bball1984

I think McMasters' teammates take him out of the game more than any one defender does. To be honest, the three times I have seen Grace play, he has scored a good bit when he got the ball. He just doesn't get the ball much, plus they start him at the free throw line, which completely takes him away from the basket. He passes well to make up for it though I guess.

I think Temple has a slight edge going into this one. It is truly a tossup though. Grace has more talent, but I still don't get why they don't run an offense. Temple plays better defense and is more disciplined. The lower the score, the better the chance Temple has of winning.

I think Temple has a slight edge going into this one. It is truly a tossup though. Grace has more talent, but I still don't get why they don't run an offense. Temple plays better defense and is more disciplined. The lower the score, the better the chance Temple has of winning.

Congrats to Grace on a solid win. I was told they played team ball and looked a lot better, and this couldn't have come at a better time. Hope they continue to kep it together and improve with each passing game, because they are too talented to look as bad as they did the two games I saw them play.

I agree with that. If it was all on talent, Grace would go 29-0.

Yep, on talent Grace should win. This is the least talented Temple team in five years, and Grace has talent coming out their ears. But, they are sickening to watch. Such a waste of talent. And, unless Grace and their coaches get it together, Temple will win because they are disciplined, play defense (better than Grace at least) and are much better coached.

Having seen Grace play twice now, I feel pretty confident in saying they are vastly overrated. Not in talent, but in production. They are poorly coached, don't play defense, don't run an offense, and each player is out to get his own on offense instead of playing as a team. I think Temple is the best team in the region now, and still believe that Middleton is best team in the state, having seen them all play. Grace should beat Temple everytime they play, but coaching will make the difference for Temple this year!

Agreed, and I said that I have not seen them with Van Horn this year (though I did see him Sophomore year), and am sure that he adds a lot to the team. Had he played, I am sure they would have won. That is besides the point though. I was giving my thoughts on their potential for the season. To be honest, Central did not impress me at all. Grace has trouble defending more athletic teams (which Middleton, etc. out of memphis will be at state). I still think that the Eldridge kid should just let the game come to him. Besides, the other post player Grace has besides McMasters (I think his name was Dilts?) is more valuable than Eldridge is. And, I did think the final play was a bad call, he took the charge.

Granted, I have only seen them once, so some may rightfully believe I cannot pass judgment on the team yet. However, I do know a thing or two about basketball and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to pick up on the things I saw while at the game. They have some work to be done.

Having seen them play once, I believe they are a bit overrated. They are a good team, don't get me wrong, but they don't run an offense and their entire defense is built around McMasters blocking shots. McMasters is the "real deal" though, I think he has a bright future. I don't know why they don't give him the ball more. The shooter (Eldridge?) takes way too many bad shots. I have only seen them once, and Nick Van Horn was not there, so I am sure he makes a difference for them. All in all, a talented team that is way too undisciplined to win state unless they get it together. They don't have a prayer against Middleton, especially since their coach apparently refuses to play a zone.

This is a ridiculous post. Red Bank isn't even better than McMinn Central or Grace in the Chattanooga area, much less the best team in the state. There are easily ten teams better than Red Bank in AAA.

If I had to guess, I'd say Grace and Temple split their games and knock each other from the ranks of the unbeatens. Middleton is probably the best team in A, but their schedule is so tough that I don't see them going unbeaten.

I agree with mtnman. High schools recruit for themselves based on the name of their program (i.e. how good they are). Any player who is decent in middle school and can afford it has every right to choose to go play at a Temple, Grace, CCS, etc. I believe if you looked at it that Temple has had an increase in transfers since their first state title. BUT, I don't believe Wadley is out asking any kid who is a player to come to Temple. I think kids are choosing to enroll there based on the fact that they have a consistent program that competes for a state title year in and year out. If Grace had some freshman stud transfer over there next year from some middle school in Chattanooga, everyone would be on here screaming foul play and Grace fans would have to defend it, just like is happening to Temple having to defend their transfers right now. Although this rivalry is so heated, neither fan base is going to back down at all.

You are right, thanks for pointing it out. Union City should be listed in the 5 spot.

I'll give it a try. Please remember that I have seen most, but not quite all, of these teams play in person, so if you are offended at where I rank your team, let me know why in an intelligent manner! 1. Middleton (Defending state champs till someone beats them) 2 (Tie)- Temple (Interchangeable with Grace at this point) 3 (Tie)- Grace (Interchangeable with Temple at this point) 4. Lake County 5. Wartburg 6. Cosby 7. Clay County (Solid team by the way) 8. McEwen 9. Wartburg 10. East Robertson

Wow, can we give the kid a break? He's only a Sophomore, and from what I've been told he just turned 16 before the season started. I know very few sixteen year olds who are walking around and are totally physically developed. I think a lot of people on here give him a rough time for no reason. There is a reason he is rated as the top sophomore in the state! He's got big-time potential, and can do things most 6-10 guys can't. I agree he needs to put on some weight, but don't make needless comments about how terrible he is, that is ludicrous!

Seems like a pretty solid ranking to me oldtimeballer. I believe Middleton, Temple, and Grace are all interchangeable at this point. The Grace-Temple game should be a complete battle on the court, not to mention a war between their fans. You seem to know a lot about the Temple program, are you affiliated with the program in some way? You don't have to give your exact position (that ruins the point of anonymity on here), just a yes or no will suffice...

Well, I believe it is too early to pick THE best team, but the top teams would seem to be Temple, Clay County, and Grace Baptist. It is going to be shame that one of these three won't get to state this year...

I find it quite amusing that parents of players get on here and talk trash...

I was wondering this myself. Seems odd that Coalfield would travel to Chattanooga on a school night. Anyone know for sure?

I think Van Horn is Grace's best player overall by a good bit. He makes life so much easier for Davis and those guys. I do believe, however, that Carter is their MVP. That joker is good, and has an unbelievable ceiling.

Do you happen to know the exact score of the game? Also, how did Van Horn and McMasters play?

Carter McMasters from Grace probably gets the nod. Although, I am not very familiar with guys from West Tennessee A ball. As for my observations in East and Middle TN, McMasters is it.

Anyone know the score of the game?

Any details on this game......?