OS91

Do you work for the Tennessean? If not, don't speak for them. I would bet a lot of money they would laugh at your posts in this thread. It's sad you would actually direct skepticism at a player of her caliber and allude she doesn't know the difference between an offer and " receiving letters". I am quite certain with Kayla and her mother's ( the coach) basketball IQ she knows what the difference is between offers and letters. I am sure the Tennessean would have had to add a lot more schools if she listed the schools she was receiving interest from. Kayla's one of the top guards in the nation for the class of 2009 and easily one of the most recruited players in Class A in a long long time. Just leave it at that. The more you put your foot in your mouth the more it reflects poorly on Jackson County fans for not being able to objectively discuss non Jackson County players without attempting to devalue their worth.

LOL What's your point? The Tennessean is the paper that reported it which means they were the source that reported it. Here's the papragraph from the Tennessean: "Heavily recruited: Oliver Springs junior guard Kayla Christopher, a 5-foot-9 guard, will be one of the most recruited girls in the state next season. Christopher, who finished with 24 points in a loss to Clarkrange on Wednesday, said she already has offers from MTSU, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Florida and Baylor. MTSU Coach Rick Insell and his entire coaching staff attended Oliver Springs' quarterfinal."

She showed why she is one of Tennessee's most heavily recruited players as a junior and one of most heavily recruited in Class A in a long long time. The Tennessean stated she has already has offers from MTSU, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Florida and Baylor. I'm sure that list will only grow larger this spring and summer.

Clarkrange should be the favorite against Oliver Springs based on the Lady Buffalo's win earlier this year. Of course, Clarkrange will be looking for revenge for last year's defeat at the hands of Oliver Springs when the Lady Cats knocked Clarkrange out of the state tourney and advanced to the state championship before falling to Gleason in the final minutes. With that being said, anytime you have arguably one of Tennessee's top 2-3 players in all classifications like Oliver Springs does in jChristopher, you always have a chance.

Oliver Springs With arguably the state of Tennessee's best player in all classifications ( Kayla Christopher), OSHS will be d primed for another run. Oliver Springs has many of it's players back next year.

Good point. From a rankings perspective, it could be viewed as an upset. However, as we know, once a team plays in the region, substate, and state tourney, we always find out that rankings don't usually reflect which team will win or is better.

Congrats to the Lady Cats. This will be their 5th state tournament appearance in the last 7 years. Amazingly enough, the two years the Lady Cats didn't make the state tourney was in 2003 and 2005. In 2003, the Lady Cats were ranked in the top 10 in AA most of the year and was upset in the region tourney. In 2005, OSHS was ranked #1 for a lot of the season in AA, yet was upset in upper East Tennessee in the substate game.

Here are some facts regarding Wartburg's upset win against Oliver Springs: 1) Oliver Springs was not 100 percent 2) The game was played on Wartburg's homecourt. Oliver Springs was 2-0 against Wartburg on the Bulldog's homecourt this season before the upset loss in the region championship game. 3) Isn't this Wartburg's first victory over Oliver Springs in like 15 to 20 attempts? 4) This victory most likely registers as Wartburg's biggest win in school history. 5) Oliver Springs wins 9 out of 10 games against Wartburg on ithe Bulldog's home court. 6) Oliver Springs wins 10 out of 10 times on a neutral or home court against Wartburg.

Good analysis overall in these threads. I do believe all three girls are talented and will have exceptional Divison 1 careers at the next level and each player is deserving of the nomination. I disagree with a couple comments: Kayla is consdiered by manyto be the most talented player in Class A in her own right. Also, Kayla has certainly garnered a lot of attention from many throughout the state. Granted, Avan's transfer put her front and center. As of this moment though, she's yet to play in a state tourney game compared to the 2 state tourneys of Christopher's. Additionally, Kaya Christopher is the media darling of East Tennessee and will certainly Garner all the Upper East Tennessee, Knoxville area, and Chattanooga voters. She was the East Tennessee Sophomore of the year last year and after her performances in the state tourney last year, her and Oliver Springs have received a lot of ink. It's safe to assume Laken isn't even on the radar of East Tennesse voters. With that being siad, Kayal has recieved publicity from West and Middle Tennessee because of her performances.

