danorvp

Hey folks, Knoxville Halls High Varsity Girls and Boys AAA Basketball is looking for a christmas tournament in the Nashville Area for the week of December 27th thru the 30th. If you have an opening contact Head Coach Randy Moore at Knoxville Halls High School or email me Dan Sturm at: dano@danosdebtbusters.com Thanks Dan Sturm 865-922-0659

Dana Mac is as good as they get. She, Mindy Odum (Cookville), and Jennifer Grandstaff (Oakland) Are three excellent examples of coaches who always get the most out of the least and greatness out of good. They are important to girls basketball across the state and if I had a daughter I know she would be a better person after playing for any of these excellent coaches. I'd take Dana Mac over Livingston anyday

(Hickory Husker) I am not sure about aau coaches who email high school coaches???? clarify! David Lipscomb was really ready to play and frankly Ezell was not. David Lipscomb played a great game and anyone who beats them is a very good team. I don't believe that Ezell is this bad. I do believe David Lipscomb is that good. I had seen DL play and I thought the game would be much better. Lipscombs guards and forwards played much more physically than when I saw them in person. They crashed the offensive glass and did a tremendous job covering Tara Deathridge. They kicked our butts. 13-1 at this point is not bad and we catch them again. It will be a good test of how much fight this young Ezell Harding team has.

Why am I so mad. 68TH SCHEDULE, WHAT? Look dude, here is the deal. I can say what other people won't. This isn't about being right or wrong on your predictions. This is about grown up people sitting around making predictions (good or bad) about the outcome of basketball games and the ability of players without seeing the kids play. It's about making predictions about players abilities without any regards as to how your comments effect those children, and then assuming that no one will call you on them or acting like your feelings are hurt. What about these kids feelings? These young girls (14-17 years of age) give their lives to successfully compete at the High School level. Over the last two years (100 plus games) these girls like many others have given away their summer vacations for their love of this game. They get battered and bruised in as many as 7 games in a 36 hour period. The games are usually running clock with poor and in most cases non-existent officiating. Overtimes are sudden death where the first person who scores wins. The gyms are dimmly lit, with one having a support wire that blocks most three pointers from the right corner and another with a P.E. net that keeps balls from getting caught in the celing but also prevents high arching shots from reaching their peak trajectory. (And this is just the first of 6 -10 of these tournaments per year) Two years ago we were 6 and 26, we don't even remember who the six were, we are beginning to believe we made up the six to make ourselves feel better. Some people accuse us of counting three intrasquad games in our win total. The fact is we got our butts kicked by everybody. But the girls learned to fight. They never gave up. We yelled at them to play harder when they were getting pressed down by 40 to a team made up of Father Ryan and Pope John Paul players. They beat us bad but we didn't forget! Smyrna, Blackmon, and Lebanon physically beat us up and we thank them for it. This past summer we did a little butt kicking ourselves yet three times our friend at Beech sent us home better but defeated. These girls put up with this as well as a 42 year old wanna be coach yelling at them constantly for a shot at playing in their High School uniform. Playing in the summer doesn't get them a spot on the team. They have to earn it. It is about pride, commitment, honor and desire. Many wonderful young ladies have given up basketball because to compete with the best you have to pay the price and the price is high. These girls make this kind of comittment for a chance to play on a High School team. Don't forget about the countless practices and team comitments that are required of them during the regular season. They work their tails off and when they "suddenly" have success and they go to coact they get to read predictions of their demise from grown men who don't have the integrity to pay five dollars to watch them play. When our players fight for us we fight for them Ezell Harding may not win all their games but you can rest assured that if you beat them you have one heck of a team. I have changed my mind about buying you a ticket to the game. Buy your own ticket! I'll tell you what I will do. When the state tournament is over, you get six or eight girls and I'll get a few of the Ezell Harding girls and we'll climb the fence at the old shoe store at Hickory Hollow Mall, the one with the plexi-glass half basketball court in the court yard, and you won't have to spend any money. Now, you might win but your girls better bring their knee pads and we will try not to hurt your feelings. In other words; Put-up or Shut-up!

