MtJBears

Lets Play Ball !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just what we needed to spice up the rivalry between Mt Juliet and Wilson Central. As if we needed any more contraversity. Jan. 12 Wilson Central comes to the Cave Feb. 6 Mt. Juliet journeys to the Glade. In the past you had to get to the gym almost 2 hours before the game started to get a decent seat. Looks like more of the same. I do feel that AAU does create problems for the High School programs and something should be done by the TSSAA to stop it.

No doubt Wilson Central will be favorite next season. Wouldn't take a brain scientist to figure that one out. However I will say this and do take note. Its hard to carry the BULLSEYE on your chest and take everybody's best shot because next year everyone will be taking their best shot. I do believe Central has the team to repeat but sometimes strange things do happen when you get into tournament play.....

I salute Wilson Central on winning the State Championship. I know from experience that this will be a memory you will NEVER forget. My beloved Lady Bears had the Wildcats on the ropes in the Region semis but Central found a way to come back. Its amazing how close Central came to not even getting to the Region Tournament when Gallatin was seconds away from knocking off the Lady Wildcats in the first round of the District Tournament playing on Central's home court. Like I've always said.... You need a little luck sometimes to win a Championship. No question Wilson Central will be the favorite to repeat next season.

Red Boiling Springs has made 2 appearances in the State Tournament 1969 Red Boiling Springs def. Trezevant 57-32 in first round Porter def. Red Boiling Springs 71-36 in quarterfinal round. 1988 Boyd-Buchanan def. Red Boiling Springs 45-40 Class A quarterfinal round. 1988 Red Boiling Springs def. McEwen 53-44 in Sub-State 2000 Grace Academy def. Red Boiling Springs 70-50 in Sectional Tournament quarterfinals Over the years this region has produced some very strong teams such as Pickett County (5 State Championships) Clarkrange (7 State Championships) Celina (4 State Runner-ups) Rickman (2 State Runner-ups) back to back in '84, '85 losing to Clarkrange both times These 4 teams have dominated girls basketball over the years. So its been kinda hard for anyone else to break through. Rickman did close after the '85 seaon with most of those girls from that area going to Livingston Academy and we all know how strong the Livingston program has been over the years.

Great game between two fierce county rivals. Bascially the reason Central won the game was OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS. Countless times Central would get 3, 4 or sometimes 5 shots on their possessions. It was physical under the basket. Several times Central would get long rebounds. MJ couldn't buy a offensive rebound and there was your difference. In the beginning Fryer's game plan was to dog Calhoun and Burroughs dogged her too death making a couple of steals that lead to easy baskets. Finally in the third quarter Bud had the vision to see what was happening and he had one of the other girls bring the ball down the court. I was puzzled why Fryer did slow the game down in the 4th quarter. I think he saw that Central was making their run and he wanted to hold the ball and run some clock. Unfournately Lady Bears weren't very successful carrying out the plan. Too many times they would get the shots and some were in close and would just roll off and ofcourse Central was dominating the glass. I do think the turning point in the game was when MJ was leading 50-49 and Central got 5 shots on their possession and Hall finally hit the three point basket. The game plan was to front Hassle with Taylor the whole game with McFarlin playing behind her. The plan was good. The last time Hassle had killed us inside and I say its harder to make a 18 footer than a 3 footer. So basically the 3 point shot was there for Central all nite. Calhoun played perhaps her best game of the season. It was Fryer's plan to not let Hassle beat him and Calhoun made the difference no question. Chescia Burroughs played without question the best game of her young career. 25 points and some keys steals and she made Calhoun's life misserable the first 3 quarters guarding her when she was bringing the ball down court. Bottom line. Central had too much size for Lady Bears. Sometimes speed kills and tonite it didn't when size and physical play won out. I congraulate Central on their victory and wish them the best the rest of the season Lady Bears thank you for another OUTSTANDING YEAR. We didn't reach our desination but you can hold your heads high for giving ALL YOU HAD.