Just to put this conversation into perspective, there are many great Oliver Springs players who can't be listed in this group because they played in AA basketball. OSHS has had players have good to great careers at Divison 1 schools such as Charlotte ( Claire Mollison ranked as one of the top 50 players in the country), MTSU, Chattanooga, along with Division 2 powerhoues Carson Newman, aand many other schools such as North Alabama, Northern Kentucky, and so forth during OSHS playing in AA/ Also, it should be noted that Kayla Christopher and her Oliver Springs teamates play a non district schedule that a lot more difficult than the reamaining district Class A teams combined. Just look at it's schedule this year. Knowing that, Kayla Christopher and her outstanding teamates still have an opportunity to play for a state championship this year. THeir win over Knoxville Webb which was ranked the nation's #17 team is an indication when the Lady Cats are firing on all cylinders they can play and beat any team possibly in America. With that being said, Kayla Christopher is certainly on the same level as Byrnae Laxton, Sexton, and so forth. In saying that, people that didn't see Boyatt play in person missed what was probably one of the greatest basketball players in Tennessee's high school history. Kids asked for her autograph after games. She drew huge crowds. It took a great performance by Oliver Springws ( who had 5-7 future college players on it's roster) to beat her team twice Boyatt's senior year. She got the last laugh in the regional championsip in Greenville as she gave one amazing performance. As much bias as I have for giving Oliver Springs and it's players their due, it's hard to ignore what was possibly one of the best 5-10 Tennessee high school basketball players of all time who didn't have the same supporting cast as very talented Oliver Springs and Oakdale teams in 88 and 89. Boyatt was in a league of her own and the district was by far the most entertaining and talented probably of all time.

Great post. While Laxton had a great high school career at Onieda ( she was a starter in HS in the 8th grade), she played a reserve role at UT playing 5-10 minutes max. I thought she was a lot better player than that as she had a good freshman year at UT when the Lady Vols won the national championship including some nice clutch 3nd half shots in the national championship game, but got lost in the shuffle when Tamika Catchings and Semeka Randall came into the program at the forward spot. Laxton didn't play her senior year and I believe graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Tennessee. While every girl in tennessee wants to play for UT, I think many prospects in the state should look at where they fit into the program. If Laxton goes to Clemson, Georgia Tech, UVA, or a good program that fit her style of play, she would have been an all conference player. Last but not least, Onieda had another great player who was absolutely special and certainly one of the best talents in Tennessee High School History. Kerry Boyatt averaged close to 30 points a game and 12 rebounds a game. She almost scored 70 points in one game back in 1979. She went on to Clemson where she waqs named ACC Freshman of the year and made 1st team all ACC as well. She was named to some All AMerican teams while at Clemson leading the Lady Tigers to the NCAA tourney during her time as a Lady Tiger. Boyatt played against outstanding competition in the district against powerful Oliver Springs and Oakdale teams. Oakdale won the district that year fielding something like a 3 loss team who had a player that made sports illustrated for classroom and athletic accolades. Oliver Springs coming in from AA that year was known as possibly East TN's best AA program along with South Greene and Meigs county. The district was loaded with type flight talent headed to many schools and it was safe to assume many of the district teams were capable of winning surrounding AA districts. Oneida beat OS in Oneida by 8 or so with boyatt putting on a show. OS came back to beat ONeida in OS On a halfcourt shot by one of the most underrated PG is OS's storied traditions who went out to some west coast school to play collegve ball. For some reason, Oakdale won the district, yet OS pulled off the upset in thr district semifinals against the Eagles. OS behind a great performance bya Sophomore TOnya Lively who was a future Carson Newman Standout and d current Clinton Head Coach and great rebounding by freshman Jennifer Fortner who later played at Roane State and MTSU and current Clinto coach tonya Lively Oliver SPrings negated another eexplosive performance by baoyatt and won the district championship. point performance. Of course, the district went 3-1 against the 1-A teams i in upper East Tennessee the regions 1st round games. That set up Oneida vs. Oakedale and Oliver Springs vs. some upper east tn high school team who was #1 in their district that barely beat 2-a's 4rth place team. The shock of the night was again how easy Oneida beat Oakdale., Oakdale dominated the regular season and Oliver Springs and Oneida beat Oakdale when it mattered. OS went on to win it's game destroying the upper east tn team. This set up another Oliver Springs vs. Bpyatt and company matchup for the regional championship. Boyatt stole the show and possibly scored 40 points leaving OS defenders ( many who played college ball later when OS moved to AA). disorganized. Oneida went on to host the substate and advance to MBORO. OS traveled to Chattanooga Boyd Buchanon for the 2ns strait year in the substate and lost. While Laxton, Christopher, and many of the other great players in district, Boyatt has to be included. She was a player that stood out and made other teams in the district realize there was a difference between good players who were assessed as being great because they truly rarely get to see how one player dominated a game in years when the district was of higher quality than most AA districts

All good information Pt Guard 12. However, you have 3-4 Class A teams who have inflated records in this top 10 becauseof weak OOC scheduling. The defending class A state runner Oliver Springs just beat the #17 team in the nation who was arguably the best team in the state of Tennessee, yet they aren't a top 10 team? Yet, you are boasting teams like Cloudland who would probably have 1-3 wins if they played Oliver Springs schedule as a top 10 team. Thank god college basketball has RPI and other factors that assist programs like Oliver Springs and so forth that allows objective people to see how teams should be ranked instead of looking a skewe won and loss records.

