Alumn89

Upperman will be tough for a while.  I'd almost pencil them in , barring crazy injuries of course, for the glass house next year. 

Capps and Stone Memorial could certainly break through.  I don't know if he has enough around him or not.  Time will tell. 

18 hours ago, WestTNHoopsFan said:

Let me give a cavate... Those two guys you mentioned I am sure are great players and people. However, if they are power 5 they would be at a power 5 school. And if they are legit D1, they would be at a D1 School. D1 coaches aint passing on guys that can play and qualify to be in school. the transfer portal changed a lot but it didn't change that. 

Yea I disagree there.  I know a few coaches at the D1 level and there are head coaches, without a doubt, who simply don't want freshmen. Not all think this way but there are some.  They see the portal as more of a sure thing. They are willing to pass on a "D1 guy" because they don't want the risk involved.  They are more willing to pull up a D2 guy with a year or two of good tape at that level who can't transfer out on them.        So I guess we will have to agree to disagree.   

1 hour ago, WestTNHoopsFan said:

Im so tired of hearing about the 4 classes "watering down" the games. The reality of it is, there is not a hand full of Division 1 basketball players in the entire state. And honestly, I'm not sure if there are any high level D1 kids. the number of classes dont have anything to do with that. There have been blow outs every year and there will continue to be blow outs every year. Bottom line - "Watered down" means that tennessee high basketball is just not that good right now and there just are not a lot of high level talented kids. So can we please stop with all the watered down stuff. In my opinion that just takes away from these kids accomplishments. they hear, "Oh these classes watered down the competition" and it sends a message of "if things were the way they use to be you would not have accomplished what you accomplished"... Can we just stop? 

I agree talent is probably a little down right now.  But I would also submit to you that the current state of College Athletics has a little to do with how "high" kids get recruited.    There are many college coaches who simply don't want freshmen.  They don't want to have to bring a guy in, develop his strength and skill, with a chance that he will be unhappy having to wait and transfer out. 

This effects every talent level.   Guys like Christian Alston may have been power 5 in the NCAA climate 10 years ago.  Guys like Tyler Lee would certainly have been a solid D1 back then.   So many kids are going D2 or NAIA now that could have had a D1 scholarship if the transfer portal hadn't come along. 

Ultimately, the cream still rises to the top.  It just may take a year or two at a lower level for D1 coaches to come calling.  Once they transfer up , coaches feel more solid about not having to develop and not having to risk a transfer out. 

Agree.  those 3 players were incredible. 

15 minutes ago, dirtydawg15 said:

I agree with some of these recent posts.

1) Fulton

2) Independence

3) Alcoa

4) Chatt Prep

That's my list when ranking the state champions. We played Fulton and Alcoa this year and Chatt Prep last year.

I think that is fair.  Fulton is certainly in the conversation if not the best public school team in the state.  

19 hours ago, 85warrior said:

After watching all 4 games yesterday i agree with Chatt prep. Nothing against the 4a schools, but i believe a, aa, and aaa champs were all better than the aaaa. Just my opinion.

I have to strongly disagree with this.   Chat Prep is a cheat code in A , but doubt they would have won a game in the AAAA bracket.  They lost to a down cleveland team, and beech this year.  They do have a decent AAAA win over Walker Valley. 

Alcoa was not as good as the AAAA final four.   They split with Maryville this year (W by 1 and L by 26) , also lost to Bearden and Morristown East. 

Fulton I could see having an argument. Beat Morristown East by 3, Maryville by 9, Bearden by 6.  They would have belonged.  I don't think they would have beaten Independence.   Think they would have been a great game with Cookeville. 

I know you can't simply look at common opponents.  Basketball is a game of matchups.    But I don't think you can really think that Independence was the worst of the 4 champions this year if you are honest about it. 

Historic season by the Cavaliers.  I'm a proud Alumnus.  Congratulations Cookeville!  32-4 , a 21 game winning streak, District and Region championships, and state runner-up.   I'd say that is beyond a "solid" season. 

5 hours ago, Nontypical said:

Cavs will be back in 70 years!

Good one.  

Go kick rocks

Indy was cheering for Cookeville because they already played Bartlett this year and lost.  Probably didn't want to play them again.  Should be a dandy tomorrow:  middle tn final.  In 4A.  So awesome. 

So proud of CHS.  A ball is coming back home with them.... lets make it gold!

terrible that both schools are on spring brink and its 9:30 on a Wednesday.   Hopefully fans will show up .  Boys deserve it.  

