sportsguy22

He was just about to "officially" get offered the job when he called to take his name out. He had gotten word from many that it was his if he wanted it. Your "look at me" reference is immature, stupid, and ridiculous. Ask anyone involved. Oakland, through many, many channels, pursued Thomas from Day 1 because they respected his friendship with King and his continual success at Shelbyville. It's as simple as that. Don't flatter yourself and as a result try to read too much into it.

Dude. Seriously. Get over yourself. He's building a very comparable program, one in which probably looked very similar some eight years into King's head coaching career. I don't know what Thomas' overall record will be 12 years down the road and you don't either, but he's well on his way to winning bunches and bunches of games and losing very little. I don't care who you are, that is a simple and easy observation to make.

Does the District 7-AAA regular season champion still earn an automatic region berth? If so, what an interesting up-and-coming week and a half.

Columbia didn't throw their ace on Wednesday against Shelbyville.

Why can't that happen? If he's planning on being there for the long haul and his program continues on the level it has over the last six or seven years, why wouldn't his resume be comparable to King's? Your argument is short-sided because of his age and head coaching experience compared to King's. This just in, there is a fairly big age gap and experience gap, one that Thomas can do nothing about. His resume speaks for itself since coming to Shelbyville and he's well on his way to leaving a lasting legacy just like King did. Unlike you, I think that could very well happen.

Shelbyville has been more than just putting it together. They've won their last 9 games and five district games in a row. I can't believe Columbia did not pitch their ace at home yesterday. That was just surprising to me. Heading into tonight: Shelbyville 6-2 Columbia 6-2 Coffee Co. 7-3 Lincoln Co. 5-4 Lawrence Co. 4-5 Franklin Co. 2-7 Tullahoma 2-9

http://www.t-g.com/story/1530733.html Extenuating circumstances?? How about he loves Shelbyville, both the school and the city, and he wants to continue to build something very special. This article puts it perfectly. The grass is not always greener on the other side and money is not always the answer. Plus, these two programs are right about at the same level and he's got a good bit of talent returning. Why bother? He's got it made where he is. Looks like he made the right choice for himself and his family.

For District 8-AAA, it's head-to-head for any amount of tied teams. Then, if tied, it goes to the tied teams' record against #1 seed, then the #2 seed (if still tied), etc., all the way through the last place team. If that doesn't break the tie, I'm not sure what is next...maybe a coin flip or blind draw. I don't think they do runs allowed or runs scored or anything like that. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how it's been done in this district for several years I believe.

Just my opinion, but I'm going out on a limb and predicting three sweeps this week. Columbia to sweep Lincoln County, Shelbyville to sweep Franklin County, and Lawrence County to sweep Tullahoma. Columbia, Shelbyville, and Lawrence County are all playing really good ball right now. I say they all stay hot.

Columbia 6-1 .....left to play: Lincoln County (2), Coffee County (2) @Shelbyville (1) Shelbyville 5-2 .....left to play: Franklin County (2), Lawrence County (2), vs. Columbia (1) Coffee County 7-3 .....left to play: Columbia (2) Lawrence County 4-4 .....left to play: Tullahoma (2), Shelbyville (2) Lincoln County 4-4 .....left to play: Columbia (2), Franklin County (2) Franklin County 2-6 .....left to play: Shelbyville (2), Lincoln County (2) Tullahoma 1-9 .....left to play: Lawrence County (2)

Seth Jarrell pitched five innings I believe and he was terrific. He probably had three or four strikeouts taken away from him by the clueless ump. Michael Watkins closed it out with the bases loaded strikeout.

Lawrence County won 12-8 at Lincoln County in an unreal comeback. Haven't heard a final on Franklin County-Coffee County, but the Rebels led 4-2 after 6 innings as they were going for the shocking sweep. Shelbyville swept Tullahoma as they held on for a wild 4-3 win in Tullahoma. The absolute worst home plate umpire of all-time! Ask anyone at the game. He should not be umpiring high school baseball period, especially AAA. It was a complete disgrace all the way around. Really, really sad and embarrassing.