Rarely will I go into detail to argue with the village idiot. I'll make an exception in this case: Kayla Christopher ranks as one of the top 25-50 players NATIONALY in the class of 2009 http://web.utk.edu/~smarshal/2009.htm Kayla Christopher ranked the #2 prospect in the state of Tennessee as a JUNIOR for class of 2008 Rick Bolus' High Potential?® Basketball Recruiting Service, Inc. Girls ~ May 2007 Edition Tennessee??™s Top Rising Prospects For 2007-2008 NAME HT CLASS POS SCHOOL Top 12 Glory Johnson 6-3 Sr. F-C Knoxville Webb Kayla Christopher 5-9 Jr. CG Oliver Springs Faith DuPree 6-3 Jr. C Clinton Anderson County Lauren Avant 5-8 So. SM Memphis Lausanne Abby Andrews 5-10 Sr. CG Collinwood Kayci Ferriss 6-8 So. C Carthage Smith County Kortni Jones 5-7 Jr. PG Oak Ridge Jasmine Hassell 6-2 Jr. C Lebanon Wilson Central Michelle Davis 6-2 Sr. F-C Cleveland Alex Jarrell 6-4 Sr. C Shelbyville Central Hannah Dawson 5-10 Jr. CG Shelbyville Central Laken Leonard 5-10 So. C-F Red Boiling Springs Top Sleeper Chantel Poston 6-1 Sr. C Milan Second 12 Ceny Phelps 5-6 Jr. SM Shelbyville Central Rakeshia Perry 6-0 Sr. C Trenton Peabody Andrea Holmes 5-7 Sr. CG Memphis Mitchell Kurstin Mead 5-8 Sr. CG Memphis Ridgeway Nicole Dickson 6-0 Jr. C-F Greenville Rachel Isom 5-6 Sr. PG Cleveland Lauren March 6-1 Jr. C Lewisburg Marshall County Kelsey Hamilton 5-7 Sr. SM Dickson Dickson County Jana Roney 5-10 Sr. SM Troy Obion County Central Dee Dee Harrison 6-4 Sr. C-F Nashville Hillwood Lateria Ovens 6-1 Sr. F-C Columbia Central Dana Jackson 5-10 Sr. 2G Winchester Franklin County Second Sleeper Latasha Laws 5-8 Sr. CF Memphis Northside The Next 25 Best (Listed alphabetically) Katherine Barker 5-9 Jr. PG Dunlap Sequotchie County Marlee Beal 5-9 Sr. SM Erin Houston County Katie Brooks 5-8 Sr. CG Maryville Heritage Cacy Burnett 6-0 Sr. WF Cleveland Gaby Bussell 5-10 Sr. C Chapel Hill Forrest Candis Clear 5-5 Jr. PG Memphis East Destiny Dishman 6-0 Jr. CF Crossville Stone-Memorial Ariel Finnie 5-10 Sr. C Memphis Northside Deanna Fuqua 5-8 Sr. SM Whites Creek Lakrystle Goss 5-7 Sr. 2G Knoxville Austin-East Taylor Hall 5-9 Sr. 2G Mt. Juliet Caitlin House 5-9 Sr. F-C Eade Briarcrest Kristen Majors 5-8 Jr. PG Clarksville Shy Marsh 5-5 Sr. PG Knoxville Austin-East Jennifer Maynard 6-5 Jr. CG Baxter Upperman Danielle Montgomery 5-7 Jr. CG Bristol Tennessee Vanessa Pincheon 5-5 Sr. PG Lynchburg Moore County Adrienne Pratcher 5-8 Jr. CG Memphis East Jasmine Rayner 5-10 Sr. PF Memphis Northside Jasmine Robinson 6-1 Sr. C Knoxville Austin-East Lavanda Ross 5-7 Sr. CG Jackson North Side Jakerra Simmons 5-11 Jr. PF Lewisburg Marshall County Reagan Thompson 5-10 Jr. SM Oak Ridge Patricia Watts 5-10 Sr. PF Nashville Hillwood Miko Williams 5-10 Jr. SM Clarksville Northeast http://www.kyprephoops.com/0708/Jun07BolusTNGirls.html Bio from her Freshman and sophomore Years from GurlsHoopz http://www.hoopgurlz.com/player/kayla-christopher Kayla Christopher Height: 5'9" High School: Oliver Springs High (Oliver Springs, TN) State: Tennessee Position: G PPG: 17.9 Position Rank: Nat'l Rank: Rating: Class: 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bio All American(HM), Street and Smith, 2006 All Star team, Blue Star, 2006 Player of Year, District 4A, 2006 Most Valuable Player, District 4A Tournament, 2006 Most Valuable Player, Region 2A Tournament, 2006 Third Team, All Prep Xtra, Knoxville News Sentinel, 2006 Player of Year, District 4A, 2007 All District Tournament, 2007 Most Valuable Player, Region 2A, 2007 All State, Class A State Tournament, 2007 All State, Tennessee Sports Writers Association, 2007 Second Team, All Prep Xtra, Knoxville News Sentinel, 2007 Sophmore of the Year, Knoxville News Sentinel, 2007 Article from the Knoxville News Sentinel on Christopher making EAST TENNESSEE Sophomore of the YEAR http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/apr/25/c...ing-for-second/ Scout.Com lists Christopher as one of the best players in the South: http://connecticut.scout.com/a.z?s=342&p=2&c=581574 From a Georgia Website: http://www.peachstatehoops.com/?p=journal From the Nashvillle Newspaper naming Chrsitopher the top player in the class of 2009 and #2 in class of 2008 http://preps.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../PREPSFACTORY03 Also, take into account Kayla led here Middle school to state championshhips. Also, she's been a starter and leading reason on why her AGE group in AAU has been one of the dominant teams in her age classification. She players on older age groups in AAU? Why? She's that good. Also, she's been to 2 state tourneys as a freshman and sophomore at Oliver Springs. Currently, she's averaging 22 points per game as a junior playing one of the toughest Class A schedules in the state. Also, no one has ever stated OSHS doesn't have other talented players. The roster is full of outstanding players in Hall, Barger, and so forth. OS's tradition and expectations of having outstanding teams always producers a roster full of girls who expect to win districts, regions, and most importantly with the goal of a state championship. I think 22 needs to retreat back to the circus where he belongs. It's obvious the clown outfit has no use for this board.

