LadyTigersMom

The total foul count might have favored PF in the first half and you're right, it was a very physical game and the refs let them play...but do you think PF was that aggressive? I thought our guards played well defensively, but not aggressive to the point they were fouling. Most of our fouls were touchy hand checks. Maybe if our post players had been more aggressive and tried to block shots, it would have been a different ballgame. It seemed like every time we rebounded the ball, instead of calling the appropriate foul, they called a jump ball. Even if it was one of those "over the back" kind of jump balls. By the way, how did the boys game end? It looked like the refs weren't doing much better in that game.

Thanks and good luck to your girls as well. If we can both make it to next week, we will be in different brackets and who knows...we might get another chance to play each other.

I didn't get to see all of your game last night so I don't know how two of these guys did, but the shortest balding guy was one of our refs...and he didn't do any better last night. I wouldn't say it made much difference in the game either simply because our post players were not making their shots. And I don't think the problem was the refs calling more on one team than another. The problem was what they weren't calling. The Cyclones were very aggressive and they did foul on some of those "blocked" shots. I guess the one that really got to me was when Bri knocked the ball loose from Redd and as she went for the ball, Redd held her jersey and pushed her back. Bri did push her off, but Redd actually fouled first. Then the ref called the foul on Bri. Not that it would have made any difference at that point, but the inconsistency was tough for our girls. We have played other games with inconsistent refs and some who were just plain awful, and have still won some of those games. So, I know we didn't lose just because of the officiating. We just didn't play our game tonight. I don't know what the final foul count was, but I believe the final for the 2nd half was PF - 13 and Elizabethton 10.

Along with some of our players.

All tournament: Someone already covered Elizabethton's players... From Pigeon Forge: Brianna Garrison, Kendra Newman and Whitney Dodgen Unicoi: Weaver & Sparks (I think) Claiborne Co: Lisa Johnson

I agree with everything you said; however, you have to admit, the officiating was horrible. Not taking anything away from the Cyclones...they played great and even if the officiating had been better, they still might have won. Our post players could not score against yours. I thought our guards played better though. Bri and Kendra each had 3 treys and I think 13 & 14 points each. Bri had several steals, even though one cost her a foul after Redd held her back and tangled with her a bit. We actually had one of those refs last night and I think most will agree he is awful! I can't believe these guys were officiating a Regional Championship game! Enough of my complaining though...Lady Cyclones played great and won. Baughman was much deserving of MVP and is one of the best players I've seen play. Good luck against OS! Looks like PF will have their hands full...AE has been doing really well lately.

I'll pass the word on. I think our 4th annual Pigeon Forge Play Day will be the 2nd weekend in April. You can get the details at http://www.orgsites.com/tn/ladyblaze or email Freda Meade at fmeade@peoplepc.com. We would have came to your tournament last year, but I think it was the same weekend as our AAU Substate. Stop by and introduce yourself tonight if you get a chance. It's not too hard to miss us...Bri usually sits with us before and after the game. Or just ask a tiger fan to point us out. Sports Guy...you're going to be there tonight aren't you?

Yes, we will have to wait several more hours before we make any plans for Saturday. This two-hour drive is getting tiresome...I hope our girls win and we can at least play somewhere within the our own area code! I suppose some possibilities would include Sevier County High or Seymour High.

Coaches_Corner, Are you the head coach for Elizabethton? I'm trying to remember everyone. I know we met several CoachT members from that area last year, but I can't remember who is who. I've met Doug Fritz in some of the AAU tournaments and I thought he had something to do with the Cyclone program as well. I see that he is the sports writer for the Johnson City Press. It's always nice to be able to meet those we chat with on here. We've even inspired Sports Guy (from Cumberland Gap/Claiborne area) to become a Tiger! At least for the remainder of this season. Who knows, maybe we'll meet krich tonight and get him to support us next week.

I am glad that both these teams made it to the finals. They are both very deserving of it (undefeated in their district.) There could have been an upset this week, but the better team prevailed in both brackets. I think all of us in Region 1 would like to see these teams go to the 'Boro next week. They don't even consider us a threat out west. By the way, I know OS's gym is not big enough to host a sub-state, what about AE? Where would OS host the game? If PF wins, we can't even host the sub-state at home because our gym is too small. What a shame!

BBALLTN... Did one of OS's starters get hurt? I read that someone might have broken a hand/arm.

