CHS795

I was a fan long before you were ever born and will be long after you have left. I was just stating my opinion, but it seems that if my,or anyone else's opinion for that matter, doesn't agree with yours, they we are two-faced. I hope this team wins every game they play. I hope they go back to the State. But realistically, it's not going to happen.

I agree that Gabe Buchanan should be listed on this team. Weatherford though I don't know. Gabe has the talent to be the best player in the conference. And that includes Omar. Phil will need to pick up his defense. But I would still pick him or Gabe over Cradic.

I can assure you that Mr. Whitehead knew very well that Central went to State last year. I know first hand that he watched them play against Bolivar. He has a web site, Tennessee Prep Hoops, where he ranks the top players in the state each year. He bases his player rankings on information he gets from High School and College coaches.

Well it could be that I think last years team was better than this years team will be. Who am I? All I will say is that I have a relative who is a senior this year and let it go at that. I have watched almost all the games for the last 10-15 years, with the exception when they travel out of state. It is great the expectations are high. They should be. But you have to be realistic. The competition will be much better this year. After all, Sullivan East finished near the bottom of the conference last year and they beat us two times. Should they have beaten us.....NO! But they did. The Cougars were 3-3 against AAA teams last year. I would love nothing better than this team to win the conference and make a return trip to the State, but I don't think it will happen....at least not this year!

No size, no size, no size!!! They will definitely miss Beverly and Leonard. The loss of Jessee Lane is ENORMOUS! Also, AAA will be a little bit tougher than AA. I agree they have great shooters like Buchanan, Weatherford, Hess and Dinkle. BUT, if they are not hitting from the outside, the Cougars will struggle. I don't see them finishing in the top 6 in the conference. They should be fun to watch though!

As for the rankings on here...who does them and when was the last time they made a trip east of Knoxville to see a team play? Contrary to what most people think, the state does not end in Knoxville. Does anyone remember Science Hill?

Btown, you were the one who said the Cougar's overacheived. I can't figure that one out, unless you have personally seen all the teams they have played. My guess is you haven't. If you say they overachieved, what's your take on the whole tournament. If Bolivar does not win it all, will they be underachievers? I doubt it. Say what you like, but every team in the tournament earned what they got. Every one of them deserve to be there. Like I said earlier, there are a lot of teams who would like the opportunity to be in the "Boro next week.

I am taking nothing away from Bolivar. I know all too well that the brand of basketball played in that end of the state is far and away better than what we see up here. From what I have read, Bolivar is a GREAT team. It will be a pleasure to see them play. If they beat Central by 1 or 100, I am still proud of the Cougars. I am not saying that Bolivar is overconfident. It just seems from some of the posts on here that Central is terrible and has no business even being there. I disagree with that, and take exception to the statement they are OVERACHEIVERS. Central and Austin East are the two best teams left from the Knoxville-Tri-City area. They EARNED what they got. I am as proud of them as you are of your team. I haven't, nor will I ever, say anything bad about an opposing team. If Bolivar is that good, it will be a pleasure to watch them play. And if they beat Central, good for them and best of luck the rest of the way. It will be no disgrace for Central or anyone else to lose to the State Champ. At least they had the opportunity to play. That is something a lot of other teams would love to have this time of year.

Many of the players on the Central team have played in National AAU tournaments all across the country. It is not like they aren't used to seeing great competition. Are they nervous? I am sure they are. Do I think they can win? On paper, they don't stand a chance. But, the games are not played on paper. They have played teams that are bigger than they are several times this year. They have played against teams with kids who have already signed D-1 scholarships. I am not saying Bolivar doesn't have heart. I am sure they do. They are a great team. They are supposed to win. They are supposed to blow Central out. Regardless of the outcome, the Cougars are not OVERACHIEVERS. A lot of people close to the program knew some time back that this group was special. They are right where a lot of people expected them to be.

First let me congratulate the Cougars on their hard fought victory over a very good Alcoa team. Secondly, I take exception to the statement that this is a group of OVERACHIEVERS. This group has won for many years. This is a group of kids that the community has waited to see play together. They wil not amaze you with size, speed, quickness, athletic ability, etc. But they do have HEART! Yes, they have a very difficult task at hand. No one expects them to win. And I know for a fact that this group doesn't get rattled. So who is the pressure on? A team of OVERACHIEVERS that no one is giving a chance or a team that is supposed to win? You tell me...

Congratulations to Volunteer for their great run at the end of the season. Being a Central fan, I have to admit I was pulling for you guys, especially after what all you have been through this season. All Falcon fans should be proud of the way the team played and the way the coaching staff had them prepared. I still say that Coach Whitt and staff do an outstanding job with their team. This team will be a force to reckon with the next couple of years. Also to Jacob Frazier, you played your heart out and never quit. You were a joy to watch the last four years. Good luck in the future!

Congrats to Unicoi and Central for making the Sectionals. Should be a great game tonight, but more importantly it would be GREAT to see both teams make the trip to Murfreesboro. Good luck to both teams!

