tradertwo

The "showdown" is getting closer...four of the premier Middle Tn. teams travel across the river to take on four of the west's best. Murfreesboro Central Magnet, Cascade, Middle Tn. Christian, and Summertown will clash with Riverside, Jackson Christian, Scotts Hill, and Lexington in a true test of top teams. Should be a classic!!!

Numbers say A and AA to keep travel distances reasonable...an extra cla$$ would add some ca$h to their pocket$, $o who know$?

The split would actually solve a lot of problems for the privates who already play in DII. West Tn. DII schools currently play public schools and DI privates to fill out their schedule, which isn't an issue, but when the playoffs begin they routinely have to travel great distances (even Knoxville...300 miles +) ...adding the privates currently in DI would allow playoff scenario's with travel distances of less than 100 miles. Memphis has numbers for their own region, as well as the rest of the western division to be separate.

OK, we're into the season to the point that early jitters and "rust" should be gone...who's looking good in the west?

I don't get the mentality of "dethroning the king". Last year Union City had won the previous championship, and returned almost everyone,not a stretch that they were #1...I get it. The year after Gordonsville won, graduated everybody, and were still at #1...I didn't get that at all. Not saying that UC won't three-peet...but to assume that two returning offensive, and four defensive starters will be the 1A team to beat is just giving too much credit. Add to that the fact that Trenton Peabody returns the bulk of their AA championship team and I'm scratching my head.

Teams should be getting into their district schedules now,anyone looking better than expected to challenge some favorites?

Those "prescribed rules" are the problem...they force two completely different entities to compete under one umbrella of rules. Just for example, you say that USJ (voluntarily switched to DII several years back) has an unfair advantage over TCA (DI) if the split happens. Both are private schools in Jackson, have "competed" for the same kids,and Trinity has pretty much established themselves as the premier small school for athletics in the area. On the other hand, you expect that the small rural public schools should compete against TCA, when they are able to draw from a city of over 76,000 people, surrounding small towns, and even adjacent counties. I don't expect my response to change your point of view, but I would expect a logical person to at least acknowledge that there is a sizable advantage to the privates, if for no other reason than they restrict enrollment, and have the choice of accepting or denying any student for any undisclosed reason.

They sure did...I still remember Bill Haney's broadcast of the championship game one of those years....near the end of the game he said "I've been here all week, and Bradford looks to be the best team here, regardless of classification".

Be nice if the sub's got in...

Scotts Hill back in the mid 90's...couldn't get past Bradford in Sub State. #1 Bradford always found a way to lose to Gleason in regionals, come to the 'Hill and leave with a close one or two point victory...then usually cruise to the gold ball.

That helps a little...at least I got a "Coach" re-run. Still no video...I should have stayed and watched in person!!!

I hope Coach King gets to rub a gold ball before he retires...watching his teams compete against more talented teams has absolutely convinced me that he deserves at least one before hanging up his clipboard.

Pretty good answer...lots better than the "you morons..." that you chose earlier. We're in agreement on most everything, I probably would have done just what Sisco did having not seen it, and the assistant assuring him that everything was "fine". We don't exactly agree on the "in this day and time" part...yeah, I know that kids are different in regard to respecting authority figures, but that's just the better reason for asserting just who is in charge and acceptable behavior.

I was called a moron for giving my opinion(which was also questioned), but I was not afraid to give it, and I'll stand by it. You had the choice to reply or not...you chose to, and you chose name calling and evaded giving your own opinion twice. Oh, and you're welcome.

Typical...you're uncomfortable defending the player and the lack of disciplinary action from the coach because you know better, so you deflect the issue by name calling and questioning someone else's character...guess that you've weighed in...anyone else?

Vanilla at best...kid and coach speak, kid moves toward end of bench, coach grabs the kid by the arm and pulls him down into the adjacent seat, then some shoving(two or three are exchanged), ending with the kid elbowing the coach pretty hard. Sisco didn't see it, but was made aware before the assistant coach and the player spoke again. Close game in the semi's, and the player is needed to win...you decide the rest.

Ancient or not, I'm with you.There's no way on earth that a kid has a physical altercation with a coach and plays that day...we'd see about the jersey afterward. Lost a lot of respect for Sisco from that situation. OK Union City fans,toe the line...make excuses and defend the kid with "you don't know", or "in that situation", or man-up and tell it straight.

Murfreesboro is the geographical center of the state.

Might have some sixth grader's in house on their "official visit"...gotta make it look good.

I'd rather root for UNC over Duke than eat!!!

+1

Big Sandy usually doesn't "play nobody"...they had an average Joe named Danny Brandenburg ( maybe 5' 9") once that was an amazing baller. He didn't much look the part, but could handle and pass with anyone I've seen lately, including Willie Kemp and the two PG's from Trinity (#5) and Liberty (#1) of three or four years back. Could also shoot from anywhere in the gym that didn't have a door! Not arguing how good the Phifer kid is or isn't, but gifted ballplayers can come from anyplace.

Haywood maybe...Ripley, not so much. #11 is a fine player, and Ripley plays with cool heads and discipline, just don't have the size, athleticism, and offensive firepower to match buckets with CPA. Miles of separation between the polish of Blackwell, and the "grab it and dunk it" game of Lexington's Marshall. Hope that someone takes CPA down, but Ripley can't compete for four quarters against AA's best.

Glad that there were more than acknowledged on the tv broadcast.

Can't remember all, but no one that didn't play in the championship game. Perry (soph) from Middleton was MVP...thought that was a good choice ( #30 from Middleton would have been a good choice also), but other teams had some high caliber players too. I'd rather just give out tourney MVP and delete the rest if they can't do better than that. Edit...Medows, Cooper, Shaver from C'range Perry, Joy, Parks, and Mason from Middleton