haywood808

Best game of the day by far! I'm happy we came down early, we were there for AA Miss Basketball and I will have to say we got our moneys worth with this game. I didn't have anyone playing and I was on the edge of my seat the whole game(even when Wayne was up by 17, NG never slowed down or gave up)! That is how basketball should be. I would have liked to seen North Greene take it but congrats to Wayne C., you both played great. Mariah Britton was such a joy to watch, this kid has that spark! Is she playing college anywhere?

Mariah signed with Bryan College, but the coach is gone and she has an opportunity to elsewhere now. With her performance at the championship game, I'd say she'll be getting a lot of phone calls.

Yeah Loretto has a great team and beat the Wayne Co State champs a few times this year

Are you drunk?

I'm with you haywood, our girls coach @ Hampton thinks the world of James and speaks very highly of him saying basically what you just said. To most people $$$$ may be everything but to a select few it may not be. I hope he stays @ NG because I enjoy watching the Lady Huskies & Lady Bulldogs go at it.

Thanks Dog, as a SG fan, it is always a privilage to play NG becuase they are humble and fight for what they want. They are like Greene County's David vs. Goliath. Thank you for supporting them and this really shows that Hampton is a class act as well.

Haywood, I'm not saying Buchanan is even interested but seriously, if someone offered you. say $10K more money to do what you do in a nice new facility with all the tools and equipment to do your job the way you have always wanted to, would you "uphold your reputation"? How do you explain that one to your wife?

Barb, this is about kids here. We could all send our kids to GHS because they have the best, but we don't because we know life is more than the best facilities. James, being a Chrisitan will no doubt pray about the situation before making a decision. I think as a person, James will choose to stay where he is because these girls and their parents are too classy to be swayed by money. Stay where you are James and be the coach that Greene County is proud of. Don't let money and facilities rule your decision...it wouldn't be smart.

Bigger doesnt always mean better, to some anyway. I may be wrong but I dont think so.

I hope your right Dog. I'm a South Greene fan, so this really doesn't include me, but I hope James stays right where he is. I really think James is to big of person to take money over commitment. He is great for these girls and I don't think many of them would want to transfer to Greeneville. I'm against ya this time Barb. We all know that GHS has the best facilities and more money and all that, but that doesn't make them the best in Greene. Our little county schools are good too, even if we don't have the money the city does. James please uphold your reputation and stay where you are.

Congrats to Wayne County. Our Lady Huskies didn't give up, and we in Greene County are proud. Thanks for the response GCPioneer. I just can't imagine Buchanan getting a Technical. He's a stand-up guy.

Overtime!!!!

NG leads by 2 with 40 seconds to go

That's what I heard on the radio....WOW!!!!

Why was the technical called on James Buchanan? I can't imagine him saying anything, does anyone there know?

Wow! Carly Daniels nails a shot from half court to end the third quarter. North Greene had it down to 5 points, now it's 14 at the end of 3.

That's what I heard on the radio....WOW!!!!

Halftime. LC 30-14. North Greene needs to get under control. It sounds like Mariah is on her game, but Mindy McNeese hasn't broken loose. Hopefully they can get back in this.

End of 1. LC 10-8.

I can't lose in this one.I became a North Greene fan last year when Middleton eliminated them from the tournament.My heart went out to them for the way they played the game,for the young lady that obviously felt responsible for the loss,and especially for the way the rest of the team consoled her.I said at the time that if "my" Lady Lions couldn't come back and win it all next season,that maybe N.G.would.Coach Byrd and Wayne Co. have had my respect for a long,long time now as they and Scotts Hill have had some "barn burners" over the years,and to hear that this is possibly his last big dance....well how can you not pull for the Lady Cats to send him out in the fashion that he deserves?Three hours before tip,and I'm leaning Wayne Co.,but whomever wins this one,it's a shame the other has to lose.Good luck to both teams,and to Coach Byrd,youve been among the elite for many years,thanks for the memories,and the best of luck to you and your family.

