QSouth89

On 3/16/2024 at 1:29 PM, attila said:

Which venue would be better as a host? Both good arenas centrally located, Tech’s gym looks better and more updated than MTSU when watching the D-2 tourney a couple weeks ago.

Why not Thompson Boiling at the flagship University?  In Illinois they play at the University of Illinois and North Carolina use to play in the Dean Dome, not sure if they still do.

6 hours ago, WestTNHoopsFan said:

You have a great point and are right to some degree.  I would say the issue is an even playing field. I would be fine with all schools in one class and the best team win. I am fine with the classifications the way they are right now. Whatever. as long as all the schools are operating under the same restrictions or the lack there of. And that is just simply not the case right now.

There will never be an even playing field.  I recently moved to Chicago from Tennessee and I teach at a public school.  The districts or conferences in sports in the Chicago Public League are based on competitiveness not size.  Keep in mind every two years the conferences change.  The power schools are in the red division, the next is green and then blue.  If you win in consecutive years you or lose you move up of down.  Playoffs are based on school size and classification, Illinois has 4 classes which is needed.  There are just as many schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs than the entire state of Tennessee.

21 hours ago, Khall555 said:

Charter schools and Open zoning is supposed to improve education for all the kids in the state but coaches for sports teams use it to recruit athletes and load up teams. TSSAA needs to move some to Division II and limit the amount of kids eligible in open zones. 

When does it end?  Coaches, parents and fans, complained about the privates and wanted a complete split and got it, then there were rumblings a few years ago on CoachT about inner city schools and rural schools, now the complaint is public charter schools, magnet schools and open zoned schools.  Lets do away with the state tournament and just give every school a participation championship trophy and not worry about who has a competitive edge.  

2019-2020 Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish

Head Coach Mike Hutchens

Record 25-4

Best Players: B.J. Edwards and Akeem Odusipe

The 2020 team lost to nationally ranked IMG and Gonzaga College Prep out of Washington DC in their own Christmas Tournament.  Beat Kennedy Chandler and Briarcrest (the 2019 state champions) 50-47  in the state championship game. All 5 of Knoxville Catholic's starters signed with DI schools: guard BJ Edwards (6'3), 4 star recruit, signed with Tennessee (now at SMU); post Akeem Odusipe (6'9), 3 star recruit, signed with Vanderbilt (transferred to Kent State, now at Tusculum College), center Handje Tamba (6'11) 3 star recruit signed with Tennessee (now at Weber State); guard Blue Cain (6'4) 4 star recruit now at Georgia and guard Presley Patterson (5'11) walk on at Auburn. Other notable Irish squads were the 2016-17 Knoxville Catholic team, finished the season 31-2, TSSAA Class AA state runner-up, team was led by Belmont guard Luke Smith and ETSU post Brock Jancek, they had a 28 game winning streak, lost to Maplewood 60-57 in the championship game. This team averaged 76 ppg and gave up 44 ppg. The 2021-22 Fighting Irish team was 28-4, nationally ranked as high as 17th.  Led by BJ Edwards and Blue Cain. Team lost to undefeated Christian Brothers in the title game, 79-72 (defeated unbeaten Brentwood Academy in the state semi-finals). Edwards played with a broken foot in the state tournament which he injured in the MUS game, in the state quarter finals. 3 of their 4 losses were to Memphis teams CBHS, Memphis East, Bartlett, and national power IMG.

14 hours ago, MP2023 said:

It should be three classes because it is watered down. We have to many football classes and we have more schools playing basketball than football. We know it is about money forTSSAA.

I agree, being spread like it is, I don't see how the TSSAA is making any money. 4 and 5 team districts, an entire football class in D2 made up of just 12 teams.  In my opinion it looks bad.  They should go back to 3 classes in basketball for DI, two classes for DII, in football 4 classes in DI and two classes in DII. But alas. it's not my decision.

Does anyone else believe that the TSSAA should return to 3 classifications in basketball?

On 1/29/2024 at 11:28 AM, KnoxBBall1993 said:

I know that, but it seems that nobody wants to be the coach over there.  The two coaches in the last year and a half have left.  Luke was a Catholic alum and favorite son.  You cannot tell me that being an assistant at lowly Trevecca would pay more than the pope's army over there.  Why would Blair leave?  Or why would he get dismissed?  I wonder what is going on? @IrishBBall

I know a lot of coaches that were and are interested in the position at KCHS, I guess it's finding the right fit. Luke wanted to get into college coaching, so he took the opportunity that was presented. As far as Coach Blair, there are way too many stories floating around to know what is actually true so I don't want too or will speculate.

On 1/26/2024 at 2:36 PM, JournalEntry said:

I could see Jeremy from Bearden going after it. He’d love the attention.

That would be good hire.

1 hour ago, KnoxBBall1993 said:

Wow.  Wonder why he did not make it through the season?  And why can Catholic not seem to keep a coach?

I moved out of state so I haven't been in the loop on what was going on with the new Coach.  I do know that Luke Smith took a college coaching position. 

On 12/6/2023 at 1:44 PM, JournalEntry said:

I believe his first year was 2018-2019. Jeremy took over for legendary Coach Mark Blevins when coach took a job out of state. @OneEyedKing

Coach Parrot took over during the 2016-17 season.  My son played for Catholic and they played Bearden twice that year.  The Irish beat Bearden 82-51 at Bearden and then on senior night at Catholic they beat them 67-63.  Bearden was really young then starting all sophomores.  Catholic started 3 seniors and 2 juniors and finished the season 31-2 they were also the Class AA state runner-ups.

