1tshelley

All I know is what was relayed to me by the Blountville players. When I said “scare him into not playing” I didn’t mean a knife was held to their throats … lets just say that their participation was not encouraged. I in no way implied that I was the inventor of AAU. I organized this team because there were no other teams for this age group in this area. If you know of others tell me their names and I will stand corrected.

I wouldn’t say that I had any one or two players that stood out from the rest. Each one had their strengths and weaknesses. There was no one who I would say had the complete game YET. I don’t mention names when talking about the team on these posts. It sometimes puts unwanted expectations on the kids’ shoulders. The team last year was a 7th grade 13U team and we only had one 6th grader that made the team. He played the 4 or 5 for his 7th grade team at Vance this year because he was the tallest player on the team, but he played the 1 or 2 for me. Other than him I don’t know much about that age group. We had an 8th grader on the team last year that plays on the freshman team at Central this year and receives some quality PT on their JV. His birthday qualified him to play on the team even though he was in the 8th grade. He is a good shooter with great range and he scored a lot of points for us last year, but he struggled defensively. Especially against the athletic teams we went up against in Memphis. He will continue to get confident in his game this summer and will be a headliner at Central within the next two years. I hope Central’s coaching staff doesn’t scare him into not playing this summer like the Blountville group tried to do last year. I know this probably isn’t the thread to be discussing this, but I can’t help but get excited about the up and coming talent in this area. STOKOMO was right … there is talent in these here hills. It’s just spread thin between the many schools of NETenn.

You are right in a sense … the team did benefit from the contribution of the Blountville kids as well as the kids from Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City. You also added to my point … coaches with the same attitude as you have don’t encourage their players to participate in summer AAU programs. If they do they try to build a team with just the players in their individual schools. These teams are not very successful outside our regional area and quite honestly get embarrassed at the sub state and state levels. My goal is to take the best of the best in this REGIONAL area so that the team will be able to advance further and in turn get the true AAU experience in a positive way. This frame of mind obviously goes against yours as well as some of the coaching staffs in this area because I don’t get a team together just to help build up any individual school program. I look at AAU as a tool for kids to sharpen their individual skills by playing with as well as against the best talent possible. This not only improves their skill level but also their confidence and level of play to set the stage and better prepare them for their athletic careers after high school. YOU PLAY WITH THE BEST; YOU BECOME ONE OF THE BEST!!! Have you seen Vance/THS vs Blountville/Central 7th, 8th, or 9th grade games this year?! If you have you would see how ludicrous your statement “You have to get the players from Blountville because if you didn't you would get embarrassed …” sounds!!

You are one to talk about patting yourself on the back STOKOMO … you post your resume on here every chance you get!!!! (YOUR LAST POST FOR EXAMPLE) I have coached AAU basketball for 12 years My teams have made it to the state every year that I coached Throughout all the accomplishments of my AAU coaching Those are just examples from your last post. Don’t you know there’s no I or MY in TEAM!! Now I know these examples have been taken out of context … and make it look like you are a self-serving individual that is only bragging about his accomplishments. But I know that’s not true. I made this example to show you how you constantly pick out exerts or comments that I make in my posts and twisting them around to make me look like the bad guy. When I said “thank me” I meant instead of accusing me of stealing the Blountville players BROCK20 should be happy that someone (not me specifically) is providing the opportunity for these kids to showcase their talents outside this region. And the decision not to go on to the National Tournament was the decision that we came to as a team (coaches, players, and parents) after a long but successful 11 tournament season. We were realistic about it and knew that we could maybe advance out of the first two games. But seeing what we were up against in the Memphis tournaments … it was obvious to us that the competition would be even tougher from other states. And if you truly have been to a National tournament you know the enormous expense involved for each family (not to mention time off work). So cool it with the “When I use to ….” stories. The only personal gain I’m looking for out of this is seeing the kids whose paths I cross succeed not only in sports but in life as well … no matter what school they attend. But you should already know this?!! Believe me we are on the same team here!

broch20 don’t blame me because Blountville doesn’t have anything to offer these up and coming stars during the summer. I don’t do this team for Tennessee High, Central, or any of the High schools. I do it so that these exceptional players can get out of this deprived dungeon around here and see what they are really up against, and for them to gain exposure of their talents. Attitudes like yours continue to hamper the progress in bringing our sports up to par with the rest of the state because you’re scared players from your school will see a better opportunity out there and leave!! By the way, this team advanced to the AAU and YBOA State Tournaments last year. We could have advanced to the AAU National Tournament but it would have been just for the experience (if you know what I mean) and the parents elected not to. You should be thanking me because two of the players off my team hold the keys to Centrals future. Their experiences from this summer program will serve them well as a Cougar!

Hauldren is 6'2" with his shoes on but he is definitely a competitor and, the Rebels leading scorer this year. I have to agree with you that South is going to be a force next year. Especially if they are able to bring up a good point guard to distribute and take care of the ball.

Well said CHS795 ... I couldn't agree more!!! I saw a post that said the Johnson City Press had Central ranked 3rd in the final Prep standings ahead of all Big 7 conference teams except Science Hill. WHAT A JOKE!!!!

I guess you know why his picture is in the paper. THE BOY IS FOR REAL!!!!! But I don’t have to tell you DB fans that … you found out the hard way Friday night!!!

