devotedvbfan

DF, you are exactly right and I would suggest that South not come to Middle so you can be a surprise for the other 7 schools at State or you can play them in Chattanooga which would be as good. And there is really not any benefit in playing hard competition every hour on the hour like the Choo Choo since it will likely tire you out with the travel. After all the South Carolina Tournament will get you ready for State. The hiding out technique didn't work out last year nor have I seen it work any year. The only thing it might do is improve your season record.

Not saying you are wrong because you obviously are into volleyball much more than I am. Just saying there are two trains of thought. Anyway, it is a moot point since I hear South is coming to middle Tennessee. I really don't understand the comment about Chattanooga since South has been to Chattanooga already twice this season. Just sarcasm, maybe? Really think that last year had more to do with two teams that were stronger than South in East Tennessee (DB and Karns), not what tournaments they played in, but have it your way. And in the end playing in the Middle TN tournaments worked really well for Karns who didn't fare so well at state and defending state champion DB who lost to Ravenwood in the finals I believe after they had beaten Ravenwood in one of those tournaments? CORRECT ME IF I am wrong.

I have to agree with you on DB. As I posted earlier, no one should write off DB. They have a good team and are very capable of beating any team in East TN. they have a lot of girls that have played club and have waited for a chance to play behind all the seniors that made up the core of the State Championship and runner up teams. They definitely have some talent but don't have a Meredith Hardy in the middle this year (those are few and far between) but I would be very suprised if they are not right in the mix come tournament time.

Haven't seen DB play yet but I would not write them off. Just because everybody in Middle and West Tennessee thinks South should come down there and let everyone "see" them doesn't mean that its a bad coaching move if South doesn't come, if you are playing equally tough teams in other areas. I am assuming that the middle and west volleyball teams are allowing that there are other "good" teams in the rest of the country such as Georgia and South Carolina. I not trying to take anything away from Middle and West Tennessee. I have been to a few state tournaments and I have seen the level of play.

There is something to be said for the element of surprise and it is hard to play a team over and over and beat them unless you are really dominant. Just thought I would throw that out there for those of you who have a rational thought pattern.

Despite all the talk coming out of Knoxville the past 2-3 years, they are still not ready to compete with the best in the state. Yes, one Knoxville team will make it to state because South is the only team with a lot of talent in East Tennessee. South should make state reagrdless of who and where they play in substate. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see them play the substate on a "neutral court" as that is Wendy Ratliff's way. You can bet the farm that the state champion will come out of District 11 once again. That being said, South does have the talent to make some noise, but will be held back by two things - coaching and a weak regular season schedule. The fact that there is a lady with the name of Hooks on the bench will help the first area, but they need to make a couple trips to Middle TN for the big tournaments and face teams like Siegal, Brentwood, and Ravenwood several times. South will definitely have the talent the next couple of years, the question is can they overcome these weaknesses and make a run when it counts.

But then maybe you don't have a horse in the race this year? Did they let you out of the psycho ward for some computer time? I bet your wall is covered with "Wendy Ratliff's" picture. You know, like a stalker? I have the utmost respect for the Hooks (young and a little older) and I am sure they are and have been a great asset for Coach Ratliff. However, Coach Ratliff took a Virginia team to the state semifinals before she ever met the Hooks (first year she coached).

Now Coach T is a public forum and you can get on here and discuss volleyball and be respectful to other people or you can be a horse's patootie which is what you sound like. Sounds like sour grapes to me.

I wouldn't let you near a daughter of mine with the good example you set. Just remember to be factual with your BIG MOUTH.

I guarantee you have no clue who I am, but what about you? You joined a month ago to defend south's coach and every post since has been for the same reason. Hmm....

So what? Apparently the only reason you are on here is to badmouth South's coach. You don't even know her yet you are on here making comments about her character. Why shouldn't I defend her? I do know her and I know that she does an excellent job with anything she has ever attempted. I haven't been on here that long but that doesn't mean I haven't been involved in volleyball probably a lot longer than you have if that means anything. It is apparently not a prerequisite for being on CoachT. She is a good teacher, coach and mother and she doesn't deserve all the trash you are talking. The only person you are making look bad is yourself. Those who know Wendy know the truth.

One has to ask the question, Why are you saying the things you are saying when all the facts prove you wrong? I think it borders on harassment.