Very good post. I'm going to pull for the Lady Huskies all the way. I think Mariah will hit her shots today and if I'm right you all will see a different team. In Greene County, all of our schools have a rivalry, but I don't think any of us don't love North Greene. When you go to the local tournaments where all five schools are represented you see them all mingling and laughing. Greene County is pulling for you today Huskies. I wish I could be there, but I know that for those of us stuck here in Greene will be able to hear a pin drop at 3:00 (EST). Play like I know you can, and never give up!

Thanks haywood808. After watching #32 McNeese (sp?) play I have a feeling North Greene won't be forgotten for a few years!

 

But were still still gonna being it to you hard! But classy!

That's the only way to bring it!!! lol. Yes McNeese is a jewel and she may bring this team back for a few years. I am actually a South Greene fan, but I don't know anyone who doesn't love North Greene. They are the underdog in our county and have really come on strong lately. Coach Buchanan is a South Greene graduate and Mariah Britton's mother was SG's point guard back in the day. We are all very proud of them as I am sure you are proud of your girls.

Can't disagree with you on that, North Greene can play. It should be a great game tommorow! A lot of weapons on both sides.

Thanks, I'm sure it will be a great game. I've just felt these girls have been forgotten. Thanks for a classy response.

OK so I was wrong about Loretto, they did not play defense against N. Greene with the intensity I've seen from them all year and their shots were not falling. When you have a game like that in the tourney then you go home and too bad, I really wanted to see the rematch.

 

However, I was right on about Wayne Co and Scotts Hill. SH was not ready for the Lady Cats size and athleticism. I know everyone was excited about Scotts Hill's undefeated season but here are two points to consider. 1. A perfect season against mostly inferior opponents doesn't prepare you for the season that matters, tournament time. Which brings me to point 2. Everyone came into the state tournament undefeated. It's a new season. Win or go home. Wayne Co. had 3 losses one to a talented AAA team by one point and two to Loretto (one in season, one in region championship). We also played against a couple of tough AA schools and won. These types of games that challenge your team have to be on your schedule if you plan on bringing home the Gold Ball. Congrats to Scotts Hill for a good showing in the tourney, it's tough to lose with the finals so close, trust me Wayne Co. knows all to well how you feel right now.

 

Now, Go Lady Cats bring home the Gold Ball!

Yes and North Greene has done just that. They have played South Greene 3 time, Chuckey Doak 3 times and Greeneville 2 times. All three of these are excellent double A teams. SG should be at state, and C-D and Greeneville could be at state. NG beat SG and GHS once and CD twice. These girls have had a hard schedule, and I don't care what CoachT says. These girls can play ball!!!

If the loose play was allowed for 4 quarters, the Loretto coach should have adjusted...I'm sure by the end of the first half, it was evident how the refs were calling it. Is the Loretto team not used to physical, high intensity basketball? NG plays all 4 AA Greene County teams and I can guarantee they are accustomed to tough physical play. If the refs are gonna call it loose, Coach Buchanan will take advantage of it. Instead of whining about the refs, might be a good idea to question how Loretto responded (or not) to the challenge.

Yay, I'm so glad you're on here Barb, I was beginning to feel like I was the only person who knew anything about NG. I can't imagine there is another team there who has more heart than these girls or a coach with more class than James Buchanan. These girls hang in there with three very good AA Greene County teams. South Greene should have made it to state, and if you want my opinion I think the refs were a factor in their substate game. This was a two point game in overtime though and not 54 to 39 or whatever it was. I have been very disappointed at how NG has been overlooked. They were there last year, you would think that someone would realize they are very talented. I would just like to see credit where credit is due. I agree with Barb that the Coach should have adjusted to the way the game was going. I hope that NG can pull it out tomorrow. I know they have the ability whether anyone else does or not.