Let’s hear your prediction for tonight’s game against South dafuture … or is this game not important enough??? Now keep in mind db NEVER were able to step up to the challenge of THS! By the way the Science Hill game was definitely a fluke. This season has been a slight disappointment up to this point. But there is still one team I can confidently talk trash too … and that’s those losers from DB. WHO”S YOUR DADDY NOW!!!!

SKUNK when you say each team is represented equally in the voting process … is this representation the head coach from each team? I’m not sure I understand the process.

Hey SKUNK I agree with your last post whole heartedly!!! That was a great assessment of each team. thumb I just now figured out who you were talking about when you said Coty … Coty Senabaugh. He was a thorn in the Vikings side in both games they played! How did he do against the HILL?

I won’t mention names (you know how sensitive you DB guys are about that). To answer you I will have to start with the ladder of the two questions. I ‘m not sure who chose the team but I would say that the people or persons that chose the district all tournament team where a heavily DB influenced panel. The reason that I say this is because although DB lost to THS in the finals … they had THREE players placed on the All Tournament Team. THS … (the winner of the tournament) had one player on the team besides the obvious MVP Drew Porter. I have never seen an ALL TOURNAMENT team in any tournament that pulled THREE players off the LOSING team unless they performed heads and shoulders better then everyone else. And putting it bluntly that just wasn’t the case here. Other teams like Science Hill and Daniel Boone had a player a piece on this team of so called stand-outs. Do YOU know who choose the All Tournament Team?

GOOD POST!!! I have to get back to you later on this one ... you caught me off guard!! thumb

You’re right … I don’t know much about Coach Van Huss …and I don't know the significance of the D-B vs. Louisville Male game. And I’m not afraid to say that I don’t intend on running out to the library to find out anytime soon. But I assure you that I don’t have any problem getting my point across. Believe that!!!

I don’t make it my business to know the backgrounds or personal information of the officials. And frankly I think that’s too much information for a simple fan to have (unless you grew up with or knew the person before they became an official). If you are a coach than MAYBE you should be privy to that information … if you are just a fan like me than you may want to seek counseling because you obviously have a problem if you make it your business to know the personal information of our officials. My guess is that you are a coach or use to be. I feel that for the most part these guys do the best they can as a human being. Some coaches and players they like and some they don’t. And yes their alumni and region in which they live also play into the equation along with a lot of other human flaws. What I was referring to with the “HOMECOOKIN” comment is that for whatever reason (and it could be any of the ones I listed) calls seem to go DBs way when they play in THE DOME. And it’s not only in defeat that I see this trend but also in victory. Now this is just my opinion but from reading different posts from other teams … I’m not the only one that feels this way. It’s really not that big of a deal I just thought I would attempt to answer your question.

What is this … Batman and his side kick Robin?!!! Must you always ride on SKUNKS coat tail?

Here’s a translation for ya. The player that a coach and team plan on taking the last shot of a tight game … and the last person holding the ball that thows it at the goal as time runs out are two different things. The first is called the “GO TO GUY” and the second is called “The Last Man Holding The Ball As Time Runs Out”. Do you see the difference? I’m sure HEATPLAYA was referring to Omar (a sophomore) as their “GO TO GUY”. You know … the man that the team gets the ball to when they are behind or in a CLUCH situation. Can you say that Coty is that guy for DB?

BUD I don’t hate DB … I actually admire the Indians athletic programs, alumni participation, and a lot of there players. Its clowns like you that put themselves up on an imaginary podium that get under my skin! That’s why I do my part to put you in your place … and right now that’s 3rd … BEHIND Tennessee High and Science Hill!!!!!

Ok SKUNK … what is your question?!! And please try to keep it within this century. Not all of us came over on the Mayflower!!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING … DB hasn’t hit a “buzzer beater” against THS all year!! Need I remind you the Vikings beat the Indians BOTH times they played this year! This must have been in one of those FANTASY games you guy obviously live by there at db.

It sounds like someone else agrees with me on the HOMECOOKING in the DOME!! Imagine that … SKUNK!!!

The guy I saw trying to pick a fight with Shameus wasn’t a teenager. What’s your excuse for his actions? Listen … I’ve been to every regular season game the Vikings have played in with the exception of one. And with my right hand raised … I can honestly say that I haven’t witness any of these things you guys are describing!!!!! Yes the student section gets a little rowdy sometimes … but what schools doesn’t?!! Any displays of anger that I have witness from the Viking fans and parents have always been directed to the officials … and again I say whose fans don’t get angry and yell at the referees?!!! To be honest with you … I would love to see our fans get into the game and show the emotion and passion that some of you describe (of course in a positive way though) but it just doesn’t happen with our fans (unless we are in a close game and winning). So in hearing these posts about “old ladies making obscene gestures” and “adults challenging the student sections” I have to say that they must be rare isolated incidents that are being blown out of proportion … or flat out lies!!!!! Maybe I don’t see these things happen in the stands because I’M WATCHING THE GAME … which is obviously what some of you need to do more of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thumb

Thanks for the warning OAKRIDGECAT … but I think I can handle myself with THESE guys. I got my training during football season this year with the Maryville posters. Compared to them these guys are child’s plays!!!!

DAFUTURE you can tell coach Morgan … to be the man you have to beat the man!!!

Don’t be a hater HIGHTOP.