BaldNBeautiful

You gotta love it when the "Peanut Gallery" shows up to take pot shots. I gave Greeneville their props for winning. On Monday GHS played better and deserved to win the game! No excuses. We will never know, but I still say that EHS girls beat GHS 8 of 10 times on a truly neutral court. I also find it amusing when someone that likely only saw 3 or 4 of the Lady Cyclones' games concludes "keeping the starters in and pounding regular season opponents, rather than developing depth didn't pay off." The last half of the season, the starters rarely played more than half the game. Realistically, we had 3 players coming off the bench that could help in a game of that magnitude. As for lay-ups and free throws, I was afraid all year that would haunt us at an inopportune time. Unfortunately, it did. One game does not discount the Lady Cyclones as champions. My guess is that both Greene County teams (GHS and SGHS) feel they lost games this year that they shouldn't have. That doesn't mean they aren't champions either. My 2 cents... "Peanut Gallery?" now that's funny. Potshots? Thats funny too. As for starters and depth, that is the coach's perogative as to how long they stay in. But to get on here and say the starters RARELY played more than half a game the second half of the season is flat out wrong. When you state there were "realistically 3 players coming off the bench that could help" just proves my point that i brought up about depth. The decision to not just beat some of the teams they played, but rather to 'pound" them came back around. I saw more than one time starters coming out late in the game and then the reserves jacking up threes even in the final seconds with the team up by 30 points or more . Some would call it "roundball Karma" when you do that, then can't hit the "easy" ones when it really counted. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not desparaging the girls or the program. When I said the Cyclones were not a "Championship" team I was speaking in terms of the STATE. Elizabethton was CLEARLY the best team in the district, and should be again next year. That point made, the Cyclones put up big numbers in a conference that was weaker than usual. A fan should BELIEVE in his or her team. Just don't get steamed when you post it in a public forum and someone else says something that you don't agree with.

Sorry but we have to admit it: Greeneville was the better team early in the season and they were the better team at tournament time. Championship teams dictate the pace of the game, they don't allow the other team to do it. Championship teams hit their layups and free throws, and they control the paint. I guess keeping the starters in and pounding regular season opponents, rather than developing depth didn't pay off. Congrats to Greeneville and good luck as you advance.

Well said there Scoobydoo25. Lets keep everything upbeat and just enjoy the games. Just hearing some other fans talk among themselves, I detect quite a bit of disrespect for the teams that are not in the "Elite Two" so to speak. I am not going to slam those two programs, but I think the race may be considerably tighter this year than in past seasons. I believe that at the least, HVHS and JC could challenge, and who knows about Sullivan East? I don't want to disrespect S North either. Until someone in the conference shows they can beat UC, the Blue Devils are the favorites. Its bound to be an interesting year! My best to ALL the teams!

My apologies, I thought you were someone else.

There you go again Yukon-Boy trying to fire up your girls by putting them behind UC and JC!

I got to see several of these schools feeders (middle school teams) last year playing in tournaments and such as last year. Happy Valley had a really good group move up and Coach Dorsey knows them well. The Morefield girl may pitch a lot for them. I would not be surprised to see several freshmen playing alot this season, building for the future. I am impressed by Unicoi's freshmen as well. Having seen them play as a group in several tournaments during the summer and fall. The CF (Allie Gardner's sister I believe) and the catcher should both see the field. Mountain city had some good players last year. I remember an outstanding outfielder and a shortstop. I know I saw her playing alot with an 18u team out of Kingsport. lastly Elizabethton should have several good ones from TA Dugger (don't have any idea who they have coming in from the county schools) as they had a talented team last year. I am not going to speculate on pitchers coming up. I guess I am asking more than telling, cause I really don't know what to expect.

Don't know much about Sullivan North (I think they have a new coaching staff). However don't overlook Happy Valley, with a new coaching staff as well and a good freshman group coming in. Who finishes where?

Fall softball will probably never happen here because it may cut into Basketball practice time! Goodness knows we can't do that!

Interesting predictions, and probably pretty close to what will happen this year. Who can catch Unicoi ? The race is probably for second place, no guarantees that Betsy will finish second or unseat the Devils.

I have to agree. To a point, if a small school had an eighth grader than can play up and help the team why not? But I would have to guess that there are alot of kids that could qualify to be on the team, but not really get on the field. I would just hate to see the feeder program (middle school) raided of its talented eighth graders to just put more depth on the bench of the high school program. Which is better for the player in most instances- be a spot player/back-up or alot of regular playing time on the MS team? From what I understand, this is a regular occurance in South West Virginia (especially Washington County) so much that some of the Middle Schools do not even field a softball team, partly because the 8th graders are on the HS JV squad. I know that this discusion is about TENNESSEE sports, but I wonder if anyone else has thoughts on this angle? With a child of my own playing middle school softball in a couple of years, I have apprehensions about seeing MS programs lose players to play up, when they may not get to play that much.

