littleo

I have no problem with those of you who support your teams wholeheartedly, and hate your opponents with the same passion, but when you tell outright lies just because a team is better than yours, that's sick! The scorekeeper at BTW is a former coach who would never intentionally have her integrity questioned by cheating in a scorebook. And I'm sure those making those claims know there are two scorebooks. And changing jerseys and bricking buses? Be real!!!!

Saying something about the officials, even in a post-game interview, may not be wise. Some of the officials can actually read too! Oops, Did I say that?! Is there some rule that says a number one team has to blow everyone out to be number one? I thought they just had to win.

I think the same thing is true for LC and Humboldt. Only a fool would want to play BTW at their place in South Memphis! In regards to be out coached, if the Middleton coach was so smart, why did they not go at Newby when he got second foul less than a minute into the game? If by chance BTW would defy the odds of all you experts and win the state championship. That would give Coach Horton two state championships, and one runner-up trophy. I doubt very much if he cares what you think about his coaching ability.

Much has been said about BTW's beating of Power Center Academy 149-23. Most of you making the comments weren't at the game. Power Center Academy is a new Class A school, who the TSSAA threw into District 16A even though they had no experience playing on the varsity level. Most of their athletes are 9th graders; they even play a couple of 8th graders. BTW is made up of a team that probably has at least three D1 players on their starting five (Newby has already signed with Ole Miss). One of the last persons off of Coach Horton's bench played considerable minutes against PCA when the starters were benched. His dad was in the stands waiting to see his son play. That young man scored 11 points that night. Did you basketball geniuses expect that kid to go out on the court and cross his arms? And in regards to BTW's schedule, although their league schedule was questionable, they won the Poplar Bluff Invitational in Missouri that boasted some very talented teams. I've seen Middleton play and they are a decent team. The night I saw them play they lost to Trinity. Although I know anything can happen in sports, many times our predictions are guided by our hearts instead of our heads. I really don't expect Middleton to challenge BTW tonight. But like I said, anything can happen in sports!

rowdy raider, every one one of the teams you mentioned that did well in the state where "rebuilt" with players who did not attend those schools in 9th grade, or had very talented players transfer to their schools who didn't live in their districts. Even now, some of the best 8th graders in Memphis are considering their options. There is one that is considering a sectional finalist and they are considering her too, if you know what I mean. Some in Memphis have decided the only way to compete at the state level is to "load up" on talent. Are you old enough to remember what Melrose did to Shelbyville in a championship game? Melrose would have beaten Shelbyville with their bench they were so talented. Manipulation is not so effective when you have overwhelming talent. After reading some of the posts, I see some of you still don't get it. Real basketball fans want to see honest, competitive basketball regardless of who wins. Of course, you give your all to your local teams. But when kids are told you might as well forget it if you have to go on the road to play such and such because you'll get cheated, that hurts the integrity of the game. P.S. On your list you had Crockett County defeating BTW. As I remember, Crockett County was very weak that year and played BTW the regional champion on a neutral floor, even though BTW's gym met TSSAA seating capacity. How do you figure? Craigmont won their game on that same floor, they had two outstanding transfers on that team (1 from Ridgeway and another from Trezevant, both D-1 players who transferred from University of Florida to Memphis)

Dear West Tennessee, especially Region 7AA. I am so tired of your bull!! When was the last time a team from West Tennessee won a state tournament before Gibson County won last year? You go on and on about your sub-state dominance and great teams and coaches. Be for real!!! I agree that there is good basketball in your part of the state. But it's not the only good basketball. As for the Memphis teams, unless they are overwhelmingly better than your teams in sub-state competition, they don't stand a chance. Why is that West Tennessee? If you were honest with yourself, you'd admit it's m o n e y!!!!!How many times has West Tennessee fans had to watch the other team shoot 53 free throws and their team only shoot 13 and you lose by less than 10 points? How many times have "neutral" officials showed up to call your sectional game and your principal didn't know each of them by their first and last names? How happy do you think the TSSAA would be if a Memphis team with 30 fans showed up in Murfreesboro instead of your team with about 2000 fans? Until the TSSAA changes the current playoff format the injustices will continue. Until they rotate the place of the state championships, they risk having finals with less than half the arena being filled. The playoffs are manipulated and you know it. I saw a wonderfull basketball game on yesterday when Fairley defeated Manassas in triple overtime. The coaches from Martin Westview and Gibson County who scouted the game, will probably tell you that both teams are very talented. I hope the integrity of the TSSAA will not be questioned when the games are over Saturday night. May the expression, "MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN!", be fulfilled!