krichunaka

I have no idea how they stack up down the road, but the Lady Trojans bring more energy - for four full quarters - than any team we saw this season. Sydney Goins, Megan Fanney, and Shelby May were, without a doubt, the fastest guard-trio we saw this season; so pressure is of lilttle concern. If Kelley Smith goes off from the perimeter, and we already know about Taylor Hall... then Morristown West very well could be a Gold Ball team! And, or course, South Greene is strong and balanced. But, I still like Elizabethton's chances for Murfreesboro. Coach Len Dugger, primarily necessitated due to early-season injuries/sickness, has created a deep club.

Congratulations to Cloudland, Elizabethton, and Hampton. Three Carter County teams will play in Sub-State. Another down-to-the-wire encounter for Hampton and North Greene; otherwise, things went about as expected. Very good matchups for Region One Championships: Elizabethton and South Greene - - Part Four. Cloudland and Hampton - - Also Part Four.

All-Conference fer-sure! There is no other Seven player who played a bigger role for her team; similar to what Alex Fuller is attempting to do at Tennessee: Sell the "Program" to her teammates. Elizabethton has THE dominant player, Pietrowski. The Lady Cyclones also have some very good, veteran players. Unicoi County is obviously a work-in-progress. Without Ali Gardner, (IMO) they're barely a five-hundred team. And, much of this is speculation, however: It will be very interesting to see if, or where Ali plays in College. I don't know whether anything's changed, but Kayla Winters said "no" early on. Perhaps college softball? Mariah is a very attractive college prospect. No doubt, the locals are very interested, but she could decide to move further away? Mikki Oliver is another two-sport athlete; lots of interest for both. Brooke Johnson is considering at least four schools. In fact, all the Cloudland seniors have, or will have offers. They're an impressive athletic/academic group.

These Region One-A brackets don't always favor the District Tournament Champions. If North Greene survives their trip to Sneedville, who then will they be paired against in the Semi-Finals? Just askin' /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

Free-throws don't seem so FREE while standing there with the game, and of course, in this case, the title - literally - on the line. Especially when you get those technical freebies: The whole world watching; palms sweating. Anyhow, the region will likely come down to those same teams. I could be wrong (usually am), but I believe that Unicoi County actually won the District Tournament a couple seasons back. Then, the Lady Blue Devils and Lady Cyclones squared off in the Region One-AA semi-finals the next week at Chuckey Doak, in the game that Hannah Fritz hit the huge corner shot that nearly took the roof off; part of that amazing, something like fourteen-to-two finish... won by Elizabethton.

And, perhaps the most amazing thing of all: Isn't it true that... Four members of this senior class will be Co-Valedictorian(s)? Congratulations to a terrific group of players, not to mention the Great Coach - - - Matt Birchfield!

It was a most-diffucult season for the Lady Rangers of Unaka. With a great group of returning players, with our area's winningest coach for the past seven seasons, things were really looking up. Of course, we know that things don't always go according to plan. With all the disappointments and distractions, our 2005-06 Freshman Of The Year, and already three-time All-Conference selection, still managed to score over one-thousand points total. Kayla Winters Unaka Lady Rangers Basketball career didn't have a happy ending. But she and her teammates persevered, played with grit and honor, and when it was all over, Kayla had amassed 1,148 points! Congratulations, Kayla!

It came to a pitiful ending for the Lady Rangers. Final Score: University High School - - 59 Unaka High School - - - - 41 It was about as bad as we've seen the Lady Rangers play in many years. _________________________________________ _________________________________________ And, Happy Valley's season ended at the hands of the Lady Knights of Chuckey Doak. Those four-five eliminators can be awfully togh. Final Score: Chuckey Doak 61 Happy Valley - 48 More later...

