caramelcutiepie

this thread was not about the best scholar-athletes in Memphis...however, if it was, a few of the names that I mentioned would STILL be on there. I don't know Amber Bacon personally, but I have seen her play. She is "OK" and that is my opinion on her. You seem to like her a lot...maybe you ARE her and want some props for yourself. If you are her, you have a nice outside shot and that's it...a decent little game, I'll say. Porsha Willis is VERY good. Very quick and a very good point guard. LaKira's good too...in fact,Kirby's whole team is good. You are on that Millington tip, though, and I think they are just "okay". That's my opinion and I am entitled to it just like you are. Also, you don't know that any of those players grades are not good or that they are not good students so you shouldn't say that...I know for a fact that LaToya and Whitney are very bright and take care of business in the classroom..last time I checked, Duke doesn't recruit dummies. Stop trying to demean other players and worry about what you are doing to get yourself to the next level...LATER

Ashley Shields hands down, with Tamera Sims and Whitney Woodard following close by. Sophomore LaToya Bullard is the best non-senior in the city and is one of the top point guards in the nation. Actually, she is probably second best behind Ashley. She will be one of the most highly recruited players to ever come from this area and is already receiving daily mail from high division 1 schools...even UConn,Tennessee and Duke...the top 3. [Edited by caramelcutiepie on 2-26-03 4:23P]

I think they may have the best chance of any team in the west. Melrose has Ashley, but it gets pretty thin after her production wise. I look for East to get back to state and i would be surprised if they didn't.

I won't know how 15AAA will be matched up until I get home Monday. But, I know that in 16AAA, Melrose will be playing Fairley, East will be playing Whitehaven, Craigmont will be playing Northside (very dangerous team to be playing for a third time), and Hamilton and Central should square off...i think this is correct. I don't know the times of the other games, but I know that Craigmont plays Northside at 3:00 Tuesday. These teams are going to have it easier when they come out of the district, I'll tell you. Whichever 4 come out will be breathing short sighs of relief...for a little while. I look for regionals to be somewhat easier except for the 4th place team who probably will end up playing Houston again first game of regionals...unless of course, you guys lose to Kirby (like I said, hard to beat the same team three times when the games have been close everytime). I hope my girls (Craigmont) get second in the district as to avoid either Houston or Kirby first round regionals. But, they are not scared or anything---i'm just paranoid. [Edited by caramelcutiepie on 2-21-03 12:07P]

I agree...that's how i took it. Obviously, we are dealing with an imbecile here.

YOU JUST MADE ME SMILE!!!! GOOD RANKINGS...

you're right, wescharge....i remember how salty you were last year when that weak Memphis team Ridgeway put a hurtin on your team. It could very well be worse this year for you guys--guess what??!! THEY'RE BETTER! If they are weak then what does that tell you about.....

absolutely! Only one team can win and you must have a lot of coaching, a moderate amount of talent (or more) and a little luck, and since so many teams in Tennessee have that (tough state for girls basketball in all 4 divisions) who knows what to expect?! Some teams play weaker schedules (not talking about Melrose, though) and have good records and then get beat by teams who take a beating all year by tough teams so the parity is pretty good. I am so excited about what is about to transpire basketball-wise in the next few weeks! Are you??

You guys who keep saying Melrose is the best are only going by the hype. I like Melrose just as well as anyone else, but how can they be better than Craigmont when Craigmont completely killed them 70-38 just a week and a half ago. If it was a close game, you could say they are possibly still the best team. Heck, they got run over...on their home floor. Plus, Ashley has a GREAT attitude if you wanted to know. One of the nicest girls you would ever meet, if you ever met her which you haven't.

too late...you already beat me to it. don't ask and no one will tell you.