Janalee, I saw where Brooke received Co-Player AND Freshman of the year in SAC! Tell her PF said "Congratulations!" Coaches_Corner, Can you believe the officiating in the first two games tonight? I was just bragging about how good the officiating had been in this tournament and then tonight we had the worst 3 I've seen all year! I thought it was bad in our game, but the boys game was even worse. I heard there was a TSSAA big man there...I don't see how they can let these 3 continue in a Regional tournament. It was so bad during the boy's game, that both team's fans were screaming at the refs. Personally, I think South Greene had it worse though.

How did the Elizabethton/Unicoi game play out...we had to leave at half time. Both teams looked real good on defense in the first half. All orange and black tomorrow night! Gooooooooo Lady Tigers!

I don't know about the other games on Monday, but the refs pretty much let the girls play in the PF/Volunteer game. I was amazed that both teams did not receive their 2nd foul until the 2nd quarter. PF only had 2 players (I think) that went to the free-throw line. Neither team was overly aggressive though. I thought our girls did not play very well on defense in that game...not as well as they usually do. The second crew of officials did seem to call a slightly tighter game though. Best of luck to all teams today! We're all out of school down this way

PF will have it tough from here on out. Claiborne won't be rolling over on Wednesday either. Our girls will have to give it their best every game. I thought our bench played well last night against Volunteer. Our guards really stepped it up on the perimeter as well. Whoever said that Region 1 didn't have any good teams obviously hasn't seen our teams play! I think we have one of the toughest regions in the state! Hopefully our two regional teams will go to Murfreesboro and show them just how good we are!

I'm not familiar with these players. Who are #'s 40, 20 and 15? If I have the right numbers, these were the players I was most impressed with. I'm thinking #40 & #20 were the two (tallest) post players and #15 is a red-headed guard. Are they all seniors? I remember these girls from the last two years, but just never knew their names.

Not unbeatable, but very determined. We're still taking one game at a time...we have to beat Claiborne on Wednesday before we can start talking about Thursday's game. I was very impressed with Unicoi tonight. They didn't appear to be the same team I've read about on these message boards. Just goes to show...anything can happen in tournaments.

Claiborne beat Sullivan Central tonight. Pigeon Forge beat Volunteer and Unicoi beat South Greene. I believe Elizabethton probably beat Chuckey-Doak, they were ahead the last I heard. I was surprised at the South Greene/Unicoi game. I thought Unicoi played really well. South Greene did not.

My competitive nature wants to reply... PF 40 EHS 39 But I think at this point, I'll just take one day/one game at a time. I know I'll love this tournament if our girls play on Thursday! This is a big year for jgarrison and myself...our baby girl is graduating and her high school basketball career is almost over. We are excited that she will continue on and play in college though. And, I am sooo proud of the Lady Tigers! Brianna (and the other seniors) will leave Pigeon Forge High School with a mark in history...the first girl's basketball team to go undefeated in the season AND win the District Championship. Hopefully, they will have a few more "firsts" in the next two weeks! thumb

I don't know much about Volunteer, but I agree with you about Pigeon Forge playing well right now. Those games against Claiborne & South Greene were tough, especially with Haley Johnson being out with mono and Brianna not being 100% due to the stomach flu. The Lady Tigers have a lot more potential than what you witnessed in both those games. I also agree about the Elizabethton & Chuckey-Doak game. CD is a very physical team and if the officiating is good (preventing unecessary injuries), they will have a hard time against Elizabethton. I disagree about the other two games. Claiborne and South Greene are both playing much better right now than they have all season. Those games will be close, but I think Claiborne and South Greene will prevail. Sullivan Central and Unicoi better be ready for some awesome defense when they play these teams. I'm guessing the upper East TN teams will have a slight advantage since the coaches probably scouted our teams on Friday night. Of course, playing in a familiar gym has it's advantages as well. I'm glad we have an early game so it won't be midnight when we get home!

Ah, the little man! By the way, I forgot to change my camera to the best setting before I took that championship pic, so it's not the best quality. I'll still get you a copy though. I added it on CoachT last night and noticed that today they have it displayed on CoachT's homepage.

The Claiborne Co. AND South Greene games were both very tough. The Championship game was the hardest on me!

Would that "little man" be Trey?

I'm sure you did a great job. There is no way I could do that! I try to take pictures, but get too caught up in the game.

Thanks for all your support! Brianna truly doesn't mind not making the All Tournament team. She has always been a very unselfish player on the court and just wants to win. She is extremely happy for her teammates...all of them. She didn't play her best this week due to battling that nasty stomach flu all week. I'm trying to get her rested and recovered for next week! I thought the All Tournament team was an excellent choice! thumb