krichunaka

What a gutsy, overtime winning performance by the Lady Landers! Creek Wood began the second half by extending their press and cashed in on a couple turnovers by Cloudland, Matt Birchfield called a quick time out to settle his girls down at this most-crucial point in the game as the Red Hawks appeared poised for a runaway. That time out, and the HUGE three-point play at 4:44 in regulation (Sorry, I didn't take notes; don't recall the number) were two of the biggest plays/calls of the game. This game was won by the Birchfield-Chambers coaching and their ability to help their players fight the jitters and relax and play better basketball. And by some big baskets by Cloudland's point guard, Clark, that kept things reasonably close.

Kenneth Chambers hasn't sat idle the past couple years. Last season he led the Hunter Elementary Tigers to a 26-2 record. He has earned his Master's Degree, and advanced in other Educational pursuits. And, last week Coach Chambers agreed to transfer to Cloudland High School where he will assist Matt Birchfield, head coach of the Lady Highlanders. Chambers also becomes the Head Softball Coach at Cloudland. Lady Highlander basketball should continue as a high-achieving program; and the Hampton - Cloudland rivalry becomes very interesting since Buddy Hazelwood is working along side Leon Tolley. That's four of the very best in our area squared off multiple times each season. Softball at Cloudland is more of a question mark, but with the talent already in-school, and the tremendous success Chambers has had at the elementary level, Cloudland High School Softball could get better in short notice.

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Sad, sad news. This has to be devastating to the School and community. He was obviously known as a Great Coach. He was more: He was a tremendous, and very tough football player. God Bless his family and your great school.

You were there, right? I wasn't, but I think Unicoi County and Science Hill, indeed, were the losses. Teresa Taylor was the Girls' coach. Kenneth helped as much as possible. It's worth noting that a few (and I think it was four) players from the 08-09 Hunter team, after Hunter was left, at least temporarily, without a coach, transferred and played at Unaka Elementary. As a result, I think Hunter started three sixth-graders, along with one seventh and one eighth-grader. Those Ladies finished third in Region. An outstanding job, actually, by Teresa, and to the extent to which he would accept credit, Kenneth.

___________________________________________________ If Kenneth Chambers applies, and if hired, the Lady Blue Devils will get a man of integrity, a man of high character, and a man who did nothing wrong. The obvious fact that just after dismissing him at Unaka, the same County placed him in charge at Hunter, where his team went (I think) 26-2. Simply put, Unicoi County would be replacing one great coach with another.

1) Unicoi County 2) Elizabethton 3) Hampton 4) Cloudland 5) Unaka 6) Happy Valley 7) Johnson County Unicoi County defeated Unaka 76-40. Last night's home win is included here due to the late, power-outage affects, and this week's very light schedule. Elizabethton frustrated and thrashed Greeneville. The Lady Cyclones' ball-handling and willingness to share the ball, plus Jasmine Jefferson's rebounding and back-door play, makes up for the lack of a prototype post player. EHS's press and trap defense turned over the Lady Greene Devils throughout the game. Couple Greeneville's home win over South Greene with Elizabethton's handling of the Lady Greene Devils in Elizabetheon, and we're starting to see the Lady Cyclones emerge as a serious Murfreesboro threat. Caveat: The few Greeneville fans we talked with at the GHS-EHS game cautioned that, "South Greene played horribly" against Greeneville. Nonetheless, it's difficult to discount the 22-point (59-37) whoopin' Elizabethton administered to Greeneville. Just sayin'. The Lady Cyclones aren't scheduled to play this week. But, that's a whole-nother story. Hampton is one of the two teams that should match up well with Elizabethton, but the first round at Hampton left the Lady Bulldogs lacking. Next week's three-night stand in North Carolina could go a long way in stepping up Hampton's game. Cloudland will be in Harriman next week before conference play begins in early-January. The Lady Highlanders could still be the spoiler team in 2010. Unaka couldn't keep the momentum after last Monday's home win over Johnson County, but the task against our still-number-one Unicoi County was a tall order. Perhaps the two nights and three days in Harriman will help the cause. As mentioned last week, Happy Valley defeated University by five. The Lady Warriors are scheduled for three games in the Nera White Classic next week. Johnson County lost on The Creek by 18 - - 29-47, went home to Mountain City and lost to Hampton the very next night, by 44 - - 22-66; and then got blasted by Sullivan South 40-75. But not to worry, the Lady Longhorns can now look forward to playing Hampton, then Elizabethton during the first week of 2010. Merry Christmas!

Hampton tripled Johnson County's score - - 66-22. And, this is very interesting: Greeneville 58 South Greene 52 So, the Lady Cyclones can garner some serious confidence with a home win over the Lady Greene Devils this Thursday evening.

