Spree1024

So when did the West TN Tigers join up with the Memphis Lady Elite? I was told that the Memphis Elite was offering monetary compensation for coaches and players to recruit them from other organizations; this should be an interesting combination. . . BTW, Laquinta is a good player, but Lauren Avant is by far the best 12U/13U player in the state. . .

ptguard, You bring up an interesting point about AAU, it appears as though parents, players and organizations are willing or wanting to do anything to compete and WIN. It's a common practice that the Murfreesboro player went to the highest bidder or is playing for a team that is willing to meet their demands. But this is not uncommon and is practiced quite a bit. Earlier this year I attended the TN Middle school state tournament in Jackson, TN. While there a few players and families told me that several organizations offer monetary support for the players and their families as a recruiting tool to play on their AAU teams. This appears to be the growing trend, it’s interesting but that’s the way it is. If you want to attract the top players to your teams in order to win, then you'd better be able to support the players and their families throughout the AAU season. If a team can get a good sponsor, the sky is the limit... Looks like Stienbrener (NY Yankees) has made it to AAU, if you can't develop talent, then buy it...

I also think the best person for the job is Beck Myatt from Harding, I've seen her coach AAU, JR Nationals and at Harding. And she brings her relationships with AAU and several NCAA DI & DII Colleges. Briarcrest would be a great and choice resource for any young female looking to play on to the collegiate level. Kevin McMillian, would not make a good choice, he's VERY degrading towards his athletes, a good coach inspires his players versus degrading them. There may be a few other coaches, but Briarcrest's program would become more prestigeous and prosperous with Becky. I know a few players that would drive 1-2 hours a day just to enroll there. CAN YOU SAY DYNASTY ! ! !

Anybody here have a game report or knows how the game between Ridgeway / Harpeth Hall went?

Who will be the top teams in the state next year 2005-06?

caramelcutiepie, Hmm, that’s interesting that some of these girls were on the same AAU team. Was it the 99' Memphis Waves team that won AAU Nationals? Anyway, how does that create a HS rivalry? Maybe rivalry between AAU clubs/teams. I know several AD's in the Memphis area, the main reason public schools do not like playing is because they feel the private schools have an advantage, specifically Briarcrest. Briarcrest has been very successful, they seem to consistently attract and develop top level athletes. What teams have they not wanted to play?

I agree with tyjacks, I read this article also, and it does not reflect or promote anything positive between the two schools. To print players 'calling out' the other team is not positive at all, it will not create true rival type competition just animosity. Besides, to be rivals you would have had to have played, I believe this is the first time these two teams have ever played, so where is the rivalry? Couldn't this article have been done differently? Why does it have to be "Unladylike behavior"? From what I understand Briarcrest has a hard time scheduling games because the powerful city/county schools in the Memphis area don't want to play them. This should be a good game regardless of the Commercial Appeals negative promotion of it.

I saw where Briarcrest will be moving up to DII 3A next year, how will the defending state champs fair next year in their new division? Should be interesting....

crockettfan, Myself, family and friends have been over to Memphis for several sporting and non-sporting events over the past 5-10 years and have never felt intimidated. I believe Memphis is getting a bad reputation here and around the state without justification. I think if the regions were alighned differently there would be more teams from Memphis in the state HS championships, the problem is they all have to beat each other to get to the state. Instead of the top four or eight from Shelby county playing each other they should play the top 4 or 8 teams from the east, middle and west TN.

Preliminary info and results of summer team camps has Mt. Juliet as the top team in the state. I have'nt seen them play, but I understand they will be serious state champion contenders....

boz63, Again you folks at Riverside are showing your level, which is pretty low. To answer you. Yes, I was a 3yr starter at a D1 college, no I didn't kick, I wasn't in the band, I did play in a college bowl game and I'm not directly affliated with any particualr HS for NCAA reasons. So therefore I am a good judge of talent and skill levels. I would suggest you keep you personal assesments of people on the msg board to yourself, and stick to the facts about football. This thread originally started as the BEST Jr. LB in TN was from Riverside, I'm just stating the fact that this is not true, there are several talented Jr. LB's around the state that are eqaul if not better.

Two questions, What's your record? And will your team be in the playoffs...Again in your division these teams may be competitive, but what about at the higer divisions..? I would've really like to have seen any of the schools you mentioned play Germantown or Riverdale last year. Again completly different levels of play. Besides none of these schools you mentioned made it past the second round last year, where are you getting all of this incorrect info? Go to the TSSAA web site and get your facts straight... And I've been to and saw your teams 6-32 loss against Lexington wasn't exactly a good defensive effort, maybe beating a 2-7 Waverly 25-0 is impressive at your level, I guess...

Anyone know how the DII AA is shaping up? I've Heard ECS is playing well with Harding Academy cand St. Benedict close behind. What happened to Briarcrest and CBHS? Will MUS get the top seed from DII AAA West?

Did CBHS QB just quit the team or is he leaving the school also? To bad..

Hmm, I've seen several HS games across the state and Riverside's Sean McCormic is a solid player, other top players are CBHS' Chris Mosby and Briarcrest Brandon Jackson, both have sufferd knee injury's though. Mosby 6"3' 235, several int's and plays offense scored 2 TD's, he should be back in a few weeks. Jackson 6"2' 230 very fast and strong, several sacks, hits hard, but is out with an ACL injury. Both will be the top recruits from TN next year.

