starman

Actually the Rangers was trying to match up off the press and he kept getting open on the offside wing. Some of the shots he knocked down was from 30 feet or better. Pickett Co. shot 84 % in the first quarter and 75% for the half. Unaka managed to cut a 18 point lead to 6 at one point in the second quarter and they cut a 22 point lead to 8 and had the ball in the third. Poor shot selection and cold shooting hurt the Rangers. But what hurt them most was the oustanding play by the Pickett Co. team. Pickett Co. deserves all the credit. They shot the ball well and they have a fine basketball team and coach. Bottom line, they played outstanding. I followed high school basketball several years and never have I saw a team shoot the ball like Pickett Co. did against Unaka in the first half. Unaka will regroup, they played well against Celina and played in spurts against Pickett. PS. To the Dr Mason, the nurse and trainer at Pickett Co. a special thanks for what you did for Rusty. His nose and face are very sore but that will go away in a few days.

I hardly call an 80-77 win over Unaka a blowout. They were down by 12 at halftime and by 15 at one point in the game. With .37 seconds to go in the game it was a one possession game. The difference in the game was they were going 11 deep and Unaka 8. Unaka's key people had to play the entire game. The Difference between 300 students and 2000 students. They only beat Volunteer by a score of 86-79. They do have a great team but the two wins at the Hall of Fame games at Johnson County were not blowouts. I think if you ask Coach Blevins he was more than happy to escape with a win over Unaka.

To CoachTCyclone, We lived in the Stoney Creek School District for several years before moving to town after the death of my wife's grandpa. Rusty loved going to school at Hunter and his friends so that is why he is there. The school has been good to Rusty and so have the coaching staff. I have a son at Hunter and we are pleased with the teachers and coaches there. I am 13 minutes from Unaka High School so after Rusty leaves hopefully Coach Wilson and Coach Collins can get another of my kids ready to play at Unaka High School. He is Acie's adopted son.

They played Johnson County Final score Unaka 79 Johnson Co. 51 4 players in double figures.

Hey caca, i'm not straddling the fence. My blood runs deep maroon. I glad to see you got a new shirt. Heck tell me your size and I might get you a Clyde Clod University "Fighting Possums" shirt. I can't speak for any other fan but from this Ranger fan I hope Tolley plays. Heck I've seen him since he was 7 years old and it wouldn't be the same without him playing. He is an excellent player with great skills. I am sure the players from both teams hope he plays. As Ric Flair once said to be the man you got to beat the man. You would want to beat us with our big guns and likewise we would want to do the same to you. I hope that both teams are at full speed and healthy for the entire season.

I feel like Flossie from Cloudland has a shot.

Several things hoss that Bolus can't rate and that's a player's desire, work ethic, heart and determination. Give me a player with good basic skills and these 4 ingredients and they will find success in many programs. I am sure that Bolus has been correct on some players but I know for a fact that some have been a total bust. And I am sure that some made it that he never even mentioned before.

I had two sons that got to play for Coach Osubrutus and as a parent it was an honor for me and for them. Coach teaches something that many fail to do today and that is discipline. My son loved having him around the baseball team last season. He offered to go out of his way to contact colleges for him. Coach is one that goes the extra mile for a kid. Although my youngest son only made the team he enjoyed Coach and his asst. coach very much. I always be greatful for the way he treated my kids as a coach, a mentor and a friend.

Welcome back Rolltide. Finally a post that has made good sense to me. He is a tremendous talent and a very good kid. I don't know him or his work habits very well and I won't touch that at all. But I feel that the key to the Lander success will be with Mark. You take him off the floor and it would hurt Cloudland via way of leadership. Some kids are winners and they just refuse to lose. Take Mark off the floor and its like taking the fizz out of Pepsi. Flat as a flitter.

