blackandgold

People generally like to choose the school and programs based on their situation. Unfortunately the problems of McMInn girls was predicted years ago when the former coach was brought over by the head coach to serve as his assistant. McMinn faithful had heard the stories of Central boys decline but unfortunately the fears were not listened to and when the head coach left, this left Coach Q the logical choice to move up. McMinn faithful just need to continue to support the new coach and especially his players to continue to work hard. The multiple injuries to three starters which ended the season for two of them has hurt the team also.

Our local Athens paper reports Girls substate to be played on Saturday with boys substate to be on Monday.

I know of 2 from AJHS that will play and a couple from the county elementary schools will be going out for the team. We have 4 returning varsity and about 4 others on this year's freshmen group. Your right, next couple of years will be tough on Lady Cherokee fans.

This group of cherokee seniors are top notch and deserved a much better season. 6 of 10 girls graduate. 4 girls come back on varsity so coach has got to get them ready quick. Unfortunately he hasn't give them court time this year to help them. 2 of them averaged 2-4 minutes some games, and never saw the floor in others. The other 2 have seen even less. Only has about 5 other freshmen to even bump up that will be sophomores next year. Next few years will be tough for lady cherokees. But word is good group of freshmen coming in. But next year may be a year like Meigs has this year with mostly freshmen leading the way.

Have to question the importance of the region stats. Until Walker Valley (now making six) only 5 teams were in the district with four automatically going so unless you were really bad you would go to the region. If there were 8 or 10 teams that would be something to brag about. Kind of like football where teams with losing records make the playoff rounds.

Why should they play Central again? Paper said tonite if Central wanted to play a third time they would play them here again where we could keep the money. Who wants to travel and play the same teams again. Besides we beat Central by a good margin the first time, so how is that raising the competition level. The girls are playing in a much better tournament this year after playing in Midway tournament (small schools) for a couple of years. Big school should play competitive big schools unless a smaller school is loaded that year.

They are doing really well this year as Coach Tucker rotates about 10 girls in and out the whole game while pressing. Then the fourth quarter they pull the game out. That is how they beat McMinn as they wore us down with nothing left the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. I saw in the paper where McMinn Central will play them in the Lenoir City holiday tournament this week. That should be a great game. Used to be big rivals until Walker Valley went AAA and scheduling conflicts ended their games. I am surprised neither group is talking this game up.

The school schedule says Dec. 15 at Cleveland, then a Christmas tournament at Lenior City after Christmas. Then Cumberland January 5. December is a slower month for Cherokee basketball games.

To the reference about aau coaching encouraging players to go to Central, the plain truth is if Mcminn basketball was going in a good direction no one would be able to talk anyone into going anywhere but here. People want to go to a winning program where players and parents have confidence in the coach. They also want a coach that demonstrates adult sportsmanship at all times. Playing time does not seem to be the desire because after this year those girls could claim all the playing time they want when we lose our top 6 girls and the other 4 that will take over never get in a game, even to give the starters some short relief.

Yes, a girl from McMinn practiced in the summer with McMinn, dad did not like what he saw and sent her to Cleveland. Then again changed her the last year to Bradley. Cleveland this year has one of the area's best freshman that arrived from Polk County much like the Rogers' girls did a few years ago. The Cleveland girl that just signed with an SEC school lived in Charleston and was expected at Walker Valley. Walker Valley just accepted a McMinn girl. And around and around it goes. Not just basketball though, a lot of our soccer players come from other areas that want to come here. I am sure it is football and baseball too.

How did Central do tonight in their first district game?

He thought she was the best and jerked Housley in and out all the time when she was the best player. Coach seems to like that family. We will see how this season plays out with sister. I predict she takes a starting spot, especially since Central is struggling early.

It will be a great game. I agree with you. Tucker will have to worry about not only Niala and Castor, but Frazier also now!!

I know Central will improve on their 2-3 record. It does seem pressure is getting to these returning girls that should be ready for it since they went to the state last year with all but two starters coming back. #22 is going to be the key. She was over the top great last year both times she played mcminn and has not been a factor in the two games I have seen. If #20 has an older sister that played about 4 years ago she will NOT do any wrong in coach's eyes. She will stay on the floor no matter.

Some coaches would probably do just as well determining it different ways. I have got to watch Central girls twice now and the right combination is not there yet. I think they looked better than when they played McMInn though, they were just not up or prepared for McMinn like they usually are for some reason I did not feel. What do you think? It will be a very interesting game the second time around I am sure.