DCHS

Mike Ritz- Dobyns-Bennett, over 700 wins with two state championships (at Sullivan North) and three state runner-up finishes. Charlie Baxter- Back at the helm of Unicoi County. 4 state titles in his first tour. Won one title as head softball coach at UC.

Coming from a truly unbiased point of view. I think it is great to see that three teams from the same county have a chance to go to the State Tournament. Being personally involved in a league that is the haves versus the have nots in every sport, it is nice to see these small community schools in class A and AA succeed. You guys in these communities (Elizabethton, Stoney Creek, Roan Mountain, Hampton) are very fortunate that your schools never consolidated like Washington and Sullivan County did. Carter County shines the last rays of community pride in Northeast Tennessee. You guys care about your school, students, teams, and athletes. Growing up in a consolidated county school and now being involved at another I envy what you guys have. Good Luck

It would be nice to have the talent base that they have. They (the whole IMAC) are very fortunate. Your right, they are better. Thats becasue they have better players. This isn't college so we have to play the hand we are delt. The Big 7 has good players, but they are lacking the blockbuster players that Mo West, Jeff Co. and Greenevelle have. I would just like to see a AAA girls team from up here win it all since it has never happened. IMAC or Big 9. Maybe this is the year.

I'll give the IMAC credit this year. You could take the best from the Big 7 and not beat Greeneville or Jeff. Co. but, talent runs in cycles. Big 7 (Big 9 next year)will be back and the shoe will be on the other foot. Besides, when is the last district 1 or 2 girls team to win a state? Have they ever? Northeast Tennessee needs to succeed from the state and form a new state.

Science Hill Crockett Greeneville TN High Science Hill will beat TN High for the Region.

It's not that anyone is recruiting, parents who have a child that has some potential may lean toward a school with a powerhouse reputation. Take a school like David Crockett. There are four other high schools that are relatively close to Crockett that have more of a winning tradition. Crockett is playing better and is more competitive now and maybe that will change things for them. However, several players throughout the last 10 or 15 years that would have made them a good team went elsewhere because they thought they would get more exposure or recognition. It is tough to be competitive when your best players in middle school are going elsewhere.

High School sports run in cycles. District One is very balanced among themselves. Greeneville and Jeff. Co. are head and shoulders better than any District One team. However, I don't think it will be a sweep. Believe it or not, we still play basketball up here and it wasn't that long ago that District One was dominating the Region. Wouldn't it be great if every high school team got the players they were suppose to get. Maybe we could have a little pairity. Instead of the same three or for teams out of each region dominating. It is real frustrating knowing you can never do better than third because your best prostpects are going to another school or your talent in your middle schools is down. But every dog has his day and every day has its way. District II is the best right now, but District I will have their time again.

Marty Street, David Crockett. No one expected this team to win 17 games this year. He has done an outstanding job getting his guys to work as a team with Tyler Estepp leading the way.