Anyone can get on here and say what they want. One should however be careful that they are telling the truth. And I am not such a coward that I will post my name.

Mary L. Miller

I wonder if that includes all the red-neck, classless taunts from south parents behind DB's bench tonight? Don't even act like it didn't happen! I believe the Bible calls it "hypocrisy"!

Man, you must have good hearing or you were on the bench. Yes and it includes the guys from DB who were sitting on the front row and yelling at the South girls, calling them by their number and yelling at them. I'm quite sure they weren't cheering them on. Yes, I probably got a little carried away too. Just don't act like DB is not guilty of the same thing.

Dobyns-Bennett beats South 34-32, 25-19, 25-15 in spite of all the south parents mocking every move and word coach shaffer made tonight. So, DB will host Farragut and south will travel to Karns, unless south protests that it is not fair that the runner-up has to play on the winners court and makes karns move the game to a neutral court

 

 

No, my name is not Mr Jones. south should worry less about who I am, and more about beefing up their schedule for next year so that they will not fold under pressure like the past few years. Just a suggestion, take it however you like. Wendy knows she made the agreement and what she did was wrong and all I have to say now is Go Beavers!

 

By the way, of course Parrothead thinks that. Where did he gratuate from in 1983? South! That's why when we read tricitiessports and for that matter the Gate City Times News, the story will be about how south "almost" beat DB tonight.

I think we all know who you are but I think that we can all agree that what you are is most important. You know what they say "Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".

so who won the DB south match up?

DB won in three. First game was 34-32, second 25-19 I think and third was 25-15. It was a great game, well played by both teams. My team didn't win but I'm proud of them. Congrats to DB

Region 1-AAA

Dobyns-Bennett defeats Sevier Co 25-21, 25-6, 25-9

South outlasts Morristown West 25-9, 23-25, 25-11, 21-25, 15-9

 

Finals Tues:

6:30 - Dobyns-Bennett vs South

 

 

My daughter has just informed of some very disturbing information from a fellow teammate. Per an earlier agreement from the coaches within the Big 8, since the finals are between 2 schools in District 1, the championship match was to be moved to Dobyns-Bennett who won the district championship. However, the coach from south has refused to allow this, thus fans and both teams will have to drive an hour to play the finals at Morristown West. This is a slap in the face to everyone from Dobyns-Bennett who worked so hard to win the district, not to mention a very unethical and unprofessional act from a cowardly coach who is refusing to honor what the conference coaches had agreed to. We all know that had south won the district, she would be all about the match being played at south. This is just another disgusting display by this coach. This reminds me of my daughter's freshman year I believe when this same coach allowed two girls from the varsity team to play JV who had not played JV all year just to beat an undefeated DB team in the JV tournament championship game. I now can understand why I heard a couple south players making a scene in the hallway after losing in the chattanooga tournament a couple years ago about how much the disliked playing for this coach and what a bad coach she was. After this act tonight, I tend to agree with them. This makes me look forward to when south volleyball won't even exist in 5-10 years and everyone in Colonial Heights will have to do the chop. Wendy, you know better than this disgraceful act. You have slapped the Lady Indians in the face and I hope they remember this tomorrow night!

I just have one other comment about this poster. I think the Bible covers it very well when it says "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". I would think twice about letting a person who can spout such venom be around my child.

First, coaches don't make decision for the Big 8 Conference...Athletic Direotors do. That's why there was a coin toss each of the last two years before the district tournament to determine the #1 seed. South and DB tied for the Big 8 Conference title each of the past two years and each of those years total games won in the two matches would have broken the tie. Coaches wanted it that way and agreed to it, but the AD's voted it down because they couldn't use something similar in other sports to break the ties and they wanted uniformity.

 

Second, if they wanted uniformity then tonight's match should have been moved to District 1 from District 2 since two District 1 teams - DB and South - are in the finals. That's what happened in basketball. However, there was documentation among the conference athletic directors as to how that would happen. The move did not go back to the district tournament champion [Daniel Boone] it went back to the district tournament site [David Crockett]. This is what should have happened tonight. The match should have gone back to Central, nobody would have to drive to Morristown and nobody would have the home court. And it would match the uniformity the athletic directors want.

