OS91

THe lists of athletes that have come out of Norwood and Oliver Springs elementary is mind boggling. Those lists of athletes would be amazing for a city of 50,000-100,000 much less OS populaiton of just over 3,000... If Norwood and OS combined schools and Anderson and ROane COunty got their act together and did the righ thing, The Tri County area of Oliver Springs would benifet in academics and athletics and would be a major boost for the area in general to build a school of 700 plus kids..... Other Clinton Basketball players from Norwood that were standouts Kenny "Butch" Willliamson played at Norwood and was a 3 year starter at Clinton and led the Dragons to a victrory of a Darrell Miller Oak Rdige team in the Regions in 89. He was a bigtime talent and attended Walters State. Keith Jones a 6'9 Center and teamate of Willimason graduated in 89 also played at Norwood. Kerry Knaff was a teamate of mine at Norwood Junior high in 88 and later started 2 years at Clinton on some excellent CLinton Teams. Michelle Daniels, was a star at Norwood and Clinton and was a D1 talent, bu blew out her knees at CLinton Lynn Hart, was the starting fullback at OR an attended OS his freshman year, but transfered and won a state championship at OR and later played at Tennessee Tech. Lyn's Sister, played at OS for 3 years and tansfered to OR and heped lead the Lady Cats to a state championship in 1990 and played at Tennessee Tech. Jennifer Raby, attended OS elementary and middle school and later stared on the ORHS basketball team and won a state championship and excelled in track. Becky Joe Lee, grew up in Norwood and was the PG on another state championship team for the Lady Wildcats of OR. Kevin Brown attended OR and lived in OS and was a 18 ppg scorer of OR in the mid 90's. Borwn's borther played at OS in 88. Rick Pitino actually came and scounted a game of his at OR. Michael Brown, played at OS and then transfered to OR in baseball early 90's. Was drafted and played 4 years in Devil Ray's farm system. Jay Van Hook, played at OS middle school and dressed out with OSHS in 1990 for a summer at camps beofre transfering to ALco ot play with the Marsh's and was the starting center on an ALcoa team thwas ranked as one of the top 25 in country one season. There are a few more, I know this has nothing to do with SMith county and OS match, but add in the talent that went on to Oliver Springs and college and for a town of only 3,000 people this kind of athletiscism is scary. I think Norwood Boys and Gilrs Club has big huge for Norwood area of OS in developing athletes.

Impressive shot of Valdosta's staduim. I think Odessa Texas leads the nation in attendence with a seating compacity of close to 20,000 in their staduim. Also, the Big Schools in Ohio and PA average close to 13,000 to 16,000 per game. What school in TN averages the most?

BB travels to OS as OSHSMAN said... BB sould run the tables, but I see a couple games as potential stumbling blocks with OS being one of them...... Winning at DJ Britain Field in Oliver Springs has almost become impossible lately

Agreed Orange and Black, OS would have an enrollment of about 700-750 kids and the talents level would be Scary if you compare it to other AA or AAA teams in football and Basketball if all kids attended Oliver Springs that live inside the city limits of OS on the Anderson COunty Side. Consider Andrian Booker- Amazing Oak Ridge QB and top All State PG for the Wildcats Halston Lane- former OR standout in Basketball attended Oliver SPrings elem., played at Georgia Tech before transfering Greg Wollfner, Attended OR and played LB at UNiv. Of North Carolina Torre MOrris, former CLinton standout that plays center at Pitt There are numerous other athletes that have played at OR and Clinton over the years- more at CLinton that played Little League at Norwood. One could only imagine the statud of OS if these players would have attended OS.... The teams would have been scary...

I just hope the City of Oliver SPrings will find enough stables for the horses that will be pulling the carriages full of fans from Carthrage. Possibly during halftime SC fans can pay for the feed/straw used on the trip by charging fans 1.00 for petting the horses. any other ideas?

OS 24 Smith County 14 OS beats a top notch AAA team at DJ Britian Field in Oliver SPrings in convincing fashion on Friday Night. OS Quarterback Whalen will be the difference. Antwan, you are way out in left field on your points on OS Quarterback Whalen and receiving. OS will have a decisive edge on specila teams as all Frank Johnsons teams usually do. Whalen might be the best athlete on field and his passing looked SHARP last week throwing for over 100 yards to multiple receivers. OS defense has yet to be scored on and Looks dominating. I dont think SC can score more than 2 touchdowns on OS defense. I will give them that, but OS will win field position on kickoffs and punts, and the offense will be solid scoring 24 points. OS 24 SC 14... OS is a top 5 AA team..... doubters will become believers soon..

No worries on that. I appreciate your determination, dedication, and resolve in creating fair unbiased coverage in Roane County.

