mocs30

What a way to go out, Coach O! What a fun team to watch! Very proud alum here.

People keep underestimating Powell. When you don't care who gets the credit, it's incredible what can be accomplished. Powell could win at Science Hill. But I'm hoping that Powell is playing at home during substate.

The Moore kid from Halls is a good player, but would be better if he was more focused on creating easier opportunities for his teammates. He shoots some flat-out terrible shots. The fact he hits one or two only feeds the bad habit. When he's penetrating and creating I think he's a better ball player. I'd take Cameron Sharpe over him in about one second. OR is probably going to give them a solid beat-down.

Yep. Powell is the kind of team that can probably beat just about anybody, but they could also get beat up on the wrong night. Since Halls is supposedly improved over the past few years, the Battle of Emory Road should be exciting this year again for the first time since about 2007.

Powell really played great the other night. I was proud of them. It could have been a little closer at the end especially if OR had hit their FTs, but OR could also have gotten blown out. Powell is a good team without any real stars. They are a tough match-up because they have three or four kids who can really handle the ball well. That makes them hard to press and also hard to defend in the half court because they are really solid fundamentally and patient. Looking forward to the Powell/Halls game on January 4.

I'm biased because I sat on the bench with him for two years, but Ogan is very much a student of the game. Unlike many coaches who are set in their ways, Ogan is willing to take some lumps in the regular season by trying different things/combinations/strategies. He also listens to his assistants and maintains an opne mind. By tournament time, he has his teams ready to go and he knows how to win with them. A few years ago, Powell finished fifth in the district and made it to substate. He's very good and he inspires a lot of loyalty from his former players. I'm proud of his accomplishments at Powell and I expect big things from the Panthers this year.

I've been telling anyone who would listen all year that Oak Ridge was the best team I have seen in this Region for sometime. To beat Maryville and Bearden back-to-back (and at Bearden no less) just proves my point. I like that Oak Ridge winning means the Region Champ has come from District 3AAA three of the last four years. Great job 'Cats, and best of luck in the 'Boro.

I've been saying for a long time that Oak Ridge would win the Region. I don't think that Maryville's guards will be able to deal with Oak Ridge's athleticism. Stephens will frustrate Damron, so will Rodgers. I think Oak Ridge wins by 10. Too athletic for the Rebels.

Anyone who thinks that Oak Ridge is not the team to beat in the Region is delusional. They will handily beat Bearden if they play. Maryville would be closer, but I still like the 'Cats.

8 West at 1 Oak Ridge 7 Central at 2 Powell 6 Campbell County at 3 Clinton 5 Halls at 4 Karns

It was important to both teams and you could tell that from the level of intensity that both teams played with. You obviously have an axe to grind with somebody at Oak Ridge to complain about the way Stephens was used. Are you a parent or a friend of one of the players whose minutes will be cut now that Stephens is back? Your commentary on this subject strikes me as asinine. Your comments make little to no sense. The last time I checked, Ricky Norris was the District Coach of the Year and has taken teams to Murfreesboro. Simply put, he knows more about coaching Oak Ridge and Jared Stephens than you do. His team will be just fine.

Do you think it would have made more sense to hold Stephens out until the tournaments starts? Probably not. If he was healthy enough to play he should play so he can get readjusted to the speed of the game. His shot may not be right just yet, but he brings a lot more to the table for that team than just his scoring.

Stephens played because he was cleared by a medical doctor. Norris would never put one of his players in harm's way.

Powell actually hit 12 threes in the game: Seymore 4, Payne 5, Gordon 2, Hansen 1. There were some interesting coaching decisions near the end of the game. I think that what happened on the out of bounds play is that Ogan thought (and so did I) that the ball had gone out of bounds on both players and a jumpball had been called and we had the arrow. In that case, it would not have been a dead ball. Also surprising was that after Dowdell hit the two free throws to tie the game, Norris called off the press and backed into what looked like a 2-3 zone. They trapped out of it once we got into the front court, but Seymore had the ball not, Hansen. When they tried to double Seymore, he was able to get it to Hansen. OR was coming with the double but Hansen split it and made a tough shot off the glass with his right hand coming from the left wing. Sensational game to watch as there were numerous lead changes. Also, I think it is unfair to Powell to pretend that Oak Ridge played poorly. They didn't. Dowdell had 28 points on 12-14 from the floor. Aside from that Oak Ridge's guards played well and Clark hits several key threes in the second half. Perhaps OR did not play their best game, and how could they with Stephens not being 100%, but it's not like they rolled over and played dead for Powell. The Panthers earned it and scrapped like heck to win that game. My hope is that this carries over into the tournaments. By the way, on a side note. I cannot understand how D1 schools are not beating down Seymore's door to give him a scholarship. He's 6'5", shoots it great, can dunk the crap out of the ball, and provided really good ball handling to compliment Hansen against the press. He was being guarded most of the night by Dowdell (a D1 signee) and Seymore scored 30. He's a really good player and I don't understand why he is not getting more love. I think that Gordon has also shown that he can play at the next level as well. He's rangy, athletic and is shooting light out from deep.