Fair enough. Good luck the rest of the way. By the way, I think it's safe to say all of us are very thankful for the two-game series idea that began four or five years ago. Before that came along, it was crazy. The ace always pitched the "tougher" games in the district and usually could throw up to 7 or 8 of the 12 total games. That was not fair at all to the teams with more balanced pitching and no true ace. They were just kind of out of luck until the tournament came around. Good decision by all the coaches and administrators to make that logical switch. It's fun this way, too. Should be a great rest of the season!

Hindsight is 20-20 on the Tuesday weather, although I do believe they could have played that night as well. It did look bad there for a while and they could not have played at the scheduled time of 4. But, to make your statement, you would have to believe the coach new for sure that only one game would be played that week. How could he at that time know the weather would for sure be horrible on Thursday and it would wipe out the make-up day? None of us knew that. That is crazy and I'm pretty sure Cooper wasn't going to pitch again Thursday. By canceling Tuesday's game, the coach had no "all-knowing" prior knowledge that Thursday would be a rain-out as well and someone other than Cooper would have had to throw that game. You can argue about Tuesday all you want after the fact, but you cannot argue that he knew only one game would be played during the week and had it all planned out as you suggest. I was wondering the same thing on making it up Friday or Saturday, but I'm not sure what the district rules say. However, this week, Friday would have not been an option. The field was still under water then. My guess is most coaches would not make it up on Saturday just simply because the following district series begins Tuesday. Again, I don't know what was discussed in district meetings and what their rules say for that. Sure, Cooper may very well pitch against Columbia again if it means a lot which is very possible, but so what. It's not a guaranteed win by any means. Spring Hill, who is extremely good by the way, showed how to beat him just last week. You never know what could happen on a given day, especially in this district and Columbia is a good team. It's probably a positive for Columbia to see that kind of pitching anyway late in the year, especially if they go on to advance to the region. Just lighten up a little. This is not some big conspiracy. Tennessee weather is nuts this time of year and we can't control it no matter what we do. That one game is not going to make or break anyone, no matter what is on the line for the regular season. It's all about the tournament, which is at Columbia by the way. Those games are the most important.

Columbia has to play Lincoln County twice, Coffee County twice, and Shelbyville once. That's enough said. I've giving them the benefit of the doubt and saying they could go 3-2 in those games. What's wrong with that and what's the big deal...most would take 9-3 or 8-4 and run with it in this district, so please give me a break on the respect thing. A 6-0 start in the district is great, but the facts are the facts and their remaining schedule is much tougher. Most all reasonable fans in this district would agree with that 100%. No dissrespect here...Columbia is a very solid team. You think they are going 10-2 or 11-1? If they go 4-1 in the last five, that would be a great accomplishment considering their schedule but please don't take offense to one man's opinion anyway. On your other point, that's laughable. "Some fancy weather predictions and schedule manipulation". What a shame. Frazier is God now? All-knowing and all-powerful and he should know exactly what the weather is going to do at all times??? How in the world can anyone control the weather? You're way off base on that one. It rained three or four inches with tornado and flash flood watches out all evening Thursday. Secondly, how do you (all-knowing I guess) know Cooper will for sure pitch the next time around and how do you know that game will mean anything by then? A lot of games between now and then. Why worry and come out with all these accusations anyway? It sounds so immature and premature. Shelbyville and Lincoln County got rained out early last year and the game was made up at the end of the season. It ended up meaning absolutely nothing by then, so you're jumping the gun bigtime. Besides, with your logic, Columbia will win every game until the Shelbyville game anyway. So, they will be 10-1 with first place locked up by then.

Haven't heard yet, but I'm assuming at the end of the season. May mean a lot, may not. Lawrence County will not sweep Shelbyville. They will do good to get the split. Coffee County will probably finish no worse than 9-3, so they are sitting pretty. My guess is Columbia and Shelbyville both could also finish either 9-3 or 8-4. After that, I'm saying Lincoln County and Lawrence County will both be about 7-5 or 6-6, which would set up those two in the #4 vs. #5 matchup. Franklin County and Tullahoma obviously are almost a lock for the play-in game. As has been said over and over and over, though, anything can happen in this district. Nobody knows for sure. Also, the tournament will be wide open no matter who is seeded where. Does anyone know if the tournament is going to be at Columbia Central or at Columbia State or maybe even both????