Rarely will I go into detail to argue with the village idiot. I'll make an exception in this case

Rarely will I go into detail to argue with the village idiot. I'll make an exception in this case

Swanson, Until Jackson County loses, it's hard to say any team in Tennessee (any classification) is playing better basketball than the Lady Devils. All in All, you have to give props to Jackson Country, Clarkrange, and Oliver Springs for going out and playing the best team in all classifications in this early season schedule and not only being competitive, but making a huge statement for Class A basketball with some outstanding wins. Props to Class A teams.

SOSHS Please don't provide any more facts to these envious fools. I've already done that. They have their own agenda and it's obvously one that conflicts with reality. There is no doubt OS had some early season kinks to work out with it's frontcourt. By the look of things, that's coming together. That's why Coach Christopher plays the daunting early season schedule she does in order to get the Lady Cats primed for a state championship run in March. OS's win against the #16 team in America shows the potential of this OS team. Great job girls and Coach Christopher!

Yes, Knox Webb is the defending private school champs of the large division. They have one of the top frontcourts in America with UT signee ( Glory Johnson) and one of the top post players in America for the class of 2009 ( Faith Dupree). There is no doubt Jackson County is the team to beat in Class A this year especially considering the off season transfer players JC added to the roster. OS lost at Jackson County in the first couple of games of this season. OS will improve as the season progresses ( as evidenced by the win over Knox Webb). Come post season time OS should be a tough out for any team. Considering JC's talent, its gonna take a superior effort from a Class A team to knock them off. JC is the team to beat, IMO.

Wow. Pg12 and I have found common ground. "The win over Knoxville Webb was a good win for them" It was actually a great win, IMO. It was possibly the best win in this early season for any "Class A" team. The loss to a much improved Anderson County team was baffling. However, it was good to see OS step up and beat a team the caliber of Knox Webb. Great win for OSHS and Class A.

