threeball

Oneida wins at Oakdale, 47-41. It was war from start to finish.

Youdon'tknowme, it's always that way... Just try to overlook this guy... But, anyway, I don't know how Magic can say Hancock is not a good team. There record doesn't say that they are good, 1-4, but look at the competition they have faced. All AA's except for annual power Cosby. They have lost by no more than 10, and that was to Cosby. Lost to York by 2, Kingston & Loudon by a total of 9 points combined. Am I saying they are the next great team? No.. but they are evidently a very competitive team, no matter what classification they are playing against. I still say that it will be a war tonight with Oakdale and Oneida. Oakdale, as Magic stated, was able fight back from 22-8 down to take the lead, against a young, athletic, well-coached Scott boys team. I hope that Oneida, if they get a lead, doesn't let Oakdale come back like that. Play hard, Indians!!!

Oakdale is playing solid. The Eagles hung with AA Scott High (eventully losing by 12), and have been improving under the leadership of one of the most underrated coaches in Region 2-A, Mike Barber. This game is also at Oakdale, a very tough place to win, just ask the Indians of Oneida last season... However, the Indians have been improving every week. Competiting with a good Hancock Co. team, and Clarkrange team. This should be a great contest between two teams fighting for position in District 4-A. I pick Oneida in a close one......

J_dubz, You are right. 1A schools can compete with 3A schools, if they are talented enough, and experienced enough. Two years ago, Oneida only lost by 10, and had chances to win vs. WB. Oneida is typically known for playing "up" and trying to find AA and AAA teams to play. Some games they, some games they lose. However, this year, I wouldn't say the talent is down, just not experienced. These group of young men will learn how to win, and how to play together, and what their coach wants as the season goes on. I look for them to be .500 at the break, and look to make a solid run after Christmas. They will improve as a team everyday, if they view everyday as a chance to improve.

Clarkrange probably has the upper hand in this game. They have seniors that have seen Oneida win the last couple of years, although two games have been decided on last second shots. Oneida this year seems to be underdog in most games they play, but that is not always a bad thing. Clarkrange will be ready for this epic battle. Oneida will hustle and compete, they will give it all they have. Should be a great game to watch. Look out for the underdogs.

Oakdale is on the rise, and will play with passion...however, the Highlanders will be too much for the Eagles to fly over. Highladers will win. It will be closer than what most people will think, espeically early, but Coach Hall's bunch will pull away in the second.

WB has 1600+ sutdents, Oneida has under 400. However, that is not an excuse, as the Oneida girls should have beat WB girls last night. The game went into overtime, the lady indians lost, but they out played WB lady govs all night. Size of the school does matter, but it's not an excuse. Oneida obviously has a long way to go, but they will improve. It all depends on how the team views losses. Either as just another loss, or a chance to improve. It's up to them. Losses should hurt, and this one certainly did, but it's the opportunity to improve that should be taken from this game. Give WB credit, they are very good team. I'm inerested in seein how this team bounces back from a tough loss. They play Rutledge tonight at Anderson County @ 5:30.

I think the obvious choice for pre-season #1 is Wartburg, with Oliver Springs 2nd... after that it' wide open. I do feel teams like Oakdale, Oneida, and Coalfield will surprise the big dogs, and may determine who wins the district. Can't say who will get all district...it's hard to tell who will step up, who will live up to the hype, and then which unknown will become known. Like Jeremy Shannon did his sophmore of junior year.

where at? what time?

where at? what time?

Great game last night! OS won in overtime by 5 or so... Fun game to watch, even though both teams looked sloppy at times. (To be expected in the first game). I thought both sides had players showing great hustle and heart. Both teams will do well this season. Still along way to go, but each have the potential to do well.

Your right, should be an exciting tourney... and I agree, Timmy Blakley is a very good player, so it Melton. I think that battle will be won by who has the best guard play that night.

I've noticed the same thing. I agree with you guys. I have also noticed that during school, some students are not respectful toward the flag. I have seen with my own eyes a girl that would not stand during the pledge, and then when asked...she would stand and turn her back. Where did this behavior come from?

Robin21, I don't know who you are, but it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Keep it, and always work hard. As for your team, I hope you guys do well. Yes, you are in a tough district, but that doesn't matter. It means you have the opportunity to play against quality opponents every night. What day exactly is the scrimmage. That one may be interesting...