Yes.. The refs were bad.. Yes.. They missed many calls which favored N. Greene.. I saw two missed calls that favored Loretto.. If the game was close I would say the refs were the deciding factor... However, N. Greene played Clock ball the last 1.5 periods and Loretto couldn't force a turnover. Not to mention they couldn't throw it in the ocean during the second half if it wasn't from the charity stripe. N. Greene deserved the win and Loretto deserved the loss. Congrats to Loretto on a great season. Come back next year with the memory of this game and feed off of it!

 

Good luck to N. Greene.. You're going to need it against Wayne Co. They should be heavily favored going into the Championship game.

This is a sincere question, but why should Wayne Co. be heavily favored. Being from the far East I don't know much about Wayne County, but when I checked their schedule they were beaten by Loretto twice. Yes, I'm sure that Loretto didn't play their best but I think NG defense had something to do with that. NG hasn't played to their potential at state, and I'm sure their nerves have gotten to them. So again, why should Wayne Co be favored?

Way to go Lady Huskies. One more game to go.

4:14 left. NG by 7. Farrington for Loretto has fouled out.

NG by 12, about a minute left.

This is a VERY UGLY GAME by both teams. Loretto's guards can't handle the ball and NG can't make a layup.

End of 3rd, North Greene leads by 8.

Will someone be updating today?

It's half-time. North Greene leads 16 to 14. Loretto had 13 turnovers and NG had 4. North Greene is playing great defense but can't hit their shots. If they could get their shots to fall this game would be a blowout.

I'm guessing his rationale was that McMinn Central played Cannon Co. last year - beating them in substate, and this past November - losing to them on their floor. Familiarity of a team gives you knowledge of that team's capability. Plus, just knowing the tough teams that Cannon Co. plays in their District and Region, only enhances that familiarity of their competition.

 

Elizabethton is a bit of an unknown to most Central fans. Being that I was born and raised in upper east Tennessee, and still have many friends up that way, I'm aware of the past successes of the South Greene program, just to mention a school. I still have some friends coaching in upper east Tennessee, too. Obviously, Elizabethton has a very good basketball team just based on their record. However, I do know that South Greene was down a little this year, and Hampton is a very small school....and those were the marquee wins for Elizabethton. So, in all honesty, it's hard to determine just how good Elizabethton is. They did take care of business by soundly defeating most teams they played....meaning they were mentally prepared every game. In my opinion, Cannon Co. played more of the better teams.....but that alone won't guarantee a victory over Elizabethton.

 

 

I think the Elizabethton/Cannon Co. matchup will definitely be the best game of the first round to watch, and I won't be suprised by either team winning. And if McMinn Central wins in the firt round, their hands will be absolutely full in the second round.

South Greene was down the first half of the year. They regrouped in January and went down by two in overtime of the substate game. Eliabethton is for real and will bring it Thursday, but I hope they are overlooked just like North Greene was.

Most of what I know about Middle and West Tennessee is previous state visits and CoachT. I knew that Lake County was the favorite, but I was glad to see that North Greene was being overlooked. These girls are real and I'm proud to say they are from Greene County. Last year, Greene County had three teams in the at state. Greeneville and South Greene in AA and NG in A. This year SG lost in overtime at Substate and Greeneville made it too regionals along with another Greene County school, Chuckey-Doak. All three of these AA teams are the real deal and North Greene beat CD twice, SG once and GHS once. Their losses came to SG twice, GHS once, and other very good teams. I knew these girls would come in with a shot to possibly win it all. I know that T.T. Flowers was off, but so was Mariah Britton. Mariah was the runner up highest scorer in Greene averaging over 20 points, she couldn't hit many of her shots today. If she brings it like I know she can, Loretto will have their hands full. Mindy McNeese is a Freshman who plays like a Senior and she will definitely be a factor along with Laiken Morrow and Haley Vaughn. These girls play like a team and have a terrific coach. It takes a team to win the game, and North Greene has the ability. All of us at South Greene are cheering you on girls...play like we know you can.

Congratulations Lady Huskies. I am so proud of you!!!