LOL@BBALL fan. I see you are drinking the same " goofy" kool aid as some previous posters who have agendas or are just plain jealous. Possibly both. That's the likely diagnosis. THis is even more comical: Glory Johnson didn't play hard because she didn't want an injury. She still scored 20 plus points, yet you are making excuses stating Webb and Faith didn't play hard because of being scared of injuries. Do you realize how IDIOTIC you sound? Why not just sit Glory on the bench and not play her the rest of the season. Only a envious fool would attempt to make the argument you are making. Btw, I provided many lists and websites that support my claim that stated Christopher was not only the top prospect ( which is debatable by my own admission) in the class of 2009 in Tennessee, but she's considered one of the top prospects nationally in the class of 2009. The only person who disagreed was someone who stated it was her "personal" opinion that the lists were wrong and she wouldn't have ranked them accordingly. Unless you have anything " substantional" to add, please exit the thread before the depths of your foolishness reaches a comical emergency.

Oliver Springs needs to be considered. The Lady Cats just beat defending state champs Knox Webb ( Glory Johnson and Faith Dupree). All everthing guard Kayla CHristopher had 30 points. The Lady Cats are 7-3 playing one of the toughest Class A schedules.

Of all the great wins in the Oliver Springs Lady Cat's long storied tradition, OS's win over an outstanding Knox Webb team has to rank in the top 10. Knox Webb is perhaps the best team in Tennessee ( all classifications) this year. KNOX WEBB was ranked the #16 team in AMERICA by the USA today. Look at Knox Webb's front court: 6-3 Glory Webb, Top 5 player in America, UT signee 6-4, Faith Dupree, top 25-50 player in the junior class, high major college prospect This is arguably the most talented and dominant high school frontcourt of any High school team in America. Hats go off to Coach Christopher and company. All everything guard ( top junior prospect in TN) Kayla Christopher netted 30 points in the upset win over Webb. Of course she got a lot of assistance from the other OSHS players who combined for 35 points led by Barger and Hall. You have to give Coach Christopher a lot of credit for winning this game when facing a talented height driven team who had destroyed some GREAT teams in it's path at the end of last season and early this year. Great Job Lady Cats! I am looking forward to reading the USA today newspaper next week when it highlights Oliver Springs's win over one of the nation's best/talente teams.

Another inaccurate assumption on your part. You have become good at that. Again, why don't you just wait and how this all unfolds? There are 4-5 lists and websites that support my original post. Granted, I believe you have seen these players and you have a different opinion ( that's rather obvious to everyone). It seems people far more important than you don't agree with your personal assessment, though. That's the bottom line.

Wow. I guess now the Nashville #1 Media source - The Tennessean is ridiculous now, too. They have #1 Glory Webb #2 Kayla Christopher listed as the top TN players. Avarant comes in @ #5. I am glad to see I am not the only one who is ridiculous. It seems many share my original opinion of placing Kayla as Tennessee's # prospect. While PtGuard might disagree ( if you haven't heard she's seen all the players) and takes exception to my posts. What's comical it seems there are many in high places within the state of Tennessee who have recrutiing lists, head the media, and are some of the top AAU coaches that don't agree with PointGuard12. You can't win them all, hon. _______________________________<---- place reserved for you to call Tennessee's biggest newspaper "RIDICULOUS". Evidence #4 to support my original post: 1. Glory Johnson, 6-foot-3 wing, Sr., Knoxville Webb: Committed to Tennessee. 2. Kayla Christopher, 5-foot-9, guard, Jr., Oliver Springs: Uncommitted. 3. Michelle Johnson, 6-foot-2, post, Sr., Cleveland: Committed to N.C. State. 4. Chantel Poston, 6-foot-1 post, Sr., Milan: Committed to Purdue. 5. Lauren Avant, 5-foot-8 guard, So., Lausanne: Committed to Tennessee. Are we done, now? http://preps.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...ID=/20071111/SP ORTS07/711110420/-1/PREPSFACTORY

It sounds like someone who contests your personal opinion gets your panties in a wad. I had an interesting conversation today regarding this paticular thread. We'll just say they have been at the top of recruiting scene in girls hoops for 20 years. What Pt Guard 12 fails to understand is the class of 2009 rankings on the website she provided is incomplete. It will have more accurate rankings at a later time. Speaking with someone today, she might be surprised to know Christopher will most likely come in at a HIGH 4 star. Additionally, did I ever say I didn't know who Avant is? No at all. I said she's a sophomore, right? I was making a point in she's a class under Christopher. You got so emotional because I called you out you didn't even recgonize the point. As I said, I will revist this next year when the dust settles and sites have complete rankings of the nation's best players. Until then, keep up your posts and rankings. They are rather "cute".