JIMA6578

I honestly believe that the conference race is going to come down between Cloudland and University High. Just for the simple fact that both teams and coaches seem to know how to win games and make others play there style of basketball. Neither team has outstanding talent or no player who stands out besides the Padgett kid but there coaches know how to use and knows how to adjust to each and every other opponent they go up against. Cloudland moves the basketball until they can the right shot you hardly ever see them take a bad shot. They are very patient in there halfcourt set,They give teams fits with there 1-3-1 match up and press, they know when to get the ball inside, and the most important thing is they play their tails off from the tip till the end of the game which allows them to stay in the game with opponents. And what people dont realize is that Cloudland has by far had the least bit of talent compared to Hampton,Unaka,and University High. But its like zaza said they know when and how to win basketball games thats what seperates them from other teams. As for University High they seem to hurt alot of teams out in transition move the ball really well and have a very complete player in Josh Padgett. There post players play hard inside they rebound,take charges,and can finish under the basket. Their guards are scrappy can play defense really well they make smart decisions with the basketball and and they do a good job in distributing the basketball inside and on the peremeter. As for Hampton I believe that there is a little team conflict going on at the moment and thats not a good sign for the dawgs at the moment. They probably have one of the best post players in the area but would rather settle for the outside shot instead of work it in the paint. They have about one or two players that are killing them right now turnover wise not going to mention any names but most Hampton fans know who they are. They have two freshman that should be playing more than some juniors and seniors but right now their still being worked into White's system but in time will be not good but great players. The James kid is going to have to start shooting the ball more and take it to the basket to take pressure off of bentley if they could do those things and learn to guard somebody in a halfcourt set this team could be very dangerous come late February early March. As for Unaka. People want to make excuses and say their bad and they have no talent and all this hoopla I dont buy that one bit. It comes down to not knowing how to use what they got plain and simple. And it seems since Donald Ensor has left that Unaka's program has dropped to an all time low on the hardwood and until this program goes out and has the desire to find someone who can make these kids better players and get their program back on the right track then the program will continue to be at the bottom of the barrell.

i know you are wrong on that one. i would be careful speculating before knowing who someeon is. now i am sure its not him. be careful who you try and imitate on this board.

Whats everyones predictions and thought's about the WVC this year?

Just by seeing alot of basketball played last year and what teams have returning and depth wise.You have quiet a bit of teams that could make some huge noise if they make it and have a very good chance of doing so such as Culleoka, Humboldt, Union City, and CSAS and the darkhorses Unaka and Pickett County. Should be an interesting 07-08 basketball season /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

In all do respect I believe Mr Chambers does a fine job. He has been around the game long enough and he understands it and he wants these kids and the program to be at its best and I believe if he was raving over something he has a good excuse. As for this crap about about just for the fact these kids are seniors they are obligated to do this or get this... that makes me sick. A senior should be treated no differently then a freshman sophmore or junior. As for pictures being put in the paper I dont think that plays a big part on how your kid or our team played down there. And if you want to talk about the underclassman's performances I can fill you in a little bit Mr Church. Jeff Peters probably had one of the hottest bats through out the whole post season why shouldn't this kid get the recognition sure his daddy is good buddies with Mr Chambers but ohh wait nevermind Jeff is not a senior so forget about what he has done. Lets see Drew Chambers throws no hit baseball through 4 innings against Tennessee High has a perfect game through 5 going against University High walks 1 batter in the last inning and gives up what 3 runs and 4 or 5 hits and picks up the win in a district game as a freshman why shouldn't this kid get his picture in the paper or recognition ohh because he is not a senior. And the way we played this week I dont think any seniors juniors sophmores or freshman put on a performance to deserve the spotlight if you think your kid was worth enough or any other seniors check the books. 3 strike outs 1-4 with 1 homerun gave up 14 hits which I believe he should have never been in that situation Coach Ensor should have lifted him midway through the 3rd after they saw he was getting hit the way they was hitting him and the dropped fly balls at the first of the game did not seem to help him out as well. As for Mr Chambers I believe he does a good job of covering the games and I enjoy reading his stories not only does he do a good job of writing but he loves being around baseball and the kids. For you to criticize a man about his job and his concerns for the program is pothetic. I wish nothing but the best for the rangers and hope they can one day bring home a state title but I believe there are going to have to be some corrections in the program .