At last, someone who sees the same things I see!! But, will it happen? I doubt it. How many times has the starters been on a roll, when POOF! , out comes two or three of them and then before you know it, we are in a ballgame again. By the way, an EXCELLENT POST! **********

Does it really matter what we all think? I mean last year, there were about 30 players selected to the All-Conference team. If I remember correctly, 11 of Happy Valley's 12 players were named. As for Jacob Frazier, yes he deserves at least 2nd team, maybe even first team consideration. The only knock I have heard on him is attitude. And to be honest, I don't think he has a bad attitude. I think he is a competitor, who hates to lose and plays as hard as he can. However, some may perceive the way he handles himself on the floor as having a bad attitude. Again, before everyone goes off the deep end, THIS IS ONLY AN OPINION!

I agree, except from the coaching standpoint. Coach Vee always has his troops ready come tourney time. I haven't always agreed with the way he handles the regular season, but you can't overlook the fact that his teams have been there at the end the last two or three years.

I am just stating my opinion, like everyone else on here does. I am not slamming the players by any means. If one post from someone as insignificant as me causes them to feel bad, then something is wrong. I have, and will continue, to support Central athletics. I have a nephew who attends school there. I would like nothing more than see them go into the Big 7 next year and dominate. I just don't think that will happen. I hope I am proven wrong, I really do. None of what I am saying is personal. Just an opinion, nothing else!

A "true" fan? Come on, get more imaginative than that. I have been a "true" fan for over 20 years. I have not missed more than 2-3 games a year (including road games) during that span. So don't get on here and tell me I am not a "true" fan. No one is getting on here knocking next years team because they might be "better". How juvenile! I was just stating "facts". Something a lot of Central fans don't want to hear. The record speaks for itself. 1-4 vs. Big 7 teams, with 3 of those losses to the bottom two teams in the conference. If you, or anyone else for that matter, thinks this team, or next years team can or will compete in the Big 7, they are going to be in for a rude awakening. I don't see them finishing above .500 next year. Does that mean that next years team will not be as good as this years team? Absolutely not....it just means they will be playing a tougher schedule, that's all.

Well, don't expect the Cougars to finish anywhere near the top next year. If I count correctly, 13-1 in the Watauga, 6-8 non-conference, 1-4 vs. Big 7 teams this year. It ain't going to be pretty next year!!

I see a Central-Happy Valley match-up in the finals. I think the Cougars will have the edge, regardless of who it is, due to the intense rivalry that exists between the Blue Devils and Warriors. It is going to take a lot out of whichever team wins that semi-final contest. People are correct about the Cougars being vulnerable. I really don't like the fact they are playing either Hampton or Volunteer. The Bulldogs gave them all they wanted the last time they played. As for the Falcons, I can see them going in with nothing to lose. And I don't know how serious the Cougars will take them, considering how bad they beat them last week. They could be lulled into a false sense of security and then BAM!, Upset City!! Either way, Good Luck to all the teams. It has been a fun year and have enjoyed seeing all the teams from this area play. Parents and players alike from every school should be thankful for the coaches from each school. All of them are class acts and are as fine a group as any in the state.

My First team would consist of: Derrick Nave, Elizabethton Gabe Buchanan, Sullivan Central Alex Carroll, Happy Valley Andrew Bowman, Happy Valley Phillip Weatherford, Sullivan Central My Second Team: Jeff Beverly, Sullivan Central Jacob Frazier, Volunteer Erik Leonard, Sullivan Central Todd Caldwell, Happy Valley Hunter Sparks, Unicoi County Also, possibilities would include: Keith Cradic, Volunteer, Derrick Williams, Sullivan North, Lucas Honeycutt, Hampton, Justin Hess, Sullivan Central, Colton White, Unicoi County, Matt White, Unicoi County, Ike Weaver, Unicoi County. If I have left someone out, I apologize. But these are the kids who have stood out all year. I

Oh yes it will.....the Falcons by at least 10. Inside information here, remember you heard it here first!

Ok, I'll make my prediction on tonight's game. Volunteer by 10 (or more). That's right, the Falcons will knock off the mighty Cougars tonight.

I have said all year long that Happy Valley has the best talent in the area. Regardless of the outcome of tonights game, these two teams will see each other again in the semi-finals of the District One tournament. With that being said, I am taking the Warriors. I think they have something to prove and will make a statement tonight.

As Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend!" On paper, Central should win. But the games are played on the court. If anyone from Central thinks the Falcons are going to play dead, they will be in for a LONG night. They had better bring their "A" game, or else it will be the Orange and Blue, not the Orange and White that will be celebrating Friday night.

I am disappointed in you HV58....I have thought you were very sensible about this thing, but some of your posts following this game makes me wonder. Happy Valley outplayed the Cougars at your place and won. But tonight, they were outplayed by the Cougars. Yes they had a lead, ever so brief as it was. Carroll was no factor and Caldwell was completely shut down. I still think, overall, Happy Valley has the best talent around. But last night they ran into a group of kids who had something to prove. Last nights win was HUGE, no matter how you look at it. It gives you an automatic bye into the Region tournament. Happy Valley could have made it interesting, but they simply got outplayed. The Cougars were far more intense and seemed to want it more.