1) Elizabethton 2) Cloudland 3) Unicoi County 4) Hampton 5) Happy Valley 6) Johnson County 7) Unaka An amazing regular season. At its end, we saw, as Coachh17 posted in another thread, the gap close between one, and two-through-five. In fact, Happy Valley, at five, demonstrated, by beating Elizabethton, at Elizabethton, on Senior Night... just how near-equal those five really are. In retrospect, at the end of another season of splits, hits and near-misses, there was one true constant: Mariah Pietrowski had no equal! Certainly not in the Seven, and in fact, throughout the season we saw very few players who could match her size, skill-set and most significant, her passion for the game. And this, to take nothing from several other just-as-good, just as passionate, Seven basketball players. However, as the saying goes, you just can't teach six-two. Mariah's on-the-court impact was unmatched. The Lady Highlanders actually started the season on top, but Elizabethton made quick work of them in early-season at Daniel Boone, where, needless to say, the Lady Cyclones expect to be crowned District One-AA tournament champs next week. Cloudland ends the regular season in second by sweeping our three, Unicoi County, and by splitting with four, the Lady Bulldogs, who were swept by the Lady Blue Devils, who also swept five, Happy Valley. And, sad as it is to say, my beloved Lady Rangers end the regular season at the bottom. The knee injury to last season's Freshman of the Year, Taylor Byars, was too much to overcome. Senior, Chelsea Anderson, also injured her knee in the Thanksgiving Classic at Happy Valley, further reducing Unaka's roster. And, there's still opportunity to salvage a couple big wins, however, Tuesday night's loss at Cosby is not very encouraging. Feb 12, 2009 - 10:28 PM post by Cyclonefan: "Krich, I need for you to confirm what your football nickname was in "your" day as a standout running back for the Rangers way back then." Cyclonefan, There were a couple. Things really clicked for us offensively during my junior (1973) season, in which I had a little over 1,800 rushing yards. We had a great coach, Bill Birchfield. Cloudland, and Tri-County Seven fans should be very familiar with his son, Matt. The next season had its ups and downs - illness, nagging injuries, a coaching change - and my personal production fell off a bit to 1,600 yards. During that season, the Star (I think it was Joe Bowling) once referred to me as Unaka's "Galloping Ghost." At the time, I had no earthly idea who he was, or I might have been too overwhelmed to take the field. As most of the old-timers know, the true Galloping Ghost, "Red" Grange, was one of the greatest-ever football players: http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014213.html http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=78 So, though unwarranted, it was certainly a very nice gesture by the Star. Our assistant coach, Norman Buckles, coined "Rambling Ranger" during the 1973 senior season.

The Elizabethton win in Erwin makes the regular-season Champion selection easy. The Lady Cyclones lost only one Seven game the entire season. And I really like their chances to win the District Tournament. And are we perhaps going to see them repeat as Region One-A Champs? But, be warned: There are three District teams fully-capable of beating Elizabethton. I don't expect it, but caution is advised. And, though South Greene, as evidenced by the home loss to Unicoi County, is beatable, the Lady Rebels will again be a tough matchup for any of three possible Seven opponents. But first things first. Congratulations to the Lady Cyclones!

I've obviously missed a lot of dialogue, and we'll get it all covered in the next few hours/days. Meanwhile, we'll delay this week's thread until after tomorrow night's end to the regular-season. Fair enough? I was ready to crown the Lady Cyclones undisputed Champs, until the somewhat surprising, and to Elizabethton fans, disappointing performance against Happy Valley... followed by Cloudland's Saturday night win in Erwin; and this, only days after the Lady Blue Devils defeated the Lady Rebels... at South Greene! An interesting set of developments, to say the least, and could certainly influence the regular season-ending standings. ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ And then, we'll have our first post-regular-season poll next weekend after the completion of District Tournament action. ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Personal/Local: We expect to have one, and probably two, new, local-area WebSites. The first should be up and runnig within the next couple days. Soon afterward, an interactive Site hosted by Tim Chambers, should be online by early Spring; perhaps sooner.

Not just a history teacher, but a certifiable genius as well. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" /> Seven years was mentioned, and Fan, you noted an eight-year run; didn't the Holtsclaw group also win close to twenty games? I remember writing an article about her signing with King, but with my memory, I'd have to invade the Star to gather those records. I seem to recall that they were District Champs, or at leastrunners-up. ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Dog, I got totally left out of Tuesday's action. All I managed were a few comments from Coaches Tolley, Birchfield, and a few others who were at either game. From what I gather, and from seeing the North Greene at Cloudland game, Brooke Johnson looks to be building her annual Tournament momentum. Shellie McKiney appears to be outworking everyone under the boards; and as mentioned, Brittany Reece is becoming a big part of Cloudland's post game. If completely healthy (and that might not be in the cards this season, but) if the Lady Bulldogs are reasonably mended by Tournament time, then I really like their chances. Regardless, I think there's parity-enough that we very well might not see District-Regional sweeps; and possibly at both A and AA levels. Three teams, in both conferences, are reasonably well-matched. Not only that, but to take Happy Valley and Chuckey Doak, at 2, or Unaka at 1, lightly, could have season- ending consequences. In fact (and just my opinion but), I expect at least one HUGE upset... and probably at the Regions - - - where it hurts the most. And, we already know that at least one very good team, from both conferences, will be sent home short of Sub-State. When we consider the scores from Elizabethton and South Greene, and what happened at North Greene with Hampton and Cloudland; and of course, last night's shootout in Hampton; and we know that Happy Valley took both the Lady Cyclones and Unicoi County down to the wire. And, Chuckey Doak split with Elizabethton, Happy Valley and Unicoi County... then we should expect perhaps our most unpredictable, and exciting tournament play in quite a while (though last season's Elizabethton win over South Greene in the Region Final was amazing). Meanwhile, Hampton goes to Roan Mountain! Will the Lady Bulldogs manage to force a coin-flip? Or, if there are more than two teams tied, do they draw straws? Ultimately, the good money is on an Elizabethton-South Greene final in both tournaments. But then we further consider that Chuckey Doak will be hosting. And, North Greene is a twenty-minute drive from Afton.

