smckinney

I asked this same question after my team played a tournament in California. When preparing for the tournament, we thought the shot clock would be an issue, but it never became one. In my opinion, those who oppose the shot clock are those people who think that coaches should control the game. With a shot clock, it put pressure on players to run their offenses and defenses. I think the clock will make the game more interesting. Also there are several states that use the shot clock, so in my opinion, they are better preparing their players for the next level. I am reading that many people believe that it is not important to prepare every player as if they are going to be D-1 players. We prepare all students as if they are going to college so why not prepare all players as if they are going to play college ball? Again just my opinion.

Timothy 'Ray Ray" Ware and Patrick Lee of Booker T. Washington

. Booker T. Washington Boys are 21-1 and the girls are 23-5 so that 44-6

Timothy Ware at Booker T. Washington.

So is the belief that there are no Memphis team able to be in this poll?

I understand the pros and the cons of the issue. However, if we are trying to prepare our kids for the next level where the shot clock is being used, I think it is our responsibility to equipt our kids with every tool we can. Especially if many of the other states are using a clock. It seems to me that those who are against the clock are afriad their kids cannot make good decisions on the clock. Also, we are talking about a 30 second clock, that is a lot of time to run a good offense. Thanks for all the comments.

I would like the opinion on Shot Clock. We, Booker T. Washington, just came for the "Best of the West" tournament in Chino Hill, CA where they play a shot clock. We finished 8th in the tournament of 32 but we had to make a great adjustment with the shot clock. The people where shocked that we did not play with a shot clock. In a tournament in New York four years ago, We play against a shot clock and really struggled. I think at some point in time, Tennessee should go to a shot clock. What are your thoughts. I also know that some AAU events have shot clocks. I know the Rivercity Classic in Memphis does.

Latrice Bayman and Tiesha Hughes at Booker T. Washington

First of all, not all schools play this type of music. At BTW, we also play music, but it is edited and mostly ole school Earth Wind and Fire etc. As for the game, BTW had no since of urgency even at the end down by 5 with 1:45 to go we came down and missed a layup and gave up offensive rebounds. I think the kids where tired, being that we have played 3 games a week since opening week. As for the run and gun style of BTW and Hamilton, I agree both teams need to look inside more, but when you have when you have quarterhorses you have to let them get out in run. Patrick Lee's shot was off last night, but Timothy Ray Ray Ware just get to the basket at will. Other problems are Jerry Hampton tend to float up to the high post and rather shoot the midrange jumper than work the low post. Phillips gets in foul trouble because he is a football player, with a 4.5 by the way. Also, #12 had a monster game and Hamilton played a very good game and the game was a lot closer than the score showed. There was a shot hit at the buzzer to move it over 10 points but it was within five with less than 1 minute to go. Also, I think Hamilton was allowed to get away with a lot at their house, but if you go undefeated and win state, you should get calls. As for Thugs, these are still KIDS and yes I was very offended by the music selection played at the game, my principal and administors where at the game and made comments about it also. As for the coaches, If a man guide a team to an undefeated season, he must know something and doing something right. As for Coach Horton, who has over thirty years of coaching and a state title. Who are we to judge their style especially if it is effective. As good as Jerry Hampton is, Timothy Ware is still the best player on the team so the offense should run through him.

It will be a good game. We managed to hold Randy C to under 25, which we must do to Broadrick. The two team are very similar with good guard play. Jerry Hampton can make the difference. Washington is very deep, but might not go deep in the game. Expect a lot of threes in this game. This is our toughest game of the season. Get there early because it is first meeting since Andre Allen was at BTW and Shun Williams was at Hamilton. If you like scoring you will like this game.

BTW deserves to stay #2 until they have proven otherwise. They have dominated every team they played this year with an average winning margin of over 20 points per game. They will face Hamilton on Tuesday on what is sure to be on of the best games of the year.

We have two excellent point guards at Booker T. Washington Latrice Bayman and Tiesha Hughes. Check out Latrice highlights at http://www.eteamz.com/btw .

Being a coach at BTW, I have fussed about this mess for the last couple of years. It is sad that our coverage is this weak. As a coach who is trying to get Coaches to recruit more in the region, our media coverage is very weak. I have taken it upon myself to start a website for my Lady Warriors where I update stats, news and game highlights and player profiles after each game. Then send emails to Universities asking them to visit our site. Our site is http://www.eteamz.com/btw. We are currently ranked 2nd in the Dandy Dozen because we return a team that finished in the sectional last year and did not loose anyone. We have two seniors, Valencia Tucker and Latrice Bayman, who are among the cities best. We have a sophomore class that finished with one lose last season. The girls’ game in Memphis is improving greatly and we need better coverage if we are going to get our girls recruited on the main stages of major D1 programs. The only girls who are getting major looks are the ones who are playing for traveling exposure teams.

