FirestoneTigers

Yeah i heard about that tonight at the Raleigh-Egypt/Craigmont game. Craigmont won it 97-61 and it was no contest whatsoever. Tank played the best game I've seen him play, first time i saw him have some outright fire. As for Central, they just basically killed their chance of representing district 16 in the city game, because Melrose will handle the rest of that district, Central might drop 1 or 2. Then they'll have to see White Station in the semis. Potentially lose that game, and you have to go on the road for regional first round to either Germantown, Ridgeway, or Southwind, don't won't that. I know that's alot of looking ahead. Anybody know what specific players are out?

Ridgeway and Melrose will likely play each other Feb. 18 @White Station for the City Championship. Of course, Ridgeway will have to get by either Craigmont, Cordova, or Raleigh-Egypt on Feb. 13 to make that happen. I expect Melrose to take care of their district. But this Central game is gonna be serious:D

He played solid, to me. And actually, I thought he should've gotten some minutes in the 4th quarter. I don't think I remember seeing him in the second half at all, certainly not in the 4th. If Southwind just keeps the tempo up, they'll beat anybody, easily. They played half-court ball the entire second half and it didn't look too hot. Paige made some nice-looking plays though. When they played Germantown, they did the same thing. If Mason wasn't on fire, they'd have lost that game too. Just run, too deep, too quick, USE IT!!!!!!! Ridgeway, however runs relentlessly, i mean every single chance they get.

First of all, I thought Ridgeway would win State in the preseason. Once I saw them against Sheffield, I second guessed. Then I saw Melrose, and I changed my mind altogether But now, I again think they can get it done, but ONLY if they give it to the young fella inside. Now the game: Southwind's half-court offense looked pretty sad in the second half. They looked like they chose the worst shots possible(Mason and Gray in particular). J3 makes them a threat in the half-court. But when they're running up-tempo, they work magic. Game started with great intensity. I think Ridgeway kept that energy higher than Southwind did. Paige got some foul trouble, and guess what...........Ridgeway actually GAVE IT TO THE YOUNG FELLA INSIDE, and he was automatic. Gray was a monster and Cameron Golden is the king of the hill once Joe Jackson graduates(and I can't be challenged on that one). That was the most consistently intense individual effort I've seen from anybody this season. He played all 32 minutes He pushed and dragged them to the win. Funny thing is, I remember last year's first meeting against Southwind at Ridgeway, when Golden entered the game, caught the ball on the right wing, got nervous and began to tap-dance with the ball, got called for traveling. Henning immediately took him out of the game, as it was obvious he couldn't handle the atmosphere at that time(that was the only possession he played the whole night). He COMPLETELY folded under the pressure. Well....Look at him now

I also agree about Black putting on that muscle. Last year, I thought he was a little on the soft side, but that's maybe because I'm a old-school type of person. This year, I don't even recognize him. He's a BEAST. Coach Henning should be better than that, but I'll stay out of it from now Yeah Mincy is about as close a comparison as u can get. There just aren't many PG's who are that good and at the same time that unselfish

EXACTLY. When the guards don't have that big advantage, it'll be trouble

As soon as he gets the inbounds pass, he's looking for a play to make, an open man to hit, can pick a press apart. He actually moves and dribbles almost exactly like Paige, only he's a few inches taller. Weakness: his shooting form leaves much to be desired. But Definitely has the game under control

I have to say this about Ridgeway: I am thoroughly impressed at the way their offense has performed while being so guard-dominated. They can crack 100 with Black only scoring 10-15. That means young men are on the perimeter shooting the lights out and making plays in transition. However, unless they start pounding it inside to him, they're going to get their hearts broken. It WILL catch up with them sooner or later. Hopefully not later. You can't have a top 50 ranked PF down there and just decide you're just not going to give him the ball. I read a possible reason why they do that, but I hope it isn't true

You've got to see him. He's a rare type, real throw back. That's why i like him. Paige was clutch in that game with the scoring in the second half, but those 2 plays where he dribbled all around the floor like that just blew my mind. In that situation, for example, Durham would have got the ball to Gray or Fifer, who were rolling in the 2nd half. That's a perfect example, knowing who's got it going and making sure they get it. He didn't make Gray a factor in the clutch, which I'd like to think Coach Edwards would've told the team to do. But you're right, the refs robbed them heavily up until then. Then they just beat themselves. Throughout the game, he would've gotten it to J3 on the perimeter to milk Marvin Williams fouls(which they didn't do enough of), and keep the tempo up to take advantage of White Station having no bench(which they didn't do at all). Paige handled the ball, cut down the Turnovers, and provided some big-time scoring to fill in for Mason. Great effort, but also much that cost them. Against Germantown, I saw Paige on numerous occasions catch the inbounds pass, then proceed to stop or slowly walk up the floor while watching and waiting for Germantown to set up a 1-3-1 full-court press and then instead of making the easy diagonal pass to Fifer to beat it, he continually forced it to Gray who had the Germantown defenders all over him at center court, allowing them to get the fastbreak buckets off the easy steal to claw back in the 4th quarter. Germantown was taking so long to set up that he could've easily just pushed it passed them before they did it, LOL. Funny that you mention he didn't play much until the 2nd half because of foul trouble. They were rolling like a well-oiled machined when he was sitting in the 1st half, but gave up the lead when he got back. I love him, I'd take him as my starting PG anyday. It's just when things get tough, from what I've seen, he seems to try to do just a tad bit too much and put it all on himself. Good thing is, you can tell he has the confidence and Coach Edwards trusts his PG(which will pay off in the long run, and why I think they'll win State).

