JHo

Perry Co. definitely finishes first in 12A, no doubt. Two of their best players haven't played a game yet and their still 6-2. This district is full of outstanding competition and tradition, just like it was when I played there. See ya in the 'Boro in March! Go Vikings!

Medina Middle's second-year girls basketball coach, Adam Vaughan, led his team to a 13-5 record, GCSSD Regular Season Co-Champion title, GCSSD Tournament Runner-up, and winners of the Medina Invitational Tournament. He is young, but he sounds like a good candidate to build a program around, given his proven track record. He eats, sleeps, and breathes basketball and any team he coaches will be successful because he makes his team work hard. Look at Villanova, for example, in the current NCAA tournament. They are by far not the biggest team on the court, but they play as the biggest team on the court. They do the little things well - rebounding, screening, free throws, relentless hustle - that enable them to overpower larger teams. Coach Vaughan instills the same basic fundamentals in his team, which is why he will have a very successful career as a coach wherever he may land. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Perry Co. will return to glory by 2017, but hopefully they'll be there before that. If you look at PC's state championships, they won in '57, '77, '97, which is every 20 years. If history repeats itself, look for PC to bring "home" a 7th gold ball in 2017!

Since he left Perry Co., I believe he has coached at Crockett Co. and White Co., which is where he is from. You can guarantee that ANY team he coaches will be successful. I was a benchwarmer during my high school playing days, but our bench could have beaten several of our district rivals at that time. Coach Slatten does not tolerate mediocracy and ensures each player plays up to his highest potential. Looking at Culleoka's record, I wouldn't be surprised if he is there coach.

Mike Rhodes played at Vandy and his brother, Dave, was a dual sport athlete at Ole Miss (he played baseball and basketball). Without a doubt, one of the greatest Class A basketball teams of all time is the 96-97 team from Perry Co. As a part of that team, I can tell you it was blessed with great talent and an outstanding coach. Our 96-97 team finished the season undeafeated at 37-0 and won each of our three state tournament games that year by 25+ points, including a 35-point victory over our district rivals Columbia Academy in the state championship game. Kirk Haston went on to play for Bobby Knight and Mike Davis at Indiana and Chris Jones extended his basketball career at Columbia State. During the season, this team defeated at least one Class AA school (Waverly) and, as previously mentioned, went undefeated while competing in the toughest division that year. Coach Bruce Slatten did an excellent job of leading this team to victory. I'm not sure where he's currently coaching, but I can assure you that Perry Co. would take him back.