Hey Flossie, don't worry, Krich and I have your back when you come to Unaka. I might even have a maroon shirt for you. And if you promise not to be too rowdy I might put you on one side of me and Cobb on the other side. Now that would be a site for sore eyes. You and Cobb in a Ranger shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am hesitant to comment on this matter because of my ties with Unaka but I will say this, had he been playing for Unaka, after the first time he chose not to practice in the summer or fall he would not have been back. Sometimes you must look past winning and do what is best for your team. As a coach and teacher you are to teach these kids lessons that will help them later on in life. Can you imagine showing up for work whenever you wanted to. None of us would last very long on our jobs. These student athletes are about to find out that a real world exist and it's tough to survive in today's society when life after high school or college ends. You must be self motivated and a go getter in order to be successful in today's world. How Coach Smith handles this situation is his business and I would never speculate on the matter. I am sure he will do what is best for the entire team. But I can say this, that at Unaka it doesn't matter if you are the best player on the varsity or a first year freshman the same rules apply. No practice, no play. Abide by team rules or turn in your uniform. Plain and simple. When Rusty Chambers and Cody Collins came up from an undefeated Hunter Elementary team they were placed on the varsity because Unaka's 2 best players chose not to practice during the summer, and did not want to abide by school rules nor team rules. It would have been easy for Coach Ensor to have let this slide but he chose to dismiss them from the team. He felt it was not a good example for the younger kids to be around. He chose to put to first year freshman in their place and play them throughout the season. Some questioned this move but it paid off as the team went on to have a top-notch season and team morale was at an all time high. That team won over 20 games that season went to the sub-state before losing at Alcoa. But most important, I knew that my son was playing for one of the best coaches he could possible be around. The lesson my son learned that season was if you work hard and show up for practice good things will happen. If you choose to not obey team and school rules you won't be a part of this program. That is the best lesson a coach could ever teach any player. Bottom line. "DISCIPLINE" the key to team success. The main reason why Unaka's basketball program is well respected thoughout East Tennessee.

Unaka won by 31. Unaka's full court pressure was a nightmare for Tri-Cities. They do have 3 or 4 players that are very good athletes. It was pretty much the same team they had last year.

And to think that this board used to be so informative. Why don't we just let the kids play the game and await the outcome. What do we accomplish by getting on here and testing one's manhood? What does it do? It looks bad on both schools. We don't have a clue how the outcome of this season will be. I for one am sick and tired of all the negative post on here. I am tired of hearing about Cloudland football, and how Unaka's lack of football makes them less superior than the Highlanders. Grow up people. A little smack can be fun but this has been taken to a different level. To read notjustafans post one would think he had a crystal ball planted inside his head. We will win, we will hold Chambers to 2 points, this is all garbage. He has much better players around his this year plus they are 6'5 and 6'7 in their back line. No one knows who will win nor how many Rusty will score. It's hard not to be biased when you have family playing. I can assure you this that each team will play their tails off. These kids respect one another and the sad part is that most of the posters will never a play a minute in these games. Some share friendships. I have counted it a blessing to watch Mark Byrd perform in all 3 sports. No doubt in my mind he is one of the greatest athletes that I have ever seen perform and I have watched sports all my life. Unaka has some great kids, who never open their mouth on the floor much unlike the past few years. So does the Highlanders. I have often thought if we would put both teams in the gym and not let the fans or parents inside, they would have the times of their lives. In the future let's reframe for all the trash talk and post information on this board that might be helpful and informative. How this got started on a Daniel Boone and Unaka thread is very distasteful.

What time is the scrimmage today?

Why don't we wait till the end of the season to debate this issue. Rusty is a good player but he has some great teammates who help create scoring opportunities for him. Cody Collins, Derek Cline, Josh Jones, Rusty Holstclaw, Tyler McCann just to name a few of his teammates deserve to be mentioned when it comes to Rusty. I am sure that after last season, that Rusty would give up all the individual awards for a trip to Murfreesboro to play in the state tournament. The way to measure the success of a player is how good he makes the other people play around him. I can assure you that Rusty and the Unaka team don't care who is the best player in Carter County is. Their focus is on making the trip back to Murfreesboro to try and capture a state title for the loyal basketball fans of Stoney Creek. They play some outstanding competition so hopefully they will be ready come tournament time in late February.

I just wanted to let everyone know that Coach Bud Hazelwood dad George Hazelwood passed away yesterday after a long illness. Funeral arrangements are imcomplete as of this time. Bud is a great coach and friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to he and his family.

The scoutman just connected with a hard right to the head.

I will have to find something that is on the Adkins diet at the Mat. But the company should be a blast. Isn't it amazing how sports can establish such good friendships. Let's remember that the real battle is not on the football field, nor is it with the coaches or fans. It's oversees. "Pray for our servicemen and woman that risk their lives everyday so that we might enjoy such freedom of speech and the opportunity to play and attend these games. They are the real heros of today.

Very few freshman get varsity experience during the season but I agree that Smith for Elizabethton is a very good quarterback. He looks like a quarterback on the field and makes good decisions. I was impressed with several of the Betsy freshman. My question is Deke or anyone else close to that program, will they play the better player at qb?

I think it would be very unprofessional for our paper to call for the resignation of any coach. I do agree if they are problems, they need to be fixed and if politics are playing a vital role as to who does what then it should be reported. I honestly believe that Coach Jenkins has enough to worry about right now without our paper or anyone else bashing him. Quite frankly if Rider was to every take the job back I think one of the first people he would ask to help him would be Coach Tommy Jenkins. Let's keep our eyes and ears open and see what happens in the next few weeks. It should be interesting.