Thats funny Indian..... I think what you really meant was that "Every team in the state wishes or think they have a pitcher that throw's 60+" But as you know the truth would sure hurt a lot of folks feelings if they actually realized that their DD doesn't. If every team in the state has at least one throwing 60+ (averaged out I guess) then some other part of the state has a TON of girls that could challenge Monica Abbott. I guess all of these D1 Colleges need to abandon recruiting in California and Arizona and set up camp here. Don't get too mad at me, I'm just having a litttle fun! Besides we have to get our SB fix somehow, we cant watch the girls play for three months.

Betsy looks loaded to me. Lets see how much coverage Mr Fritz with the JC Press gives them through the season!

Better Radar Guns in College? The only thing more INACCURATE than some of those cheap radar guns out there are Pitcher's fathers!! LOL

My two cents worth (and thats about all it is worth) The TMSAA going to 43 feet is a good thing. To pitch consistently at 43' younger pitchers will need correct form, and will have to develop it to remain as pitchers. Speed pitchers will need to start developing some movement. Batters will start seeing mobement pitches a little clearer requiring both pitcher and batter to improve. The three extra feet may prevent a few injuries to pitchers during the year. Pitchers will be more prepared for HS distance as freshmen. I am all for it, and anticipate coaches and players to adjust easily to the Middle school distance.

You've got some good points. I was thinking more about the 14 yo eighth graders getting ready for high school. There maybe too wide a range there (12 yo to 14 yo) to change MS to 43 feet.

I didn't make it over to the Jamboree last night, and I was wondering....who looked good?

I think nearly everyone agrees that the High Schools need to change to 43 feet this season. I wonder what the middle school associations will do. Personally I hope both the TSSAA and the TMSAA will go ahead and do this this season. What do some of you who work with middle school age pitchers (14 U) think of moving their plate also?

Wow! What a way to totally dismiss everyone else in the District. Do you really think you saw South's best when you scrimmaged them? Betsy better be concentrating a little more on their District games than making reservations for the Clinic Bowl.

Great point. Everyone in the area is tired of the self glorification and illusions of grandeur that emanate from Cyclone City......

It is gonna be an interesting season, I don't know that there is a clearcut favorite. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say Sullivan North. I know that is going to rankle some fans who feel their team "deserves" to be at the top automatically. But North has a hard nosed physical type of offense that can take control of a game and wear a defense out. I believe the new conference is called The Three Rivers Conference...I don't think people will overlook North this season. Anyone of four teams (North, East, Elizabethton, Johnson County) I feel could the title next season. There should some good matchups..

This change needs to happen for the coming season.

Fortunately some coaches see that "good Coaching" is about a whole lot more than just winning....it is in many ways the same thing the teacher in the class room is trying to do: make responsible, disciplined adults out of undisciplined children. If a coach cannot even control the words or language that comes out of his/her own mouth then how can they hold a 16 year old responsible for the offsides penalty, the missed free throw or the error on a potential double play? Do you honestly think a player respects a coach who can't control their own tongue? Yes they may fear them for the tongue lashing, but in the end what lesson do they learn from that? If a coach's entire career is graded on "how well he WON" as opposed to "how he or she won WELL" then we have missed the whole point of youth and school sports. I would rather finish up my career as a coach (and as a man) as one who was respected for how I handled myself on and off the court/field, and how I treated my players as if they were my own children. Laugh at that, or make fun of my Bible belt standards or whatever you wish.

I for one would love to see her play both!

In my humble opinion, If an adult coach cannot get their point across without cursing/cussing then they either need to develop their vocabulary skills, coaching techniques, or find something else to do.

Good point. Sound and noise has the ability to pass right thru those chain link fences! I understand the reluctance for the officials to take on issues in the stands, (there is more than enough going on inside the fence). However, sometimes it is unavoidable. Where does one draw the line between enthusiasm and attempting to manipulate or affect the players on the field? IMO any attempt to throw off a players/pitcher's timing or influence decision making (yelling "I GOT IT" on popups, etc) are out of line and should be dealt with. If for no other reason than for the safety of the players. Ideally there would be tournament directors or school adminstation people on hand to address some of these, but can the issue wait until they can be found?