Sweetwater and Oliver Springs look to be the class of Region 2aa. Rockwood looks much improved and should make the playoffs this year.

Goose, After viewing and reading thse posts I posted, I believe I owe you an apology. My posts were not directed at you, but I understand how you would construe them as that. I do think you go a great job of "fair" coverage and I dont think you are biased. From my understanding, you are from Oakdale, so my posts were not directed at you in response to the "kingston contact". You are not one of the "elements" that I spoke of. I also understand it can be difficult to get coverage of all sports and games for 5 high schools and sometimes its impossible, thus leaving no coverage. IN these cases, I beleive OS has been on the short end sometimes in comparison to Kingston, Harriman, and Rockwood. The regular news of the Roane County news completely adheres to this belief. It is has long been dominated by Harriman and Kingston News and to a lesser extent Rockwood. If anyone doenst think so, pick up a copy and a couple past issues breeze through the main news and see how many Oliver Springs topics there are. Local evernts- such as chrurch meetings, social agendas, and just city council meetings, etc are all Harriman, Rockwood, and Kingston a majority of the time. I sometimes beleive that is a reflection of a newspapers attitude. If you look at the Oak Ridger, it covers Oliver SPrings events on a regular basis. Again, as I said, I dont think this incident has any direct correlation to the" source" that sportseyeview has in kingston, but its along the same lines. As the softball player from OS said, they students/kids are excited and appreciative of the exposure that you have brought them with coverage. IN the past OS softball was rarely mentioned. Goose, again my apologies and pssibly I should have not been as direct and taken a different approach with this situation I wish you the best and appreciative of your hard work in coverage of Roane County Sports and hope that others follow your example!

Angela Phillips is a phenomenal Point guard and made a decision based on what is best for her future. She made that decision and that should be respected. without question, there are hard feeling by Clinton Athletic supporters concerning athletes crossing over to OR and sometimes AC, and understandably so. When Angela was at CMS as an eight grader CHS coaching was a huge quesiton mark and winning and improving the program was not seen as a vision. Shortly after Phillips and othersmade decisions to attend other schools, CLinton hired a birght energetic coach in TOny Lively Snyder a former Oliver Springs alum and Carson Newman player. She has made CLinton respectable with great young talent and has the Clinton program on the verge of competing with top notch teams. I dont think people should judge Phillips for looking after her best interests and attending ORHS. Yes, Hall decided to stay at OS and also Buley has stayed at South Doyle when these two could have gone elsewhere. Its an individual choice and should be repsected. In all threes case I believe it has worked out amazing for them. CLinton has young great talent, OR has been on the receiving end of Phillips brilliant PG play, so all parties involved sh9ould be happy with the decisions and future of all parties involved.

Tank Talk, I strongly disagree The situation is far from whinning when the factor in the results of games, on and off field incidents involving players and coaches, the lack of support from the community, and long mainstays in the radio and media having problems/incidents communicating with the ORHS coaching staff. OR is by far the the "elite" progrma of the area and can be considered one of the better programs in the southeatern United States. It should be held to the highest standards and if a coach doesnt get the results, their is discontent in the program not only from the lack of performance, but from off season and field incidents that are tearing the program and its fans then I would hope the administration would look into the situation. If administration gave Lussier one year, then he without question should be given that year, but if OR football program doesnt drastically improve this year and overcome the loss to AC, then I think a search should begin to restore the pride of OR.

I see Sweetwater and Tyner as the teams of of East Tennessee as the favorites to win a state championship in 2a. I think Oliver Springs, Meigs County, and eventually as season progresses Alcoa are darkhorses Longshots- Wartburg and Wartburg

Sportseye, here are a couple websites that might help you with coverage of OS Lady Cats. It takes alot to come on board and admit that, its appreciated! Here is some info to help you out. www.oshs.com www.LauraHallBall.com- site on PG Laura Hall Also, the Oak Ridger covers Oliver Springs High School Athletics. www.oakridger.com and of course - dont forget about that newspaper in Kingston In the Works is a Knoxville sports newspaper called Metro Sports weekly Newspaper that will have in depth coverage of 67 plus high schools in the knox area. Knox County, Anderson County, Sevier County, Blount County, Union COunty, Jefferson County, Roane County, Campbell County, Loudon County, Hamblen County, Scott County, Cumberland County, Monroe County, Cocke County, Grainger County, Claiborne County. This paper will be a weekly paper with in depths articles, coverage of all area teams and without question bring the Knoxville and Area High School Athletics together. Look for this paper to kick off in August 2003 being headquarted in Knoxville.