Ranger 87 you make a good point now let me make a good statement. You go on by saying we could be better at doing this the coaching staff could be better at doing that players could be better if they did this. Thats the problem we want to sugar coat and make excuses for this baseball program except just going down to the state tournament. It may have been ok the first trip but when you succeed on making 5 strait appearances and you cant find someway to get a win or take a big step than the year before or the year before that theres no excuse. And yes I agree the teams down there are very strong and yes most of them have the facilities to be better not only defensively but offensively but as seeing that baseball program over the past couple of years I can honestly say we struggle with fundementals,lack of discapline and extra work ethic. Ranger 87 I have been around baseball for a while and not only have I played but I have been on the field as well and if you call the performance we put on down there competing and you are involved with the program then you need a wake up call. if you can call 10-0 and 19-1 competing than you are sadly mistaken my friend and these kids nor the program needs to be satisfied with the results we are getting. I agree these kids and the staff have worked hard to get where they have gotten there is no doubt in my mind these kids can compete with anybody but its going to have to take more than what we are throwing at them. And answer me this Ranger87 if were competing and we need to fix things how come it's the same things that keep biting us every year that we have yet to fix?Catching routine flyballs catching routine groundballs,agressive baserunning, learning to bunt the baseball. I could go on and on at things we need to work on the question is will we do them? These are little leagues type of mistakes we are making in the field and yet did we make any adjustments. Are we willing as coaches and players to take the time and show these kids instead of just telling them and actually make these kids work on the little things of baseball and help make themselves better players not only as individuals but as a team. And until we quit sugar coating things and accepting bad results than these kids are never going to know what it feels like to take that extra step towards there goal. And I also believe in order for us to become a better baseball program it all starts with the facilities. Besides a good field to play on what do these kids not have that these other teams do. For one we should be pushing for a hitting facility second for a team that has made 5 strait state tournament appearances deserves lighting for there own field I could go on and on. The point is until we decide to start working harder to become a better baseball program and quit letting these kids know its ok to accept what went on this past week we will be doing them and the program an injustice and what you seen or heard about today will continue.

From seeing the game I can honestly say we got outplayed and competed in every aspect. And for someone to say it was pitching I will disagree. The pitching was solid for 3 in a half innings. 2 outs 0-0 routine fly ball is hit to right field and we dont catch it then the results you seen today are expected. If you are going to compete at this level then errors and I mean routine errors we are making are uneceptable and until we figure out how to make adjustments not only in the field but at the plate we are going get the same results. And I do agree the pitcher was left out on the mound entirely to long. When you let a kid stan out there for 4 innings and encounter 15 hits and keep a kid in the bullpen for 2 innings strait and not make a move it really gets you thinking what the coaches are trying accomplish. You know the game is out of hand in the 4th and we are not putting the bat on the ball why not bring in your guy from the bullpen and save your starter for the next day in relief? Another thing is our kids dont know the meaning of competing it all boils down to we have not faced any competition in the past 4 games to get to where we are and play a solid team like Richlands and get 3 runs scored on you and just fold the deck. We have some kids who seem to lack dicapline who are uncoachable and have no clue on how to compete. And I agree we are a young team but if anyone had noticed we was playing a young team as well. We just got outcompeted on defense and at the plate plain and simple. At the plate we are flagging at the baseball swinging at bad pitches and not giving ourselves chances to score runs. And when players are not producing at the plate and on the field you have to make adjustments I dont care if your a freshman sophmore junior or senior you have to make a point and make kids earn their spots and if they are not going to show good results bring another player in because there are two or three who is on the bench that could make a big difference at the plate we just dont seem to know how to make adjustments. Crazyness I dont believe we have an ace at the moment just for the fact we have been facing medioccur teams up until this point and it showed today and thats not the kids fault I mean not only is district 2 week but region 2 is week as well for the exception of Rockwood and you saw what happened to them today. Bottom line we are going to expect to win games down here we are going to have to start hitting the baseball know how to advance runners and make routine plays in the field and back up our pitching because you can expect to win baseball games against this type of competition playing the way we played today. I believe Unaka will play Friendship Christain at 10:00 a.m tomorrow morning in the losers bracket elimination game good luck to Unaka and hopefully we can bring an A+ type of game.