That's an incredible example of consistency. Not only that, but the feat was accomplished during three coaching tenures - - Wilson, Weems, and Dugger. The dates tend to run together, but I think the streak began during Rikki Baughman's (now a senior at Milligan) sophomore season; which would've been Elizabeth Holtsclaw's (who played at King) senior season. And wasn't that the year a girl named Michaela started high school?

Dog, again, thanks! If, in fact, Hampton doesn't have the complete-roster team needed to win tonight, then we're looking at new Conference Champs. However, I still think the Lady Bulldogs win tonight. Good Luck!

I think so. I really like everything about her.

Thanks, dog, for the report. We wanted to get to that game, but don't always get other things out of the way in time. Such is life. Again, the Lady Bulldogs find themselves with multiple players on the bench, either sick, or injured. The good news - - other players are gaining the experience they'll need if called up in tournament action. And, I don't want to rekindle the "who has the most talent" debate, but (to me at least) the Lady Warriors don't appear to have a talent advantage over the other Seven teams. If we go position-for-position, (and of course, in most every case, this excludes Mariah) all the other teams match up pretty well with each other. The Lady Warriors have a deep squad, but (and again, only my opinion) they don't have a talent advantage. Depth? Yes. Overall talent? No. But most important, are the Lady Bulldogs expected to have everyone available for tonight's game?

1) Elizabethton 2) Hampton 3) Cloudland 4) Unicoi County 5) Happy Valley 6) Unaka 7) Johnson County The Lady Cyclones lost at home Friday night to South Greene. However, when that loss is put into its proper perspective, all of us can take a little extra pride in our Seven's number one team: South Greene has lost three games this season. Two of those losses were to Morristown West; and, the Lady Rebels actually once defeated those same Lady Trojans... in the semi-finals of the Greene Bank Classic; incidentally, the only loss of the season for Morristown West. The next evening, the twenty-three-and-three Lady Wildcats of Wilson Central beat the lady Rebels for the Title. By two points. In overtime. So, our great state's fifth-rated team - South Greene - is very good. Elizabethton is also quite good. Probably Murfreesboro good. Hampton handled Unaka at home Friday night. The Lady Bulldogs can share the conference regular-season title by defeating University High at home Monday; follow that up Tuesday with another win in Hampton, over North Greene... then, go to Roan Mountain and win this Friday. By defeating North Greene, and losing to Cloudland, we'll have a three-way tie. By losing to North Greene, no matter the result of this Friday's game, North Greene wins the title outright. At times Friday night in Roan Mountain, Cloudland looked like the team that won last season's District and Region-One tournaments, as several of the Lady Highlanders battled illness while defeating the visiting Lady Huskies of North Greeene. At other times they looked as though they might let the game slip away. It was a great battle of wills against a determined opponent. Now all the Lady Highlanders have to do to share this season's regular-season title is, go and defeat the down-trodden Lady Rangers on Stoney Creek, then win at home this Friday night against Hampton, which, of course, could be much-easier said than done. It seems only fitting that come Friday night, we could see a three-way tie. Unicoi County will likely be District-One AA's number-three seed; however, a win in this week's make up game in Erwin against the Lady Cyclones would be a huge confidence builder heading into the tournament. After last week's miserable turn of events, the Lady Blue Devils managed a fifteen-point win over Johnson County, Friday night. Unicoi County has the honor of playing in South Greeneville, Tuesday, before going to Sullivan North this Friday. Happy Valley can finish a very-respectful eight-and-six by defeating West Greene, Tuesday; then at Elizabethton this Friday; followed by a win in Mountain City, Monday the sixteenth. Otherwise the Lady Warriors appear headed for fifth-place in conference, as Chuckey Doak has a more-favorable (Johnson County, West Greene) home-stand finish. Unaka has one last shot to play spoiler... Tuesday night at home against Cloudland. But, Cloudland looked pretty good in defeating North Greene Friday night. The Lady Rangers can look forward to possibly ruining some unlucky team's season in tournament action. Johnson County gets to play twice in Greene County - at Chuckey Doak, Tuesday; at South Greene, Friday - then there's a home conference game with Happy Valley to finish the regular-season. The Lady Longhorns have played a few very-competitive games against some of the area's better teams. A strong finish is still possible.