17 hours ago, baller95 said:

University High beat South Greene by 20 last night. Small school team playing solid. 

I use to coach at UH in the 90's with Joe McPherson.  I love it when the Jr. Bucs do well.

On 12/8/2023 at 3:55 PM, OneEyedKing said:

could be Quarrels? I know he’s a good man could be interested in getting back to high school but in private

I've heard rumors that Brentwood Academy was going to try and hire Coach Quarrels.  I think he will stay in the college ranks.

On 11/19/2023 at 11:53 AM, JustinBuck said:

Brentwood Academy perhaps? Maybe he stays in college as an assistant? What say you?

I agree, if he goes back to high school, Brentwood Academy would probably be the place.  My guess is he will stay in college.  He will get hired as an assistant some where.

On 11/11/2023 at 4:25 PM, IrishBBall said:

Don’t know that the Irish were missing much.

I assumed Oak Ridge was missing a few players because they usually have guys play both sports, the only rotation Catholic player that plays football is Quincy (maybe Aron),  But then again I don't know who the new players would be for the Irish. Nevertheless a good win by Coach Blair and staff.  I hope they do well this season,  tough schedule for Catholic. 

1 minute ago, ClaboCrazy1961 said:

You seem to know a lot about Catholic.  You coach over there?

I use too, but not anymore, I coach out of state now, but still follow the Irish.

1 hour ago, ClaboCrazy1961 said:

Unbelievable?  Did they even win the Knox County Freshmen tournament?

Not sure about the Freshman tournament from two years ago, but they won the JV tournament last year.  Beat Catholic in the championship.

On 11/6/2023 at 2:00 PM, ClaboCrazy1961 said:

They may have some talent, but that does not always translate into wins.  They had the same talent last year and did nothing with it.  Do you trust the coaching staff at West?  I know I have not been impressed with what West has done since they got a new coach a few years ago.  It will be a dogfight every night in District 4 though.  West has to deal with my Ads, Bearden, William Blount, Hardin Valley, and Maryville.  Any one of those teams could win the league.   

 

Oak Ridge will continue their domination in District 3 with no challengers in sight, especially since the kid from Greenback "moved" there.

Is McCullum back at Harriman?  He may be good enough in A to get them to state

I was told that Catholic beat Oak Ridge in a scrimmage last night. I’m sure both teams were missing players due to the football playoffs. 

On 10/31/2023 at 6:32 PM, Turtle said:

I second your 2A picks!  Austin East didn't lose too much to graduation and they have some good freshmen stepping in .  Watch out  for the Roadrunners

 

3A-  Fulton will be loaded as well, they have the 3 headed beast back and they have a freshman player that ran KCS middle school league last season.  Plus rumor has it they have transfer from a local high school that's going to add some fire to their already hard to beat line up.  

The West Rebels might surprise some teams this year. I've heard they got some talent on Sutherland.

On 8/8/2023 at 8:05 AM, Turtle said:

Most the times at smaller schools, the star player usually goes out and play a different sport like football/track/wrestling/baseball etc... Are you all against this or do you welcome the opportunity ?  There's a lot of buzz around town, that our local star player at AE shouldn't be going out for football because of the risk of injury.  However, the star player is trying his best to get his school back on the map of talking about State Championships.  So let me know what your thoughts are about star players playing different sports, you for it or against and why?

Playing two sports doesn't affect an athlete.  When I coached Harrison Smith at Knoxville Catholic, the football coaches came to his basketball games to get a feel for what type of athlete he was.  I think playing two sports prevents burn out.

On 8/26/2023 at 8:51 AM, theawesomebro said:

I did want to say how proud I am of our kids for over coming a 10 point deficit on the road in insane heat to tie it up with 10 seconds left.  LA made too many mistakes to put it all on the kicker and we would not have been there had it not been for his solo onside kick and recovery!  lots of kids stepped up in the end played hard the whole game against a great saraland team. 

we got lots to work on and hopefully we keep getting better all season.   lots to learn and grow from which is a good thing.

great venue and a great game overall.  #1 in TN vs #1 in AL goes to OT and is decided by 1 point sounds about right.  (not sure we deserve the #1 ranking any more but that is beside the point).  the sportsmanship was great and im not sure if it was on the broadcast but the saraland HC and players consoling our kicker was pretty cool.

The game was on ESPN.

Gabriel Blair from Gastonia Christian in North Carolina was named head coach at Knoxville Catholic. Blair played two years at East Carolina and two years at Wichita State. 

On 5/23/2023 at 12:09 AM, DVP41324000 said:

Any word on this job? Getting really close to camp season and hearing some kids may be getting a bit itchy.....

They’re announcing the new coach today 

20 minutes ago, Elias287 said:

I know, I’m pretty sure he moved to North Carolina for a little bit to live with his mom, but he was going to move back to Knox this summer, but he’s not going back to Catholic. From what I’ve heard, he’s going to Bearden or West

I’m not surprised. Wouldn’t shock me to see all of the B. Maze kids leave Catholic 

1 hour ago, Elias287 said:

They lost him and Tae Maze is it going to Bearden and there’s another guy who I’m pretty sure is gonna leave to. 

Tae Maze left Catholic back in December. 

13 hours ago, Elias287 said:

Yeah, they’re losing a lot of players. Someone else is going to Bearden. 

Who are a lot of players? Lindsey is the only one who left.