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Cyclones beat Volunteer 59-38 while Cougars beat Unicoi County 44-36 tonight to advance to the District One final thursday night at Unicoi. The cyclones jumped on the falcons early sprinting to a 11-1 lead and Volunteer never really challenged for the lead after that although they played hard and kept the lead at ten at the half, 28-18. The cyclones came out strong in the third and pushed the lead to twenty and it was pretty much over. In the nightcap, Unicoi started slow and never really recovered. They did not shoot the ball well at all and Central just seemed to want the game more.

Looks like Westview cannot beat Obion County. The loss of Westviews point guard is huge.

Don't count out Regions 1 and 2. They will send two worthy teams to the BORO, one of which will make the finals.

Good point. Of the first round matchups, only Elizabethton seems to have a gimme. Central and Unicoi have dangerous elimination games against Happy Valley and Hampton. I do look for the favorites to prevail setting up a good semi-final matchup between the Blue Devils and Cougars.

Uh oh Brutus, there are 32 minutes in a game. Can't believe you put Roberson ahead of Weaver. I'd have to say the first picks on this team hands down would be Baughman and Weaver and Ensor and then a bevy of players including Osborne, Lunceford, Redd, Sparks, Roberson, Pietrowski, Townsend, Chambers, and Williams..........thats my twelve person team for 2004-05.

Now you got me! The beauty of these boards is that there are no right and wrong responses. Its just opinions, which by nature are subjective. Unaka has a very special group of seniors. Its amazing they have like six or seven (which is it?) and even more amazing that they all can play, and play at such a high level; even more amazing is the apparent lack of jealousy among them. It really speaks well of their coach. Even though I havent seen them play since summer league, I know what Unaka's girls are all about this year......TEAM. Not to put any pressure on them, but I really expect them to be in the championship game at the BORO.

Kudos to the Rangers on a great season, actually a great two year run. I sure hope to be there to cheer you on in the Boro!

Krich: No doubt it will be a challenge to beat Unicoi for a third time this season, and fourth straight counting last years district final, and having to beat them on their home floor makes it even harder. I think this years cyclones match up well with Unicoi. They really really miss Headley at point. If both teams get to the district final, it will be an epic battle. It would not surprise me for the two to meet again in the Regional final as well. Cyclones beat the district 1 AAA co-champ Tenn High last night in their own gym by ten basically playing six players. Pietrowski got in early foul trouble and Treadway played most the the second quarter and did fine. Tenn High pressed much of the game, but yet the cyclones had enough gas in the tank to pull away at the end. It was a double digit game most of the fourth quarter. Cyclones lack of bench experience may still jump up and 'bite' them in the post-season. Time will tell.

Krich, try as you might to be objective, and I know you did, your lineup is naturally "Ranger-heavy", as it should be. I had a lineup of sorts but decided that there is simply too much talent in this area to pick and choose just one team. Our little county has two teams in the top ten in the state in their divisions and one other that has a legitimate shot to get to the Boro as well. Tournament time is here. Good luck to all area teams.

cyclonesnightmare is a bitter Unicoi fan. Last year EHS beat the devils in the district finals because Weaver was hurt. This year we beat them handily at EHS because of our home-cooked refs! I'm still waiting for his excuse as to why we beat them in their house friday a week ago. This year is the first conference crown for the cyclones, but they were District 1 and Region 1 Champions last year and have gone to the substate the last two years. Success breeds success. I'd like to see an all orange and black region one final this year! Krich: I think you believed that the cyclones would miss the four seniors lost from last years team more than they did. Those four were good players, but the fact is Wilson would be the first to tell you that this years team, top to bottom, 1-19, has more talent than any he's ever had. The cyclones have been very fortunate with no injuries to their starting five. We have also been fortunate to avoid foul trouble for the most part. I still agree with you that the failure to develop more bench depth throughout the season could be a thorn at some point in the post-season. But you know what, it wouldnt surprise me one bit if when that situation presents itself, those kids come through. One thing all these kids know how to do is win. As for next year, everyone will be saying that the cyclones' run is over since they lost Baughman and Redd. That nobody can fill their shoes. With the Greene County teams moving into District One, they will take it over.........we shall see about that!! Seriously, Val and Rikki are irreplaceable. It will take four or five kids to fill their roles next year, but hey that will build depth right Krich! The cyclone administration does have a big hire/assignment to make in the next couple months. With the young talent in the program, it is a must to fill coachh17's large shoes with a capable, experienced JV coach. Good luck Harry!!

CycloneNightmare: This one's for you..................hit it Ray...... "Oh.........its crying time again and you're gonnna leave me I can see that far away look in your eyes....... Did you see the game nightmare? Anyone who thinks the officials had a hand in deciding this game wasnt there. BTW nightmare, we only shot 8 more FTs than the devils and won by ten, so how do you do the math ?

Probably have a play-in game between 8 and 9 with the winner playing the Lady Tigers. Looks like the Tigers can complete an undefeated conference season with a win over South Greene friday. Good luck. Hope to see you in the Regional Finals!

I had seen this crew before, but dont know their names. Fouls were pretty even. Both teams had two foul out. Pietrowski and Redd for the cyclones and Manuel and Forney for the Devils. There really werent any touch fouls called in this game. It was a very physical contest with aggressive defense on both sides Each side got a technical. Cyclones simply outplayed Greeneville. Officials did a credible job. One of the better crews in the area. I dont think either team had anyone with three fouls going into halftime. Devils were playing from behind the whole second half, mostly by double digits, so naturally they fouled more at the end.