And it's a final from The Creek: Unicoi County 76 Unaka 40. Love ya, Lady Rangers, but I simply couldn't come see.

For what it's worth, I have full confidence that, when all is said and done the Lady Bulldogs will be solidly in third overall, perhaps higher. It's been a tough couple weeks, and Hampton had to face three of their toughest challenges. Consider: Elizabethton defeated Tennessee High by two. Tennessee High then lost to Science Hill by three; so no shame at all in those three losses. Actually, I'm just trying to motivate the Lady Bulldogs for the tournament in Cherryville.

1) Unicoi County 2) Elizabethton 3) Hampton 4) Cloudland 5) Unaka 6) Happy Valley 7) Johnson County The Lady Blue Devils lost to a top-notch North Carolina team last Thursday, then bounced back nicely the following night against Sullivan North. Tuesday evening, Erwin plays at Unaka. Elizabethton destroyed Sullivan East and Happy Valley last week. A Thurdsay night home challenge against Greeneville is one of the possible, four challenges - home against Hampton, and the two regular season games with Unicoi County, are the others - preventing the Lady Cyclones from finishing the regular season undefeated. Hampton is teetering on the edge of three-four after losing by nineteen to Science Hill. Johnson County visits Hampton Tuesday. Cloudland lost by six to Chuckey Doak, then defeated Sullivan South by seven. Unaka got handled by North Greene by 22 last Friday night. Last night's home win over Johnson County is of no consequence for this poll, but might provide some much-needed confidence for Tuesday's home game against Unicoi County. Elizabethton poured it on the Lady Warriors 59-14. Happy Valley also lost by nineteen to Unicoi County. Last night's five-point win over University High might make practice a little more bearable. Johnson County has four more chances to win a game this week. Good Luck Lady Longhorns!

Unicoi County lost last night in Weaverville, North Carolina to the undefeated Lady Black Hawks of North Buncombe County High School - - 54-38. It didn't help that Unicoi County didn't have guard Emmi Thompson available. She should be able to return to practice this Monday. The Lady Blue Devils often didn't box out well, threw a few errant passes, and certainly didn't get a lot of favorable officiating, but, as can always be expected from Coach Glenn Fisher's teams, they competed to the final horn. The Lady Black Hawks crashed the boards with wild abandon, and in fact, a few over-the-back calls could've spelled a different outcome. But, for sure, North Buncombe is a very good team, with a lot of stout bodies and good outside shooters. The biggest concern (to me at least) was with the ability of the Lady Hawks to attack the lane off the dribble. And, of course, the offensive rebounding! Still a very young team, Erwin will probably be a Regional semi-finalist. From there it's anybody's guess.

Thanks so much, Squirrel34, for the heads-up. I made the corrections in the original post. And, agreed, the games with Elizabethton should be two, three, or perhaps even four of this season's best games.

Sorry I'm late. 1) Unicoi County Three games this week: Host the Lady Warriors of Happy Valley, Tuesday. At Undefeated (as of 4 December) North Buncombe, North Carolina, Thursday. Host Sullivan North, Friday. 2) Elizabethton - - Four-Win Week for the Lady Cyclones, including the Doc Maples Championship thriller against then unbeaten Tennessee High. Congratulations to Cara Bowling - - Maples Tourney MVP. Cakewalk week on the road at Sullivan East and Happy Valley. Though the meeting with the Lady Warriors could be very interesting. 3) Hampton - - Two losses last week; but to our top two teams. So, no change for now. No games scheduled this week. 4) Cloudland Thrashed Providence Academy. Consecutive home games this week: Thursday - Chuckey Doak Friday - - - Sullivan South 5) Unaka Nice win at Happy Valley. Huge road, Conference challenge at North Greene this Friday. 6) Happy Valley Two home losses last week. Unaka 47 - 54 Daniel Boone 36 - 41 Tuesday night the Lady Warriors travel to Unicoi County. And, Friday, they host Elizabethton. Good luck with that. 7) Johnson County The Lady Longhorns travel to Sullivan North, Tuesday. Friday, Sullivan East goes to Mountain City.

This Hampton team lost three very good players. Mikki Oliver was one of a kind. Josie McKinney was often a lock-down defender, a very good player. And of course, Sarah Calhoun, an incredible player who overcame such overwhelming odds... just to play high school basketball. But she did so much more: She excelled. She was a calming influence on that special, state-tournament team. And someone fully-capable of going off for double digits, and changing a game in no time flat. This team will take some time. But, it's a little unfair to expect the lady Bulldogs to be in mid-season form so early.