The pilot classic was a classic. York lost two of its three games. Ezell Harding won all three of its games. Ezell beat both of the top scores in east tennesse by defeating William Blount by 20(Palalo 23.7 ppg) and Fulton Falcons (Portia Bishop 23.0ppg) by three. Fulton beat York on a last second shot

You ought to have to watch us play before you go making up stuff. I think Mr. Blount is battered and bruised. How can whipping up on triple A teams hurt your team? If you come to the game vs. David Lipscomb I'll buy your ticket and at least this way I'll know that when you predict a game you have at least seen them play. Why waste your time predicting game outcomes without seeing the teams play. If you are this good give me Saturday Nights Powerball numbers I could use the money. At least your predictions give me something to smile about.

If I were in Nashville I'd bring you a glass of milk to wash down that crow. It was as I said a great game with Tara Deathridge scoring 21 and Leah McCalister scoring 16, Megan McCellan and Kara Davis chipping in ten each. Tia Paritz shut down miss D1 holding her to 12 points with 5 of those points scored during trash time. It was only close in the first period. Ezell dominated them. MidTen have you seen us play? Jan 6th at David Lipscomb would be agreat game to watch.

Ezell made the jump to double AA and played against those big girls from Paige. It was a physical brutal game that seemed close and when you looked up ezell was up by 11. We played them (DL) this summer and it was fun and physical with David Lipscomb winning by 5 or 7. We are a younger and better team with some great players and I predict Ezell in a close game. The second time we play them we will blow them out.

William Blount is a very good team. Ezell has a chance. It could be 25 but if I were a betting man I'd take it. Ezell is a much different team than last year. This team will fight you. Joey Spann is a good as they come and they go at least 10 deep. I believe this is a good third of the season test for this undefeated young team. No one including David Lipscomb can beat them in their district. There would be no shame in losing to a AAA school when you are a single A team being forced to play as a Double A school as punishment by the TSSAA for being successful. This tournament is a good indication of how good Ezell is today. Ezell could win them all or lose them all. Either way it is going to be a great game. No one in Ezells distric will play a team of this calibur and Ezell is the only team that can compete with them.

I would like to offer my perspective: I believe that many of these injuries are actually being caused by a lack of down time. I have coached these young ladies in the summer and fall leagues and I realize that they are constantly playing, practicing, or conditioning. We go from the regular season, straight to AAU, right into summer camps, more AAU, in August most schools have conditioning, then fall leagues, practice starts in October and right back to the regular season. I am no physical therapist but when do the minor wears and tears have time to heal? Is It time to have a mandatory dead period even for a couple weeks? Is it biological that many of our best players are having season ending injuries? Fuller, Cait, TD and the rest. Is it so outrageous that the girls who are pushing themselves the most are experiencing these injuries Your thoughts?

Roberto, Why do you insist on degrading 17 and 18 year old girls by giving them nicknames. I am sure you are part of the throng of DCA supporters who chanted "princess" at Mariska throughout last nights game. The thing you don't seem to get is that everytime you make derogatory comments against Ezell or Mariska you take away from the hard work and accomplishment that your coach and Keaton and the other players achieved. DCA beat Ezell because they played like a team. Every tournament I took teams to this summer had teams from DCA in them. Their coach made a commitment to build a great program, you beat a very good Ezell team and instead of bashing Mariska and Ezell you should start a string congratulating the player and coaches from your school and encouraging them to do well this weekend. It is Keaton's turn. She has overcome obstacles much larger than basketball practice and fans calling her names to achive success. Put your emotion into praising her. Our season is over. At Ezell we know that you earn the right to play for the championship. We fell short this year. We will be back. Lets move on.

I spoke with Marika this morning while she was at the orthopedic specailist being fitted for a boot for a broken ankle. She has a fracture in the lower ankle near the heal. Either way its been a great year. She has a great fruture ahead. Go Go Go Girl

You will find out that Mariska Reeds ankle was broken. She was held out of the district because she couldn't play. (swelling, brusing ect..) She played last night with a broken ankle because she is a fierce competitor. You will see her at the region tonight in a cast. She is the real deal. No one wants to play and win more than Mariska. If you knew her, you would really appreciate her. She is a great kid. Keaton Bodiford and DCA deserve this honor. They have worked hard to get where they are and the best team won last night. At DCA they understand team. Keaton Bodiford is their girl and everyone on the team knows it and feeds off of it. They will do well. Keaton is a great player and a fierce competitor. Let's remember that this forum is about sharing Ideas. Not tearing down 15 to 18 year olds as though they were mature adults. Anyone who plays DCA has their hands full! Good Luck!