The weather was the only thing that saved you. Otherwise, you were dead wrong. He was pitching for sure today. Now, the question will be when will he pitch next?

Game has just been canceled for today in Shelbyville with all the storms rolling through. They will play at 3:30 tomorrow in Columbia and 4:00 Thursday in Shelbyville.

For whom it may concern, the Shelbyville vs. Columbia game in Shelbyville Tuesday afternoon (originally scheduled for 5:30) has been moved up to a 4:00 start due to the threat of thunderstorms Tuesday evening. Just wanted to pass on the news. Should be a great game as well.

No backpedaling whatsoever. The prediction was that Shelbyville will go 9-3 or 10-2 in the district and is the best overall team. I completely 100% stick to that. If they go 8-4, so be it. That will still probably be good enough for first, but in the end the regular season is of very little significance no matter who wins it. I've always believed that, and that goes for most all sports. It's all about the tournaments in high school sports. In fact, I somewhat consider it a jinx to win the regular season because, no matter what sport, time and time again we see district champions eliminated in region tournaments. Just food for thought. We'll see what happens down the stretch.

Way to early to make bold predictions, especially in this district. Who knows how it will shake out in the end, specifically the tournament which is by far the most important part of the season. I still think Shelbyville is the best overall team, but that will have to be proven the remainder of the seaon. Remember, it's all about the tournament anyway. One thing's for sure, Shelbyville has now played two of their toughest district series' already, so keep that in mind. Also, I think 8-4 will be good enough to win this district and they are very capable of reaching that. In the end, seeding doesn't much matter based on the history of this district tournament. It is who gets hot at the right time. It's all about the first week in May, so right now it's way too early to make broad, sweeping statements in this district. Let it all play out first.

Hunter Brothers is a junior. Not sure if he is big league material any time soon. He is too inconsistent right now, but he can be impressive at times. Oddly enough, his older brother Rex is currently a bigtime prospect at Lipscomb. He is a left-hander throwing in the 90's and has dozens of scouts at his appearances. He is their ace and pitches on Fridays. Although he is only a junior, he'll likely be an early draft pick and probably go pro. So, Shelbyville has two kids in Cooper and Rex Brothers that will likely be drafted in the early rounds in June. Pretty cool for a small town and for two really good kids. By the way, Shaq Thompson is another name to keep an eye on. He is a junior and throws very hard and can be dominant at times. Shelbyville has a very nice 1-2-3 punch, maybe one of the best in the state this year.

Cooper is virtually unhittable. He is a totally different pitcher from years past. His control is now his strong suit and his speed is now greater as well. His off speed stuff is nasty. Nobody will touch him and that is a promise. Shelbyville is the best team in my opinion with lots and lots of arms and a bunch of returning starters, but it all comes down to the tournament anyway. They gave away the game at Lincoln County with errors or else they would be 2-0. My prediction is 9-3 or 10-2 for Shelbyville in the regular season. Columbia and Coffee County will duke it out with Lincoln County for second I'd say. With Cooper and some other solid starters, the Eagles have a shot at a very special season for sure.

And the cycle continues. Three years ago, the TSSAA pre-bracketed the draw based on sectional winners and people were screaming for a blind draw as it had been done in the past. Now that we are back to the blind draw, people are screaming for some other system. Such is life I guess. My personal opinion...the blind draw is by far the best way to go (separating teams from the same region of course). There is no way to seed fairly and the pre-bracketing system was a flop and not very fun. You could get in situations where you may want to lose a region championship in order to be in the opposite bracket of the "best" team at the state tournament. It is better not knowing anything about what the brackets will be and just pulling teams out randomly at the draw. Styles of play, competition, coaching, etc., differs so much around this state, so there is no seeding system that would be fair anyway.

Here, here!! Although I'm not going to lump them all in the same category, many parents are nothing but a hindrence now days. They can be a nightmare to deal with because their selfishness for their own spoiled kids takes over. It is much worse than it used to be, and I think that's why you see so many coaching changes in so many sports all over the state and the country. It is really sad to see, but I do feel for the coaches that have to put up with the nonsense. It may be politically incorrect to say all this, but the truth is the truth. Everyone knows it.