Well truthfully Unaka will either throw the freshman lefty they that beat UH the last time or the Church kid. They are a little stronger defensively when the freshman pitches but both of them threw a very good game last time so it could go either way pitching wise. They are really showing strong signs of being a good baseball team the hitting is getting stronger each and every game I believe they have 3 or 4 strong pitchers who can now go a full 7 inning game. They have cam along way defensively since the first of the season I believe in 2 games they had 6 and 11 errors back to back so they have taken a big step since day 1 but thats here nor there both teams are going to have to play a good baseball game and whoever pitches is going to have to throw strikes the defense will have to be there for both teams and I think that home field advantage might play a big part for Unaka as well. however whoever wins this game will have there hands full against Rockwood because we all know they are a very tough ballclub and I dont see Harriman defeating Rockwood exspecially as good as Rockwood has been playing. Unaka- 6 UH- 3 Rockwood -10 Harriman-2 Let the games begin.

I get a crack up out of "The Kings" posts he is so ignorant and lacks basketball knowledge but still loves getting on here and making an idiot of his self. So how is that dynasty coming along up there on the roan?

Rangerbook is just on here to stir up controversy if he knew half as much as he thought he did than I have no clue what we would do. And yes anybody in there right frame of mind know's how bad of a coach Mark Mcclain is you are a little behind on that subject. So what is your clame to fame rangerbook besides keeping fouls and points for a boys highschool team and criticizing coaches and players ? Pretty odd from a kid that doesnt know to much about the game of basketball dont you think?

I do agree alot with HighSchoolFanatic I am not to big on Elizabethton basketball I follow alot more basketball in the county but I have seen where Elizabethton basketball once was and where it is now and where it is heading and coach Wilson dont seem to fit the script to getting the boys program back on the right track. Yes I believe it did hurt alot losing a coach like Tony Hardin he was pretty valuable part of that program maybe he did not show as much dicipline as some wanted but all around he was a good basketball coach. Now people on here tell me if you agree with what I am about to say. Elizabethton has a good group of young athletes coming up pretty good freshman and sophmore class correct? If you are the athletic director do you see how the season goes and give him a shot at turning around the program or do you start looking for a better coach for next year while the talent still remains? Does noone want the job down there or is it just the fact that the people think he is the best fit for the job?

roan mtn fans are in for a surprise if they choose to take the job you will be shocked. it is someone with "no" cloudland ties. been a while since they've coached but will do good if they decide to take it. not from avery i was sure they had a teaching degree and had coached.

Clinch is probably my dark horse team for this season. Alot of good talent coming back but I dont think they have the depth or experience in the post season to make any noise so I am going to stay with Washburn and Hancock County. As for Cloudland going into the eagles nest I think you might get a wake up call when you see how weak Cosby will compare to the many Cosby teams in the past yes home court advantage will play a big factor and with Flattford coming back that will help them out tramendously. But I look for this to happen. Cosby is more of a run and gun team who relies more on there offense than there defense. And with the slow up game Cloudland plays I dont look for Cosby to get that many shots because Ned Smith is a smart coach and like most teams know except for maybe Hampton last year you do not want to give a team like Cosby a bunch of shots and in order for you to do that you have to slow it down like Cloudland willl do and keep cosby from getting a chance to get the momentum exspecially when you are playing in one of the toughest gyms around Tennessee in a substate game. Final outcome Cloudland goes into Cosby with a perfect gameplan to slow the ball down and has a good defensive scheme and will slow down Cosby's offense and cut down there outside shots. I am staying with my predictions but hey you never know about games these days take the Unaka vs Cosby matchup in 2003-2004 with Unaka being down 10 with 4 minutes to go and coming back and hitting a game winner with 2 seconds to go. But like I said you never know how the outcome will be. Good luck to both teams if they end up seeing each other down the road.

# 1. Unaka- When you look at what Unaka has coming up this year only one word describes it athletes. They are loaded with athletes who will take defense to another level with Ronnie Snavely returning and a starting five lineup thats probably top 5 around upper East Tennessee. If Unaka plays the way most Unaka teams have played in the past with what they got this year they will go undefeated in the conference and host a substate at home But we all know how tough it is to go undefeated in the Wautauga Valley Conference with what everyone brings to the table night in and night out. But until I am proven wrong Unaka is my number one pick. # 2. Cloudland- Since coming off of a bitter loss in the first round of the state tournament to a very tough Union City team Cloudland has its hopes to show teams around here that last year wasnt a fluke. Ned Smith is a smart coach we all figured that out last year when we saw there slowdown style of offense that got the highlanders to Murfreesburro.Returning half of his team back and star guard Cody Hughes look for the landers to make another run at competing for not only a conference title but for a trip back to the state tournament. # 3. Hampton- Look for Hampton this year to be a tough physical team to match up with in the paint 6'3 Johnathan Lyons and 6'5 Justin Bentley to be a force to handle on the inside the question is will they get anything out of there guards? Bobby James seems to be a very good guard who has alot of talent. Lunceford could be a good point guard if he could cut down the turnovers. I am still kind of scepticle to see if Mcclain can win with this group because with the talent they had last year there is no reason they shouldnt have went deeper than what they did in the post season. # 4. University High- Retuning all state guard Aaron Woodacre and a couple of transfers look for University High to pull off a few upsets in the watauga valley conference this year but until they can prove something to me in the post season they will remain at the bottom. In region two I dont see really any team that can give any teams from region one a run for there money except for Hancock County and maybe Washburn Predictions for substate matchups this year. Cloudland vs Cosby @ Cosby with Cloudland winning by 6 Unaka vs Rockwood or Wartburg With Unaka winning by 10 Good luck to all teams this season