She is so dominant offensively largely BECAUSE of her defense...not in spite of it. She probably still leads the city in steals and was averaging 8 or 9 a game last I checked, right along with 3 blocks and 13 rebounds a game. What do you mean can she do it at the other end. Everyone has just been focusing on her points, but those of us who are making a case for her know she should win for her all around game for ALL FOUR YEARS! Plus, she has a great attitude! Always very humble...and very funny,too! She has hoards of people talking to her after the game and was recruited by some of the big names in college hoops (don't need to elaborate again) and is always so modest. If you tell her that she played great or is awesome, she'll just say, "Oh, I did O.K." Plus, she has great sportsmanship. So before you attempt to interrogate with the sheer intention of showing skepticism, please, do please, know what you are talking about. Yes, you were merely asking questions, but there is somewhat a nasty interrogative tone in there. Some people..... (just kidding) [Edited by caramelcutiepie on 2-6-03 12:04P]

Honestly, I don't want to insult anyone's team. I know that if nothing else Houston is well-coached. But then again, there is that loss to Fairley last year--Fairley finished 4th in the 16AAA tourney and was no where near the 4th best team--probably sixth best behind East, Melrose,Craigmont,Northside, and Central. There is no way that they should have lost to FAIRLEY??! In their defense, though, they are probably the TALLEST team in the state. I haven't seen them this year, but they are not quick if they are similar to last year. Also, never underestimate a determined, confident team who is used to winning and at 20-1, they are. Most of those wins are against what I would call "semi-quality" teams. In all fairness, I can't really say because I have seen just about everyone else in the city and haven't seen them THIS YEAR. And the fact that they beat Kirby by two both times could really mean something because Kirby is the most underrated team in the city and could and probably will upset Houston in the 15AAA district tourney. I don't know---I guess we all will know come next month, huh? It's going to be a lot of fun!

That's a good question. I have been watching this district for 3 or 4 years and I can honestly tell you, I REALLY don't know who is going to be there. I will go out on a limb and say East although I support Craigmont (having their best season EVER). Craigmont lost to East by 10 and that shows me that the blowouts from a year ago at the hands of East have ended. They might sneak up and get East this year. East will be the most prepared and will not be WOWED by the bright lights of Murfreesboro and in my opinion, are a best bet for state. They lost two girls from last years 12 deep squad and just replaced them with two who were waiting in the wings. Plus, they should cruise through the regionals and sectionals just like last year. I think if Craigmont can avoid East in the first round of the regionals or sectionals, they can beat anyone in 15AAA or 14AAA. However, Kirby is a young team that has a 6'2 and a 6'1 who can both run, plus three SUPER quick guards--a freshman,a sophomore, and a junior. Houston and Kirby are the threats from that district (15AAA) I just don't see White Station doing much of anything although Ashley Awkward is very good. I think that if someone from 16AAA beats Houston again (like Fairley last year) then two teams from 16AAA might be going to state...lets just hope for my sake that East is on the other side of the bracket for my girls.

It depends. Craigmont didn't just play a regular zone (and to be fair I won't tell their stragtegy for Ashley). Most teams play her in a zone anyway and she can still penetrate the gaps and hit 15ft jumpers and threes at will. She's one of the best that I have seen doing this. Also, Ashley is so strong, she can post up almost anyone plus no post player I know (except for East's Whitney Woodard) has the speed or jumping ability to guard her down low. Houston should be okay if their zone is as good as you say it is because of all the height that they have. But, I will give Craigmont a lot of credit, my girls have played against Ashley for two and three years now, even though they are 10th graders. They play her in the summers, they play with her, against her, whatever...they are simply not intimidated anymore, and if any other team can not be in awe of her when they play Melrose, they could win. Craigmont has speed and strong posts players too, plus Melrose lives off of offensive boards and Craigmont has two of the best rebounders in the city, one averaging double digits since last year so they didn't give up any offensive boards. (its kinda hard not to be in awe of Ashley---even if you are playing because she does AMAZING stuff during the game!) My advice to Houston----DO NOT TRY TO RUN WITH THEM! And press some to keep Ashley from being dominant in the half court. [Edited by caramelcutiepie on 1-30-03 10:09A]

Yes other people shoot...but Melrose has a young team full of freshmen who are still getting used to the competition. They are not the best freshmen in the city either so they're not doing as well as some of the others in the city or state. By the way, Craigmont played Melrose in a zone, caught Ashley in one of those "off" shooting nights and held her to 18 or 20 which would be a good night for most. Craigmont's super sophs pulled the upset by almost 30 I think. They are now 16-3. GO CHIEFS!!!!!!