Lady Bears get the win. But I didn't think the girls came out focused in the beginning. Too many mistakes and bad passes. Taylor Hall carried the scoring early. I give LaVergne credit for playing hard and giving it their best shot but still this was not one of the best games for MJ. Led by 12 at the half thanks to a foolish foul LaVergne commited on Nixon after hitting 2 FT's and fouling Nixon in the backcourt. Hendersonville losing to Beech I guess is pay back from last year when Lady Commandos beat Beech at Beech in the opening round. I felt like this was a dangerous spot for Hendersonville. Comming off a big victory by a big margin at Wilson Central could have got their head a little too high in the clouds and nothing like a in city rival to come up and bust your bubble. Gallatin totally surprised me leading Wilson Central for most of the game till the fourth quarter. I wouldn't have gave Gallatin a chance. Guess it goes to show you anything can happen when u get to the tournaments. I still think WC had enough talent to handle Gallatin without Jenkins so this game really surprises me more than Hendersonville. NOW on to the District Semifinals. Smyrna should handle Beech with ease. I mean they are playing on their home court and they handle Beech twice already with ease. Mt. Juliet vs. Wilson Central in the other semifinal. What else can be said. Just the mear mention of these two rivals playing each other stirs up everyone in West Wilson County. I'd have to pick Smyrna to play Mt. Juliet in the Championship game. should be a interesting District. Give Ready......

Sorry about not giving Barbara her married name. I simply forgot. If Hallums only took the job since NOBODY else wanted it What makes you think the can get someone with a proven track record. Hate to say this BUT Lebanon is a graveyard for girls basketball now. Nobody in their right mind would take this job ESPECIALLY someone with a proven record. I should have said it was a "mutual" consent that Hallums left the job. I believe the reason Barbara was having voice problems was because she was doing excessive yelling and screaming at the players. I know you have to get their attention but I thought she was too excessive with it.

Once one of the Power House programs of the State Lebanon has literally hit rock bottom. Ever since Campbell Brandon retired from coaching at Lebanon the program has just about fell off the face of the earth. Its my understanding that when Campbell retired it was his wish that his son Bud suceed him. Hower, the school board balked on his wish and hired Ricky Miller who at the time was the boys coach at Trousdale Country. Ricky did a good job at Hartsville. But, coaching boys in Class A and coaching at a high profile girls team just as Lebanon was at the time was light years difference. Ricky is a good guy but he was in way over his head and he lasted only 3 years. His last year they went 0-26 which was unbeliable. After that disastious three years former player Barbara Stone took the job and actually did a fairly good job. She got the team to the region twice but both times they exited in the first round. I mean what she did in her tenture was a lot better than what it was when she took over. For whatever reason I understood she was dismissed. I could be wrong but thats what I heard. Dillarguard was a outstanding player in her day. She played for one of Campbell's last teams. I believe their record was 24-2 for the regular season. At that time White County was making their run and Lebanon split with them in the regular season and lost in the district finals. In the Region they lost in the opening round and at that point the end of Lebanon girls basketball began. The committment is just not there. I don't think the board of education cares if the program is competitive or not. Just a thought...... Imagine what the Lebanon program might be today IF Bud Brandon had followed his father as the Head Coach. In his 5 years at Wilson Central they've been very successful going to the State the past 2 years. Oh well, maybe that blind squirrell will find a alcorn one of these days.

