hedgehog

You post the crap you want to, and I'll post the "crap" I want to. Yours was not the opinions I was interested in anyway.

You hear so much talk about the great teams with stars, and the great teams with great chemistry. What teams do you think of when you hear "Great Chemistry", and how important is it to have going into the post season. Also, does added pressure on a team affect it's chemistry more than if the team had one or two stars that carried the load? Just curious about everyone's thoughts.

You hear so much talk about the great teams with stars, and the great teams with great chemistry. What teams do you think of when you hear "Great Chemistry", and how important is it to have going into the post season. Also, does added pressure on a team affect it's chemistry more than if the team had one or two stars that carried the load? Just curious about everyone's thoughts.

I've seen refs call walking when a player makes a simple jab step - nothing else, just a jab step - and a walk is called before any other move is made and the pivot foot has not moved at all. Some of these guys officiate like they not only have never played the game; but like they've never seen or even heard of the game. But I think I have officially seen the worst referee in history at a game in Memphis. I don't remember who was playing, but it was a woman ref. (Typically, I think sometimes women refs do better than some of the men because it is more likely they have played at some level before and many male refs have not). Anyway, she was so bad that the other ref (this game had only two refs) had to make calls on the baseline from half court (when she was on the baseline) because she would not blow her whistle. One time, he blew the whistle and she made a gesture like she was asking "what did I miss?" Maybe she was asking "Now that you made the call, what do I do?" I don't think all refs are bad, but every part of the state has more than its share of bad ones.

And one of the college coach's "responsibilities" as a coach is to put folks in the seats. Another version of the old saying is "Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships", so what basically happens at the next level is coaches take one of the least talented offensive players who is athletic and "turns them into" a defensive "stopper". If the kid wants to play, they will assume that role.

I know that not everybody plays the game with the intent to earn a college scholarship, but ponder this. When the college coaches come knockin' and sitting in the bleachers etc., are they coming to see somebody who's a stopper, or someone who can fill it up?

I wonder why the question about how coaches rate players would ellicit such a response as above. I think it is legitimate to ask how coaches rate players. Sometimes it is not obvious to fans that a player is making a contribution, while a coach may think they are making huge contributions: sometimes called "intangibles". Even if a player is seemingly just running up and down the floor, they could still be having some negative (or positive) impact on their team's performance in ways that don't always show up in the stats. Kwright, I think your question is a good one and legitimate to ask.

With district races shaping up, teams are jockeying for position for all important seedings in their district tournaments. In Regions 7-AAA, and 8-AAA, it is starting to be obvious who the top teams might be trying to get out of the regionals. Kirby, once thought to be one of the toughest teams in Region 8-AAA (from district 15-AAA), has lost 5 against only 2 wins in their district. Their losses include opponents not known to be powerhouses - White Station, Collierville, Wooddale, and say that Kirby is one of the pretenders this year. On the other hand, Memphis Northside, also in Region 8-AAA, is demolishing teams left and right. With the departure of Craigmont to Region 7-AAA (where they are winless in the district) has opened the door for a knock-down, drag-out fight for top billing in the region against the favorites - Ridgeway. Both of these contenders have to be favored to place 1 & 2 in Region 8-AAA tournament, and likely beat both the 1 & 2 from Region 7-AAA. (most likely Bartlett and Munford). What other teams across the state are doing better, or worse than anyone expected, and will make their regional competitions interesting, to say the least?

In the thick of district play now, what are some teams in various districts that while their record might say they are not that tough, on any given night might put something on a "better team". This type of team exists in every division and probably in every district. Would love to hear about some of these "spoilers".

In the thick of district play now, what are some teams in various districts that while their record might say they are not that tough, on any given night might put something on a "better team". This type of team exists in every division and probably in every district. Would love to hear about some of these "spoilers".

Just as important, Thad is a good kid and a good student. Unlike many kids whom you hear about are having trouble adjusting to college and athletics, Thad should do well - even though he will probably go league after a couple of years. Good luck to all the Memphis area preps heading to the next level in the fall.

For the first time in years, Bartlett may become a force to reckon with in the region 7-AAA post season. In part because of the departures of Dyersburg and Jackson Northside to AA; but also because Bartlett has three legitimate scoring threats; a pretty sound defense, and good team chemistry. Their leading scorer is Jasmine James, a freshman, with about 16 ppg; followed by juniors Nikki Thompson near 14 ppg, and Ashley Herring at 10 ppg. Their average margin of victory this year is about 15 points (55-40). In addition to these three, they have two seniors - Linda Beckwith, and Brittany Pellegra. A freshman who comes off the bench, Brianna Walker can become a dominant force when she matures some and learns some of the finer points of the game. If you get a chance to watch them play you will be in for a treat. They are not flawless, but they play hard and play good team ball. The one thing that might hurt them down the road is their inconsistency in taking the ball and ramming down opponent's throats: they are not "vicious" enough. By that I mean they seem content on just winning and not wanting to destroy their competition. At some point they may choose a team as the victim to "send a message" with.

Now that is really hilarious

Bias defined - (a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation.) philtenn, I can't believe you mean that it is a good thing for all parents to show a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation) While I agree with you that parents can be a great support system for a team, I don't think that it applies equally to summer ball (AAU etc) and high school ball. AAU is a different kind of monster that almost REQUIRES a lot parental involvment for the sake of the kids. High school ball requires support, and I believe the support is welcomed, but it is handled differently by different coaches and schools. But the support should be impartial. In other words, parents who are involved on any team should show impartiality in that they should treat all players equally. The problem with involvment, is that sometimes the involvment gets the parent undue influence over what the team does. Even when the parent is the coach of the team you can often see the partiality shown toward the coach's kid, or the kids friends. I think people get tired or upset when a parent's influence causes them to become more biased, and do everything in their power to promote their kid, even at the expense of (sometimes) better players, and the overall welfare of the team. Now, having said all that doesn't even suggest that ALL parents will do this, but enough do. There are always some exceptional parents who want to see their child develop in a good environment that promotes hard work, team work, fair play, growth and development.

