Knoxbball3

Who would you like to see Friendzz?

In Knox county, I would think Bearden vs Farragut is the biggest. Two large schools, kids go to middle school together, and lots of rivalry. I think West vs either of those two is big as well. Fulton vs Central has to be on the list.

Hey warrior, a question, how many "multi sport" athletes were on the baseball team last year? Can Pharr share players? i dont think he ever had to in the past

I only saw Farragut play a handful of times, most notable in SportsBelle and in District tournament, but from what I saw, the williams kid may have been their best pitcher. He is big and strong and brings a true 90 fastball. I am not sure why he didnt get a lot of starts, maybe just depth of that staff. Pfeifer and cooper got all the press, and deserved so, but i think Williams will be big time next year. so, i guess what I am saying is, the cupboard is not bare. At least not for one more year.

What does CAK have coming back in baseball? I know Kolinsky was a stud and carried them when he was on the hill, who else will be coing back?

Just a couple comments and observations..... 1) if you are the "away" team from say Knoxville, and you have to travel to the Tri Cities for a game, do you really get "extra" income, or does the cost of the trip exceed the 1/4 of the gate you would get? 2) has anyone looked at how the increase in TSSAA's operating budget has increased since expanding the playoffs? My thought is not much of the extra revenue that has been created gets sent back to help "non football TSSAA teams"

So if Pharr is leaving, who gets the Farragut job? I think the names we will hear are Larry Simcox (former UT and parent of FHS baseball player), Fred Corral (former UT pitching coach), Matt Buckner (currently at Bearden and has guided them to strong years, formerly a Pharr assistant at FHS). Any names across the state that I am leaving out?

Friendzz, how is Browning doing with his rehab. Put up good numbers last year. I hope he bounces back.

Playing both sides of the ball is difficult, and probably takes away from his overall production. When i saw him last year, I felt like it was more his size and age that affected him late in the games, not the fact he went both ways. I think if Bearden can find a back to give him a blow every now and then, he will definately turn heads this year as i suspect he is bigger and stronger than last year.. as far as hype, I dont get too caught up in that, but when college coaches like him as a sophmore, i begin to take notice.

A question..... which areas in TN do not have Middle School football? I know in Knox Co, it was eliminated years ago in order to save $$. While there are youth programs established as city/county leagues, I think the coaching kids get at that level is somewhat suspect, plus I am not sure how "coordinated" the youth program is with the HS program. In other words, are middle school kids learning same plays? same terminology? same schemes? as what they will run in HS? This may only be a Knox Co issue, but i think it hinders a the quality at the HS level. Thoughts?

Isnt that just for football? I didnt think the districts would be "split" for baseball. In other words, if Catholic is in the Farragut, Bearden district, they would have to finish ahead of them in the district tourney to advance.

Agree Dragon.

I will talk about Knox Co since those are the teams i am most familar with. Farragut will be Farragut. Huge losses with Powell, Stallings, Cooper. But next year still looks favorable. Strong pitching from both sides of plate with Pfeifer(L) and Williams ?®. Big sticks in the middle with Williams, Bennett, Delmonico. Not sure how deep in pitching they are or how strong defensively they will be. But that being said, they have to favs to repeat as district champs. Bearden lost most of their starters and two quality arms in Copeland and Potter. Pitching will be a huge question mark and Hullett, Stallings, Keene must step up. I have heard its a small Jr class, so they may slip back in the pack a little. Best i can tell, have to replace entire infield and catcher. But give Buckner credit, he figures out a way to be in the hunt. South Doyle will ride Kirkland. Probably best hitter in this end of state in several years. Above average pitcher. If they can find a solid number two, they will give people fits. Sevier County. I am totally impressed with the turnaround and progress Traywick has made at SC. I think these guys will be really dangerous next year. Powell returns the nucleus of a team that won the district championship. Strong lefty on the mound, solid defense up the middle. If they can hit even a little this team will repeat as district champs. Halls is a total question mark. Halls athletics is seemingly in a tailspin. Football was highly touted last year, and finished with a horrendous record. Baseball was supposed to make people forget football and they were awful during regular season. They did make a nice run in district tournament. Lost good senior class including Wallace who controled the game from behind the plate. McConkey will have to step up and provide leadership. Can Burton be "the guy" on the mound? Central, nice run in 2009, probably middle of pack in 2010. Knox Catholic appears to be positioned to compete in their new district. Lost Irwin as their number one, but Anders returns and is a better pitcher. Not sure who will replace Irwin's big bat in middle of order. Below average team defensively all year, and appears upcoming players average like departing players. One thing Catholic did do well in 2009 was hit. Can Sullivan get an average team hot at right time two years in row? CAK. Rode Kolinsky hard all year. I don't see them being competitive in 2010. West. How many sub .500 years can West have? I think the Travis kid is special behind the plate. not enough pitching, not enough hitting. Another long year on Southerland Ave. Just the rambles of a casual observer. Any body else weigh in on Knox teams?

Here are a few recent examples i think: Reynolds (OL) just graduated from UNC and had a great career Harrison Smith (DB) from Catholic will start and contribute for Notre Dame Colquitt (P/K) from Bearden had an up and down career at UT

From what i hear the Tait kid at Knoxville Catholic has a chance to be special. Guess the unknown is how he comes back from injury that sidelined him all of last year

West and Central played. Looked pretty even

Does anyone know how unusual (or maybe its not) for two teams from the same district to make it to the tournament?

Having only seen Pigeon Forge and Catholic in AA, I would go with PF because of depth.

Home field advantage is always huge. Knoxville will be well represented with FHS, BHS, and Catholic.

Bearden 11 Science Hill 3 District 4 looks strong

Final from Johnson City....... Bearden 11 Science Hill 3 congrats to the Bulldogs!

Bearden punches their ticket for Murfreesboro. Final from Johnson city, Bearden 11 Sciene Hill 3

I saw a kid at Bearden JV last year that had a cannon for a leg. Bearden has a knack for producing kickers....the Colquitts and the Reagan kid at Memphis

Ok..as spring practice is winding down, lets throw this out.... who will be kings of 6A and 5A in Knoxville? Until proven wrong, I will go with Maryville in 6A. I do think Farrgut will be good with Browning and Bearden has Young who can carry a team. I think 5A open. Love to get thoughts

I like Farragut in this one too. I think one thing that seperates Farragut from most teams is pitching depth. I am assuming both teams will save their two "aces" for Friday. so at best, this a 3 vs 3 matchup, but probably a 4 vs 4. Farragut's pitching depth has to be a huge advantage when you get that deep in the rotation.