30 seconds into the 2nd boys’ game of the night, Senior Jerry Hampton of Memphis BTW caught a rebound 2 feet off the rim and shattered the backboard on three Memphis Northside players. Luckily Hamilton had a replacement backboard and the Jamboree was able to continue two hours later.

Congrats Trenton, You came into South Memphis and got the victory. We shot ourselves in the foot with some stupid decisions by the players and the coaching staff.

BTW by 2 touchdowns. Hay see yall in South Memphis remember we located on the corner of Crump and Danny Thomas. Our motto is "We're Topps, We lead and others follow"

BTWstadium on Crump and Danny Thomas. In the heart of South Memphis behind the school.

No team has held BTW to only 6 points this season, not even Alcoa. I love the way you guys under estimate the teams in Memphis, but the game will be played and we will see. I remember last year when we traveled to Westview how they underestimated us. Yeah, they won the game but ask them how we played. This year’s team is much better and much more focused. I am preparing to see the 2nd round game in South Memphis.

Daja Foster of Woodale signed with St. Johns

I won't make any predictions, but I will say BTW will show you that they are a legit 9-1. Yea we got beat last week against Acola, but who has not lost to them in 2A? So Peabody, come to play because we are going to be ready and our team can play with anybody on both sides of the ball. Remember these numbers #1, #2, #5, #7, and #27.

First of all, I will like to say "when you step into a bee hive, expect to get stung". We knew that Alcoa was a strong team with a winning tradition and it was going to be very tough to come into their house and get a victory. I am very proud of the effort my team put up and some of the comments I am hearing from people who went to the game. I wish I was able to make the trip but the principal could not allow all coaches to come. Not taking anything away from Alcoa or their players because hard work and a strong game plan does payoff. But it is very hard to travel all day and play such a tough team. Alcoa had an excellent game plan to exploit that fact and hit us hard out the gate. Going into the playoffs, this game will serve as a great measuring stick for us and we really appreciate Alcoa for inviting us up and the hospitality. The team made it home this morning around 4:30 am and some even came to school. We are still building our team with Coach Mathews in his 3rd season and we improved from a 4-7 season last year to a 9-1 season this one. I can safely say we are on the right track. So to Alcoa, good luck and maybe we will see you again in the State Championship.

Region 8AA 1. BTW (Vzlencia Tucker, Latrice Bayman, Tiesha Hughes, Jessica Brown) 2. Teadwell (Cyntha Hart) 3. Hillcrest (Crystal Riley) 4. Oakhaven (Mary Jackson)

The fact is BTW is a decent team. They have good athletes in key positions. Stephen Jones is a strong running back with excellent speed. Saftey Deandre Buford has 10 ints on the season. Their defense is strong and quick, led by Rodrecus Tucker and Marion Watson. The team has made a great turnaround from a 4-7 season first round playoff lost to Westview last year to a 9-0 season this year. Also, there is a different group of players when dealing with innercity kids. However we take the kids we have and make them better, kids from the neighborhood from a school with 650 students. Again, after the game I will like to see the comments. You noticed I never insult Acola or any other team of kids becasue they are kids playing a game that they work hard at.

Lets add some Memphis flavor to this post: Crystal Riley - Hillcrest Valencia Tucker - Booker T. Washington Cyntha Hart - Treadwell Mary Jackson - Oakhaven

I will not make any predictions, however, I will promise you one thing BTW will come to play the game. Last year they where terrible underestimated against Westview and had a very strong showing. After a long bus ride and playing in front of a hostile crowd, I cannot imagine BTW leaving Alcoa with a win. There is no way the city of Alcoa will "allow" an inner city school from Memphis to come all that way and win a ball game, No matter how well BTW plays. Just looking for Moral victories and filling the schedule against a very tough team. And by the way they do have some athletes and I would love to read the post after the game. I wish I could make the drive and support my Warriors but they did not pay me $4000 to come. Besides it is a measuring game for BTW. The last regular season game, why risk injuries? As for those Region 7 teams, lets see what happens when you have to come to South Memphis and play at BTW stadium in the first two rounds. Have you ever been in the middle of three housing projects, playing against the oldest African American school in the city? Expect a warm welcome!! Its funny how when people talk about Memphis Sports they always seem to put us down, but seems like all the NBA/NFL/MBL players are coming from the area. Also, after looking at Alcoa record it looks like East Tennessee teams are not doing that well against them either. Are they lacking discipline and bad coaching?