LadyTigersMom

Coach, everybody likes to get on here to praise or defend their favorite team/coach/player, while some like to stir up emotions or slam somebody they do not like. There are many who don't even register, but just visit to read "all about it." While I do not agree with some of the down-right mean comments, I don't see a problem with intelligent adults discussing these types of issues. Personally, I feel that if any one has something bad or negative to say about a coach or player, they should be able to back it up with evidence. However, I think a more mature individual will not stoop so low as to talk about someone and then hide behind a screen name. So, what does talking about it accomplish? Well, not really much of anything, but it can clear up rumors that are going around. It gives everyone a chance to tell both sides of the story. We can read about it in the newspaper, but that is just one side of the story. I would hope that other coaches and leaders will take a minute to reflect on their coaching methods and make sure they are doing all they can to teach their players the game as well as respect for others. Looks like we could all use a lesson in that area. I hope I have not offended anyone and if I have, please email me and let me know. That is never my intention. LadyTigersMom

Good post, VolunteerFan!

Maybe I am misreading the posts, but I didn't think anyone had criticized him on this thread. I am seeing more criticism geared toward the players. We all have our opinions about coaches, players, referees and especially TSSAA. But that's about all we have...our opinion which isn't really worth a whole lot.

Oneshot & Bigchief... I agree there are a few kids too soft for the competitive programs, but I have to disagree with your statement in general. For the most part, the kids are dedicated and disciplined. The ones who aren't usually end up quitting. I don't think it's fair to categorize all the girls just because you have an opinion of a few. My daughter and some (not all) of her teammates play basketball practically year-round. During the high school season, they play for a very tough and demanding coach. They don't always "like" her, but they respect her on the court. And even when they are mad at her, they still love her off the court. My daughter plays better when her coach is yelling at her and pushing her to her potential. But there is still that fine line that must not be crossed. Sometimes, a coach's behavior is just not excusable. When it becomes physically or mentally abusive...it's time for the parents to step in. First, they should talk to the coach. Maybe the coach isn't even aware of the negative impact they are having. If it is an isolated incident, maybe that player needs to move on. If it is a problem with the majority, maybe it's time for the coach to change or move on. Remember, coaches are capable of making mistakes too. They are not perfect and should not think they are above everyone else. Just when they start thinking too highly of themselves, they're bound to fall. Please don't categorize all the players. We shouldn't categorize all coaches either. Have a good day!

Did GP lose to Cumberland Gap last night? Any info. on this game? I know GP is better this year with a better coach, but after winning against South Greene, they seem to be going downhill, losing first to Rutledge and now Cumberland Gap. What's up with that?

Rebel Mom...what happened to all your posts?

Rebel Mom...you just can't reason with kids (or some adults on here for that matter) and I don't think you will ever get this kid to understand your point. However, I think there are many parents, and even coaches, who know exactly what you're talking about and will agree that there is a line that no coach or teacher should ever cross when it comes to dealing with students/players. I'm sure Ricker has many supporters and there is nothing wrong with that. I'm sure he has many enemies and that is alright too. Until someone can say exactly what he did, there is no need to go on about this. Apparently, the school board felt there was good cause for his dismissal or resignation and that speaks volumes. I'm really disappointed in the assistant's behavior at the game tonight though. I know several of the Lady Rebels read CoachT and I hope you girls don't let all this get to you. Even though I really want PF to beat you ...I still hope you're 2nd on the list! Seriously, I hope you have a great season!

Sportsman....I can't believe you would call the girls "little babies!" While they are not "tough guys" like Ricker's football players...they are definately not babies! And if the assistant wants nothing to do with them...why did she go to their game?

Congratulations to the Lady Tigers for their win (57-29) over Union County tonight. This was a big win for our girls as many players had to step it up on the court without the assistance of Kendra Newman and Brianna Garrison (who are both out with mono). Haley Johnson led the team well and had 3 treys in the first quarter! Everyone stepped up and played great! thumb

Who coached SG? Did the twins play? Sounds like a good game with both teams battling it out to the end. Congrats to the Lady Blackknights!

So did any other girls quit the team? And how about the first one who quit, will she be back? Even though SG is our biggest rival, I have always had a lot of respect for the players on the court. I have even posted my thoughts here on CoachT as to how well my daughter has always gotten along with them. They are a fine bunch of girls and will continue to play well. I don't know all the problems, but they might even play better under a different coach if there were problems in the past. As for Ricker, don't know him personally and don't particularly care to after the way I've seen him behave at games.

The way I hear it, he did screw up big time. That may be the reason for some of the players quitting. The latest news is that the twins have quit, but if Ricker is history, maybe they will stick around. I'm sure we'll get some updates soon.