Rikki had 20 points, 15 rebounds,at least four blocks, and several steals. Micheala had 12 points, several blocks and played great post defense. Val played well on both ends, had several steals and was in double figures as well I believe. Cameron hit some big threes. Victoria had several assists and hit some key shots. Eden had some quality minutes off the bench. Everybody played great defense. Both teams played very hard. Lyons is a very special player. I think she had about 18 points. I don't think Greeneville ever had a lead in this game. Great great effort tonight.

District 1 and Region 1 both at Unicoi District 2 at Morristown West My picks: District 1 Regional teams: Elizabethton, Unicoi, Sullivan Central and Volunteer District Regional teams: Pigeon Forge, Chucky Doak, South Greene, and West Greene

Im told ref that T'd coachh17 up x2 was Whitson, imagine that! I admire you coach for looking out for/taking up for your player. Kyla Jones was also injured in JV game and did not dress varsity. She got a stinger on her elbow. Unknown whether they will miss monday/tuesday games. JV team's depth will be tested if these two can't go. BTW it was Pink who came to the rescue after coach got ejected in the second qtr. Wilson wasnt in Erwin yet as the varsity bus hadnt arrived. So Pink and Brandon brought us on home yesterday. Brianne had a big game for JV scoring 16. For varsity, Cameron and Rikki led with 11 each; Val had 9 and Victoria 7. Michaela and Eden had two each. Towle played but did not score. We did not substitute in the second half. Rikki got two early fouls and sat out alot of the second qtr, which was when Unicoi came from a couple baskets down to take a 3 point lead at the half. It was a defensive game. Both teams played very hard. Sparks played really well for Unicoi on both ends. Her defense seemed to frustrate Michaela and she also scored 10 points. Weaver had 14 and played her usual outstanding game on both ends. Even though Unicoi played much better than they did in the game at EHS, it wasnt enough. Great job Cyclones!

I am distressed and dismayed. How could one omit the powerful Dogtown Lady Terriers from the Top five?

breathing coach for krich anyone?? Unaka is top shelf this year; maybe the lady cyclones are too!?!?! CoachH17, tiff he were callin the shots woulda played this year; crazy he may be but scared he aint; and iffin U dont believe me.....I might throw a rock at ya signed.........ernst t bass

SportieMom, EHS, with one junior and the rest freshmen and sophomores did not shy away from playing Unaka in summer league. However, that was summer league and for whatever reason, the EHS coaches/administration didnt want to schedule the game.

First of all let me say that of the "local" girls teams, I think that Unaka clearly has the best chance to get to the Boro this year; and to also make some big time noise. Unaka is clearly among the top teams in A this year, and deserving of their 2 state ranking. Chambers has 10 kids who are used to playing in close games. Unicoi and Cloudland are longshots to get to the Boro, while Elizabethton is a darkhorse. Cloudland's road may actually be easier than EHS, assuming they can get to the regional final. EHS, even if it gets to the regional final, will likely have to face Austin East or Oliver Springs in a substate game, and both those teams play the full court game. Unicoi's strong card is that they will play the district and regional at home. We will see what that means friday against EHS. It didnt help them beat Cloudland. As for the lady cyclones depth, do not expect a sudden change in substitutions. In a close game, two or sometimes three of the starters will not come out of the game at all, absent foul trouble. The other two or three will play 25+ minutes each. With Marti injured, Eden is the only post to spell Rikki or Michaela, unless he puts a wing down there. Another post injury or foul problems there will be big trouble.

I agree and disagree Krich. I firmly believe that the talent on EHS's bench equals that on Unaka's bench. I also firmly believe that Unaka's bench is much much more tested and prepared to perform than EHS's bench. Of course the difference is..... Time on the floor and not in mop up situations. I know I sound like you two months ago.... Chambers has not been afraid to go deep into his bench, from early on, like dating to last season. Wilson has been and is. His wagon is hitched to his five. I guess its a matter of coaching philosophy. But..... You cannot win at the State level with five or six players. Teams like Oliver Springs will run you, wear you down and beat you up and down the court when it counts.

Is this coach presently coaching a school team? If not I think I can guess the answer.

SH and DB are looking up at TN High and Daniel Boone this year in the Big 7, again. DB has some young talent and should be able to contend with those two either next year or the year after. Science Hill has played some good teams close games, but moral victories dont mean much. Dont know why your fans arent more involved, perhaps they are busy following the boys teams!? Most fans are fair-weather you know. SH/DB start winning, the fans will come aboard!

Krichunaka: The rangers are playing very well and really should host a substate game again! I think this year they not only make it to the Boro but make some noise, making it to the semis at least. As for the cyclones, they have a tough row to hoe to get another home substate game, and then likely will have Oliver Springs or Austin East come calling. However, they have the talent to look all these teams in the eye.......

Cyclones next two games are Sullivan Central at home and Happy Valley away. Rikki got her 1500th point last night, which was homecoming. Several of the players who were in the homecoming court didnt dress (JV or varsity) but Rikki did and played well. With about three minutes left in the game, she left the game to go get ready for the homecoming festivites which were at the half of the boys game. The shorthanded JV struggled to beat Hampton by two. Coachh17 already has a buyer for their house. I told him he would be back and he agreed, stating that it could be two or ten years, but he would be back. Just like the Terminator!! He will be missed as a teacher and coach thats for sure.