49 minutes ago, knightsfan said:

So what do we think of the state tournament bracket? I would believe Fulton is still the favorite. I hope the Upperman vs Hume-Fogg game is a good one. I believe these are the 2 youngest teams, so I would hope to see them back again (hopefully not another 35 year wait for Hume-Fogg). Upperman with freshman Ty Cobb and their sophomore Chaffin. Hume-Fogg is mostly Juniors and Sophomores with 1 senior. 

I expect the winner to come out of the bottom half of the bracket.   And I expect it to be Fulton unless they just have a really bad game. 

They are missing a great opportunity IMO.    just do a live stream and literally put lottery balls with each team on it and show the "draw".  Just completely randomize it.  You could do it Sunday afternoon.  Teams could have watch parties. It would be a fun experience and then all teams have 2 and a half days to prepare.    

I'm so proud of our team, school, and community.   They showed up and showed off Monday night.  That is the most Cookeville fans that have ever been in that gym and surely rivals the biggest crowd in general to ever attend a game there.     Literally the only seats available were the first two rows in the top bleachers.  I assume because you can't see over the rail. 

Cavs have 7 kids that can play.  7 that could start and be productive on 98% of teams in the state. Obviously we have some good young talent behind them on the bench, but that 7 man rotation has been special.   2 of the 4 seniors have already signed/committed D2 and someone is going to get a steal with Colin Ayers.   

Go Cavs, Beat Maryville!

4 hours ago, Bearettesalltheway said:

What hurt bradley was having to travel because they lost to WV by missing g 15 free throws

I agree completely.  Yall had a good team.  Classy program, kids, and coach from what I could see.   You would have had a much better shot at home vs LaVergne.    Our crowd last night was unbelievable.  

How about LaVergne?  Pretty cool we have 2 teams going from District 7 after having to go through the boro district and the chattanooga region!

CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!   

1 hour ago, crow6424 said:

Picket county beat them by 80 points. I think after a 50 point lead you start passing the ball around and don’t shoot it anymore. 

I don't think Knowledge drove up to Btown to stand around and watch Pickett hold the ball.   At least they got to keep playing offense.    I would argue Pickett holding it is worse sportsmanship than letting your last 5 just play. 

Nobody is unbeatable.  That said, Fulton would be favored to win over any team in AAA on a neutral court.  This is why they are the favorite.  

You mention a bad loss on their schedule.  You could have also pointed out many good wins.  They also thumped Stone Memorial which is a team that has given Upperman fits.    As we all know, alot of basketball is about matchups and how you play on a given night. 

Fulton unless they have something go wrong.

Obviously Cookeville and Lebanon are both really good.  

Both games last week between these two were great.  Great atmospheres, great players making great plays.  Excellent basketball to watch.  Just from looking at scores I'd have to say these two are the favorites to win the region.  Can anyone from Murfreesboro challenge?  Blackman?

On 2/3/2024 at 7:32 PM, UCSportsFan said:

A lot of talent for only 5 spots available. I could see a transfer or two, to the other school in Putnam County in the near future. Especially if they could get a chance to play with Cobb and a legit shot at winning a state title. May not happen but I won’t be shocked if it does. 

I don't really disagree with anything you've said here but just want to make an observation.  

I think statements like these could be what ruffles some feathers in the CHS community at times.  The phrase "legit shot" might be true, and would probably be agreed with by many especially if using it to imply 4A basketball is even harder for a rural school (even one with 2200 kids) to win in.        

I think some might take it as a shot at coaching, or the kids in general (and i'm sure you aren't implying that).    

Sadly , CHS was done a disservice when the powers that be decided to make it a huge school.  This means ultimately now that they have to drive an hour to find a district opponent.  And it means they have to play other huge schools that aren't as "rural" to get to the glass house. 

(BTW, i'm not saying baxter has it easy either..especially in 3A now.  Clearly they've built a winning culture there.)

Hopefully this team can break the mold and do something no CHS boys team has ever done.   Go Cavs. 

Lack of talent?   Complete guess here on my part. 

18-3 might be the best start in school history.   That was a big win Wednesday night vs LaVergne.  I was really impressed with the Wolverines.    

some of these results have been wild.  I would have thought It was Beech and Green Hill way ahead of everyone else. That is why games aren't played on paper. 

18 hours ago, Nontypical said:

They missed many many wide open lay ups and shots. We have beat cannon twice this year ding dong. 

ding dongs are a hostess brand chocolate cake-like dessert.  Maybe that was what they filled up on.  All that cream filling will make you sick!

13 hours ago, LadyCavsFan said:

Momma always said….If you eat your dessert first you won’t have room for the main course.

must have been some really good cake.