OS91

Great points. The good thing for OS is KC only took 4 or 5 shots the entire game and did oustanding at distributing the ball. This allowed for other great players like Hall and Ollis to step up and show that you can limit KC in scoring, but OS can not only win but beat a team that won 25 games by 10 or so. KC will need to get 20-25 points for OS to beat Clarkrange. Hall has been playing outstanding of late and the Lady Cats could not have asked for a better first game. KC didn't expend herself in the 2nd half and will be energized on Friday. What more could you ask for? It's Single A basketball at it's finest. OS vs. Clarkrange. Clarkrange is undefeated and possibly the best team in all classifications. OS has possibly the best player in the state of Tennessee. OS beat Clarkrange in 2007 Class A tourney. Clarkrange beat OS last year in state tourney.

Hall's been playing outstanding basketball. OS is very good/hard to beat when she's on like this.

Two familiar foes go at it. OS knocked Clarkrange out of the state tourney two years ago. Clarkrange knocked OS out last year. Clarkrange has won both games this year, but OS has been playing their best basketball of the year in the 2nd half of the season. It will take a monumental effort for the Lady Cats to beat Clarkrange. Forget Class A. Clarkrange is probably one of the top 3 teams in the state regardless of classification - if not the BEST. Kelsey Hall stepped up bigtime for OS today. If that happens again and KC has her typical huge game when playing against elite competition, OS has a chance to give Clarkrange all they want. Good luck to both teams.

The great thing about this game is OS cruised to a win and KC didn't have to expend energy and played as a role player as other OS players stepped up bigtime. This was huge for OS's goal of upsetting an elite Clarkrange team. Clarkrange vs. Oliver Springs is the real state championship game IMO.

OS 67 Cloudland 42 Wartburg 46 Hampton 45

Congratulations to Oliver Springs and Coach Christopher. Oliver Springs is very fortunate to have a coach of her ability. Let's be honest- OS has not had the talent it's accustomed to having like it's had almost every season during the past 25 years or so where it has a well balanced roster. In past years, OS usually had good to very good players of underclassmen and veteran players even when it didn't have all state performers/super stars. For whatever reason, OS Middle school hasn't produced the same type of talent and it's hurt the veteran players like Christopher, Hall, and others on this team who probably expected some help- especially in the front court with able bodies to match other team's height. The Lady Cats have now advanced to the sub state game seven of the last eight years. That's quite an accomplishment. It doesn't matter that OS beat Wartburg by one point. It only matters they won. Ask Jackson county if they would have taken a one point win over Pickett County. It would be foolish to write off Oliver Springs- especially where a team will be facing Kayla Christopher who understands that from here on out every game could be her last in an Oliver Springs uniform. Somehow I see this as a big advantage to Oliver Springs considering she is easily the most gifted player in Class A.

Regarding the personal insults directed at Oliver Springs fans by the Grace fan, I doubt Jesus would have liked your comment. You do support a faith based private school, correct? Maybe you need to subscribe to your ideology more and keep the focus on sports related content instead of attempting an joke that's neither funny or accurate. And for the record, there are many jokes that can be made at the expense of Grace and it's supporters. This isn't the forum or audience. Let's stay focused on the topic at hand.

Agree. Either play private classification ( like Webb) or play in AA against bigger county or city public schools where the field will be evened.

Grace 67 OS 61 I think the presence of a school like Grace Academy playing/competing against small rural towns/schools brings almost everyone together hoping Grace Academy loses. As I have stated before, Grace has no business playing in Single A basketball. Sure their enrollment allows them to play when using the TSAA multiplier, but let's be realistic- they are a private school that selects their student body. They are sponsored by a mega church that rakes in millions to tens of millions of dollars. Just watch the broadcast every Sunday morning. This school and church's fundraising and pleas for donations is more in line with how division one colleges raise money for academics and athletics than in line with poor strapped public rural schools they are competing against. Is it fair for a private school with this type of support who hand picks the type of student they want out of the Knoxvilel Metro area ( 700,000 plus people ) to compete against the Midways, Sunbrights, Coalfields, Oneidas, Oliver Springs, Rockwood, Greenback. The TSAA dropped the ball on this. I am ok with Private schools playing AA and AAA basketball, but it's morally wrong for schools like Grace to be playing against single A teams- especially one bankrolled by a mega church located in a metro area of 700,000 competing against schools in towns of mostly 2,000 people or less and in some cases 500 people or less ( greenback, sunbright, oakdale, coalfield, midway).

