etownsparky

No I'm not kidding! The point of my post was about schedule strength (which was an indirect kudos to MC because I respect their program). I just threw the PLAY DAY results in for good measure. Apparently you have an issue with EHS. Regardless, you had to downplay the play day because the result wasn't to your liking. I'm betting you would have a totally different take if the results were different. And by the way, EHS did more than "try and win" in both cases - they did win! I totally understand the dynamics of the play day, but I'm sure both MC and WB didn't try to lose either. I suppose MC's losses to Maryville and WB are because their coaches tried to win and the MC coach didn't...SMH. If you're going to comment on a post, then please try and stay on topic. Otherwise, let me worry about what stats to keep in my pocket. I respect MC and know they are good, but I like the Lady Cyclones' chances in a head-to-head. Who knows, maybe that will happen.

It's funny how folks characterize Elizabethton's schedule as soft. The conference schedule is weak overall, but that is what it is (BTW, Sullivan East is pretty darn good). I don't know how the non-conference games can be characterized as weak. The Lady Cyclones have defeated East Hamilton, Daniel Boone twice, Gate City VA, Greeneville, South Forsyth (6A in GA), and Western Branch (6A in VA). Additionally, they beat William Blount and McMinn Central in a play day just before the start of the season. I know it's not part of the official season, but the Lady Cyclones had an impressive summer camp season as they won 23 games with 0 losses in 10 days including wins over M. West, Bearden, Jeff Co., S. Greene, and Blackman (the only defeat this summer).

At this point l would characterize this years team as different. Last year the team played a traditional 2-post offense while this year is more of a 4-out approach with a single post. The team has plenty of returning experience. This year's team has the ability to play up and down the floor a little quicker. Although they haven't played great the past couple of weeks, this year's team has the potential to be the best ever. Time will tell.

So post your top five to see how they differ from mine...you have only mentioned a single team that should be included, i. e. William Blount. Jeff Co should not be included - I wasn't aware they lost their best player at the time. Also, maybe Farragut is out. If William Blount and Maryville replace these two is that closer to your liking?

1. Elizabethton (17-0) – Got tough wins over Sullivan East and Daniel Boone this week. 2. (tie) Hampton (9-7) - Got an impressive win over Grainger but dropped a game to North Greene this week. 2. (tie) Happy Valley (14-5) - Got an impressive win over Daniel Boone. 4. Cloudland (10-8) - Beat Unaka this week. 5. Unaka (12-8) – Lost to Cloudland but beat Unicoi this week. 6. Unicoi County (7-12) - Lost to Unaka this week. 7. Johnson County (2-12) – The Lady Longhorns continue to struggle. The Lady Cyclones continue to be the top team in Region 1 although they didn't play as well this week as during the holiday tournaments. I have Hampton and Happy Valley in a tie for second this week. Hampton has the head-to-head edge but HV has some impressive wins. The second meeting of these teams will likely decide this one. Cloudland has seen a recent boost of energy and beat Unaka to move up a few spots. Unaka beat Unicoi to hold down the fifth spot. Unicoi is suffering through a rough patch. Johnson County continues to struggle. Please reply with your comments, recommendations, and/or criticisms.

Congrats to the Lady Cyclones for being picked #1 in the first AP AA poll this week.

Great win for the Lady Dawgs. I think Hampton is better than their record reflects. Likewise, I don't think Grainger is as good as their record (or ranking) might suggest. Greeneville was somehow overlooked in the AP poll. I expect Greeneville to handle Grainger in D2AA.

I understand the sentiment and I did consider this when doing the ranking, but it's tough to justify when there is a head-to-head result. Regardless, these teams will play again so that should help settle it then.

Elizabethton (14-0) – Betsy won the Doc Maples in Bristol the week before Christmas and then won the Island division at the Carolina Invitational in Charleston, SC this week. Hampton (7-6) - Have beaten Happy Valley, Johnson County, Unicoi, and Chuckey-Doak. Have quality losses to South Greene, Greeneville, and Gate City. Happy Valley (13-4) - Beat Cloudland and are now 2-1 against Unaka. Won the consolation game in the Heritage Christmas Tournament in Maryville before Christmas and took top prize in the Honda Classic at Boone this week. Unaka (11-6) – Are 1-2 against Happy Valley now. Made the Honda Classic final including a win over Unicoi. Have an impressive win over Chuckey-Doak. Unicoi County (5-12) - Have played a fairly tough schedule so far, but have dropped 7 of the last 8. Cloudland (7-8) - Beat Johnson County, but lost to Happy Valley and Unicoi. Had a tough week in Harriman this week. Johnson County (2-10) – The Lady Longhorns have lost nine straight. The Lady Cyclones continue to be the top team in Region 1. Hampton is holding down the second spot because of the head-to-head win over HV. Happy Valley has secured the third spot with a second win over Unaka and an impressive showing in two holiday tournaments. Unicoi is suffering through a rough patch, but is a spot above Cloudland because of the head-to-head win. Cloudland continues to hover around the .500 mark after a tough week against District 3 competition. Johnson County continues to struggle. Please reply with your comments, recommendations, and/or criticisms.

D3-1A is obviously tough. However, Cloudland is not the benchmark from D1. Cloudland is rebuilding and is at best 4th in D1-1A.

Possibly. I know Hampton's record is not great, but they have likely played the toughest schedule of any of those on the 1A list. By the end of January the picture will likely be a little clearer.

I was basing this assessment off of the summer as I felt MW, Bearden and JC were the best 3A teams in the East at that time. I haven't seen them play since and was unaware JC lost one of their top players. The MW score did look suspicious. This is why I started the thread though - to learn from those closer to different teams.