I was there. I'm not surprised Hendersonville won. However the margin SHOCKS me. After the first quarter Hendersonville totally dominated this game. Seemed like everything went their way. Ran the pick-and-roll to perfect with a girl wide open under the basket countless times. They must have hit 10 three-pointers for the game. District starts Monday. It's a new season now

FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME FINAL HOME GAME (unless host a Sectional game) We honor 4 Seniors who have helped CONTINUE the Lady Bear Tradition. Paige McFarlin - 3 year starter at the post. Outstanding post player with great touch around the basket. Excellent FT Shooter. Been averaging around 15 points this season. Signed to play at Trevecca. Christian Gibson - 3 year stater at the point guard. Excellent floor leader. Outstanding ball handler. Good shooter from the floor. Outstanding FT shooter. Averaging around 7 points. Missed 9 games early in the season but at full strength now. Signed to play at Trevecca. Casey Pigue - 3 year starter at the #3 forward position. One of the best defensive players I've ever seen. With hawk her opponent all over the court. Outstanding 3 point shooter. Averaging around 6 points. Signed to play at University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Sarah Muniz - outstanding team player. Has one of the best pure jump shots I've ever seen. Always ready to come in and give her best to help the team. It has been my pleasure to watch these young Ladies perform the past 3 years. The memories will always been there and I know they will continue to give us plenty to cheer for the remainder of this season. For the past 3 years going into this game these ladies have a record of 91 wins and 9 losses for a winning percent of 91%. Not Bad at All. See you Friday nite at the "Cave"

thanks MJ_and_Beyond....

whatever sumnercounty..... whatever. Sounds like sour grapes to me

I suppose when YOUR 2nd. team is BETTER than YOUR OPPONENTS 1st. team you could say its running up the score. The score at the half was 50-19. MJ could have easily scored 100 if Fryer wanted to. But MJ only outscored Gallatin 27- 22 the second half. And I suppose you could call Gallatin helpless if you desire to. I perfer to say their in a down period.

Showtime in reference to YOUR COMMENT "What was the TSSAA thinking putting the possibility of these two teams playing in the first round? Easily would be the state final game if both were in opposit brackets" YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ! ! ! ! Granted Ridgeway could make the field. BUT Shelbyville WILL NOT make State for the SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR. In fact if I were YOU I'd be worried about getting out of the District. Times are a changing and so is the changing of the Guard. Insell is gone and the Eaglettes are not what they once were.

Here goes..... Just for fun Quarterfinals Oak Ridge vs. Cumberland Co. Region 5 (2nd) vs. Bartlett Region 5 (1st) vs. Heritage Memphis Northside vs. Columbia Semifinals Oak Ridge vs. Region 5 (2nd) Region 5 (1st) vs. Columbia Championship Region 5 (2nd) vs. Region 5 (1st) The Region 5 teams will come from Smyrna, Wilson Central or Mt. Juliet Hey its just for fun.... I never get these things right anyways....

Quarterfinals Westview over Livingston Harpeth over Elizabethton Jackson North Side over Austin East Upperman over Chester Co. Semifinals Westview over Harpeth Jackson North Side over Upperman Championship Westview over Jackson North Side CLASS AA will have a STRONG FIELD.... I really believe it is WIDE OPEN

The Brackets for the 2006 Girls State Tournament were posted on the TSSAA website. www.tssaa.org/Sports/Basketball/Instructions/Checklist.htm this is the site to go to to view Brackets

Sumnercountybball do you NOT remember the first game with WC when McFarlin was knocked out of the game with THREE teeth knocked in. Much to the credit of Paige's dececiation to the team she returned but it was very obvious she was not the same. The game was tied 33-33 when she left so yeah it hurts when you lose one of your top players. WC beat us and we'll take it as a learning experience and try to correct our mistakes. To say MJ will not beat Central again this year is ridicilious.... Who knows we may not play them again.... Wisdom tells me we will but who knows for sure? One thing I would like to mention. Christian Gibson went out and missed 9 games. When she did return it took her some time to get back in the rythym. I believe she took a few games to get back to where she was. I am sorry for the injury to Jenkins. She is a very good player and she does mean alot to their team.... I've heard she'll be out 2 to 3 weeks and that would be right around the Region Tournament when she would return. It was a great game. AND as I've stated before I'll state it again. District 9-AAA is WITHOUT QUESTION..... the toughest district in the STATE. Smyrna, Mt. Juliet and Wilson Central are in my opinion the THREE BEST TEAMS in the State of Tenn.... nough said see ya at Gallatin friday nite......