It's possible, even probable that EHS and SGHS will be our area's two substate teams. South Greene's semi-final win over Morristown West, and then the tremendous performance in the Greene Bank Classic championship game loss to Wilson Central, are indicative of the quality and ability of the Lady Rebels. So, if anything, based on their efforts in the two, regular-season matchups with South Greene, the Lady Cyclones should feel awfully good about their chances to reach Murfreesboro. The Lady Rebels are an awfully good team, and the two, single-digit losses, by the Lady Cyclones are, in my opinion, ample reason for optimism. __________________________________ __________________________________ Cloudland, Hampton, and North Greene are good teams; and again just my opinion, but it's a little premature and unreasonable to declare any one of them better than other(s). For now. It's only fair to point out the that, this season, the Lady Huskies beat Cloudland... for the very first time since James Buchanan became North Greene's head coach. That's very important for the upcoming tournament action. And, Friday night's win, by Cloudland, over North Greene was anything but, a separator. Mariah Britton had probably her poorest shooting night of the season, yet she still managed to bring the Lady Huskies back to within striking distance in quarter number four. And though we can probably expect Hampton to beat North Greene at home this week, there could be two more meetings of these three top teams between now and season's end. ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Now, to Cloudland's credit, the Lady Highlanders managed to win at home against a tough opponent, with several players battling illness. Of note, Shellie McKinney played very well; Brittany Reece is starting to play like a starter; and Brooke Johnson played like the B. J. of recent seasons. Her drives were very strong, she was hitting pull-up and turn-aroud jumpers; and her attack-and-dish plays looked like the plays that led Cloudland to the Region One-A title last season. But again, the new season begins in Afton, and it's reasonable to expect the Lady Huskies to be a very tough matchup for any of our local teams.

I haven't seen Faith Dupree; hope to get to watch her soon. And I wouldn't try to pick which is better, especially since, as has already been pointed out, (good post, PHargis) what's most-important is they fit well with the team they play for. Having said all that, I Love Jasmine Hassell. She's very strong, runs the floor quite well, is Very Vocal; she passes very well when double/triple teamed. And, she has a wonderful shooter's touch. Andy Landers has to be tickled silly with this signing. Hey, if UConn wanted her, she must be pretty good.

