McMinn Central Maniac

Chargerettes with way too many turnovers. They have 17 total turnovers; 9 are from Hillcrest steals. That has to be their worst half of basketball since they played Cleveland the first time. Hillcrest is ready to play, and Central doesn't appear to be. Come on, Big Blue!

I didn't say they were, and I am aware of the reasons that Tony White, Jr is going to attend one. I'm just saying that Beau can get an academic scholly if he wants.

"Scoreboard, scoreboard." would have worked just as well as far as getting into their heads. Or "where's your varsity?" would also have worked. I just don't think the garbage chant was a good reflection on our school. However, I love the fact that other teams hate our gym. I love the fact that the fans are right on top of the floor. You know it has an effect.

I've got it. you've got mail.

Here's the editorial: The following is Slayton's editorial in the March 8 Daily Post-Athenian Spirit Lifts Central Teams My mother never quite understood what possessed me to settle down in a small community like McMinn County. Having spent most of my developmental years in Atlanta--which my family decided to call home after my dad's retirement from the Air Force--my mother believed I was "limiting" my future possibilities in such a rural setting. But, rest her soul, had she been by my side at the Central substate basketball games this past Saturday and Monday nights, she might have understood. The crowd mobbing the court with plenty of smiles, handshakes, back-slapping and hugs to go around; kids lining up for players' autographs; baked goodies being handed out and nobody in a hurry to leave--for the moment to end. Not that sports is the only good quality that would promote living in McMinn County, but the atmosphere surrounding those games is a reflection of what's special about living in the "sticks." For lack of a better word to describe the feeling, and I'm sure there are many more suitable in Webster's dictionary with which I am no educated enough to be familiar with, let's just call it "family." The union of community, school, and the kids in suport of a common goal provides an atmosphere that is unlike any other. That fact is something not lost on the coaching staffs at Central. "It's a big part of the reason we've had success," said boys' Coach Doug Armstrong, a former Central player and alumnus. "Support breeeds success, and success breeds confidence in what you're doing and that what you're doing is right." "When you have the parents, booster club, and community coming together--pulling for the same goal as a group, then it provides a very positive impact on the program," he added. "The support here has always been good, but I believe it's the best now that it's ever been. It's something special.' Armstrong also believes what's happening now will have an even more positive impact on the future and explains his reasoning: "Kids are growing up now wanting to be basketball players at Central--it's fun," said Armstrong. "I think a big part of that is a lot of kids at Central now have parents who also graduated from Central." "There used to be that old Etowah-Englewood rivalry thing, but I believe that has all but disappeared," he added. "Even when I was away, I always thought Central was the best place to be and since I've been back, I know that's true." Girls' coach Johnny Morgan had many of the same thoughts. "It's a community thing, like a get-together, picnic, or Fourth of July at The Depot--it's fun," said Morgan. "I think our fans are different in that respect. Some schools we play don't have a lot of fans and those that do--it's like life or death. Our fans want to win, but they're supportive regardless of what we do--it's like 'we lost this game, but let's move on and maybe it will be our turn next time'--nobody's fighting." And the crowd makeup is another thing Morgan notices: "The percentage of students is comparatively small--most of thsoe who come are my age or older," said Morgan. "That makes it very enjoyable." "And that goes for the business community as well. We've already had three businesses contact us about sponsoring t-shirts and there's about 80 advertising signs up on the wall--if we don't call them, they're calling us," he added. "Still, I don't feel any pressure from the fans as a coach to win even when we have what I would call an off year by our standards [citing last year's 18-15 record]--maybe because we've been successful in the past. It's a very comfortable feeling for me." And for anyone who would subscribe to the theory that statistics are for losers, take these numbers into account: In his 28 years at Central, Morgan has amassed a career record of 584 wins and 279 losses that includes: *8 district titles *7 region titles *16 substate appearances (11 out of last 13 years) *7 state tournament appearances including four out of last seven years. *2 state runnerup trophies Since taking over the boys' program seven years ago, the Chargers are 187-45 under Armstrong and a staggering 91-3 against district opponents. Other accomplishments include: *6 of 7 regular season district titles *7 straight district tournament titles *2 region crowns *4 substate appearances *3 trips to the state tournament In the past four years, the programs have been almost mirror images with the girls sporting a 108-34 record while the boys are 108-30. Both teams were unbeaten this seasosn at the Roundhouse (13-0). Yes, it's true. There's no place like home--at least for the Central players and their fans.

What's your email address? I'll also send you a copy and paste of Slayton's awesome editorial in today's paper.

