BigW

I think the coaches or the AD have to send the stats in to Prep Xtra. Does anybody know who sends in those things? I think we should send them in for basketball like we do all the other sports.

Rutledge won an ugly game today against Washburn. Looks like Stone Memorial and Cumberland Gap were definitely the strongest two teams in the Union Co. tournament. Losing to Stone Memorial was not any type of suprise to most who know anything about basketball. They are definitely a strong AA team. Their only loss has been at the hands of Clarkrange...need I say more. Although the win against Washburn was not pretty, right now any win is good. The post players did a good job holding down a big frontline from Washburn. Coach Roach challenged them before the game started and I believe they answered his challenge well. It was a total team effort with some key free throws down the stretch. Hopefully a win tomorrow against Grace Christian will give the Lady Pioneers a 2-1 tournament record as they head back to school after break and into a tough district run.

I'm not sure of all the teams in the tournament. Speaking from the girls side, I think Stone Memorial will be tough as will Cumberland Gap. I don't know much about the Portsmouth West team out of OH. but I can't see them traveling this far if they can't play. Washburn will be pretty strong for a single A team. What does anyone else know about any of the other teams?

I look for Claiborne to give GP a run for their money for the top spot with Cumberland Gap coming in third. Rutledge and Pigeon Forge will probably battle for fourth.

I saw the Rutledge vs Seymour girl's game tonight and before I say anything else...Seymour has a great team. They are well coached, play ferocious defense, and have several talented players. If they play Rutledge 100 times they would beat them 100 times. With that being said, I saw a couple of things that really appalled me tonight. One...the three gentlemen that refer to themselves as referees were possibly the most inept at officiating a game as I have ever watched. Sometimes I think when TSSAA went to three officials many of them saw this as an opportunity to be lazy. They were often out of position, could not report the correct # to the scorers table several occasions, allowed the physical nature of the game to get out of hand, and sometimes I feel they just turned their head so they would not have to make a call. Two...I never like reading posts that belittle players because they are just kids. But, I saw some of the most flagrant cheap shots tonight by #50 (of Seymour) that I have ever witnessed. Three plays tonight she could have and should have received technical fouls and did not receive anything. One she delivered a shoulder and forearm to a Rutledge player's chest that lifted her off her feet and sent her crashing to the floor. (No call). The second was on the next trip down the floor and she intentionally tripped the same player and shoved her to the floor...again without any call from Larry, Moe or Curly. A few plays later, she obviously had lost her cool and was out of control, she was entangled with another player and got called for a foul. After the scramble for the ball ended up on the floor, she intentionally kicked the girl while they were on the floor. The Rutledge player got up a slung her off of her and got called for a technical. Again, I have never posted (and will never) if a student athlete has a poor game or is just not a good player. Let me say that #50 was arguably the best basketball player on the floor. Although these actions tonight, I feel were intolerable. I will say that another Rutledge player later received a technical. The call was warranted, because she obviously chopped a player out of frustation after another (no call). Players make mistakes because they are kids. They take bad shots, turn the ball over, foul when they are out of position. But there is no place in High School basketball for cheapshots. This looks like a golden opportunity for Rutledge to end their step child relationship with Seymour and stop putting them on the schedule.

The umpires in the Rutledge and EHS game were not officials from Rutledge's association. The guy did have a small strike zone until about the 4th or 5th inning, and then he started to open it up ever so slightly. It was an enjoyable game to watch (if your kid isn't pitching.) Both teams hit the fire out of it and combined for almost 40 hits.

Ashlee Price-Cherokee Savannah Ewing-Cherokee Shanda Kimbrough-Morristown West Alex Wild-Morristown West Kaela Jackson-Morristown West Kendall Brabson-Rutledge I think all of these are Sophomores. All are very good players flying a little bit under the radar.

The Lady Pioneers have scrimmaged five times so far. They have had an opportunity to see some quality pitching from Central, Seymour and Pigeon Forge. They lost all those games and the hitting did not come around in any of them. They won their other two scrimmage games vs West Greene and Cumberland Gap. They are needing some of the girls to step it up with the bats right now. They will come around soon, lets just hope it doesn't take too long.

KB, Next year having a pitcher for each class would be a pretty good luxury, wouldn't it?

I either am or have been all of the above at some point and time. What about yourself?

Rutledge has three of their top five pitchers on IR. #1 and #2 out for about the next two weeks. So, I would have to give Seymour the edge early on.

Rutledge has their top two pitchers out with injuries for at least next two weeks. Also the #4-5 pitcher is on IR for now. They will be bringing a make shift team for now, but they should be a competitive AA team when all the pieces get healthy.

