BigW

Think i saw where South Green beat Chucky Doak twice this week. I dont know what that makes either ones record. I believe CD has at least three losses and SG at least two.

The guys did play good! Regardless of who it was, you had two teams playing their hearts out. We have had so much going on, it was good to get a WIN! We play at home Friday against an old rival in Pigeon Forge. This should be a good one, too. Go Grizzlies!

Grainger did open up the offense after the second half against West Greene. What is everyones take on the Wing T offense instead of the Veer they ran for years at Rutledge? I personally like the new look if they will continue to expand the Wing T. You can still run more than what they are doing so far. They look like they have about three plays and they run those over and over. That makes you wonder why they left the Veer. It was often the same thing...one or two plays over and over. You can still run the option, reverses and more misdirection than what we have witnessed so far. I think they will continue to put more of this in as the season goes on.

I see Grainger plays West Greene on Thursday. Why is the game not on Friday night? West Greene is 2-0 allbeit against weak opponents and Grainger is 0-2 against two teams probably better than anyone WG has played. What does everyone think about this one? I believe it will start to define the pecking order for 3,4,5. I think Greenville and SG are probably the favorites for 1,2. West Greene will probably be the favorite in this game, but I could see Grainger pulling off a mild upset in this one.

I was at the Jamboree and Greenville is definitely the team to beat. But its no different than having a Seymour in the conference, that consistently finished 1st. Everyone only plays Greenville once, its the other games we have to worry about. SG and CG both looked competitive @ Jamboree. Claiborne and WG were scrappy. Its hard to judge the Grizzlies because they were playing Greenville. I think it could be a logjam battling for the 2,3,4 positions in the District this season. Grainger goes to Gibbs tomorrow for their yearly battle. It should be a exciting game. Last year Grainger won 14-6 in a close one. Gibbs has several returners and Grainger is counting on a lot of inexperienced players to start the season. This should be a good one, and I predict Grainger will win 13-12.

I don't know very much about the team for this season. They lost most of their top players off last years squad. Knowing the staff, the team will be working hard and preparing for the season. Grainger always plays hard and usually competes well with everyone. Finley and Bowser return with some experience in the backfield, and Mills will be solid at MLB. They don't return a lot of starters on the line, but most of the guys coming back did get some experience last season. They have a few new faces coming out this year that will probably see a lot of action. Dylan Morgan and Caleb Cornett will get some touches probably at Wingback or WR. Both can fly. Most of the team is truly blue collar. No big marquis names here just a bunch of hard working guys that are anxious to get a new season started.

Rutledge defeats Claiborne County today 10-0 in five innings. Claiborne did look much improved though. They hit the ball pretty decent in the top of the lineup. I'm sure they will win some games this year. Rutledge just looked to be too strong. 1st baseman, Brabson, hit one that would have been out anywhere...except the baseball field at Rutledge. Because of this she had to get a HR the hard way. (Running all the way!) Outfielder Tia Black had 3 hits to lead the Pioneers. Rutledge also defeated Jefferson County yesterday 7-2. They travel to Pigeon Forge on Thursday for a big district matchup.

This one gets called both ways a lot. I believe the hand becomes part of the bat if the batter is swinging, bunting, or trying to put the ball in play. Case in point a strike. If they are not swinging, bunting etc...perhaps getting out of the way of an inside pitch (ball) this is supposed to be called a dead ball if hit in the hand. Batter gets awarded first base.

Rutledge over Union County 9-0 on Thursday. Up next for the Lady Pioneers is Claiborne on Tuesday and a big rematch at Pigeon Forge later Thursday. I saw where Union beat PF @ PF 5-2. It looks like another tight year in District 2 AA between Rutledge, Union County and Pigeon Forge. I saw where Claiborne played Union County close. They could upset someone somewhere down the road.

Rutledge beats Seymour tonight 4-3 in 8 innings. The Lady Pioneers were up 3-1 and committed three errors late in the game to let Seymour back in the game. They have Union County coming up on Thursday.

rSquared, Can you tell me anything about the Gulf Shores, AL team? Everyone else seems to be local or at least from the general East TN area.

We all know Holzer and McBee will get their 20pts. or so a game. Who are some of the others on the teams in the district you have to worry about? At Rutledge you have the two post players Humphries and Merrell that can score and rebound well. Merrell is stronger inside and Humphries can step out and shoot the three. Who are some of the other schools #2 or #3 scoring threats. You are not going to consistently shut down players like McBee or Holzer, it usually depends on these other guys if a team is going to win the big games. It takes two or three players in double digits come district time. Good luck fellows. Go Pioneers!

Are the players that quit still attending Claiborne County or are they attending somewhere else? If so where?

The team looked pretty good tonight against Claiborne County. I realize Claiborne has been in some turmoil and the Nikkels kid hurt her shoulder and later in the game her ankle and had to leave the game. The Lady Pioneers passed the ball extremely well tonight. I agree with you GC Grizzlies, they did seem to be playing their hearts out. They got up and down the floor pretty well and they handled the ball good tonight, too. CHS did man press them some and they handled the ball really well. I think the girls will get more in a groove here in the next 4-5 games. They will have another tough one against Seymour on Tuesday. They go to Carter Friday before the Union County Christmas tourney. Does anyone know the tournament schedule? The Lamb girl (freshman) shot the ball well in the JV game and Nicely handled the ball pretty well in her minutes of the Varsity game. These two may improve as the year goes on and be able to help give some minutes later on. I did see where Pigeon beat GP by 7 pts. These two may be the ones to beat in the Conference. I think if thet keep getting better the Lady Pioneers can play with any of them. They played GP close after falling behind 21-4. I think the girls still can have a successful season. Good luck girls and keep working hard. It will pay off in the end.

East has had the injury bug this season from what I have heard. How do they stand right now with ALL their injuries? Is everyone back now or do they still have some players out?