You're right. Jessica Jackson is another very good sophomore and one of the best centers in the country in the class of 2005. The other Craigmont sophomore is Phyllisha Mitchell who was averaging a double double was in the top ten in scoring a couple of games ago (21ppg) and was leading the city in rebounding (17rpg). These could have changed since the Commercial Appeal last put them in there but I know she had a 28 point, 26 rebound effort week before last against Central. She plays AAU with Latoya and Jessica and started for the Memphis Showboats team.

You are so right...a lot of times, all these girls win Miss Basketball, get top honors in the state, yadda,yadda,yadda, and I hate to mention it again, but West Tennessee gets no credit. Yet, for the past I don't know how many years, we have sent DOZENS of girls D-1 for years. Last year Memphis alone sent one to Kentucky, Texas A&M, Louiville, UT-Martin,UT-Chattanooga, and other schools. This year, there are more than that going D-1 Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Alabama, Memphis, etc. The next wave is going to get better as up and coming girls in our area are getting recruited by UT, UConn, LSU, Arkansas, Florida, Virginia, Duke, etc.Personal accolades do not outweigh team accomplishments so in reality, the All-every thing, Miss-everything awards matter only little...they're good to have if you have a paid for education at a good school to go along with it and the good attitude and scholastic mentality that is earned with the awarding of a basketball scholarship.

She's a good shooter and I've mentioned it a dozen times...she is just TOO strong for this level...she can penetrate at will with two or even three defenders on her then she just explodes over them at the goal...usually slapping backboard over one or two girls. No one in the district tries to play man against Melrose which would be okay if Ashley wasn't on the team...she is just good. Melrose actually plays Craigmont tonight in a game that was previously cancelled due to snow. I know my girls can beat them...I just don't know if they can stop Ashley. And Melrose is a very good defensive team so if they hold you to 50 and Ashley scores 40 and the rest of the team scores just 15 combined, you have lost. That's reality, people. However, this is going to be avery good game...featuring the top sophomores in the city against THE TOP SENIOR possibly in the state...should be lots of college coaches in the crowd...that's what I was told.

You're right...and East has tried to because a lot of their girls played AAU together. Ashley Shields and a couple of others from Hamilton also played AAU with the East seniors...can you imagine if Ashley had gone to East with the team that they have now??? All I can say is WOW! To answer your question, though, open enrollment is still somewhat restricted if you are going to play sports. Kids still have to sit out even if they are allowed to transfer and what kid wants to sit out a year? (Been there, done that, wrote the book). Ridgeway is building a nice little program and finally has to guards to go with 6'5 USA Today Freshman All-American last season Jessica Jackson (now a sophomore). They have three of the girls that were on the Blackhawks team that won back to back AAU Nationals titles this past summer and the last. They are all just freshman and the point guard is amazingly good. So, they will grow up this season and will be ready when they move into AAA next season. I think they will be in 15AAA (White Station, Houston) since it makes no sense to put them into 16AAA which is already too full. As long as there are kids in every classification that are this talented, though, no school will be dominant because a team full of stars never works at the high school level.

You're right...I wish we could, too. But there are just TOO MANY schools in Memphis...a WHOLE lot. I know that schools like Kirby traditionally play Fayette-Ware and other schools play Fayette-Ware, Covington, and Brownsville. I think thats NorthWest...? :confused:

