kazam37

I get where your coming from.....all that Gold Ball glare from past 7A champions can make the eyes hurt. I get how proud you are of the region's past accomplishments. There have certainly been some very good teams come out of there. Present day.....still two more this year means there is a big streak from that area. All of them are always good players and well coached. That being said....South Greene still appears to be on the bully pulpit, at least for one more year. They move up to AA next cycle. I doubt few are sad to see them go. I am still convinced if they win the game against PC that anyone left is strong enough to overcome them. They have already beat one team in the field (Hampton) by significant margins this year. Hampton beat Oneida by 1 and Oneida beat Clarkrange by about 14 or 15. (I know....goes back to that was when CR was off) Still those things give you pause when you consider the other contenders. Oneida also got by Meigs Co, in the region final in OT by about 5 and South Greene destroyed Meigs. Good luck to all....! Kazeeter

I'm not funded well enough to spend money gambling. If I did have extra cash I would put it on South Greene for reasons I have already stated. They are a tremendous team and they aren't just beating cupcakes....if you look at their record they have numerous quality wins over some nice teams. The only difference in this years team and last years is they are playing as the favorites this time around, where as last year they might have been considered a contender. If they win their first game....I think they have to scare the crap out of everyone. PC can win but they are going to have to shoot the lights out....something they have done on several occasions this year. Their task isn't impossible, just very steep under this kind of pressure. Maybe Summertown, Dresden, Hampton, or Perry Co. will shock someone....that is always fun to watch. Who doesn't root for the underdogs, right? Hope it is a great tournament. Kazoo

Kind of nodded out for a bit and compose my thoughts. I have no axe to grind or any ill will towards any team in the state tournament. It was sort of humorous when posters are so quick to try to counter my observations. My team didn't get there so regardless of who wins, I really don't particularly care much at all who wins the thing this year. Some things will probably take place up there, because they usually do, that will surprise some people. In some division there will be an upset in the first round because there usually is among the 12 first round games. A player that few expect to shine on the big stage will make an impression on people, and usually a star shines brighter at this point. All the teams earned the right to get here....some by the skin of their teeth. You can bet they will all try to advance and keep playing. There are some favorites and history shows they usually have gaudy records and play well as a group. Their ability to play as a unit has led to their success. The district your from does not enhance or detract from your ability to win.....the team's competitive fire burns in all of them. Wish I could see them all this year.....there are some great match-ups....! Kazulu

if that is the case.....then there should be no question in my mind they will raise the trophy again this year because only PC might be as good as the were last year. I'm sure everyone has gotten a little better but so have the Lady Rebels..... Kazzy

Saw all of last years state championship games. I have seen CR numerous times. I would be SHOCKED if the South Greene team I saw had gotten any less hungry. They looked like the want as many as they can get....! Kaz

Dude.....I could not agree more. Let's let it all play out. If your game is off up here.....your trip is usually quick....! Kazzy

I would also debate apples and oranges with you. Meadows is a fine player that is coming back into form, but Lamb is the better player IMO. She is easily has a more well rounded game in that she can face the basket and beat you on the dribble drive. (Meadows lacks the quickness to go around defenders) Both are good with their back to the basket with Meadows more intent on burrowing her position deep in the box and then using her height to score easily. Lamb, too, is physical enough to catch it deep yet IMO shows more variety in the post moves she makes and usually scores. Meadows is a player that needs a break from time to time....Lamb can go longer. If I had first pick in a scrimmage line or a draft.....I would take Lamb over Meadows. Keep in mind....I think they are both excellent posts. You get it to either one in deep and it almost an automatic two points. Meadows probably the better rim protector. I bet their rebound #'s are probably similar. Kaz