See Highlander we do agree on something. Jim.a

From around the Carter County area you have to go with. Cloudland. Jessica Lunceford and Heather Banner Elizabethton. Cameron Crapps and M.Petrowski Johnson County. April Mccleod and possibly Billy Hurd Happy Valley. Keley Williams and Amber Duncan Hampton. Lauren Pittman,Jessi Price,and Lacy Oliver. You could also throw Mickey Oliver in the mix but she didnt really do a whole lot until the end of the season. Unaka. Sallee Taylor Megan Johnson and Tiffany Babb Coaches of the year. Kenneth Chambers and Kelly Oliver Jim.A

Wisemapletree your deffinitely not getting on stage at the apollo now.To the Highlander first of all my friend I have yet to attack you on here and I will never do it maybe the announcing lashing was a little harsh but please my friend this is not the staple center in Los Angeles it's a highschool single A basketball gymnasium. Now on a different knote let's come to terms and end this fewed.And I will start by saying that I agree both teams will have enough talent to fill up the ocean.If I could make my prediction right now I say both teams will split in the home/away series and I will tell you why.You have to remember this year not only did Cloudland have 2 of the best players in the county who could have started on any team around the area but the others that actually started and 1 or 2 more that came off the bench knew there roll.Unaka was very young they really had noone who could lead there team night in and night out and they didnt have those one or 2 players who could just take over a basketball game like some teams around the area.But I believe that now they have had that one season to mature get things under there belt and realize what they have to do as a team and how important it is to win basketball games. And here is something I believe and I am not ashamed to say it do I think we could have beat Cloudland last year 5/5 times I really dont.You guys just had that mentality to jump on teams early and you understood and your coach understood what it took to win basketball games.This year you just have to look at the fact there is really no stars on neither team who will just come out and scored 25-30 points both teams will have to play great defense and take care of the basketball and the team who makes the fewest mistakes will be the team who provails. Good luck to both teams during the summer and next season. Jim.A

Go back and read again my friend and maybe you can actually figure out what I said so i dont make you look like a fool on here. P.S. You might want to find another hobby besides announcing very disturbing

I agree you can bet Hampton will have alot to deal with over the summer finding that true post player who can come in and just give them that big lift inside the paint. Another problem I see them facing is scoring Tinsman will more than likely have to play the point guard position since she is more of a ball handler than a scorer.So a smarter thing to do would move Oliver to the 2 spot so she can have the space to shoot the outside shot and take people off the dribble. Whats going to hurt hampton the most:Depth and scoring.Everyone knows that Hampton has one true scorer and that is Oliver and I dont see a sophmore posting big numbers night in and night out. Andrews is more if a catch and spot up shooter doesnt penetrate at all but will hit if you leave her open.Tinsman is your basic Point guard isnt flashy very small but can handle the basketball and that is what you want out of your point guard. When bench comes into mind that could be the downfall with Hampton very young and inexperienced when it comes to going down the bench and that will hurt Hampton in alot of games this year exspecially conference. When you talk about coaching there is no better than Unaka's Kenneth Chambers look at what he won with this season sure he didn't defeat Cloudland but can we say he out smarted coach Birchfield?Nothing helped Unaka out more by losing that Game in the district finals that allowed Unaka to not only advance to a substate but to give the younger players a big confidence booster going into next years season. Unaka has got the potential to do some special things next season with a crop of talent Sallee Taylor can only get better needs to improve her quickness and defense and from then on the sky is the limit.Kayla Babb will be a monster in the paint will probably come off the bench but what will determine her playing time is how much she improves her footwork and scoring ability over the summer. The rest im sure everyone knows about Winters can go inside and out.Asher can be deadly from the outside and the young group of other guards they get back can only get better as the summer goes by. I look for it to be one heck of a matchup between these 2 teams next year. JIMA