1) Elizabethton 2) Hampton 3) Cloudland 4) Unicoi County 4) Happy Valley 6) Unaka 7) Johnson County Since halftime in South Greeneville, the Lady Cyclones have played very good basketball. And though some Elizabethton fans were a bit disappointed with the four-point win in Hampton, after the twenty-point mauling of the Lady Bulldogs in Elizabethton in mid-December, it's note- worthy that the Lady Bulldogs are much-improved. And nobody goes to Vanhuss-White and wins easily. With two wins this week - at Unicoi County (Tuesday), and at home against South Greene (Friday), the Lady Cyclones won't necessarily improve their conference seed (again, the Chuckey Doak affect), but the message will be sent that they intend to defend their Region-One-AA Crown. Hampton's four-point loss to Elizabethton was closer than most expected. Conversely, the Lady Bulldogs could have, and except for some missed free-throws and a short banker in the last minute, should have actually won the game. The Lady Bulldogs bounced back proudly on Stoney Creek the very next night, then dismantled Providence Academy on Friday. Defeating UH-Johnson City (Tuesday) and UH-Stoney Creek (Friday) both at home sets Hampton up for a promising three-team showdown the following week with North Greene and Cloudland. The Lady Highlanders fought back to defeat Avery County, North Carolina, Tuesday, then won the somewhat surprisingly close game with Johnson County Saturday night. But win they did. And now it's on to Friday's showdown in Roan Mountain against North Greene. Which is what makes Monday night's home game with Sullivan North so interesting. The Lady Highlanders had their hands full in the first meeting with the Lady Rebels, so any idea of looking ahead to Friday could result in a loss. Happy Valley beat Daniel Boone by nineteen, then slaughtered Sullivan North by forty-two points. Tuesday's game in Mountain City could be a challenge, and Friday the Lady Knights from Afton will try to continue their spoilers' role. The Lady Warriors have the talent and depth to finish strongly, and this week's games are winnable. The Lady Blue Devils had a very disappointing week in Greene County. First, came the controversial loss in overtime to Chuckey Doak, and then West Greene beat Erwin on Friday. And, things could get worse if Ali Gardner isn't able to return to play reasonably soon, after suffering an ankle injury against the Lady Buffaloes. Tuesday's home game against Elizabethton is no longer the anticipated battle for second place, and suddenly, Friday's home game with Johnson County becomes a tremendous challenge. Unaka bounced back from their home loss to Hampton with an impressive performance in Johnson City Friday. Kayla Winters was battling illness and didn't start, but took over after entering the game in the first quarter, and finished with twenty-four points. The Lady Rangers are scheduled to play in Cosby Monday night, at Providence Academy, Tuesday, then finish the week with a very-tough challenge Friday at Hampton. Johnson County played Cloudland very closely Saturday night, just one day after being soundly beaten by the Lady Cyclones. Tuesday's home game with Happy Valley is the opportunity for the Lady Longhorns to build confidence before playing in Erwin this Friday.

The score from Unicoi County's game at West Greene is stunning, even after learning of Ali Gardner's injury. And this, with the beloved Lady Cyclones headed to Erwin this Tuesday! Incidentally, the Johnson County at Cloudland game, previously scheduled, and noted on this thread, for Thursday night (29th), will be played TONIGHT in Roan Mountain.

The Lady Bulldogs won on the Creek, but hopefully not at too-high a price. Hampton nearly doubled-up on Unaka in the first half - 33-17, survived an error-filled third that the Lady Rangers won 14-4, then extended the six-point lead out to the 14-point, 56-42 final. And, Coach Leon Tolley finally had a near-completely healthy lineup... Then, at a-minute-twenty-five before the final horn, Chelsey Weddle dropped to the floor, favoring her left ankle; the same foot she injured a few weeks ago in Cherryville, North Carolina. Chelsey was in typical good spirits after the game, and said it would be fine. Maybe; but often these re-injuries tend to play havoc for several weeks. And we're only three weeks from the District Tournament. And, Chelsey is vital to Hampton's success. Mikki Oliver scored a three, a layup and five-of-six free-throws, for ten points; Josie McKinney played a very good defensive game and scored eight; Kelly Stout also scored eight, with two Threes and two foul shots; Maci Lewis hit a first-quarter Three - - one of six, first-half bombs by the Lady Bulldogs - - and a free-throw, for four total; and Martin hit a late free-throw. But the star for Hampton was Sarah Calhoun! Sarah hit two free-throws, a two-pointer, and nailed three Threes, for thirteen points. And, all this in the second quarter! Kayla Wintes had another nice game with nineteen points; Natalie Johnson scored three; Rachel Lowe, five. Chesnie Cox hit double-figures with ten points; and Tayler Nidiffer scored five, including the offensive play of the game when she rebounded a missed, third-quarter free-throw, scored, and converted the two-plus-one. If Weddle returns to form, and with Hampton's senior leadership, the Lady Bulldogs appear capable of a very deep tournament run. And, if the Lady Rangers fully-mend - - Danielle Jones is still recovering from a broken thumb, and Kayleigh Elsea had to sit out last night's game after re-aggravating a shoulder injury - - they too can play with the best-in-conference.