Well said, this will be an interesting matchup, just wish I could come back over to Memphis this weekend to see it...I think MUS showed everyone at the Liberty Bowl, but I agree CBHS does get a lot of press and the benefit of the doubt weather they win or loose, even the Commercial Appeal (Memphis newspaper) gives their players more exposure.

Don't be fooled about the Briarcrest secondary, keep thinking they're weak and you will end up like CBHS. Thats the one problem I see, expect the unexpected. Sounds like MUS is reading their own press clippings, MUS should take heed from CBHS. This won't be a cake walk, I don't think that MUS has faced a defense as strong as BCHS yet this season. I vote for the underdog, BCHS...

I'm coming from out of town, so I hope this is a good game. Hopefully IVAN will not leave its effect. CBHS is good, but struggled against G'town. Late score and interception made the difference, looks like BCHS has been improving since I last saw them at the Liberty Bowl. This should be a good matchup, whichever team can limit their turnovers, have good special teams play, and not give up the big play(s) on defense will win this one. BCHS is the underdog so I'll give the win to them, CBHS is probably overlooking BCHS for their MUS matchup later... Players to watch CBHS- Mosby and Harris BCHS - "BIG" Mike Oher, Jackson and a host of others not sure of their names.

The top three are MUS, White Station, Christian Brothers and Germantown. Melrose has been pretty lucky..they squeaked by Briarcrest, their schedule has been favorable.

Can the Belles have tryouts this early? Will this conflict with middle/Jr. High teams? What team will #3 play with?

Hmm, this age group is pretty good, I saw Chris Mosby at MLB and Henry Harris at RB from CBHS play this past weekend, they looked pretty good. Vaughn from East looked good also, but was the only threat on East's team, he would probably have much more success in a different program. Brandon Jackson from BCS looked really good at DE and MLB, looks like real DI college material, hard hitting and fast. Overall these were the few underclassman standouts. Melrose's QB looks to have potential, I think he was a soph though. Several good athletes at last weekends Bridges Kick-off Classic in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl.

Whitehaven gave CBHS the ball inside the 20 three time which resulted in two touchdowns. They looked very unorganized, although the backup QB made an impressive TD pass in the 4th Qtr, where was he the first three quaters of the game? CBHS, looked fairly good against an unorganized squad. Their RB #20 looks to have a good season ahead, QB's are solid, Defense will be able to hold its own. Germantown will be their first real test. MUS, looked to be the most crisp and ready to play of all teams, very smooth, their offense and defense looked really good, theyv'e got a great season ahead. They have the best receiver in the city #12 with #28 also, QB and 'O' line will work their magic all season. DII teams be ready cause these guys are ready to play. Melrose, will be ok this year, their passing and QB should carry them well. They passed well against Briarcrest's secondary. Briarcrest, a continuation of last year with no offense. Their defensive front will have to carry them thru the season for any hope of a DII playoff this year. They are big up front, but they lack fundamental skills in their def. secondary, QB and RB. A fumble on the 20yd line setup Melrose's first TD. East, they are lacking in several areas, small unit with #9 carrying most of the duties. Not as good as last years team, rebuilding.. It was a great day for football in Memphis, thouroughly enjoyed it.

I've played and/or participated in sports for over 20 years, and this has to be the most disgrace is HS sport history. How could a coach, a man, do this? He should be dismissed and relieved of any other coaching. This is a prime example of what NOT to do. NEVER, NEVER quit...

Well, you've answered your on debate, can the top 14U compete against top 15U, probably not. What I'm saying is, why play up, to prove something? Getting beat and then saying 'I play up' is not the answer. Why not be on the best team your age, and play up as a team? Then you will see what happens, the youger teams will beat the weaker older teams but loose miserably against the stronger older teams. So why are they playing up, to get better, stronger and quicker? Nope, you'll just get beat by better, stronger and quicker athletes who are older.... Yes some college coaches do admire younger athletes challenging themselves, but may have difficilty determining the players potential when they are at an disadvantage to begin with. The same can happen in reverse when playing down. Even in high school if your strongest players are freshman or Soph then you'll probably not do well against teams with 5 or 6 strong Jr's and/or Sr's. Also, I'm not downgrading the players you mentioned, just stating the obvious. You said they play up to for more of a challenge, but they haven't competed or been challenged by the best in their own age group...so what the significance of your statement? Is AUU an arena to be used only for personal growth or should it be used to represent your state/assn. at it best in each age category ? Good discussion though...

Showtime, So you are saying that there are no 14U players or teams in that age group that would challenge them? I doubt that, there are several players/teams like Fencor, Tulas Swoosh, Fairfax Stars and Kenner Angels. There are several outstainding players in this age group that could play up. I'm quite sure the 6'4" player from Fencor and the gaurd from Fairfax has more college level coaches drooling than either of the players you've mentioned. The reason is, theyv'e had the opprotunity to show their abilities against top competition and not use the "I'm playing up" excuse for anything. When college coaches look, they look at the dominant players in the age group, put a really good 14yr old against a really good 15yr old, and I'm quite sure the coaches will notice the 15yr old more. Playing up is ok if you are exceptionally talented, but otherwise you'll always come up short when you face the best players in that upper age group.