still exciting to watch them play. Without a doubt they should "WIN IT ALL!!

Congratulations Lady Warriors on your victory last night over Bartlett. It has been almost 20 years since Central has been a state qualifier. This is truly a special group of girls along with a special coach and parents. This team has been on the radar all year and now have a chance to accomplish yet another goal. It may not be easy, but it will be well worth the challenge. It has been 24 years since the "GOLD BALL" was last in Memphis coming back with an AAA girls team (Melrose- "85"). The last time Memphis Central won the whole thing was 1922. This team can really go down in history. Good luck to the remaining "ELITE EIGHT", but especially to my beloved Lady Warriors.

I agree "fed123", Overton is a really good team and have been tested.

One of the best match-ups tonite will be Memphis Central against Bartlett at Central. On the other side will be Memphis Overton at Millington. Bartlett will have to show composure and handle the pressure which will surley come from Central. They will also need to try and control tempo which means slowing the ball down. If they get into a track meet with the Lady Warriors they will be out of gas by the 3rd. quarter. The Lady Panthers will have to get BIG contributions from anybody and everybody to help J.J. We know J.J. will be J.J., but she can not win this game alone. However, if Bartlett manages to keep the game close, anything can happen. Central wants an up-tempo game. Central should have several players guard J.J. and make her work on both ends of the floor to tire her down. Make someone else, anyone else beat you. REBOUND the ball and limit Bartlett to one shot each possession. Stay out of foul trouble and continue to share the ball. If Central's offense is clicking and their defense is suffocating, this one could get ugly. My pick: CENTRAL by 15 pts. Millington will have the home crowd in their favor which should help their execution. They must control tempo. If they don't have many turnovers and feed the hot hand they should be fine. Do not take Overton lightly. Overton does have 3 capable scorers and will not rattle easily. They don't quit when they fall behind and the longer they stay in the game with Millington the more confidence they will gain. This should be a close game because of Millington's style of play. My pick: MILLINGTON by 5 pts. Good luck to all teams tonite! To all the winners, please show some constraint in your victory celebrations. Remember all players and parents have sacrificed and worked hard for this moment and chance to advance to the state tournament.

I was surprised by the ease in which Central defeated Overton. Congratulations Lady Warriors for winning the Region 8 Championship. The game started slow for both teams with the score ending 10-5 after the 1st. qt. with Central leading. Central cranked up the defensive intensity in the second qt. limiting Overton to one shot each time down the court on the way to a 28-9 halftime lead. Central managed to stay out of foul trouble while playing outstanding defense. The second half was more of the same with the Lady Warriors forcing several turnovers and out rebounding the Lady Wolverines enroute to a 59-31 victory. Enjoy this victory tonight, but the big test will come Saturday against a Bartlett team which lost for the fourth time this year to Millington 55-48. Bartlett will have their sights set on a return trip to the"Boro" but will have to face a Central "TEAM" that's playing their best basketball of the year. Jasmine James will need a lot of help to defeat this Central squad. Good Luck to both teams.

Well Phil, if you had a copy of the game bracket, which was on the TSSAA website, the game times were right. The Commercial Appeal got it wrong. I don't understand how all 4 teams did not plan on being at the gym at 6pm anyway. Even if your game was not until 7:30 a smart coach would have his team at the game to scout their next opponent. The players would just relax and watch some good basketball. With the exception of 1 or maybe 2 players for White Station all of the other players had 20 or 25 min to warm up. The game started at 6:30. If you are a head coach about to play your biggest game of the year, why not make a phone call early in the day if you think that the time is wrong. Don't rely on a local newspaper of whom never provides adequate coverage anyway. All 3 of the other teams knew what time they would play. I blame the White Station coach period. And by the way the score was 55-39. White Station put up a valiant effort under the circumstances. They were only down 27-21 at the half. They have nothing to be ashamed of and they had a great season. Good luck to all of the seniors whom will continue their careers at the next level, I will enjoy following each and everyone's college career.

I really do agree with your "keys to victory" and in the end I truly believe that Central just has too many weapons. Although you did fail to mention the BENCH for Central. James does come in and provide deadly 3 point shooting, and you also have 2 able post players and another point guard that provide much needed rest for the starters. Without their valuable bench production the starters would not be able to maintain their awesome defensive pressure, let alone weather foul trouble. I have had the pleasure of watching all of the teams in the 16AAA regionals "Final Four" as well as Bartlett and Millington play this year and I would be VERY surprised if Central and Melrose do not make it to the "Glass House." Although surprises do happen. On the boys side Central and Melrose also have a great opportunity to advance to Murfreesboro, but 15AAA boys are very tough and there is a lot of talent to go along with great coaching. I will give 15AAA the edge. Stay tuned.

Well, if you make it to the finals of the state tourney only playing 5 players 3 consecutive nights, you better hope you don't play a deep team that press, run, and trap. Both Millington and Wilson Central chose to slow the game down. Like you said, every team that advances will be able to execute half court sets, BUT, the team that can cause the most turnovers and score easy baskets will win.

Well that depends on the individual players, but I honor your opinon. Maybe that rematch will happen and the truth will be told.

True, and that was a very BORING game. Each team played "not to lose". Because both teams chose to walk the ball up the court there was no need for subs. IMO if Millington would have picked up the pace slightly the outcome could have been different. No one pressed or trapped or ran a fast break. A very low scoring game. Teams that play slow and deliberate may be trying to hide a weakness,(weak ball handling, poor shooters, NO BENCH, bad defenders) that may be exposed with a faster paced game.

Not to step on any toes, but I recall in the NCAA tournament last season, Georgia had to play 2 games in one day due to a power failure the previous night. Not only did they win the second game, but the game was a blowout and their opponent had only that one game that day. Good teams find a way to get the job done without excuses. I was at that Hall Of Champions game and IMO if Millington felt as though fatigue would be a problem, instead of coming out and trying to run with Central why not slow the game down. Remember they used a slow and deliberate pace during their state tournament run last year so they can play that way effectively. Central did not play their scheduled game at noon that day because their opponent canceled. I too would love to see a rematch.

IMO the games are spaced far enough apart that fatigue should not be a problem, besides 16AAA teams usually play 8 or nine players which may be one factor why "fed 123" is predicting an all 16 AAA regional finals. To go deep in any tournament you must have good bench play.