Just as I predicted, Coach Tonya Lively-Snyder's talented crew would make some noise in the region tournament. There were a lot of naysayers who doubted Clinton this year even though they beat Oliver Springs, Farragut, Powell, West, and a couple other good teams. With Clinton beating an outstanding Heritage team tonight, this should eradicate nayayers downgrading Clinton's remarkable ascension into one of East Tennessee's best teams. Clinton plays Powell next week to see who takes another possible step toward Mboro. Congrats to Clinton and Coach Snyder on an oustanding season with the chance to make it a special season.

Well done. Also, let's not forget Oliver Springs beat Knox Webb Last year by 10 points when the Lady Spartans were ranked #17 in the USA today.

It sounds as if someone has a strong dislike for Clarkrange and I am not even a Clarkrange fan. I would take Clarkrange over Upperman and without question believe Clarkrange would be one of the top 5 teams in AAA. Sure Clarkrange would lose a couple of games if they were allowed to play a tough AAA schedule, but like many AAA elite teams who lose a couple, they would be in the mix for the state championship at the end of the season. Would the be the favorite? Probably not- Who knows? Would the be in the mix? Absolutely.

Clarkrange would easily be a top 10 team in AAA. They would be a favorite to win AA. Jackson County and Oliver Springs were two of the top AA programs before moving to A. Jackson County was probably the best team in Tennessee a couple times during their AA state championship runs. They were ranked in the USA today top 25. It's comical to see someone say Class A teams can't compete against the other classifications. Just look at some of the teams OS, Clarkrange, and JC have beaten in the last 3 years.

I appreciate Clarkrange fans understanding where I was coming from in defending Christopher. Clarkrange is a machine this year and could play with any team in Tennessee regardless of classification. I would love to have seen a Clarkrange- Knox Webb or Oak Ridge match up this year.

"She seems unhealthy or sick. Something is not right. Maybe she's just tired of HS basketball." Maybe scoring 20 points a game when getting double and triple teamed has taken it's toll. That would be the more intelligent answer instead of making a speculative comment.

Good point Mountain. OS has some very good players on their team- especially for a Class A team. However, when playing teams like Webb ( 2 division 1 signees ( UT and Rice from CUSA) and other college caliber players), Clarkrange ( 4-6 college caliber kids), it seems the OS players don't step up as they do against other teams like Wartburg, Coalfield, and other teams they steamroll. It does seem OS has played better in the 2nd half of the season against the elite teams which shows come tourney time they are capable of making a serious run.

Knight, you missed the point. I doubt that surprises many people considering you initial comments in this thread which are most likely derived from a dislike of Oliver Springs instead of one derived from common sense. It does make sense why someone from 4-a would have this dislike. Oliver Springs has dominated this district like no other team in 4-a history over the past 4 years. You shouldn't feel bad though. Oliver Springs did the same thing in 4-AA before moving down a classification.

The best player in Class A is Christopher. She still scores 20 points per game and she's double and triple teamed. She was the best player in Class A last year and should have won Miss Basketball. Clarkrange has an abundance of talent on it's roster. Reed benefits from that. Christopher has to individually carry her team -especially when facing the top teams in the state like Clarkrange, Jackson County, and Webb. Every team that faces Oliver Springs has one mission on hand- stop Christopher. While she gets double and triple team- other OSHS players have to step up. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. When teams face Clarkrange- they have face a roster full of really good talent. Most of their players will play college ball somewhere. Christopher is the best player in Class A. Comparing the two is comparing apples to oranges. There is a reason why the Tennessean named her as one of the top 5 players in all classifications as a junior and she's the only Class A player that was regarded as a major college prospect on ESPN.com. Reed will have an oustanding chance to win next year. It just won't be this year.

Probably. The transfer from Monterey has made Clarkrange almost unbeatable.