You have a good point Highlander but you have to look at the young talented and experienced players for Unaka compared to the young and talented players from Cloudland. You can have all the talent in the world but experience is a big key to winning basketball games exspecially in the post season. Another thing about both programs I see a good outlook for is coaching.Look at what the Chambers guy did for that program this year with the lack of talent and experience he had.He basically took a group of girls who the year before hardly saw any playing time at all and led them to a substate birth.No matter what type of talent he has the guy knows how to win basketball games and he gets the most out of his players and knows how to relate to everyone of them. Birchfield showed me lack of dicipline down at Lincoln Memorial University with the way he let his team self destruct against a medioccur Hampton team. It could have been one of the most sickening 3rd and 4th quarters I have ever seen played. But that was then and this is now no point of dwelling on both teams from this year because we seen where both of them ended up when it came down to playing in Murfreesboro. But its like I said in my previous post and I will say it again and I whole heartedly believe in this. The players that progress over the summer and as a team will be the ones who seperate themselves from other teams come November. JIM.A

My mistake "Ghostbuster" I dont know why I referred to her as Smith.Mckinney was who I was referring to playing the 4 or 5 spot thanks for the correction.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to see who the better team of the confernce was in the Watauga Valley this season.Even though Hampton overcame all odds and defeated Cloudland in the regionals you have to look at the fact and realize it is a difficult task defeating a team 3 times in a row.Now not to get off the subject but you have to ask youself what would have been Cloudland's best interest winning the district and putting yourself in Hampton's bracket who you know will play you tough in the conference or take 2nd in the district and put yourself against North Greene and basically have an automatic substate bid? When you look at the Watauga Valley Conference next year you have to look at the term balance and depth. Cloudland has Brooke Johnson one of the most dynamic freshman point guards around the East Tennessee area she will more than likely play the 1 and the Clawson girl will play the 2,it could be a toss up to see who plays the 3 spot,Smith and Mathis is a deffinite lock for the 4 and 5.After you get past that they have 2 players at the max that saw alot of floor time this year and that is what make's me so sceptical about Cloudland next year. When you look at the conference next year you have to look no further than Unaka.Yes they lose 3 players Bowman,Johnson and Babb.Babb and Johnson wasn't as big as a threat as I thought they would be at all this year.Bowman did her job as a role player and that is what made her stand out from the other 2. Now when you look at Unaka for next season you have to remember everyone coming back and how deep they can go.Sallee Taylor who has the potential to be your conference MVP for next season and can shoot from about anywhere on the floor will be a big asset for Unaka and then you have to look at all of the freshman and sophmores they have returning and not only will Unaka be quicker but they will be as lethal as any team around this area from the outside and will be as deep as you can get when it comes to going to there bench who has played in big games. Defensive schemes will play a big part when these 2 teams meet as well.Unaka had to try to throw alot of defenses against Cloudland this year to try to stop Lunceford and Banner next year I dont see that being the case because Unaka will be so quick on the defensive end and in transition it will allow them to get stops and get a whole lot more shots off the break and they will be able to run a whole lot more with the legs they got coming back. Both teams will be your top 2 teams for next year it's just who will progress over the summer and take advantage.

It's funny on here how people take size and athleticism over heart and good old fashioned team play basketball remember down here in the East there is a whole lot more to basketball than putting your arm in the rim and and going out and being a 1 man show and racking up 40 points by one player you cant count on Cloudland showing Union City the meaning of the way East Tennessee basketball is played come this Wednesday Bank on it.

Even though Cloudland's record may not stand out this team couldn't be clicking any better than at the right time.You are looking at a team who was picked in some poles to finish 4th in there conference.This is a team who has no superstar all of there players are on the same page and recognize that in order for them to win all 9 of there players have to play together thats what makes them tough. This team also loves playing the slow game of basketball they will settle for a score of 10 points on the scoreboard as long they get the win and in order for them to do that they will slow you down and hold the ball as long as possible till they get the perfect shot.Even though they are not that big they get alot of production out of there bench and they do play physical on the boards and throughout the whole game and that is what you have to respect out of this team. Remarkable job of how Cloudland has overcome the odds this season and has turned what thought to be a losing season around to a first round state tournament bid. I guess that should show teams and players around here that heart and determination will get you as far as you let it take you !

What all does Wartburg have this year I know they havent really been a threat in the past maybe someone could help me out with this one.