Houston's coach can do that because he has the connection. Houston doesn't have any girls playing AAU either (except for the Roberts girl I think) and they can do stuff in the summer. When half of your team is playing AAU, its hard to get them all together at once, although it can be done. Does Houston go play Shelbyville in a regular season game? I know they travel across state for some nice tournaments. There are just too many teams for everyone to play everyone. Besides, no coach is stupid enough to take a bad team to a tournament or to play perinnial basketball powers partly because no one wants to play a team that is 1-18. Craigmont just got good last year and these girls are still learning. They had their first winning season in 20 years when LaToya Bullard started at point guard in the 8th grade two years ago, and she averaged 17 ppg then. How was he supposed to know that he was going to get 4 possible D-1 freshmen in one year?? Craigmont was never good until these girls arrived (well, except in the late 70's or something). Their first season together (last season) they took beatings by East, Northside...heck everybody in the district beat them last year, and by the time they matured after having to grow up fast in 16AAA, they were in the regionals and won the first game. They had upset a couple of good teams in the district tournament to advance to regionals and then beat Collierville. They have to play East on Friday and I still think they are too young to beat them, although they lost by 7 in their last game against them last year after having been blown out twice. Shows improvement...East has too much experience but they have shown that they can be beat this year. Hey Lane, who beat Houston last year, was it Melrose or Fairley?? I think it was Fairley, though. Please let me know. Thanks... Also, who do you think would win between Houston and East??? [Edited by caramelcutiepie on 1-23-03 11:57P]

Thanks for your kind post...objective minds aren't always welcome on this board...or any board for that matter. I used to live in Red Bank when I was in college a few years ago (UTC). My friend lived in Hixson. Good luck to all your teams this year as well. I support Craigmont mostly because a lot of the girls on the AAU team that I support play there (all sophomores). (i love emoticons)

You act as though the talent in West Tennessee is just so terrible. I'll take that terrible talent anyday from a part of the state that has 3 or 4 AAU national championships, 2 or 3 runner up titles, and a couple of 3rd through 5th place finishes over the last couple of years. I know that it hasn't been as rich in tradition as the middle and east tennessee teams of past but to deny that Tennessee is a talented state for basketball THROUGHOUT THE STATE is just plain unfair to girls in ALL parts of the state. You will see probably this year and over the next few years some teams from our area that will do well at state as the Class of 2005 and 2006 are LOADED! (14U Showboats and 13U Blackhawks). I will sum it up by saying that our state remains one of the toughest to win a state championship, and not just certain sections, either. Oh, by the way, you have to be invited to Nike TOC and other tournaments...if you didn't, every team in the state would go. Kudos to the power programs like Oak Ridge and Shelbyville who always perform well and make us look good nationwide.

Everyone keeps putting Memphis Northside ahead of Craigmont when Craigmont beat them about 2 weeks ago. I think its more of an oversight than anything else...and Melrose is right where it should be until someone shows me someone, ANYONE who can stop Ashley Shields from scoring at least 25 for the rest of the season.

Duh! I know this...and let's be realistic. Oak Ridge probably wouldn't schedule a game with a Memphis or West Tennessee team for the same reason that a Memphis or West TN team wouldn't...they are probably EIGHT FREAKING HOURS APART distance wise. Who would waste school funding or even self-funding to play one game against a team that far when you have holiday tournaments and other things to consider. It's not as if a game like that could be played on a school night. And if you can stand to be corrected, Memphis East beat Oakridge in state last year and could do it again but the teams in the West are better this year than last. The talent is very spread out and I wish Coach T would post that story from the Memphis Commercial Appeal on how tough district 16AAA is. East had no trouble with Oakridge because they had fought in this tough district night in and night out last season and Oak Ridge wasn't nearly as tough as some of the teams that East faced during the district games. The problem is the same as it is with the boys---all the good teams just knock each other out. You haven't seen the teams and can't say that just because they don't play the teams that everyone hypes up that they aren't any good. Craigmont went to Atlanta to play in the Nike Peach State Classic and lost the first game then won the next four with no seniors and only 2 juniors, who don't even start. they did this against teams that were much better than the ones I saw in the state tournament last year. And I have about as much a Memphis bias as other people have a middle tennessee bias or an East Tennessee bias...no one can really travel consistently to see all the top teams in the three parts of the state. Its up to the sportswriters to keep it accurate and fair...but they don't. I can honestly say that 5 or 6 teams could compete in AAA this season from West TN/Memphis, but only 2 can get out. And it doesn't get any easier next year as Ridgeway moves into AAA. You remember Ridgeway I'm sure...from last year at state.