Harmon, Central's offense is alittle too low-scoring for me to accurately judge him right now. I'll have to see him more. Paige, he's nice, but he's not anywhere near as important to Southwind as Durham is to Craigmont, and against White Station and Germantown, Paige had numerous undesirable moments. He might've cost them the White Station game with the "dribbling all around the floor for no apparent reason in TWO different clutch situations", though you have to give him credit for the clutch 3 that sent it to overtime. But they shouldn't have needed that shot anyway. Durham makes Craigmont explosive. Last year for example, when he was on the floor, they were unstoppable. When he wasn't, they were an average team who didn't know how to get their points. #2(don't know his name) for Southwind isn't much of a drop off(if any) from Paige.

I mean pass-first, run the offense, make sure everyone else is on point, see the whole floor from the moment you get the ball, and being able to know your teammate's scoring strengths as well(or even better) than your teammate knows them himself.

Jones is a much more explosive scorer, but just as a pure play-maker for his team, Durham has no comparison. I'm kind of shocked that a player with Durham's mentality even exists in 2010

First, the ending of that Southwind/White Station game wasn't controversial to me, though I can understand anyone who thinks different. Reason being, I was standing right beside the court on my way out of the gym(as were many other people). And I easily saw the point guard for Southwind(short guy #2) step on the baseline after he stole the ball before he made the pass to Denzel Hardy(#1) who then made the lay-up. Yes, there was time left, however, that wasn't the ruling. The ruling was that he stepped out of bounds, which indeed he did. However, BEFORE ALL THAT HAPPENED, the officials were HEAVILY in White Station's favor for the first 3 and 1/2 quarters of the game. They gave Southwind the good ole shank job. As for the Spartans, I've been saying this all season: If Jackson isn't on absolute fire, they are in DEEP trouble. For them to beat Central, Melrose, Southwind, Ridgeway, Germantown, Craigmont, or Raleigh-Egypt, he needs at least 35. Anything less than that, you can count them out. Ridgeway again exposed White Station's weaknesses. They are extremely SOFT in the post, even for this era of time(which is pitiful), shallow bench, lack others to create their own shot, and Hollins just hasn't provided what I expected from him this year. I expect Burton to provide some type of change for them once he gets in full swing. However, Central is the only team left on Melrose schedule that has a chance of challenging them. I just don't think Germantown will get it done. I still think Southwind is more physical than Ridgeway(though Ridgeway is noticeably more physical than last year), and that their depth and versatility will get them the regular season title of district 15, but Henning will take the district tournament, because that's just what he does. Melrose, Southwind, and Ridgeway above everyone else. And I assure you all, McAfee's departure won't hurt Craigmont anywhere near as much as you think. Durham was last year and still is the most important player on that team, by a LONG shot. And I still say, he's the best PURE play-making PG in the city.

FYI, Olive Branch WITH Parks would be the favorite for state in Mississippi. But still not as talented as Melrose. Without him(especially with Melrose having him), it's nowhere close. Nobody's as talented as Melrose, not even close.

I saw in the paper the other day where Lake County got destroyed by somebody. And we know what happened to them and Humboldt last year, in back to back games no less. And EVERYBODY knows Manassas dropped focus and gave that game to UC a couple years ago, and they get alot of criticism for that, which they deserved. But we got the last one, knocking off the Humboldt team that manhandled your guys 3 or 4 times and the Lake County team that did u the same way. And now we're STILL a contender in a larger classification. Just had to throw that in there.

2 team race? That's insane. Southwind is LOADED, with absolutely everything back. Henning has all his guards back and he knows how to have his team playing their best when it counts most. East will challenge with one of the most sound efficient PGs in Alex Anderson running their offense. Now if Central didn't try to stall the ball for THE ENTIRE SECOND HALF LAST SEASON after having a 22 point lead, and just kept pounding away, White Station would've been manhandled in the Regional semis. I have never seen anything like that. Personnel-wise, they have the edge over White Station. Marvin Williams is a liability out there, and White Station actually looks MUCH better when he's not on the floor, but it seems like I'm the only one who sees it. And Melrose, as incredibly talented and deep as they are, are VERY poorly coached. I'd take Central and Southwind over Melrose. At this point early in his career, Jermaine Johnson just hasn't shown me that he has what it takes. But I still go with White Station as the favorite when you have Jackson of course, and then Andre Hollins just thrives off the big moments. And most importantly, they make their free throws. Also gotta consider Craigmont and possibly Germantown(though their ballhandling seems slightly suspicious)