I'm fairly certain that Coach O did not realize it was a dead ball. Thankfully, there was only one second left and OR did not get a real good look.

Very proud of my boys. Andrew Hansen made the winning basket after splitting a double team and making a strong move to the hole. Nick Gordan made a huge three to put Powell up 2 inside the last minute. Seymore had 32 and Payne came up big in the first half. Total team effort and proof of what can happen when nobody cares who gets the credit. I am so proud of the whole team and Congrats to Coach Ogan on his first ever win at Oak Ridge. That was Oak Ridge first loss in the new (absolutely beautiful) arena. I'm glad it was to us.

Mercer is in a very tough spot. He is going to have to build that program from the ground up. He only has one upperclassman (a junior) on the team. Otherwise, he is competing with freshmen and sophomores. Competing against varsity teams, it is true that they are not good at all. However, Mercer took over a similar program in girl's ball over at Fulton and achieved significant results. My guess is that he will do the same at Central. He just needs time. There is no quick fix there. JD, by the way, is one heck of an X's and O's guy and I am one of many people who have tremendous respect for his knowledge of the game. Maybe he was not the right guy for Central, but he brings a lot to the table in terms of knowledge of the game.

Irish, I appreciate the kind words. I do not know the exact wording of the policy, but Panther08 is correct. Coach Dinkins is non-faculty, but he is receiving a coaching supplement and that is the reason that he can contribute to the Varsity team as well.

I'm really not going to comment on what other schools may or may not be doing. Coach Majors has made it clear that Powell is going to abide by the letter of the rules. I commend him for that and hope that other administrators have as much character as he does. As for last year, we simply had a great team full of players who brought many qualities to the table. I was just happy to go along for the ride. I would not write off this year's team either. We have good players who are struggling a bit right now. Several guys on this team played big minutes last year and I am sure that we will be competitive come tournament time. We might even surprise someone.

Anybody have any information on this subject?

Beating Maryville was all the sweeter when they won the state tournament. I don't think many people saw that coming. Mark and those kids did an amazing job at state and were worthy champs. We actually had an off shooting night against DB and had to really scrap to win that one. The Region Tournament last year was the best I have ever seen any team shoot the ball for three games. I think we hit 35 threes in the three games.

Should be a great game. Is Riley back for Farragut or is he still out?

I have been saying all along that Oak Ridge is the best team, but obviously they are in trouble with Stephens out for a month and his back up out for a couple of weeks. It may cost Oak Ridge a game or two in the short term, but might help them in the long run. If Stephens is out for the regular season though, don't be surprised if Powell gives Oak Ridge a run for the district title. Oak Ridge struggled mightily at Bradley Central on Monday, a school that is way down this year. Once again, Bearden could not contain Jordan Damron, and this is very indicative of why Bearden will have a hard time getting to substate. For all their height, they lack athletic guards. I think Oak Ridge (fully healthy) will honey roast Bearden if they match-up in the Region. As right now though, with Oak Ridge's injuries, here are my rankings: 1. Maryville 2. Bearden 3. Oak Ridge/Powell 5. Cleveland 6. Farragut/Dobyns-Bennett

I wouldn't exactly call it a whipping. It was awfully competitive with three minutes to go. At least Powell was good enough to beat Catholic this year for a change. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

There is also no doubt that Matt Hargis and Lee Smith were gamers, especially in the playoffs. Hargis was one of the grittiest points guards I ever saw in high school. He was dirty too, and I say that without insult. Hargis cared more about winning than any player I ever coached. He was a tough s.o.b. and was the catalyst for much of what went right for us the past few years. He was always willing to put Conner, Smith and Seymore before himself in terms of the glory. Hansen is finding out right now how big Hargis' shoes are to fill.