Thanks for the info CCB. The kid was really impressive to watch. I hope I get to see him play again.

I had never heard of or seen this kid before last night in ECS's demolition of Bolton. Looking 6'2" or 6'3" and 210-230, listed as a guard, this kid dominated the game from the inside and outside. Posts smaller guards up, takes bigger defenders outside. Blocked or changed most of the shots put up by Bolton on the inside. Anybody out there know where he's from or anything about him. Impressive - really.

Referees, at least the good ones, don't let personal "grudges" get in the way of their impartiality. But they are human. I bet if you ask any coach of any high school team in TN if there is a ref who they think has something against them or their team, I would be surprised if they would say no. But as far as films of games as proof, remember most of the calls that referees make are judgement calls. Very few calls in basketball are correctable. Therefore, very few of a referees decisions would ever be reviewed by anyone. The only things TSSAA would begin to look at are procedural in nature (the same few kind of calls that are correctable). My theme for this year going to watch any high school game is "The refs take all the fun out of the game for everybody". So if I accept that, its a wash, and I focus on the quality of play of the team I am cheering for, and hope the refs don't spoil the game for the kids playing their hearts out.

Lynn Whitfield is the girls coach at Bartlett. Don't know exactly how long she has been there, but more than 10 years. She does a good job. For the most part, I believe she gets the most out the talent she has to work with year in and out. This year must be a "treat" for her, having three real good ball players in Ashley Herring, (junior forward); Jasmine James, (freshman guard); and Nikki Thompson (junior forward). She has had some decent players in the past, but as far as I know, never has she had a core of girls this good all at the same time at Bartlett.

I responded to this thread only because I saw Smith County play in the Collierville "Dragonfire Tournament". Smith County impressed me as a fundamentally solid team. They played hard, with discipline, and played team ball. These are all things that coaches and fans almost always have to expect and desire. I don't know anything about how this year's team compares with the past, but I suspect they are bettter than an 8-6 record would make you believe. Their two losses at the Dragonfire tourney were to a couple of solid AAA teams: Bartlett, and Central. It is my understanding that they are in one of the toughest AA districts in the state. Good luck to them the rest of the year. Would not be surprised if they made it deep into the post season.

I love watching high school basketball, because the kids on the court play (for the most part) for the pure love of the game. Sometimes all that intensity and effort creates some very funny things happening. Referees (even though this thread is not about referrees) do funny things too. Probably the funniest things I've seen this year all happened in one game. In a boys game, a player on the wing made a pass to a teammate cutting through the lane. The cutting player turned his head as he cut away from the ball and got hit in the back of the head with the ball. The ball bounced off his head, hit the guy who was guarding him and almost went in the basket. In the same game, the referee called a technical foul on someone in the crowd and charged it to the home team. (This person was across the floor from the bench so it could not have come from the bench). The third and final thing was when a ref was trying to get in the right position on the floor and tripped the player with the ball coming across half court on a fast break. Even though these things were funny to me, I realize they may not have been so funny to the teams involved or their fans.

No disrespect toward Harding, but I wouldn't place them among the better competition that Bartlett has played. Bartlett's style of play is really dictated by their defense and rebounding. When they do a good job of forcing turn overs, rebounding and pushing the ball, they do okay. Another thing is, Bartlett has been outscoring their opponents by an average of 13 points or so. (about 53-40) This game was a "blip" in terms of the score, but not the outcome.

Now that holiday tournaments are over; and hopefully teams used them to help get ready for the "meaningful" games, it would be interesting to hear which teams look like they will have what it takes to win their district, their tournamentd, and do well enough in regional tournament to make a run for what everyone's goal is: A trip to the state. I know, I know; it is much too early to say for certain. But some teams have got to feel better about their chances than others. Hope to limit this discussion to AAA simply to focus on one division. It would be interesting to hear your predictions about why certain teams look good.

Going into the tournament Kirby had to be the favorite; but they played uninspired. In every game that I saw them play they actually played like they would rather be somewhere else. An impressive Central team overpowered Smith County for 3rd place. (Smith County had an off night shooting and except for # 12 couldn't match up with Central's athletes). But Smith County was one of the best in the tourney. Byhalia deserved to win the championship. They had better athletes, and made the plays when it counted. I don't believe they had the best team in the tournament, but they are a solid team. Top five teams, I believe, would be Byhalia, Bartlett, Central, Smith County, and Whte Station. Kirby has some solid ball players, but what I saw from them as a team disappointed me. Some of the players who made all tournament: Byhalia:#31 Brandy Faine, MVP; # 21 Ashley Wilson; #14 ? (? means I don't remember her name; not I don't think she should have been selected on the all tourney team ) Bartlett: Ashley Herring, Jasmine James, Nikki Thompson; Central: #4, # 30 (don't know names); Smith County #12, #20; Other notables; Alexis Givends, Kirby, Brittany Johnson, Bolton. Several others, but I forgot who they were.

Bartlett and Byhalia play for the championship. Two years ago in this tournament, both these teams were considered "fish food" for the big fish in the tournament. This year, not through luck, they have earned the right to play for the championship. This game will put the 6-2 guard Ashley Wilson and a cast of athletic defenders for Byhalia against a potent offense in Bartlett's team. If the triple threats of Herring, James, and Thompson all click, it could be a rough night for Byhalia. On the other hand, if Byhalis forces as many turnovers as they did against Central in the semi-finals, Bartlett could suffer its first defeat of the year. It should be a great game. Good luck to both teams!