What am I talking about? Last year Fanning from Moore County is playing in the Class A state semi-finals competing against the best competition in the state while Richardson is playing in a tradition rich program on a team that can't make it out of the district. Don't the best players elevate their team to a level above 500? Last year the best two, most highly recruited players didn't even get a sniff from the committee. Any person who knows anything about hoops recognizes the fact that Fuller & Newman were and still are the best players in the state. Do you think that the little General used this snub to motivate his players? If the Ms. Basketball trophy is a popularity contest than it should be stated as so. I realize that there might be resentment towards schools like Shelbyville but it shouldn't take away from the accomplishments of 17and 18 year old girls. Although I support the Ezell Harding girls, I try not to ignore the accomplishments of the other players in the league. I don't work for a radio station and have an agenda that blinds me from appreciating and recognizing players outside of my district. I do not believe that the MVP of the regular season has to come from the championship team. Each of the coaches from district 5A had the opportunity to vote for the best player. I assume that the coach at Ezell only had one vote. So in order for Marisk to be voted MVP from the second place team the other coaches recognized her ability and cast their vote for her. I do believe that the Tournament MVP should come from the championship teams. I was actually rooting for either Keaton Bodiford from DCA or Tobin Steadman from FRA. These are great players who have worked very had to achieve in sport and life and I would love to see them win. Alas the coaches thought differently! I can live with it, can You? So again I ask is the Ms. Basketball Trophy a consolation prize?

Should the Ms. Basketball award go to the finalists who don't even make the state tournament. Has this award been rendered a consolation prize to the gold ball?

Congratulations to Ms. Snow. It would be great to see Snow and Reed go toe to toe in the Class A state finals. Go Go Go Dano

Mariska Reed was named regular season MVP in district 9A Yes she will play in the region. Sorry Houston County! Go Go Go Dano

District 9A Basketball brackets can be found at frapanthers.com/athletics Dano's best guess! Mariska Reed (Ezell) regular season MVP All District Keyton Bodiford of DCA (MVP close 2nd) Tobin Steadman of FRA Chenger of FRA is a possible Tara Deathridge of Ezell is a possible DCA gets one more CPA, MONTESSORI, & Goodpasture GET A COURTESY PICK!

Class A Mariska Reed at Ezell Harding High School Currently:23 games, 424 points (18.5ppg), 101 Assists (4.5pg) 105 steals (4.5pg) 105 rebounds (4.5ppg) All time leading scorer in history of Ezell Has signed to play at Trevecca. Has been voted to Class A state tournament team as a Sophomore and as a Junior, Won a class A championship as a Soph, and runner-ups last year. She has been one of the best players in the history of one of the most successful programs in the state and I beleive she deserves to be recognized for this. Negative side- most of this years team are Sophomores and Freshman (3 players are injured) and it forces Reed to carry more of the all around responsibility. It will take everything they have to give her a fifth straight shot at the state tournament. Go Go Go Dano

Just the facts please! Class A: Mariska Reed at Ezell Harding is a complete player! How about your girl? 22 Games,398 points (18.1ppg), 98 Assists (4.5pg),100 steals (4.5 pg)100 rebounds (4.5pg) Don't Snow me, show me????????? Richardson???????????? Eason who????? Class AA: Beachboard Class AAA: Fuller

You wimps! I know, when a team gets ahead by ten points we should not allow them to guard in the back court. You know, like at the YMCA. Even Better, we could make a team up by 30 at half time switch uniforms and see if they can overcome the deficit that they created. Hey, I know! We can all get to the gym, with the uniforms in a box and we can line the girls up smallest to largest and each coach gets to pick a player. At the end of each quater, we can re-balance the squads to make it fair. I know lets stop keeping score so we don't hurt peoples feelings. After the game we can form a circle, hold hands, and all sing Kum-by-yah. Come on, I didn't hear you crying when Lighthouse was getting crushed by their district opponents last year. If you and your team don't want to get whipped, quit playing the game. If a coach thinks it is important to work on his press in the fourth quarter its none of your business. If you can't stand the pressure go play rec ball. The difference between winners and losers in all sport is determined by the person who commits the most time, hard work, and desire. Loser's have tears in their eyes, WINNERS have fire. Quit crying and start working!

