landergolfer

This will be a great game. I can not wait for it. On a side note, tthe Avery Journal Times has started a blog that will cover the 'Landers football, basketball and anything else Cloudland. It will also cover Avery County sports, Appalachain State, and anything else of interest. The paper will also continue to have coverage. Check it out at http://ajtsports.blogspot.com/ and pass it along.

This has to be the most intriguing matchup of the morning session Wednesday. A team that we know can go all the way to Saturday with all the weapons, offensive power, and coaching in Union City against the upstart kids of Roan Mountain that has shown they have the weapons, defensive power, and coaching that has the determination to go. Which team's will power wins out? We will see Wednesday. Both teams have proven they are capable of winning when it counts, and that is why they are still playing. Union City is the favorite obviously, with Cloudland taking their role as the underdog, a role they have had all of tournaments. I say good luck to both teams, even though I am pulling for the Highlanders!!!

Does anyone have Weddell's season stats? As one of the biggest 'Lander fans, I must say that we have got to show up and play our best game of the year Wednesday. Ned Smith's squad is capable of doing that, and it will be very intriguing to see if they do so. Is Union City out of our league, Wednesday will tell us. Until then we can talk and trade opinions, but the players will decide who moves on on Wednesday. It is extremely hard to compare two teams that have not played each other, and the best way to do so is to watch this two teams on Wednesday. These teams have proved that they are dangerous opponents in tournments to reach this level, and I expect the same from both on Wednesday. Great job both teams, and good luck 'Landers!

Union City is an awesome team from what I have heard. I have not seen them, but have read alot about them. Cloudland is the underdogs, but that is how they have been all tournments. Should they be? Yes, Union City is an outstanding team. I have alot of respect for their program. Yes, I will be the first to admit that Cloudland will have to play a perfect game to win, but at this point of the year if you don't play a nearly flawless game you go home. This Highlander team is capable of that. Mindset could be a key in this game. If Union City comes in looking head to Friday, they could be going home. Same for Cloudland. This is the point of the year where you can not take anything for granted. Any team that has won a state title (like Union City did in 1997 in 2-A) will tell you that you have to play nearly perfect in those games on Wednesday through Friday to play on Saturday. That is harder at this point of the year to do since you have a state atmosphere and both teams have to travel a pretty good distance. As for records, yeah a regular season record does speak for itself, but so does your postseason mark. When the ref throws the ball up for the tip to begin the game, that all goes out the window. I have said it before that the only thing matters now is what happens during the game Wednesday and who goes on to play Friday and who goes home. That is the only accomplisment that will matter Wednesday. I guess what I am saying is yes records can help in predicting the game, but that is not all you need to by. Records can be decieving.

Cloudland is a team that both tempos will suite. They will play the running, high scoring offensive game, but they are better suited to play the slow tempo defensive game. In tourneys, the 'Landers have played that slow tempo and it has drove opposing teams crazy. They are a smart and a very patient team. Regular season, Cloudland struggled by losing several close games and all of those were high scoring games. They all came down to the wire, and that has added character as I said in an earlier post. The 'Landers do not have a superstar, because they believe in a team effort. Several players have had big games in different games during tournaments and that can make a team unpredicable. Ned Smith has proved he can be a master game planner, and I expect more of the same against Union City. It will take more then a game plan for Cloudland to pull this off, but they are capable. The key for the Highlanders is not to get caught up in Union City's game. If they play Highlander basketball with them controling the tempo, this team will be very dangerous in the 'Boro. Cloudland can not be overlooked by Union City, and I am sure that Union City's Coach Sisco will not let that happen. On the same token, the Highlanders need to travel to Mufreesboro with the right attitude, but I am also postive that Smith will have his 'Landers prepared to battle. This game has the possiblilty of becoming the best of the day on Wednesday. I can not stress that the regular season record does not matter at this point. The team that will take the court Wednesday is a much improved Highlander team then during the year. You must remember that Cloudland is 7-0 coming into the 'Boro, while Union City has lost two games to Humboldt. Good Luck 'Landers.