Last night's game actually continues last week's theme: It was an evenly-matched game in Hampton. Except for Mariah Pietrowski. Mariah scored 21 points to lead Elizabethton. First Quarter: HHS 15 - - EHS 12 Second: EHS 8 - - HHS 5 - - Tied at twenty at half-time Third: HHS 14 - - -EHS 11 - End of 3rd - - 34-31 Fourth: EHS 15 - - HHS 8 - - Final - - EHS 46 - - HHS 42 And what an ending! Hampton was trailing by three, 44-41, when Mariah was fouled at 7.2 seconds after rebounding a miss by Hampton. However, a technical foul was whistled on Elizabethton. Pietrowski nailed her one-plus-one to put Elizabethton up by five, 46-41. At the other end, Hampton hit the first, but missed the second technical shot, leaving the Lady Buldogs at a two-possession deficit. Hampton missed a three as the buzzer sounded. The biggest player on the court, and the littlest, Mariah and Kristen, hit six-of-six, free-throws in the game's final half-minute to secure the Elizabethton win. (UN-officially), as a team, after going one-for-four at the line before the half, the Lady Cyclones were a perfect nine-for-nine in the second-half. The Lady Bulldogs didn't attempt a free-throw in the first half; hit three-of-six at the line in the fourth, and four-of-nine in the second half. Mikki Oliver scored 17 points, Josie McKinney scored 15. Mikki even managed a couple nice bank-shots over Pietrowski. Sarah Calhoun hit a third-quarter three; Maci Lewis scored two; and Chelsey Weddle had five points. Hampton contained and frustrated the Powell-to-Pietrowski outside-in game and managed a few steals and conversions. However, as good teams do, the Lady Cyclones found other ways to score. A couple nice lobs from the wing to Pietrowski kept Elizabethton in the game. Mariah was also in her typical, top form under the glass with several putbacks. But the highlight was whe she converted a tremendous, baseline drive, reverse lay-up. She's a Beast! However, none of the Elizabethton heroics would've been possible, but for the magnificent outside shooting by Chelsea Bowling. Chelsea has battled injuries throughout the season, but last night, the sophomore wing kept the Lady Cyclones in the game with three, first-half threes, including a half-time buzzer-beater from the left corner, and another huge bomb from the wing in the fourth. Bowling scored 13 points, Erin Kiser had six, and Erin Anderson scored two.

1) Elizabethton 2) Unicoi County 3) Hampton 4) Cloudland 5) Happy Valley 6) Unaka 7) Johnson County Elizabethton's double-digit win over Chukey Doak evens that series. Monday's game at Hampton is the first of three games this week. The Lady Cyclones host West Greene, Tuesday, and then aroud Watauga Lake they go to Mountain City this Friday. Unicoi County got two, Seven wins over Carter County - Unaka and Happy Valley - this week. The Lady Blue Devils have a tough challenge in Afton, Tuesday, and then it's back to Greene County on Friday to play West Greene. Hampton won by two in round-one with Cloudland, keeping regular-season conference championship hopes in play, and putting the Lady Highlanders two games back of North Greene. Monday's home game with Elizabethton will be tough, before Tuesday's conference game at Unaka. Cloudland's loss at Hampton forces the Lady Highlanders to hold serve by sweeping the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Huskies at home, and pull for the Lady Bulldogs to beat North Greene in Hampton, in order to share the conference crown. No conference games this week; at Avery County, North Carolina, Tuesday, then at home agaisnt Johnson County, Thursday. Unaka played just well enough to lose at North Greene, Thursday, after losing at home to Unicoi County the night previous. They have a shot at a home upset against Hampton, Tuesday, before trying to win in Johnson City, Friday, to keep the Lady Junior Bucs in last place. Johnson County defeated West Greene by 13, Friday, then lost by ten at home to Chuckey Doak, Saturday evening. The Lady Longhorns play at Sullivan North, Tuesday; at Cloudland, Thursday; then play the Lady Cyclones at home, Friday.

Quoting cycloneproud: "krich, you a lot smarter than to say there are alot equal in this area to Len Dugger! NO COACH ,is as knowledgable of the game , although Jerry White and others are VERY good coaches. Len Dugger is a gym rat with the greatest work ethic Ive ever seen. Some like him, some don't but you can't deny his ability. And before you all start ragging Dugger, I said there are alot of very good coaches around here Im just saying in MY opinion, he's the best!" ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Will try to catch up with the recent games - Unaka at North Greene; Cloudland at Hampton - later tonight. But just one more clarification: Just as this was never about comparing Mariah to any of the others, this wasn't intended to critique the coaches, one-on-one. Mariah, due to her overall physical attributes and game-smarts, is in her own league. She isn't necessarily the best basketball player; that's not the point; but she's the most-dominant player. Same with the coaches. If you research the records, you'll find that Birchfield, Fisher, and Chambers, went farther, and more often, than any of the others. Len Dugger has more than proven himself a very good coach. He has also coached some of the area's best-ever talent. We're talking about a few Division-One players. So, yes, he's very, very good. But it would be lapse on my part, to just accept the "by far" or "bar none" remarks, without at least pointing out the successful careers of a the others. They're all good! How's that? /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="