Give me a Break! A-Mariska Reed at Ezell. What does she have to do to be recognized for her accomplishments? All she does is win. Snow and the Bradford girl have never gotten to the state. Mariska Reed has been there every year since the 8th grade. She scored 32 points tonight against CPA to become the all time leading scorer in the history of Ezell Harding. She is blowing Snow away averaging 19.8 ppg, She is leading her team in rebounding, assists and steals. I just think it is time she gets her props! None of these other players have ever been to state, let alone won it once and runner up last year. Mariska was voted All-state tournament 2 years in a row. Show me you have some basketball knowledege, and some class and recognize the players who have done it! If you have someone with better stats, playing in a better district it is time to put up, shut up, or take your lame game home! AAA-If you ignore the Newman girl at Shelbyville you just don't know hoops. It is a total joke that she and Fuller were passed over last year. If you penalize the players because of the progam they play in or the coach they play for you are doing a disservice to all the girls who play the game. AA-I haven't seen enough of the AA players to say.

Sick of your opinions, check out the stats! Mariska Reed at Ezell Harding has been to the state tournament as a player since her eighth grade year,(not a fan as most of your top choices) As a soph she was named all-district tournament, all-region tournament, and was voted to the all-state tournament team. and along the way she picked up one of those state championship rings. As a junior she led her team in scoring (16.9ppg), steals and assists(over 100 of each), she joined the 1000 point club, all district mvp, region mvp, once again went to the state tournament and was voted to the all-state tournament team. She was named honorable mention all-american by the associated press. It is true that Trenton did a great job defending her in the championship game and Ezell Harding lost the game, but doesn't that tell you how important she is to the program? (not to mention the fact that knee injuries had decimated two of her teammates) Her team going into this year has a 70 plus and one record in district play, In her first two games she is averaging 21.5ppg, and will most likely break the all time scoring record (at one of the best high school girls programs in the state) 10-12 games into the season.There is no other girls player in the state in any clasification who has accomplished what she has accomplished. Voters will be voters, Mariska has had an unbelievable career and is a tribute to anyone who has known her as an opponent, player, fan, or coach. She may not win the award, but she has earned the recognition of being one of the finalists. She turned down several full scholarships from D1 schools to play close to home near her family and friends at Trevecca. If these other class A players are so awesome why haven't they been able to beat her or her teams. Please respond with facts cause I'm tired of your opinions

Westmorland, You will have to play the best game of your life to beat the team from Ezell. They are going to pressure you to death and you will see how much farther you have to go to play at state championship level. As Friendship learned last year the great thing about getting put out in the first round by Ezell is you get out of school early and you get into the other rounds of the tournament for free. See you in the stands.......

Ezell Harding has two...count them, two all state tournament players. They have four starters that can play and two freshmen girls that will make them tough to beat next year. Ezell by 12 if they shoot less than 25%, Ezell by 30 if they shoot 40%+. Ezell beat Moore County and the great Fanning at their place this year and will beat them again in round two. Why all the hype? Ezell has won six straight region titles in 9A. Its not recruiting it is coaching. So good luck next year cause this year is going to be a repeat of last year. Ezell's toughest games were in the region the state tournament will be a cake walk. Ask Friendship. Oh by the way, Shot about 38%, 19% from three, won by ten! Mariska Reed had 12 points, 6 rebounds,3 assists, 7 steals. Ashley (Air)McCool had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, . Keri Bishop had 14 points,Candace McCool had 6 points.... It's about balance, leadership, desire and defense. Hard work, desire, coaching and comittment to eachother. [Edited by danorvp on 3-12-03 10:27P]