Are you sure it is two? I thought we had won a few prior to the year we won the state. I won't argue your point because I honest have no idea. Let's get to present day....CR is a very good team but they are not on the same caliber of the teams up on their gym wall. Seriously, would the be the first team with 10 losses to have won the state in their history. Again, this is just a question......I have no intent to ruffle your horns. (so to speak) If THIS CR team wins the state it will be a great accomplishment and as I have stated before....the side of the bracket they are on is probably the best route to the title game. PC is very good too.....they have no time to settle into this game. They are going to have to be on their horse or it will be a quick trip. Kazo

I don't live close enough to South Greene to even root for them, but your in denial so I'll let you be. Anyone....and I mean anyone that gets past South Greene this year will have pulled the biggest upset in the tournament. If it is PC great....CR, wonderful.....watch the tape bro. Kaz

Your right.....they have only beat Clarkrange only 4 or maybe 5 times total. I don't think they have played anywhere close to 60 or 70 games in their history. Of course I am assuming you are trying to make your number as impressive as you can. I don't argue in any point that CR has been dominant in the series (they have). Still....something is in the water as of late because in the last two seasons the record is 2-2. I'm not implying in any way CR isn't a excellent team (Duh, they are in the state tournament), I am saying they are beatable by numerous teams there or they would not have lost to such an inferior team. (we get it Oneida sucks....Buff's walk on water)(yada yada yada) Fact remains.....they dropped one that (according to you) they never should have lost....! Want another fact.....I would say they are thanking the heavens that PC has first crack at SG. Of all the games on the slate....absolutely no one wanted South Green....! Including CR Ease up bro.....we all get the 7A "thing".....it is your earth and we are all just hanging in it.! Kazzy

UKnowit......would you think most everyone is a cupcake to South Greene? lol I'm just kidding with ya. Your girls played well Saturday....congratulations on the win. It was certainly an entertaining game of basketball. Good luck...! Kaz

I agree.....Clarkrange did a fine job putting that loss in the rear view mirror, but you also have to remember here is how can you get beat by a team you beat by "50". Heck, it may have just been the biggest motivator for C'range going forward....I would think it is. I guess the point I was trying to get across is that South Greene is on a high level all the time. In their 4 losses they were in those games, and they were against MUCH LARGER schools. (and very good programs) In fact, although I didn;t check....aren't they all still playing in their respective divisions? (I'm pretty sure Mo West and Gat-Pitt are) No team in the mix....just neutral observation. Kazanity

Well, it didn't turn out as we had hoped. There is my understatement of the year. Hotly contested game by two teams that wanted to keep playing and Hampton just made enough plays to be a point ahead in the end. I thought it was a great game and both of these teams know the reality is even making it to Murfreesboro is a tremendous accomplishment in itself, but even taller tasks are in the next gym. Hampton is a class bunch of people, and I have always thought that. I have know all these girls up here for their almost their entire life and they are a great group of kids. They know I wished them a better outcome, but that is life sometimes. I'm sure most of them will get right back in the gym and see if they can improve enough to punch a ticket in the future. You represented your community well and they supported you by the looks of the crowd in that gym. Great year....now work and make the next one better. Kazaloo

I think the PC vs. SG game will come down to the fact that PC won't be able to stop Lamb much if at all. She is the best post player in Single A, and yes that includes Meadows IMO. Every one of SG's players are very good and they just grind teams to frustration. Your going to see a lot of girls react to plays with their hands up and looking towards their bench asking their coach how do we stop this. Lamb is just so fundamentally good that it is an absolute nightmare to have to guard her. If you choose to pack it in....then you find out how really good their guards are because they make you pay outside too. Regardless of how you choose to guard Lamb she will get touches anyways because she never stands still. Anyone who upsets South Greene DESERVES to win the Gold Ball. Picket County will take the first shot Thursday. Kazoom