OS beats up on LC 18-0. The Bobcats have now beaten LC 4 years in a row. Next Week, the region opener at Harriman

I respect all comments and treat them as personal opinions and leave them at that. As SportsEye pointed out alot of poster will post/say things with their limited knowledge and biased opoinions. To me, Sportseye did not attack an OS player, but the comments that were made were done in poor taste and poor Journalism, especially since he is a journalist from the Middle Tennessee area as he/she states. My question and understanding I was a communications/PR major at Univ. of Tennessee and Univ. of Toronto( btw, that's in Canada), shouldn't a journalist that has integrity find all information concerning a subject regardless sports, news, financial and find all facts that truly unbiased material should be the goal, then and only then can a writer/journalist have the answers to the perspective she/he is searching for before reporting/writing their opinion. I will take this one step further, My opinion is you have an inside media source. ( you said this collegue was a friend, but I would venture to say this "friend" is affiliated with a certain small town newspaper located in Kingston) Understanding that Kingston, Harriman, and even Rockwood News dominate the Headlines most of the time of this small town newspaper, I understand the reluctance of "sources/friends" in local coverage of giving their UNBIASED opinions. NOt that their is a direct correlation between converage and this incident, but its along the same line of not giving OS its fair biased coverage it deserves and commands with its recent accomplishments in all sports in last 7 years. OS has long been aware of these elements, but that is more than OK. OS looks more toward Knoxville and Oak Ridge for the better amd larger media exposure. You asked if OS was ranked too high at number 3? Let me ask you this. OS was 29-7 last year a final 8 team last year. OS returns 4 starters, an all state guard ( only soph. on all state team) and one of the best freshman in the state in Hackworth, picked up 3 QUALITY transfers including a 6'3 athletic phenom who should dominate the lanes, and have posters and sources stating that OS has defiencies and worried about them being ranked 3 in a FAN POLL? I find anyone that would question OS not being an ELITE Team in AA one of a couple things- biased, uninformed, jealous or all three. Whatever the case, you as a jouranlist are held to higher standards and should be aware of making comments about a 15 year old's shooting and a teams expectations when you are uninformed with misguided biased sources in "kingston". My apologies on a long post, but wanted to set the record straight. OS will be grateful of any coverage in the Middle Tennessee area Sportseye, as the Lady Cats have their eyes on a Saturday game in Mboro come March.

SportsEye, OS appreciates the coverege in the middle Tennessee area. In East Tennessee, Oliver Springs already has a tradition for womens basketball. OS has sent players to the college ranks consistently, been to substates previously, and has without question fan support that takes a backseat to no one. It's trues that OS girls before last year had not made a splash into statewide talk, but OS had been to substate games in 88 and 89, had dominant teams in the early 80's- state runner up in 82. THe info you gather from Kingston is a reflection of anxiety of the changing of the gaurd of athletic powers in Raone County and beyond. Harriman and Kingston previously had dominated sports- football, basketball, and girls basketball, but in the last 5-7 years OS has leaped and surpassed these schools. OS relishes the role of playing Jackson County, Upperman, McMinn Central, and Tellico Plains next year as I believe they are on the schedule in tounraments nest year. TO be the best you need to play the best and eventually beat them. You will see OS will do this with pride and a class act run by Coach Todd Wright as OS eleveates its program. thanks for the coverage!

Sports Eye View, I see where you are going with this post, and understanding this, I will will give you the info, but first here are some observations about Wampler's game. Going into her sophomore season at 6'0 tall she has become a deadly shooter around the basket and imporving as she grows and matures. Without question, she has a TREMENDOUS upside and will learn to bang and become that tenecious inside player that OS will rely on for rebounding, blocking, and inside threat. Already, she has the skills that many players at 6'0 and above desire- a smooth shooting stroke and basketball awareness. She has already attained this and just a sophomore. Again, her game is ever improving and stock is rising. You can say that about OS in general and with the new additions OS will be there in March competing for the Golden Ball. You mentioned the 6'3 German girls basektball background, or the lack of. From my understanding, she has basektball skills and did play in Europe. With that being said, OS post game is alive and well and this European phenom will dominant the goal area with her presence alone with intimidation, blocks, and rebounding. If she averages 8-10 ppg, its gravy. OS already has the scoring needed to compete, she is the peice to the puzzle. Now the peices are in place, let put it together and get this thing going........ Hows this for a lineup Center 6'3 European Transfer Forward 6'0 Wampler Forward 5'11 Hackworth Also, Goins from Morristown West figures into the equation. I think OS post game will drastically improve and becsome a strength, not the liability that you are insinuating with this post.