I don't service the Wal Mart in Athens for Frito Lay now. I run a route in Loudon and Vonore. Email me. maroon. I've got a little tibit about fallout from the LA game.

SENT BTW, do you think I should add that little LA tidbit to the puddle, or just let sleeping dogs lie?

I've got it. You should already have an email from me at the account you used to start your registration on here.

I think he finds prep school unattractive because he's such a good student. jmo.

Check your regular email account. Whatever it is yahoo, msn, aol, whatever. You have a "my assistant" tab up top that you can use to send personal messages to other users who also have that feature. Are you a plus subscriber?

That would be huge, and, realistically, about two years ahead of schedule. They weren't supposed to be this good this year according to the experts. LOL BTW, Blue, you've got an email from me via this site. Check your mail.

You've got an email from me sent via this site. I was very disappointed in our student section and in our prinicipal for not making an example of them for chanting, "garbage, garbage" as the White House team walked past on their way to the lockerrooms at halftime.

Tell the girls they've gotta win two games so I can make it over Saturday to see them win that one.

Beau played this past summer with Brandan Wright and the Murfreesboro Stars. I think he struggled some with his jump shot, and that hurt him in the eyes of a lot of coaches. I saw some game notes from one of the scouts, and he was quite erratic in the two tournaments in which he watched Beau's team.

I don't know what they meant by outclassed. I do know there weren't very many White House fans there at all. But it was a very long drive for them (4 hours straight through.)

I witnessed his strong sectional showing against Portland's Corey Brewer when Brewer was a senior and Beau was a sophomore. Brewer rarely scored when Beau was on him. I think Beau is definitely better than JaJuan was in HS. I just don't get it. Believe me. I've tried to get some coaches to get in on him, but to no avail.

Livingston should be good with Stephens and Matthews returning. I also think McMinn Central will be tough again provided they can get some offensive improvement from McCaslin (who must replace Morgan) in the post. They had eight freshmen on their varsity squad this year, and Fallon Lee (Ga Southern signee from a couple of years ago) has a little sister that will be on campus next year. A lot of people think Madison is better, but I haven't seen her play in over a year so I can't say.

Good point about the girls game. Did you see the urinating match that I found myself in on the girls board with the LA fans? fwiw, those boys weren't cursed by anyone on their way over there. I was seated behind Coach Morgan, so I would have heard it.

Here's the assessment of one guy who watches AAU tourneys and the like. He also has connections to D1 coaches. I can't tell you his name, but here goes: "I have asked some D1 coaches about Brown specifically and they weren't exactly dismissive of his abilities, but it was clear that the felt he wasn't an SEC-Level player (please do not pass that along and/or attribute it to me). Good kid, tough, hard-worker, but limited was the assessment I got. One coach told me he's good at a lot of things but not particularly good enough at anything to play at this level. Like I said, I haven't really seen him enough to have a strong opinion of him myself, but D1 coaches don't think he's good enough for a scholly." I think a lot of southern D1 schools are going to be very sorry in a year or two. JMHO. Perhaps he'll got to JUCO, excel, and then get a D1 offer from a solid program.

Something's gotta give. This game could end up in the 80's. Can the young Charegerettes hang with Hilllcrest's D1 signees?

Hey maroon, Are you already in the 'boro? How are the girls right now? How is Kylie holding up with the unfortunate circumstances she finds herself in? My wife was gushing about the huge strides Katie B has made since her sophomore season after the big win over LA the other night. Katie has been huge in the postseason. She's stepped it up a notch imo. That's the sign of a leader and experienced point guard.

As of two weeks ago, Mars Hill was the only actual offer. This information came straight from Beau's father's mouth. Right now Beau doesn't want to walk on at a D1 school and eventually get a scholly. (He would qualify for an instate full academic scholly btw.) A lot of people confuse letters, phone calls, and other contacts as scholarship offers, but they're not. A college coach saying, "We like your game," is not the same as "We want to offer you a scholarship to come play ball for us." I had heard a year ago that Bama, Vandy, and UTC had offered, but they had actually only called him and sent him letters.

Joe Quirk would have made a bee-line to the student section with right hand waving frantically over his head. He then would have made examples of some poor souls. Is this Chris? BTW, I was totally embarrassed by our student section when they did that. Also, they need to enunciate their cheers better so everyone can laugh with them and not at them. I can't understand half of them.

I agree. It was a great game. I had forgotten about the boys going down there until someone on here brought it up. I've always respected LA's fans and their program until I got on here and saw them trashing our facilities.