I'm fairly certain Coach Christopher has the substitution situation figured out. It's easy to criticize from the stands especially when the person making the criticism isn't at practices, doesn't take into consideration of game situation matchups against the opposing tean, and also allowing the opportunity for some players to get playing time at different situations. Often times some players who are one of the top 5 players on the team perform better coming off the bench. Sometimes you have a player who lacks confidence and is talented gain confidence when they are inserted into the lineups. Basketball is a game of chess. Sometimes you sacrifice wining margin and even a game or two during the regular season so you can get all your pieces into place for the final run- which is post season in the district, region, sub state, and state tourney.

Hampton isn't better than Oliver Springs.

I get where you are coming from and it's obvious you're well versed on the comings and goings of AAA basketball in this region- a lot more than I. I haven't seen Clinton play. I just keep up with them by their record. I guess I took offense to how many posters seemed to discount their record as a fluke. However, when someone looks at their schedule you can see they have some impressive wins. They actually competed against Oak Ridge at OR pretty well. I am happy for Coach Lively-Snyder. She's a former OS alum, classmate, and a cousin of mine. It's good to see the Clinton program make this type of progress and is now in position to compete with high caliber teams.

Of course I am biased- for good reasons. However, that doesn't negate me from actually applying common sense- something that seems to evade the Clinton detractors in this thread. You are the third poster who has provided an excuse for an opposing team Clinton has beaten. We've had posters tell us Farragut, Oliver Springs, and now Powell had off games when explaining Clinton's wins against some very good teams. There comes a point where the Lady Dragon's record and the fact they've beaten some very good teams to earn their record is proof maybe it's not so much these teams had " off" nights as it had to do with Clinton was on their game and simply better. Btw, No one has said this Clinton team would advance to a sub state or state tourney. Posters have simply said they're capable of beating high caliber teams and making some noise in the region and sub state. It seems you're bothered that Clinton has become a good program and is starting to flex their muscle. That's obvious. Of course I am biased- for good reasons. However, that doesn't negate me from actually applying common sense- something that seems to evade the Clinton detractors in this thread. You are the third poster who has provided an excuse for an opposing team Clinton has beaten. We've had posters tell us Farragut, Oliver Springs, and now Powell had off games when explaining Clinton's wins against some very good teams. There comes a point where the Lady Dragon's record and the fact they've beaten some very good teams to earn their record is proof maybe it's not so much these teams had " off" nights as it had to do with Clinton was on their game and simply better. Btw, No one has said this Clinton team would advance to a sub state or state tourney. Posters have simply said they're capable of beating high caliber teams and making some noise in the region and sub state. It seems you're bothered that Clinton has become a good program and is starting to flex their muscle. That's obvious.

Clinton 59 Powell 45 Another Clinton win over a traditional power. Clinton is without question one of the leading contenders to make the sub state game. Great win for the Lady Dragons!

"They used to have 2 private school classifications, and it was about the most boring state tournament ever. Everyone complains about private schools, but the main problem is your not good enough to beat them. These schools don't recruit, well not anymore then any other school, and a lot of their enrollments are below other Class A schools." It's not Public schools issue if previous private school tournaments are boring. Don't have a team, play in a boring private school classification, or compete in AA basketball. Also, are you seriously attempting to say a brand new basketball program like Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville/Karns doesn't have a built in advantage over rural schools like Sunbright, Oakdale, Coalfeld, Monteray, Clinch, Oneida, Jellico and so forth? When you have a faith based school that's funded by a mega church that's attracting/cultivating/ and recruiting a student body that might be smaller in enrollment size TO some A schools, but you're foolish if you don't think there is selective recruiting. Enrollment means NOTHING. I am sure there are kids in Karns/Knoxville that would LOVE to send their kids to Grace Christian Academy, but they don't have the money. With that being said, Enrollment size of private schools means nothing. Private schools are selective on the type of student that can enter it's institution- and you're kidding yourself if you don't believe schools like Grace don't target a certain type of student that can enhance it's reputation- a lot of which is driven by money and athletics. As i said, let's allow these type of schools to play in AA if they want to program build. It would be a lot more fun to watch them play Austin East, Fulton, and AA powers instead of feasting off Midway, Greenback, Coalfield, and other rural schools that don't have the luxury of selecting it's student body from a large urban pool of people like Grace does with Knoxville.