Rutledge will have strong pitching and solid defense. They lost two seniors last season, Ashley Welch-LF and Elisha Collins-all state catcher(now starting C for Walters State). The loss of these two bats from the lineup as well as Collins behind the plate could loom large for the Lady Pioneers. Senior 3b Sara Combs moves to C and provides good pop with her bat. The team will also look for Seniors SS Alisha Mink and CF Miranda Clifton to provide leadership and depth in the batting order. The strength of the Rutledge team should lie with the three pitchers Freshman-Cierra Mudd, Sophomore Kendall Brabson and Junior Kacey Roach. While not on the mound the three should rotate between 2b and 1b. Roach, who won 12 games last year, will leadoff for the Lady Pioneers and Brabson 3-0 last season should see more time on the mound this year and hit 3rd after leading the team in hitting last season. Mudd, who moved from Jefferson County, has impressed coaches with her pitching and her ability to play several positions. Rutledge will be looking for a 3b and LF as Stacey Blanken holds down her starting job in RF. As usual, the district should shape up as a three team race between Pigeon Forge, Union County and Rutledge.

Who are some of the best pitching and hitting instructors in East TN from Knoxville to Johnson City area?

Rutledge has to be one of the most underrated teams around. They are 21-0 after the district final on Thursday:)

I believe three teams have a realistic chance to advance from district tourney. That would be Pigeon Forge, Rutledge and Chuckey Doak. The game that will be big there will be the second round when Rutledge and Chuckey Doak probably meet up. Rutledge has a lot of talent all though they are young. (Only one Senior starter) You don't know if they will be nervous or relaxed because of their youth. If the young guys can relax, Rutledge will finish 1st and Pigeon Forge 2nd. Although Chuckey can still make some noise.

Elisha Collins from Rutledge is one of the best I have ever watched. Fast-great baserunner, hits with a ton of power, and is great behind the plate. She plays with the Greenville Stars in the summer.

Returning from last year-OF- Ashley Welch Sr.,a very athletic basketball player whose first love has always been softball, SS-Alicia Mink Jr.,(Morristown StingRays), P/2b Kacey Roach So., (Morristown StingRays) and as you have already mentioned C-Elisha Collins Sr., (Greenville Stars). I also expect to see good things from hard throwing P/1b Kendall Brabson Fr., (Wynsom Fastpitch).

I personally think a Freshman or Sophomore should not be carried on the Varsity unless they can play and contribute. I also feel by the end of a players Sophomore season the coach needs to tell them whether or not they see them getting much playing time as a Junior or Senior. If the answer is yes, you carry them. If the answer is no, you have to let them go. Sometimes a coach can get in a bind if they are weak one year and have to carry Freshmen and Sophs and then later they need to cut them. If they don't cut them, they may have a Freshman or Sophomore that should be playing and no where to put them. Chosing teams and cutting players are some of the hardest decisions a coach has to make. But the coach should have the authority to make those decisons not the A.D.

My sources tell me you need to look out for Cabrini, LA. They are supposed to be very tough.

KB, We had a pretty good first season with our 7/8 grade softball team. We finished one game over .500. Three of our losses were by one run to an undefeated Rogersville City team. All in all I feel like we were pretty successful. I hope to see some of those ladies continue to play at RHS. How about those Lady Pioneers-District Champs! Its been a while since the boys and girls were District Champs in the same season. Good luck to them and the guys in the district tournament and hopefully beyond.

I don't think the pitching is down from last year. They return the 1-2 punch of Matt Day and Jason Gray. Also, Travis Irwin and Zach Mabry give them great arms from 3-4 guys for tournament play. The hitting will be what makes or breaks Rutledge when the game is on the line. Guys will have to step up and hit. They have had a couple of key sticks get a little cold on them through several games lately. If some of these guys pick it back up, then Rutledge has a shot to make it to the show. Gray and Day are competitors on the mound when the game is on the line. Also, I don't know if there is anyone I would like to see come to the plate with the game on the line more than Jason Gray. Someone will get a great steal in him. Day signed with Milligan today and Gray has not committed anywhere yet. Good luck Pioneers!

Rutledge lost some quality leaders and proven winners last year to graduation. It will be important for the young guys to step in and provide some help for the nucleus of talent remaining. This could be one of the best freshmen groups in the past few years at RHS and it comes at a good time. The freshmen and sophmores could prove to be extremely important to the Pioneers success this year. I'm sure Cumberland Gap will be competitive this year, as will S.Greene, C.Doak and Pigeon Forge. If Coach Wallace can continue to work his magic, the Pioneers will have something to say about who wins it AGAIN this year. Good luck Wally, Cab and Bucky. (Softball just ain't the same.)

It's hard to imagine a top 25 list of outfielders and not see Rutledge's Jason Gray listed on it. He not only went 10-0 as a pitcher, but he has an extremely good bat and great speed. He can run down anything hit in the green with the best of them. He also has a very live arm...i.e... his pitching record. Anyone thats watched him knows he has to be a top prospect.

Congratulations to Coach Renner and all the Rogersville City girls. They had a great team this year. I know personally they whipped my Lady Bucs twice. Look for these girls to fight for playing time at Cherokee HS next year. Not only are they good at basketball, but they have a pretty doggone good fastpitch softball team too. Congratulations on a great year ladies!