Radar

After watching Oakland they may have an off year or two. There wasn't much on the bench and I think their best young players went to Siegel.

I saw the Riverdale-Oakland game last night and was very disappointed. If these are two of the premier teams in 7AAA, then the district has fallen on hard times. Oakland was undisciplined and had difficulty running a play. They did not look at all like the Coach King teams of old. LeBrian had 8 points, fouled out midway in the fourth quarter and was never much of a threat. Maybe Riverdale will get better when the football players are in the flow of the game. The crowd was a great disappointment also. What happened to the Oakland - Riverdale rivalry and a full gym?

I saw the Riverdale-Oakland game last night and was very disappointed. If these are two of the premier teams in 7AAA, then the district has fallen on hard times. Oakland was undisciplined and had difficulty running a play. They did not look at all like the Coach King teams of old. LeBrian had 8 points, fouled out midway in the fourth quarter and was never much of a threat. Maybe Riverdale will get better when the football players are in the flow of the game. The crowd was a great disappointment also. What happened to the Oakland - Riverdale rivalry and a full gym?

The new coach at Columbia is Chris Graves. He was an assistant at TSU last year until that thing blew up.

Who is this Oakland player named Lucas Jones? Is he a transfer student? Does anyone know anything about him?

Oakland was the dominant team in the District last year at 11-1 but I do not see them repeating this year. They lost almost 45 ppg in the three seniors (Barker, Duggin, Harb) and I don't think they can make that up. Watson is not a scorer and Murray and Tate are too unpredictable. Joines will give them some offense on the inside and Neal can shoot the three but I do not think they have enough to compete against Riverdale and Blackman.

Oakland2001: Who are the Oakland players that are now at Siegel? Are they mostly last years freshman or are any of the upper classmen there?

Bradshaw was impressive - he was everywhere on the court. I don't know what position he will play at Tennessee but he sure has the heart to make it in the SEC. The game was never very close although the East kept cutting it to a single digit lead. There was some very impressive dunks - especially one by John Ferguson (Portland) off a missed shot and one by Vince Redd (Elizabethton) off a Wadale Williams pass off the glass. Joe Barker (Oakland) led all scorers with 19, and Jake Skogen (Temple) had 18. Chase Hardin (Bartlett) led the West with 17.

Does anyone have any thoughts about Friday's TACA All-Star game between the East and West? It looks to me that the East may have the stronger lineup with good outside scoring in Humphrey and Williams and good low post scoring with Ferguson and Malone.

Congratulations to Coach Chris Graves on getting the Columbia Central coaching job. Chris was the former assistant at TSU under Coach Richardson. I am sure Coach Graves will a great job at Columbia.

I am not familiar with Bobo or JCM. Wherre is JCM and what class is it in? If Bobo is 6'6" I don't think he will play the guard position at JSCC (or any Juco in Tennessee). Can he shoot the 3?

Two of Oakland's three seniors signed with colleges last week: Shane Harb signed with Lambuth and Joe Barker signed with Jackson State.

I definately expect Blackman to defeat Lebanon. Blackman beat them twice during the regular season and they are playing on their home court.

I think Blackman will beat White Co, Lebanon will beat Warren Co and Riverdale will squeak by Cookeville. If that scenario plays out then Oakland will play Riverdale and Lebanon will play Blackman. Those will be hard fought games but I expect Oakland and Blackman to compete in the finals.

Yes it is true. Ro Murray has missed two games already and Joe Barker has missed one. Ro's injury is more severe and there is no estimate of his return although he should be available for the Regionals or maybe the end of Districts. Joe could probably play this week but since the District championship is already secure he will sit till the Districts.