The safety issue is the primary concern for removing all braclets, rubber or metal, it doesn't matter. The question about the sweatbands on the wrist, or head bands for that matter, has to deal with the color. If your team is wearing white, then all your attire must be white, execpt of course the shoes. If your team is wearing another color that night, then all your attire must be of that color or the ref can make a judgement call and have you remove the item. I've seen refs ask players to remove "wife-beater" T-shirts underneath the jersey. You couldn't see it unless the jersey was pulled to the side at the neck area, but still it was white, and not the color of the jersey.

Image, I don't know of one coach who would intentionally put players on the floor in hopes they would not succeed. Or put them in postitions where they would not be beneficial to the entire team. Whether or not they produce positive results is up to the player. Coaches don't make shots, or miss them. They can put players in the right positions in hope to better the team. I would have thought you knew that... And as for Benji Jacobs being the star... I don't think that is good to put that much pressure on him. Is he talented? Yes. Very. But let's not put expectations out there that has no means of attainment. What would be the level he has to reach to become the "star". How do you know when he achieves or fails? Instead, why not make him a bright spot on a team that can shine? It takes more than one to make a team, and Benji knows that above anyone. The good thing about this team, is just that...it's a team. Not a public display of selfish attitude. There is no star. There are just players that out hustle, out work, and that will out play teams that take them for granted.

Why is so many players, fans, and parents concerned about who starts and who doesn't? It's not about starting. It's about playing well for your team. No matter who is in the game at what time. And oh, by the way, I'm pretty sure there hasn't been one decided.

what were the outcomes???

The scrimmage was very impressive by Wartburg. I thought it would be a good match, but I thought that AC would come out on top. Nice job, Bulldogs, and Coach Layne. However, if I know Eldridge, and the rest of the AC boys, they will not let this get them down. They will learn from this, and get better. Watch out for them by tournament time.

I agree...

AC has one of the best coaching staffs in East TN. Mark Eldridge does a great job, and is helped by a superb asistant, Derek Wallace. They will make sure the players get into the right postitions, and have a proper game plan...it's up to the players to make the plays.

I'm not so sure you can say that Oneida is not very good at the point guard position. Do they have a returning starter there? No. Do they have a proven point guard? No. But they have a couple guys stepping up to the challenge and playing well. The post play with Jacobs, Smith, and Christiansen will prove to be solid as time goes on. The test for this Oneida team is unity. Will they come together and be stonger than what they are predicted to be?

It is too early to tell if it will hurt or help. Only time will tell. Brad Flatford, the old coach at Cosby, who left to go to Carter, is a very good basketball coach. He will be hard to replace, however, people seem to like the new coach so far. Again, time will tell. I agree with Oakdale being a surprise team...but I don't call it a surprise this year. They surprised teams last year, and this year, they might be expected to do better than a year ago. I see where Oliver Springs was 5th on your list. Quite possibly, but I feel they may be alittle better than that. Oneida loses almost every thing it had last year, and will be looking forward to rebuilding... their success comes on how well the younger players step up and how soon. Similar to Harriman last year. SPeaking of Harriman, a very talented team. Could possibly be the champions if they get on the right track and the right time. But, still the tops of the Region will go to a 3 way battle with Rockwood, Cosby, and Wartburg... what a Region tournament it will be!

You are right...DJ Shannon is a very nice basketball player, and probably will make some people's opinion of the all Region team. If you have followed this area's basketball over the past few years, as I am sure you have, you would know that Cosby is a team that gets better as the season progresses...not quite as much as some teams, but they still improve as the season goes on. Wartburg, will also. Harriman improved drastically last season, and Oneida has that same type potential to improve this year. So, try not to base your opinions on just summer ball. Cosby and Wartburg, along with Rockwood, Harriman, and others, are all getting better, and will make this one of the most exciting Region Tournaments that we have seen in the past few years. Good luck to all teams.

That is a pretty solid Pre-season All Region team, very accurate at that. I totally agree with Timmy Blakely being the pre-season MVP. I am looking forward to seeing which players from this region will emerge out the shadows from the virtually unknown, into the spotlight. Two years ago it was two players: Dexter Manning (Cosby) and Jeremy Shannon (Wartburg). Both of whom that year were sophomores. Now they are seniors, and someone else will step up that is an underclassmen... which is good news for Oneida, since most of the team are freshmen and sophomores. Oneida's success will be determined by a few factors: 1) Benji Jacobs performace as a consistent go-to man 2) Team defensive intensity 3) Solid contribution from the "unknowns".