With a 6'3 Center from Europe, Goins transfering, Wampler and Hackworth( one of the top freshman in state last year) who are now sophomores OS should be drastically improved in the post next year. The 6'3 transfer from Europe supposedly can match many boys athleticiscm because of her sports background. With these indsi3e options and Laura running the point, My question wouldnt be asking if #3 is too high, but if its to LOW.

Crazed, I am calling you out on this board for your inaccurate comments by saying some Coalfield lineman average 150 lbs. Name them and their weight? I would imagine COalfield lineman average close to 190 and above, not the 150 as you suggest. Get a clue before you post foolish remarks. I do think Wartburg is in for a battle. Look for a great heated rivalry game. Good luck to both teams

seasons? To my knowledge their are probably few programs that have accomplished this feat. Oliver Springs is the only one I can think of. Anyone else know of others?

Then that is ridiculous to be self imposed by the county or whatever powers that be that try to enforce their wishes on programs and call it a fund raiser. Programs should be SELF sufficent in their fund raising efforts. If schools or programs are strapped for cash then a christmas tourney is the way to go, but not at the expense of programs that have other desires and excersize their options accordingly. If schools want to raise money, then hold your own tourney or get together with schools, but dont expect schools to play each other 4-5 times in a year- it becosmes overkill and predictible. But back to this jamboree and comparing Kingston's no show and OS's no show are TWO completely different situaitons. Kingston in football this year is not what OS in womens basketball right now. Second, Kingston did not have any other obligation during the night of the jamboree as OS did in Orlando in the Disney tourney. A jamboree isn a real game preperation would have helped Kingston get ready to real game rituals and would have been tremendous for Roane COunty to see the Orange show up. I agree, I think Kingston should have been there But, OS girls want to play the states and some of the best teams from the southeast in tournies and Christmas tournies are typically where you can play thse teams. OS wihtout question with the transfers they have recieved will be one of the states best teams easily, so naturally OS wants tthem to gel and paly against the best and these tournies will provide them with that competition. It's apples and oranges when comapring the situation.

OS already plays Rockwood and Harriman as out of district opponents to maintain their county rivalry. OS plays Kingston in their district, so to who's benifet would it be to play in a county christmas tourney full of teams that OS already play's? The rest of the county or OS's? The answer is simple- FOr the best interest of OS girls basketball they need to seek the best teams available in a toureny. No offense if I were a coach, girl, or a school administrator and I had teams the caliber of OS girls, I would pull OS from the toruney each and every year and play them in other prestigous tournies or to play against temas from across the country/state that match OS's talent and will make OS elevate their game that will be benifical later come tourney time. It's a no brainer. This football jamboree of ONE quarter vs. talk of OS Lady Cats mission of competing against the best talent in the state/country is nowhere even close to the same thing to a Football Jamboree of Kingston not particapating. ALso, OS has shown to probably be the best football team this year and lastg year and it's particiapating. Also, there is no history behind this jamboree or tradition, so why expect teams to particapate or even be upset? Kingston not in the Jamboree and OS Girls not in Christmas Tourney is Apples and Oranges.. the two dont even belong together.

This Jamboree and the Christmas basketball tourney are two seperate issues. OS girls chose to play in a national tourney in FL because of the Very talented Lady Cats team that wanted to be challenged by teams that would be comparable in talent to themsleves and state tounry teams. The Roane County Christmas tourney did not present OS with this challenge. Therefore OS looked elsewhere.

Goosevol, You are correct Wartburg did win at OS last year, but OS has had two tremendous outing against CLinton and power AC this spring. I didnt say Wartburg would be a bad team, I just think its out of schedule games doesnt prepare it for success in the "big" ones or playoffs... HOw has Wartburg faired in its scrimmages? just curious...... who have they played?

LOL.. I am an idiot because I dont believe Wartburg will be an elite team???????/ That is ridiculous... Yes, The "mighty bulldogs from MORGAN county" beat OS last year, but all time Wartburg has a 5-47 record agaisnt the Mighty Bobcats. Wartburg has always been dominated by OS in all sports since the inception of this one sided rivarly. Sure,. wartburg football might win 6 games this year and finish 4th in region, but in those 6 games Wartburg plays small enrollment Sunbright, Oakdale, and Coalfield. That's hardly a tough schedule for a 2-a team that want to improve its program. Yes, there are county rivalries, but like OS has done Warburg needs to schedule 3-A teams and scrimmage 3-a and 4-A teams. get a clue next time when someone has an opinion. Wartburg football has come along way, now it just needs 42 wins in the series to catch up with OS. Oh yeah, you mentioned you dont want to give os Best of luck like you did other temas in region.. that's more than ok.. OS doesnt need your luck.. We have sweetwater to worry about, not wartburg..