What a great atmosphere for a high school basketball game. Two Great Teams played tonite at the "Cave". The Lady Bears put the pressure on WC pressing most of the nite causing turnovers and more tournovers and finally when the dust settled the Lady Bears had a 55-43 victory. I think this was the 51st. straight home win. What a record. The games didn't start out good for MJ. WC jumped out early to a 9-3 lead in the first quarter. Finally the Lady Bears settled down and began hitting shots and cut the lead to 10-6 after the first quarter. Finally in the 2nd quarter the MJ press got to WC causing several turnovers and MJ outscored WC 19-10 and lead 25-20 at the Half. Paige McFarlin was outstandiing in the paint. I don't know the exact number of rebounds but I'd say it was at least 12. AND K C Van Atta came in and hit some big THREE'S and was a big difference in the game. Christian Gibson had a great floor game setting the offense up. Chesea Burroughs also contributed some big baskets. Wilson Central did play with out Tierney Jenkins and it did hurt them. But even with Tierney I think the Lady Bears would have prevailed. Its tough to come into the "Cave" and win just ask the last 50 opponents that have visited. Jasman Hassal was outstanding for WC. She was near unstopable inside and I'd say scored at least 20 points if not more. The thing that scares me about Jasman is she's ONLY a freshman. Needless to say Coaches in District 9-AAA are going to have nightmares trying to devise defenses the next 3 years to control her. Notice I said "control" because I don't think she will be stopped. Tournaments are only a couple weeks. Things are going to get exciting. Next game friday nite at Gallatin. Great Game tonite Lady Bears..... WAY TO GO

I'm on my way to the game now.... Hope I can find a seat. GO LADY BEARS ! ! ! ! ! !

This is the BEST RIVILARY in the state of Tennessee for Girls Basketball. These 2 teams are only a few miles apart and have been consistently ranked in the Top Teams in the Mid-State as well as the STATE. Sorry to hear about the injury to Jenkins. I think it will make a difference. I agree that Calhoun has improved as the point guard but it appears to me that Jenkins was been the leader of this team and would be the one ball handler they counted on to bring the ball up court in those tough situations. As I recall the first meeting was tied at 33-33 when McFarlin was injured and came out of the game. It is obvious she is the only inside presence the Lady Bears have and with out her MJ is in a bad position. I look for Van Atta to have a good game and get back in the groove. Seems like she's been in a slump. Here goes my prediction for the game.... Lady Bears by 7....... PS - I will be there early, say around 5

What amazes me is that McGavock has lost 7 games in a row now. Whites Creek beat 'em by 22 points on Tues at McGavock. Also lost to Maplewood and Beech. Beech a team MJ handled twice with not much trouble. It appears to me McGavock has some talent. Madu is a diamond in the ruff. She's 6'3" and her arms are so long she appears to play at 6'6". She must have blocked at least 6 shots against MJ. It puzzles me a team with a player of Madu is doing this poorly. I think she's a junior. The college recuiters should be camping out on her front door to sign her next year. She'd sure look good wearing the Black and Gold next year.....

I'll take Mt Juliet or Smyrna or Wilson Central ANY OF THE THREE in the Sectionals. Whats this about a fight????? Got me on that one.

Wilson Central has the best back line in the state. Hassle, Jenkins, and Williams are a tremedous trio to deal with. They have size and height to dominate the game. I felt like WC's weakness was their guards but Calhoun and Brown have made tremendous strides. I would pick WC to beat Smyrna. I just think WC is playing great ball right now. This team is going to be a load to deal with. The 3 games they lost they could have won them. And come next year.... LOOK OUT. Brown is the only stater they lose. Bud is going to have the horses next year for sure...