Curry was not taken by a big time program because of his lack of size. I don't think anyone ever doubted his ability the way you do Steele's. Steele has aspects of his game that must improve just like any other player. Whether you want to admit it or not Steele is a big time player, and the best player on a team that has a good chance to win a 3rd consecutive state championship. What's even more impressive is the fact that Steele has accomplished all this playing in a system that while succesful is not designed to highlight individual players. Imagine if he played for a Clinton or Austin East where the tempo is up and the best player shoots the ball nearly every time down. I'm afraid you're wrong about the way things work. After all the mid and low major teams get eliminated earlier than most of the big schools. That's why when they do win you hear things like "They're a Cinderella story" or "Huge Upset". As I said before, ALL these players today lack sorely in the fundamentals. As for Curry and the mid majors, they get eliminated at the same rate as your power conference schools outside of the powerhouse individual schools. For example, it's not the Big 12 that makes it happen, it's just Kansas and Oklahoma carrying the load. When u look at Nebraska, Baylor etc. the power conference schools are no better than the "mid-majors". The top schools in your mid-major conferences are always better than the average and bottom teams in the power conferences(and sometimes the top teams as well). And you can see that during any season, ESPECIALLY in the modern day. I'm not wrong about how it works. They call them cinderellas and upset not because of the quality of play, but rather the amount of TV time. Regardless of Curry's size, if he can play he can play, and they're are MANY other such players who will and often do run circles around the power conference players. As for Steele, I'm just saying he can't dribble. Their own team and coach stated last season that they can handle full court pressure. I follow Mississippi basketball as well and I can honestly say that, with that type of ballhandling that Fulton had last year, they would get manhandled in even the small school classes. Outside of Memphis, Tennessee seems very shallow in the competition pool. I mean seriously: How does a team win State when they're ballhandling is so bad that THEY EVEN ADMIT THEMSELVES. Breaking a press is real simple by the way. The refs robbed Mitchell in 08, and let Steele and company travel, slip, slide away against Washington in 09. I'm sure he can shoot it, has good size, maybe he can dribble in a way he just hasn't shown or something. Or maybe the coaches at Auburn just need a shooter. He didn't jump out to me. There's no "doubting him" to it. I don't know what type of program his coach is running, but If he feels pressure and can't break it with either a dribble or a pass, then he's just not a good ballhandler. But again as I said before, he's most definitely not the only player in today's game that is sorely lacking in some key area of fundamentals.

i understand that. And that's fine. It happens all the time. I'm saying he can't dribbled, and he proved that ALL LAST SEASON, by Fulton's on admission at that. That's why u have some players at low and mid-major schools who are better than alot the players at your power conference Big 6 schools. Ever watch College Basketball? Stephon Curry, first round pick, from Davidson, but he'd have started for any Power Conference school out there. It doesn't work the way u think. If it did. Mid and low majors would never advance past the first round of the NCAA tournament. Duh

It's tough for me to call, but Durham is so much better on the break than he is in the set. Jackson does both real well. The difference in Durham's play makes his transition play stick out more, and he's a better play maker. When he's not out there, Craigmont is almost below average. With him, they were the best team I saw last year. But Jackson's a better finisher. McAfee played well against Ridgeway last year, but was a non-factor every other time i saw him. He's coming though. Hollins is a bright lights competitor. He feeds off the big games and comes with it. Tank, I agree 100%. But I gotta throw his name there because I support the Pharaohs. Northington, my favorite ball-player on the high school level right now. I'm anxious to see him in his starring role this year. Of course he'll shine I expect Golden of Ridgeway to have a breakout season as well

add Joe Northington(Manassas), Ridgeway's Darryl Marshall(best play-making PG in Memphis when he wants to be), Ronald Brown of Raleigh-Egypt(surprised yall haven't mentioned him yet), Andre Hollins of White Station, Cedrick McAfee of Craigmont(I heard he transferred to Carver though), Terrance Durham of Craigmont(most important player to any team, best open floor player in the city)

Steele can't dribble. I don't mean real well, I mean decently. And we all know it. From what I saw in the state championship game, his ball-handling is so bad it's a liability. How can u play major college ball at the guard position and not be able to dribble against pressure. Then again, there are alot of top prospects these days who lack real simple fundamentals. *sigh* The game just isn't how it used to be. I miss the good ole days.

Manassas guard play was far from horrible. That statement was absolutely ridiculous. However, your 3 best coaches in Memphis statement was right on the money, no argument

Yeah I heard that too. Rumor has it, he's only transferring to Olive Branch so he can transfer to Ridgeway without having to sit out a year by going straight from St. George to Ridgeway. They make you sit out if you transfer from a private school(like Hall at White Station when he came from MUS). I'm not sure if it will actually work, but that's what i heard.

The top 2 in the City at this point look like Melrose and Central, in that order. Ridgeway will play one of them for the City Title. That's a guarantee. White Station and maybe Mitchell will certainly challenge Melrose and Central in the district, while 15 is a 2-man race between Southwind and Ridgeway. Craigmont will be back and strong. Some dynamite teams are going to be sitting at home come Sub-state.