Hey AC/DC Call me sometime for some information. Will they roll out the red carpet for me in Roan Mtn. next week. I did say next week, as in very confident. Do I need a disguise.

Mr. Dawson, As a kid you must have not had much to do if you came to watch me play, although thank you for your comment. As for Cgirl67 yes I am probably her biggest fan. I think it is wonderful when someone give so much of their time to coach kids without getting compensated in return. Cheerleaders never get any credit yet they can be a vital part of the game if they work the crowd right. As for Cgirl67, yes she is a dear friend and if we go to the mat I plan on buying her dinner. That is the least I can do for such a nice person. :justwrestle:

Not me guys. My heart and soul lies within the youth of Carter County. I enjoy doing Unicoi, Johnson Co. and some Washington County but that is as far as old tdogs legs will take him. I take pride in the fact that we are helping many young athletes get exposure in Carter County. We don't have the manpower, money nor the resources to branch outside this area. It's hard for me to get my son off AOL so I can use his computer. Plus I was proof reading the paper at 1:30 am this morning to try and eleminate mistakes which are many in the things that we are sent. So much work goes into the paper, Deke does a great job at putting the paper together. The one think I said when I came back is I want to print a sports paper that is informative that does not contain junk or that looks like a second grade kid wrote it. So far I think the paper had improved tremendously since the high school football season begin. We are not the Elizabethton Star or the Johnson City press nor do we want to be. We want to do our own thing, with our own ideal at Double Play Sports. As for this sportswriter, my heart and soul lies within Carter County and that will be the kids that I choose to write about. I could sure use a second hand computer. :justwrestle:

goosevol, Krich is having computer problems but I can help you out being the sportseditor of doubleplay. Happy Valley: Led my all-state candidate Tim Whaley 6'2 200 lbs Sr. running back. Whaley has rushed for nearly 1200 yards in only 8 games this season. Last week he was chosen class 2A player of the week for the State of Tennessee by the AP. In that game he rushed for 301 yards 4 touchdowns he is a man among boys. Line is led by Jordy Harrison a 6'5 326 lbs lineman who is a great athlete and can move like no other big man that size. Cane Cannon is very good at the Center position he is 6'3 255. Drew Davis a soph. has 9 interceptions to lead the defense. Daniel Dover is a headhunter on defense at the LB position. Dover is 6'1 225 solid as a rock. Todd Caldwell a 6'2 sophomore qb thrown for nearly 900 yards. Ryan Garland a soph. and Davis are two very good wide receivers as is Lance Whitehead. Happy Valley is very athletic and to me this is the best team they have fielded in the since the early 90's. 9-1 on the year only loss is to Gatlinburg-Pittman. Played the game without Whaley, out for suspension, Dover and Garland were out with injuries. When healthy they could be one of he best teams in the area. Stan Ogg is the coach and has done a good job. Unaka: Led by soph. running back Charles Lee Guinn. 5'10 165 can run like the wind. Andrew Richardson a 5'11 215 linebacker/fullback is one heck of a player. Plays hurt and can put a lick on you. Best player could be Kasey Garland a 6'5 260 DE. Garland if his leg is better can play with anybody anywhere. He moves well and wait till you see him hit. Travis Pasquale a 6'1 225 lbs jr. LB and Jordan Ensor a 6'0 250 Center and nose tackle are good lineman. Joey Parlier if healthy is 6'0 185 lbs is a very good football player and could be the difference maker in the game. This is Unaka's first winning season in 10 years. Coach Mike Ensor has done a great job this season they are 5-4 and could be 7-2 with 2 losses coming in the last few seconds of 2 games.

I must defend the Elizabethton Star although I am with the other paper. The Star has been great to our local athletes. Not since the days of Bill Jenkins in my era has the local teams got so much sports coverage. They have one of the finest young men as sportseditor you can find that being Jamie Combs. And I love Wes to death even though his blood is truly blue and gold but I expect it to be. Something people need to realize is that Double Play does not try to compete with the Eliz. Star nor could we ever come close to doing that. What we try to do is cover some areas where they don't such as youth league sports, jr. high etc. My goal is for one day each paper to compliment one another. Our coverage is nothing but local sports unlike the Star who give you regional coveral and Pro Sports as well. I know speaking for myself I love seeing and talking to all the guys from the Star as well as the J.C. Press at the ballgames. We swap ideals, and not once have never turned me away if I needed anything and most of all we are all good friends. Shucks I wish I just knew what old Jamie had forgotten. You read his stories, its enough to humble you. And Wes, well the sky is the limit for such a young talent. I am a daily subscriber to the Star & the Press. They all do a great job. Next time they come to a game in your area, make sure they are taken care of. Keep up the good work Jamie, Wes, and all the gang. I sure do appreciate what Star has to offer to our local sports teams.