There's always room for debate, but I think at this point in the season the number one's are solid. My top five in each classification (Grand Division East) are: Class A South Greene Meigs Co. North Greene Grace Christian Hampton Class AAElizabethton McMinn Central Greeneville Gatlinburg-Pitman Grainger Co. Class AAAMorristown West Knox Bearden Jefferson Co. Knox Farragut Bradley Central

Who are the best teams in East TN and why? I will provide my list when I have more time.

Oops! They didn't. So, I guess someone read my post. I will correct next time.

Tri-County Seven Pre-Christmas. Elizabethton (11-0) – After playing 5 games in 6 days against quality competition, the Lady Cyclones welcomed a few days off. Betsy won the Doc Maples in Bristol on Wednesday against a tough Sullivan East team. They play in the Carolina Invitational in Charleston next week. Hampton (7-6) - Have beaten Happy Valley, Unaka, Johnson County, Unicoi, and Chuckey-Doak. Have quality losses to South Greene, Greeneville, and Gate City. Happy Valley (8-4) - Beat Cloudland and has split with Unaka. Won the consolation game in the Heritage Christmas Tournament in Maryville. Unaka (9-4) – Split with Happy Valley winning the most recent matchup. Have an impressive win over Chuckey-Doak. Unicoi County (4-9) - Have played a fairly tough schedule so far, but have dropped four in a row. Cloudland (6-6) - Beat Johnson County, but lost to Happy Valley and Unicoi. Johnson County (2-10) – The Lady Longhorns have lost nine straight. The Lady Cyclones have asserted themselves as the top team in Region 1. Hampton has proven to be the best Carter County team (excluding EHS). Happy Valley and Unaka remain tied for the third spot since they have split and have similar overall records. Unicoi is suffering through a rough patch. Cloudland continues to hover around the .500 mark. Johnson County continues to struggle. Please reply with your comments, recommendations, and/or criticisms.

Betsy takes the Doc Maples crown over Sullivan East 87-66.

This is supposed to be the Tri-County 7!!! The only comments/posts are from EHS and Cloudland. Is no one else out there or is there just a lack of interest?

Betsy over Volunteer tonight 74-23.

Lady Cyclones beat North Carolina's Wake Forest Heritage 82-34 tonight at the Doc Maple's Holiday Classic at Viking Hall.

Tri-County Seven Wrap-up for this week. Elizabethton (8-0) - Early competition was weak, but now have solid wins over Daniel Boone, Knox Webb, CAK, Gate City and Greeneville. Play in the Doc Maples in Bristol next week and in the Carolina Invitational in Charleston the week after Christmas. Hampton (7-6) - Have beaten Happy Valley, Unaka, Johnson County, Unicoi, and Chuckey-Doak. Have quality losses to South Greene, Greeneville, and Gate City. Happy Valley (7-3) - Beat Cloudland and has split with Unaka. Playing in the Heritage Christmas Tournament this weekend. Unaka (7-4) – Split with Happy Valley winning the most recent matchup. Have an impressive win over Chuckey-Doak. Unicoi County (4-9) - Have played a fairly tough schedule so far, but have dropped four in a row. Cloudland (5-5) - Beat Johnson County, but lost to Happy Valley and Unicoi. Johnson County (2-10) – The Lady Longhorns have lost nine straight. Betsy retains the top spot and Johnson County is still at the bottom. The Lady Cyclones are arguably the top team in Region 1. Hampton has lost some games, but has probably played the toughest schedule of anyone in the group. Happy Valley and Unaka are tied for the third spot this week since they have split and have similar overall records. Unicoi seemingly has fallen off some over the past couple of years. Cloudland may be a year or two away. Johnson County is clearly rebuilding. Please reply with your comments, recommendations, and/or criticisms.

Greeneville over Hampton 45-32 and Betsy over Gate City 71-47 at EHS on Friday evening. Hampton vs. Gate City tonight at 6 PM. Elizabethton vs. Greeneville at 7:30 PM.

Let's hear from Hampton, HV, Unicoi, Unaka and Johnson County.

Since Coachh17 is currently preoccupied with his new bride, I will take a shot at an initial ranking. I don't know much about some of the teams, so I'm placing emphasis on overall records and head-to-head results. Here's my list at this point: Elizabethton (4-0) - Early competition was weak (including a win over Johnson County), but won convincingly against a solid Daniel Boone team yesterday. Will know more about where this team is after the Roundball in the Palace this weekend. Hampton (5-3) - Have beaten Happy Valley, Unaka and Johnson County already. Happy Valley (5-2) - Beat Cloudland and Unaka with only losses coming to Hampton and a close one at home to Grainger. Unicoi County (4-5) - Lost to Hampton, but has a win over Cloudland. Have played a fairly tough schedule so far. Unaka (4-3) - Lost to Happy Valley, but have an impressive win over Chuckey-Doak. Cloudland ( 4-4) - Beat Johnson County, but lost to Happy Valley and Unicoi. Johnson County (2-7) - Have suffered losses to Cloudland, Elizabethton, and Hampton so far. This team has a new coach and is quite young so they will likely struggle again this year. As always, we will know more as the season progresses and there are more head-to-head matches. Even at this early juncture cases could likely be made to re-arrange spots 4-6. I think it's safe to say Betsy is at the top of the heap and Johnson County is at the bottom. Please reply with your comments, recommendations, and/or criticisms.

Regardless of whether I incorrectly called it illegal touching vice first touching, the point I was making is that the zebras didn't get it right. The ball was not touched by Hampton first (so no violation) as I saw no bean bag to mark the spot (plus the referee could not offer the coach an explanation). To boot, the ball was initially spotted at the point of recovery and awarded to MC. No matter, this play did not dictate the outcome so it's a moot point.