Union City sounds like an awesome team. This contest will be interesting. Cloudland's record can be deceiving. Yes, a loss is a loss, however they have had several overtime games and games decided by 1 point. That has gave this team alot of character, and that has been hard to overcome for their opponents in tourneys. At this point in the year, the only thing that matters is their 7-0 mark to reach the state tourney. You can throw the regular season records out once you reach Mufreesboro. This team will surprise you, especially if you overlook them. They are not a big team or that athletic, but a sound and smart team. That is another key for them. They have no true superstars and it seems that someone different steps up every game. Ned Smith will probably play 10 players and that is nice to have that depth. Union City sounds like they have the weapons, coaching, and abilty to turn this game ugly if Cloudland doesn't show. I do not believe that will be a problem, but neither team can take this game lightly. If you look to the next game, this one may be your last. Both teams look to have advantages on paper, but come Wednesday what you have done to this point does not matter. The only thing that matters is the score at the end and who is moving on. Good luck to both teams, even though I am rooting for the Highlanders.

Cloudland's record can be deceiving. Yes, a loss is a loss, however they have had several overtime games and games decided by 1 point. That has gave this team alot of character, and that has been hard to overcome for their opponents in tourneys. At this point in the year, the only thing that matters is their 7-0 mark to reach the state tourney. You can throw the regular season records out once you reach Mufreesboro. This team will surprise you, especially if you overlook them. They are not a big team or that athletic, but a sound and smart team. That is another key for them. They have no true superstars and it seems that someone different steps up every game. Ned Smith will probably play 10 players and that is nice to have that depth. Union City sounds like they have the weapons, coaching, and abilty to turn this game ugly if Cloudland doesn't show. I do not believe that will be a problem, but neither team can take this game lightly. If you look to the next game, this one may be your last. Both teams look to have advantages on paper, but come Wednesday what you have done to this point does not matter. The only thing that matters is the score at the end and who is moving on. Good luck to both teams, even though I am rooting for the Highlanders.

Both teams played with alot of heart and intensity. It was a tough game and could have went either way. Cloudland has played in several tight games, and that helped the 'Landers tremendously in the game Monday Night. However, the Wartburg game is in the past and it will do Cloudland no good to dwell on the past. They need to move forward and focus on what will be a tough challenge in Union City with Mr. Basketball candidate Marquis Weddle. Wartburg Fans, you and your team have nothing to be ashamed of. Your team played with a desire to win, but it did not work out. The fans that you brought were class acts. The fans of both teams made for an unbelivable atmosphere that I am sure these young players will never forget.

Kurt Busch has won the NASCAR Cup by 8 points over Jimmie Johnson. The racing was wild and fun and the title wasnt decided untill the final lap.

This is UGLY!!! Maybe 2nd half the Vols can get some offense going and stop the Tigers.

How is Coach Keith and when will be he back? Also who was in charge of the team when he was gone?

Dale Jr. was involved in a fiery crash in Sonoma, Calfornia while warming up for a American Le Mans Race. He spent the night in a local hospital. He did not practice or qualify the #8 car on in New Hampshire today. He will start the race but give the seat up to Busch sensation and Chance 2 driver Martin Truex Jr. Truex did qualify Juniors car but due to Junior starting the race the #8 will have to start last.

Wow! A great first half of the NASCAR season is over. We had everything we could have bargained for and more! Conterversy, great competition, parity, young guns and the wiley vets winning, and a few fan favorite wins. As we have 10 races until the chase for the championship begins, the contenders have been set. Now as we start the crucial 2nd part of the year starting at Daytona (qualfying as I type) the 400 point margain or top 10 looms for several top teams. Top 5 performances of the First Half 1. Jimmie Johnson Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte) leading 500 miles of a 600 mile race isnt to bad. The strongest car I have ever seen. Lapping at one point all but 8 cars is really good too. 2. Morgan Shepard (Martinsville)- Overlooked as the best run by a field filler, the old-timer lasted 500 laps at a tough old track only losing 7-10 laps. 3. Kasey Khane Samsung 500 (Texas)- The most dominate car all day only to get beat by less then a foot. Kasey dominated the race. 4. Jimmie Johnson Pocono 500 (Pocono)- Johnson's team had their act together again for another dominate effort. It was however about destroyed by a bad descion by NASCAR. 5. Jeff Gordon Save Mart 350 (Sears Point)- Hardly challenged all day and only gave the lead up when pitting. Just dominate. Notable Drivers out of the Chase as of 7/1/04 Dale Jarrett Jamie McMurray Kasey Kahne Jeremy Mayfield Rusty Wallace Mark Martin

Do you think Tony Stewart should have been suspended for his actions after Sears Point?

Cloudland's softball team has improved drastically improved. They have won more games this year then the past 5 combine. These group of young ladies need to be congratulated for the great season. They have took worked hard and with the addition of Coach Keith has worked well. They have nothing to be ashamed of and deserve to be recognized for their turning the program into a contender no matter what happens the rest of the season.