I think Clarkrange is in the best side of the bracket to advance. Huntingdon will meet them in the semi's if they are as good as advertised. Whoever wins that game with SG vs. PC will take the other side of the bracket. Interesting that Clarkrange lost to Oneida in the regular season (I know, that was officially their worse possible game....right?). Still if it plays into anyones head, Clarkrange beat PC three times I think, and SG torched Hampton every time they played them and Hampton beat Oneida by one in the same gym where Clarkrange didn't get it done. Of course....previous scores don't mean a hill of beans because each game brings a new set of circumstances. I am certain that Clarkrange has improved tremendously.....but SG has gotten it done all year and they are still rolling. If I was betting cash.....I'd put all my money of the defending champs (South Greene) because they have ALL the players back that got them the Gold Ball last year. Smart money has to be on them. Kaza Khan

Help a brother out.......who you got in the sub-state: South Greene vs. Meigs Co. Hampton vs. Oneida Please feel free to orate at your leisure. Kazzanito

Yeah.....we kinda getting that vibe. We gonna send Meigs up there to take a chip at'em. I saw them (SG) at State last year......they were pretty much in a league of their wwn then too.....! Kazzy

By the way ETE......here is a more subtle observation. You could also say that coaching was the determining factor in how this region fared. Several times in this tournament I saw coaches make moves during the game that reflected on the eventual outcome. Case in point being Oneida's shift from zone back to man late in the fourth quarter which seemed to frustrate and took Meigs out of sync for a bit. Or both teams scratching their press somewhat to keep their better players in the game. I recall several people implying that because Sunbright had upset Oneida in the district tournament that their coach should have been coach of the year. That is hogwash......one game in relation to the whole season.....West just did a better job.....and that disparages Yaden not one bit because he coached his team well too. I bet both teams acquit themselves very well Saturday. Kazono

Dude you must be nervous....! Kazzy

I've heard more than a few proclaim the Lady Buffs will win it all. Great, if that happens. I have crossed minds with ETE before.....he sometimes makes arguable opinions, but he is definitely not the expert in every sport. His comments are somewhat valid, but I don't think they pertain to all the teams in this region. That championship was played at a high level by two determined teams. Kazzy Khan

They may very well be tinted too orange. We'll know more by Saturday.....and I make no claim that we are the best teams in the state, but if these two play to the best of their ability they can function pretty well against most teams they play. How else can you explain Oneida beating Clarkrange? Ya think they are watered down? Kazzy

Well....you can paint that any way you want ETE. Are there teams that proceeded these that were better....certainly. Were there teams in the past that were not as good?....the answer there is yes too. I will say this.....based on what I saw the two best teams reached the region finals and they both played a hotly contested championship game. I think the possibility exists that one of these two can make the State Tournament playing at their current level. I know Meigs has several quality wins and Oneida took down mighty Clarkrange at home. So noth of these two have played some high quality bb at times this year. Kaz

True stuff......I know I didn't include everyone that contributed but make no mistake....the kids won this one with their defense and everyone that stepped on the floor was instrumental in making things difficult for Meigs. The defensive movement in the zone I made reference too a couple of posts back.....was huge in places. Not a criticism towards Meig's coach but when several of his key players got in foul trouble he might have been able to protect them some in a zone....then again they work very hard in man to man so....? You know if you live by it, you die by it. There is nothing wrong with staying committed to the man but they ended up losing very good players due to fouls before the game was over. Anyways....just random thoughts. Kazoom

I don't know if that guy that got escorted out of the gym was mad at that call or something else, but they got that right. It was a great game played with equal intensity by both teams. Listen carefully Meigs Fans,,,,,we hope you travel up to there and win your game. Once you play us we wish you nothing but the best going forward unless we meet again. I remember two years ago when we had you all on the ropes and you all sent us home because you were the better team that night. Last night my girls were the better group. Kazzy

One more thing, about the three pointer at the buzzer. That was exactly the correct call by the official. Look up the rules.....any ball can not be caught and shot with under .5 of a second....it can only be tipped in that instance. There was .2 on the clock which means only a tipped ball would have counted and I'm sure the refs were aware of that beforehand. Kaz