Rumor's are flying that South Greene might be in need of a new coach. Any truth to that? There have been some posts on CoachT about the internal problems and looks like Ricker is at the base of it all. Maybe someone can shed some light on it all. Authority11....bsw....are you guys still with us?

It is all TSSAA in Tennessee, but there are associations (by location) within that organization. And the majority of the fault lies with the official who is over each association. I personally know referees who have left one association because of problems with the person in charge. As I understand it, schools have the right to change associations as well. It amazes me to read some of these posts. Some people get on here and try to make it sound like you are whining or complaining about referees only when your home team loses. That is not so. There is indeed a problem, yet TSSAA does nothing about it. Well, why should they? There isn't another option for the Athletic programs in Tennessee and therefore, they can get away with it. My arguement has always been "consistency." There are some great refs out there and even they miss a call. And if you happen to be not all that great...at least be consistent in your calls. That way, the kids can get a feel for what you're looking for and adjust their play accordingly. Of course, when you have 3 on the floor, you need to all 3 call the same way...that almost never happens.

Yeah, I'm his better half! And like most everyone else on CoachT, our lives revolve around our kids and basketball. We will have "empty-nest syndrome" next year as Brianna, our youngest, will be off to college. We'll miss CoachT, too. Unfortunately, we'll miss a few upcoming games for Pigeon Forge. I just took Brianna to the doctor and she has mono. She will be out for awhile.

Our girls played Antioch on Sunday at the Bradley Central Thanksgiving tournament and they are very tough. I agree, #24 is the real deal. She was one of the best players I saw all weekend. One thing that really impressed me about her, was that she was seems to be a really good kid. She was nice to the girls on the court and didn't have the attitude that you typically see with a hot shot player. #14 is an excellent shooter and you can't leave her open. Our girls just barely beat Antioch and it was a close the entire game. I'd say they will do great this season. Good luck to them!

I agree, Showtime. I saw her play this past weekend for the first time and she really impressed me. I was even more impressed to learn she was just a junior. I didn't think she was out of control at all. The game I saw, she had 20+ points. I believe Lindsey Jackson was 20+ as well. I thought they had a pretty good supporting cast too. Didn't Pickle make all state last year? And she was just a sophomore then.

Pigeon Forge will have to play better than what they've been playing if they want to make it out of their district. If they can't keep their head in the game, they will go nowhere. And when you've got Newman and Garrison on the bench together, the team lacks the leadership to make it happen. Without our starting five playing at least 2/3's of the game, we struggle for a win. They've got a strong bench, but for the past 2 years Kendra & Brianna have been the 1 & 2 guards and have led the court. This team has a long season ahead of them.

If you'll notice, I was not the only one who complained about the obvious bias. There were many others from other schools who noticed it as well. And I don't blame all the refs. If you'll read all my comments, you'll see that I am pretty objective and point out errors our girls make that cost us the game. I guess I was pretty upset last season about some of the S.G. games. One in particular, when we lost to SG in double over-time...we have the tape and Haley Johnson was about a foot behind the 3pt. line and they only gave her 2 pts. If the ref would have called it right, there would have been no over time. There are other tapes that prove my opinion is not unfounded. But you know what? That's all in the past. Let's just leave it there.

Actually, the refs at the regionals were not from our district. And who said anything about them anyway? I know my memory isn't the best, but I don't recall the refs making any calls that would have made any difference in the game. Our girls just didn't play their game and Elizabethton is a solid team. They wouldn't have been in the regionals if they weren't. So, who's whining here, pedoc?

It is girls.

The district changes will benefit PF only by improving their chances to win their district. To advance on to the state, they will still have to play those teams at Regionals. Another advantage that I see is that over the last two years that we have been at PF, I have noticed that some referees appear to be biased toward the Greene Co. teams. Not all, but some. And it seems that every other team in the district has the same comment about them. So, that could be a plus as well. How well are the JV girls playing? Well, the only team I've seen them play against this season is Heritage and they beat them. I'm not sure what PF's record was last season, but I believe they only lost one or two, if any. Next year the varsity will return 3 key players and have that JV team as well.

I love and support my team...but I don't see Pigeon Forge "stomping" on Chuckey Doak this year. I don't know how West Greene will be, but last year CD was strong and I don't think they lost many, if any, players. This will be a tough season for District 2.

Yeah, they are set now! Too bad we won't be around to enjoy those benefits. But they'll still have a tough Regional tournament. I watched our JV girls play and they are really looking good.

Looks like you'll be getting all the AA Greene County teams in your district next year. What do you think about that?