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?

Rutledge lost to Morristown East 2-1 Monday. Heather Roach (Fr.) and Tia Black (So.) had the key hits that led to Rutledge's lone run. Kendall Brabson (Jr.) pitched for Rutledge in the 2-1 loss. Rutledge plays at Gatlinburg-Pittman today (DH).

Rutledge played at Pigeon Forge yesterday and won 7-0. (Jr.) Kendall Brabson threw a one hitter and Rutledge hit the ball pretty well in scoring the 7 runs. Rutledge has played Cumberland Gap and won 15-0 and they have beaten Claiborne County 11-5. I still do not know anything about Union County or Gatlinburg-Pittman. Does anybody know how they have done so far this year?

Rutledge over Jeff County 9-0.

West looked really good in the scrimmage against Rutledge. It was 3-0 after 3 innings and West put across 7 runs in the 4th to open things up. Whitehead threw well and top to bottom the girls hit the ball well. Defensively they made all the plays you expect them to make. Great job ladies and good luck this season. Both teams did play everybody several innings, but West's young girls looked up to the challenge. It's good to see Jackson back and looking good behind the plate. With the addition of some of the young talent and the strong vetran leadership from the senior class West will be hard to beat this year.

Did any of these girls play on the 16-U Crossville Cyclones about two years ago when they finished second in the USSSA State to Triple Threat during the summer? I believe this was played in Crossville. That would make most of them Seniors in High School this year. (I think the team was called Crossville Cyclones, I may not be correct on that.)

Cocke County scrimmaged @ Rutledge today and lost 12-2. Looked really young and inexperienced. Only threw one pitcher and she will have a difficult time being successful in the IMAC. Looks like they will have a hard time finishing anywhere but last. 1. M West 2. Cherokee 3. M East 4. Jeff Co. 5. Greenville 6. Cocke Co. The top three could finish in any order, though.

Good luck to the Lady Pioneers on Tuesday against a good Cumberland Gap team. Union County played the Lady Pioneers close on Friday, but a good change on Defense in the second half cooled off the hot shooting Lady Patriots. It's good to win the close games, especially when you don't play your best. With a win on Tuesday the girls from RHS could finish 3rd in the district for the regular season. That would put them playing Union in the first round of the district with a chance of playing in the Region hanging in the balance. Best of luck to the Lady Pioneers. I hope they bring their "A" game.

D2 Looks like you are right on it. 1. Claiborne 2. GP 3. Pigeon Forge/Rutledge 5. C. Gap 6. Union Looks like one of three pretty good teams (PF,Rutledge,or Gap) will not make the Region.

Rutledge defeated Union County @ Rutledge Friday after UC's big win over Pigeon Forge. Looks like Pigeon Forge is faltering some the last few games though. I've seen all the teams in the district this season and Claiborne looks the toughest to defend because of the strong play in the post. Almost all the teams have some outstanding three point shooters. That's why the tournament could be up for grabs this year.