seriously

Two things you need to do eagleheart. #1. You need to invest in a good spellcheck program (perticapation) #2. The next time you use an analogy regarding girls basketball, rather than using the "watching paint dry" phrase, why don't you say something that makes more sense like, I don't know, watching an East Eagle football game

With all eyes focused on Murfreesboro this week, which team was a surprise to not advance to the State Tournament?

uh, PHargis ...... what? Not following you.

Does anyone think that games are purposely lost or thrown for the benefit of better chances of winning on down the road, especially at tournament time? Some buddies of mine at work were talking about it the other day around the water cooler and got me to thinking. I know I have heard of the possibility of it having happened at the professional and college ranks but had not thought that much about it at the high school level. I don't guess there is really any kind of rule against it but it seems to me that it takes away the true spirit and meaning of playing the games in the first place. Should you always play to win or should you do what will get your team the farthest down the road, even if it means throwing one? Not looking for specific teams or coaches ..... just wondering if anyone has first hand knowledge of it actually happening.

Who has the best basketball gymnasium in the mid-state?

Who are the teams that are flying just under the state ranking radar that folks should be watching out for come tourney time?

Awesome last paragraph!! Ditto, Ditto Ditto

It has been my experience that often times the parent is the one who has far more concern over playing time than the player themselves. Any coach worth their salt and wanting to keep their job is gonna play the best players they have, period. Lose too much, and you get to look for another job somewhere else next year. Someone please help me out here ..... can parents honestly not be objective enough about their own kid to know whether they can play or not? If they are a skilled player and not getting time on the floor, thats one thing and perhaps there is another underlying problem. But, if they can't play, at least at the varsity level, why can't the parent just accept the cards that have been dealt to them and just let the kid be a part of the program. If the kid wants to quit, then let them quit. If they enjoy being a part of the basketball team, then leave them alone and let them enjoy the experience. I can assure you, there are parents out there who would rather their team lose as long as their kid plays rather than have their team win with their child sittng on the bench. Just my three cents worth

Now that we are over halfway done with the season, who in your opinion has been a surprise this year ..... both with success or those with a lack of it

great stuff ..... every high school coach should do this

This is quite the interesting thread and certainly not one that is exclusive to girls basketball ..... it seems to transend all athletic programs from the high school level down. I have noticed the word "mistreat" being used regarding this topic. I would say that the definition of "mistreatment" varies from person to person, parent to parent. I suppose the range of meanings probably go from simply not playing a kid to the other end of the spectrum and crossing the line where there may be some type of physical assault of a player. Now, I think we would all agree that if a coach puts his/her hands on a player in an angry fashion with the intention of physical harm, then that is without question mistreatment and the coach should be dealt with in an appropriate fashion, perhaps even being fired. On the other hand, if the coach simply chooses to not play someone for valid reasons, then that is another story all together. In my opinion, and I know every case is different, not being played is not the same as being mistreated or not being treated fairly. High school athletics is not the same as Jr Pro where everyone pays their money, gets a colored t-shirt, and is guaranteed to play as much as everyone else, regardless of skill level. Parents seem to get the two confused. There are people who want to do away with all tournament teams and mvp's for fear that some other player will get there feelings hurt because they didn't get an award. The last time I checked, this was American, land of the free and home of the brave ...... and, home of those who succeed when they work their tail-ends off. I dare say that in many cases, the kids who are excelling are the ones who are putting in the most time and working the hardest in practice and the offseason. (again, I realize there are exceptions in all cases) Playing any sport at the high school level is a privilege, not a right! If someone is not getting playing time or receiving some kind of award, it may very well be because someone else is working harder than them, not because a coach has it out for them or their parents. As someone said earlier, any coach worth their salt is gonna play the best players they have, period.

Just wondering how the little snow lay off will affect this game Tuesday between these two undefeated teams in district play. Im sure both squads have gotten in some practices while out of school. Looks like the edge might go to Lewis County as they are coming off a great win against a good Wayne County team. Hickman County's last game was a close loss at home to Perry County. According to the boxscore, it looks like Hickman did not play very well against the Lady Vikings with a major let down in the second quarter where they were outscored by 13 points or so. That being said, I suppose if the Lady Dawgs were able to keep it close in the end in spite of playing poorly, they certainly don't need to be counted out of this matchup. Hope the snow melts and this district contest goes on as scheduled.

I noticed on a recent Lewis County thread where someone mentioned that Hickman County would be the Lady Panthers most difficult district challenge. I believe the first meeting between the two is next Tuesday in Hohenwald. Any predictions? Sure hope I can make the game

I come from a very small town and am a huge high school girls basketball fan. I would like to hear from others how some of the smaller communities around are able to build winning programs ..... and I know there are many of them. I realize that there must be a decent coach in place and decent talent, but I am satisfied that it goes far deeper than that. Is the success tied to great teaching and guidance at the lower levels during a players formative years in Jr Pro and middle school? Is it being involved in summer AAU programs? I'm sure its a combo of all of those things. I know that most smaller towns don't have many people moving into them so a coach simply has to play with homegrown talent and use the hand dealt to them most of the time, but yet, it seems many are able to win that way. I personally think its great when a small community can win with the kids who call that place home as opposed to teams who are able to somehow "encourage" talent to move into their city limits. Just trying to figure out the secret formula Thanks

I usually get to see LCHS play a few times by now, but because of work I have been MIA. I hear that Coach Helton really has a good team this year and has become the front runner in 12 AA with the decline of Marshall County. Can someone tell me if they are as good as folks are saying? Are they good enough to even begin discussions of a trip to Murfreesboro? Thanks. Hoping to see a game soon. Please tell my boss to let me off early just one night!