ShutupandPlay

This may anger some, but I'd say in that 7AA has been about as tough as 8AAA for the past 10 or 15 years or so, or at least the top couple of teams have been.

Let's not forget that the teams that look best in these early-season matchups may look completely different toward the end of the season. Remember last years Oliver Springs/Livingston Academy matchups? OS won the Hall of Fame by one in OT and LA won the state semis by about 35. These are going to be exciting matchups, but lets not read too much into them.

This is one of the worst tragedies I've ever seen. It couldn't have happened to nicer people that the Stephens and Upchurch families. Let's all remember the things that are most important to us, and pray for Mallie and her family. http://www.overtoncountynews.com/archives2...2004.html#news1

Itsallaboutball........man.....looks like you have lots of doubt about LA. Why?

You mean win state "again"?! I agree, if Allons just had a coach.... I hear you gotta be in the 'ELITE' group to get one of those shirts...gotta know the right person.

It's for 6th grade teams. Of course, some sixth grade teams have younger players on them.

Hey Devil, the USA Bantam Jamboree at Allons will be held Sept. 20 through Oct. 2. Invitations have been sent to JCMS, but I told you I'd let you know. Entries should be returned by Sept. 1.

Huck, your well wish to Katrina at the end of your post doesn't override the underlying tone of the rest of it. I'm sure that UTC will fair well without her, but did that really have to be said? Also, the "Miss Overton County Fairest of the Fair" comment's sarcasm is worth noting. Maybe you don't agree with her decision. Maybe I don't either. But I can say this..I don't know her situation or reasons and I'm going to guess you don't either. Even though this is an open forum, Katrina's decision is no one's business but hers. I know that Livingston fans will really miss watching her play and that everyone else is SO glad that she has moved on. Good luck Katrina, in whatever you choose to do.

Yes. I've been aware of that SLEEPER for a few years now. Maybe this will be her year..as of yet I've been a little disappointed, but she's got a couple of years left and I'm sure the best is yet to come.

I'll have to agree with several people on this one. I think Smith County and Upperman will be the front runners in 7AA...at least for a while. However, when it comes tourney time, especially at Hooper Eblen at TTU, SC and Upperman will not be a shoe-in for district champs. Watch out for a sleeper team..or three sleepers in LA, JC, or York.

Allons usually has theirs just before fall break. We now call it a jamboree..sort of preseason, but goes very well and kind of lets everyone know where they stand and what work they need to do. I'll let you know the exact dates before long. Rickman's is usually around Christmas time.

Here are the results from camp. As usual at summer camps, many teams were playing lots of players and trying different combinations of players. All in all, it was a good experience. It went like this: AES 45, Karns 32 AES 33, Jefferson Middle (Oak Ridge) 48 AES 51, Pigeon Forge 31 AES 49, South Doyle 28 AES 46, Harriman 21 AES 48, North Middle (Lenoir City) 29 AES 38, LaFollette 43 AES 39, Oneida 32 6-2 overall. AES ran out of gas against Jefferson. That game was tied at half and Allons led by 4 midway through the third quarter. Jefferson had a kid that was VERY good, could do about anything. In the LaFollette game, AES led the entire game and handed it to them at the end. The LaFollette game was AES's worst performance. Overall, though, the competition was good and it was a positive experience.

I will let you know. I agree, the kid from LMS can play. Actually, as far as Overton County goes, Rickman is usually pretty good and should be even better next year. Overton County has a really good group of rising 8th graders from Allons, Rickman, and Livingston Middle.

I thought this was interesting. Allons, about 99% of the time, plays schools with larger, sometimes much larger, enrollments. So as far as camp at Oak Ridge next week..here are how the enrollments compare. Allons - about 120 students in 6-8th grades vs.... Karns Middle - 1000+ in 6th-8th grades Jefferson Middle - 700+ in 5th-8th grades Pigeon Forge Middle - 680 in 3rd-7th grades South Doyle Middle - 1100+ in 6th-8th grades Harriman Middle - 200+ in 7th-8th grades North Middle (Lenoir City) - 500+ in 6th-8th grades LaFollette ? Oneida Middle - 290 in 6th-8th. More info later.

Where does that 7th grader play? I would have enjoyed watching your AAU team play. You're right again..those East Tennessee teams definitely have some speed. Karns was the only team to beat us there last year, but that was last year and we don't seem to be in as good of shape yet this summer. But hey! I like that competition where everyone you play is good enough to beat you. That's what really helps us improve. Win or lose, probably some of both, I'll let you know how it turns out.

That's the truth about AAU. It's a shame that local kids have to travel to Knoxville or Nashville to play on an AAU team that might get them some recognition. Hey, Allons Varsity goes to camp at Oak Ridge next week. It'll be nice to see how they stack up against some East Tennessee talent...Karns, Oneida, Harriman, Pigeon Forge, Lenoir City, and some others. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Actually, I was very impressed. Hated to go to that box and 1, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right? Sure would like to have another shooter like him though.

AA... This could be a different year. As for District 7AA, the owner of the last six state titles..power may shift a little..Smith County and Upperman are predicted to be the teams to beat..but what person in his right mind would count out Livingston Academy or Jackson County? Both are rebuilding a bit but look for them to be sleepers come tourney time. Also, what about Walker Valley..if they stay in AA look for them to make some noise. Also Gibson County has some good talent returning.

I believe I saw your son ( 5th or 6th grader) play this summer. He looked good. Did you teach him to shoot like that?

Were coaches, overall, feeling their teams out? Did it seem that anyone was really trying to win as a priority over allowing players to gain experience and court time? Finally, was anyone really impressive?

Haha. Who's carried away. If these two, who I agree are good, ever get to where Beechboard is as far as talent and development, then they'll deserve the same props. They'll have to raise their game a couple of levels to get there, though. I hope they do, but there's much work to be done.

Congratulations! You really deserved this award and everyone will miss watching you play.

DONE DID IT!

Hey Yuck... Not been here in a while. You've probably been workin' on your GAME or something..not that you need to or anything, though. I think Gordon's team, Glencliff of Nashville, lost in the first round of the state tournament. I think that's where he plays. I heard that Jamont Gordon and Tyler Smith were going to Oak Hill Academy in North Carolina for their senior seasons. I could be wrong on Gordon. Correct me if so. Later

Congratulations to Coach Smith and to all the players! Katrina, Megan, Casey, and Kellie, everyone will really miss watching you all play. Congratulations and good luck in whatever you decide to do in the future.