tfm

XXXXX

Two SD starters did not play (including Johnson) and Mapes only played half of the game. SD will struggle w/o all of the parts in place....

What's the problem with Coach McDonald? I was told that he is a good guy - and should really be able to help your post players develop...

Will the championship be best 2 out of 3 since both teams are undefeated - or only one game, winner take all?

A once promising season may have slipped away. The Cherokees have lost 7 of their last 9 games after starting the season 15 - 4. What happened? Schedule - the schedule has gotten tougher. However, early season victories over Bearden, Farragut and Karns were solid wins. Fatigue - SD usually only plays 7 players a game. 3 - 4 guys play the entire game, every game. SD plays alot of full court and half court trapping defense. After 28 games you have some tired legs. Jump shots are short. Loose balls are going the other way. Board play is weaker...more reaching and fouling on defense. Selfish Play - 3 guys do most of the scoring. That is fine - as long as it comes within the flow of the offense. Each will get plenty of touches within the offense - they should actually get better looks! When guys force shots (I stopped counting at 15 forced last game) and go 1 on 5 everything breaks down. The rebounders are out of place. Nobody is back on defense - giving up easy baskets on the other end. Hopefully Coach Smith and staff can right the ship quickly - team ball, execution and hustle brought success early in the season. These same three ingredients can produce success in the post season as well... Good luck in the the tournaments, Cherokees!

I will spread the word in Knoxville.... George was a neighbor, friend and teammate. He also coached my brother's team to the state finals at South-Young years ago. Does anyone know the nature of the illness? If it is too personal to disclose - I certainly understand and don't want to invade the family's privacy. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Pitt's family!

Can a substitute player be inserted into a game to shoot technical foul shots or must the shots be taken by someone who was in the game at the time the technical was assessed?

Did Bennett play for West? Nice win Govs!

Good post "Objective b-ball junky." S-D players don't get on here talking junk about other schools.... The kids play hard. They're not great by any stretch - but they give it all they've got and win a few games. I believe the mighty Maryville Rebels also squeaked one out in OT vs the West Rebels. West is not a bad ballclub.....

Keep you heads up Govs. You are not a bad team - just a bad night.... Move on to the next one.

No slam intended on Powell or CHS. Just wondered why Lee was transferring.... Doesn't his father help coach the CHS football team?

Why would Lee transfer to Powell? I've heard he has SEC potential in football and CHS was the place to be....

Noticed that Cosby was 29 - 3 last year. Are they loaded again this year?

Porter, Point well made and accepted. No slight intended.

Thanks, TdTbb. I must have struck a nerve with Porter. I was in no way criticizing the players. The 3 that I mentioned are all very fine players and probably very fine students and people as well. I'm not sure where Porter was headed when she mentioned "losing." I never mentioned winning or losing in my post. As far as the asst principal is concerned, he never mentioned names. He shouldn't and he wouldn't. It is unethical and he is an ethical person. I do believe in his conclusion, however. Finally, the decision to "hold back" a student for athletic reasons is certainly not a decision made by the student. You can't fault the student... the decision is made by the parents. I was simply asking a question and it appears that "holding back" kids is very common in Blount County.

You may be right, blountfan. My source, however, had access to student records that includes birth dates....

Are there ANY kids that play ball in Blount County schools that are actually in the grade they should be in age-wise? McMahan - no. Humphrey - no. Eakens - no. And the lsit goes on. Friend on mine who was former asst principal in a Blount Co high school tells me that the practice of "holding kids" back a year for athletic reasons runs rampant in Blount County. May be common elsewhere - I don't know. There is a positive correlation between athletic success and age, however.

Not sure I agree w/ your comments about Eakins. Previous 2 games against SD he had a total of 1 rebound, 1 - 8 from 3 pt range, and 2 - 11 overall. He did play well last night, however.

S-D had a shot during the last minute to tie or win. Cookeville didn't impress me very much.....

S-D had a shot during the last minute to tie or win. Cookeville didn't impress me very much.....