 

Only problem is that no documentation apparently exists that sets out this criteria for volleyball. So up to three assumptions were made regarding where the match would be played [Central, South and D-B]. If the docoumetation existed there would be no arguments. Daniel Boone didn't raise an eye about not having the basketball game at their place because the agreement and documentation was already there.

 

So, with no documentation it's become quite the verbal war as we've seen here. South doesn't want to play at DB and who can blame them. DB doesn't want to play at South and who can blame them. It's about giving yourself the best chance to win tonight and playing a HOME match on Thursday. So since apparently Central isn't an option we're going back to Morristown...which I'm not sure even had to give up the match in the first place if they didn't want to.

At least you make sense. Sounds reasonable to me and I am sure Central would have been an acceptable location for all concerned except I don't believe DB would have been happy with anything but DB.

Congratulations to Sullivan South and Dobyns Bennett for their wins last night in Morristown. I have the utmost respect for what both teams and the coaching staffs have accomplished over the years at both schools. I also have so much more respect for the girls on each team. The girls are what make both teams a “class actâ€. Not the parents and not even the coaches, although I feel that both have contributed well in establishing both as “class actsâ€. These 2 teams have a great relationship between the girls off the court and on court. These girls exhibit this relationship on court and with their friendships that take place away from the court. This is a perfect example of what sports can accomplish. It’s a shame that we as parents sometimes try to tear it down. I to, over the years have been as guilty as anyone so please don’t bash me with all the tomahawks and Rebel flags.

 

Volleyball has allowed me to meet many parents and I have gotten to be good friends with many that also are great people. Some I would have never thought that I would even talk to or that they would talk to me, after getting to know them, I see that they also just love their girls and respective schools and East Tn VB and simply desire the best for all in that order.

 

Bottom line, volleyball has afforded me with the opportunity to get to know these young ladies and they are really wonderful. Both teams are filled with remarkable young ladies. Some of these young ladies will go on and play at the next level and some will choose not to. For most, volleyball will be over after high school, as it was for my oldest daughter as she chose. For some, it will just be 4 more short years at the next level and it will be over. In the end, it will be about the friendships that were created because of volleyball and that will be the only thing that will be left other than memories.

 

Just a short response to this topic follows.

As a parent of a South player I am very proud of our South girls and our coaching staff. As a parent of a South player, I will cheer for South this year no matter whom they play. But as my girl and I have proved over the years, we are East Tennessee volleyball fans also. When South didn’t make it to State last year, South’s season was over, but East Tn. volleyball was not. My girl and I drove all the way down to State last year on Friday morning for the purpose of supporting our East Tn. volleyball representative DB. My girl wore a DB t-shirt and I even dug deep into my closet and brought out a maroon shirt. I think there was even one time I might have did the chop.. That was probably an accident..Lol... We sat with the DB faithful, cheered alongside parents/friends from DB, we were happy for and congratulated the young ladies that played and coaches that coached for DB and represented East Tn. fantastically. They won state AAA for DB high school, Kingsport and East Tennessee volleyball fans. I would have loved for it to have been South, but nevertheless, when I travel and see different teams and coaches from other regions, I am proud that South and DB have earned the reputation and are recognized for the attention that they have brought to East Tn VB.

 

So, let’s allow the coaches to coach and our girls to play. Coaches make decisions that we don’t like, hey, that’s life.. It’s the same way in the work force, church and all aspects of our life. Coach Ratliff made a strategic coaching decision that, according to the TSSAA reps that make the rules (not the Big 8 coaches), was absolutely permissible. To me, it took a lot of courage to make a decision like this, knowing that there were going to be tons of negative comments. At this point both teams will meet tonight to determine who will get to host the home game Thursday. Last night’s matches were not meant to determine where they play tonight. I know Mrs. Shaffer, as with any other Big 8 coach or any other coach worth their salt for that matter, given the same allowable option, a wise coach would have made the same wise coaching decision. And certainly, both coaches have earned the right to be called “wiseâ€. So, go easy on the name calling and the rumor mill about what this girl said and that one said, our girls from both teams are watching….

 

I hope that both teams advance all the way to state and that we can continue to cheer for the girls that are playing for us all.

 

Proud parent of a South player and proud supporter of East Tn Vball,

R.Fink

I totally agree. You are a class act.

Hahaha. Typical south mentality. You are right. The RUNNER-UP should decide where the game is played.

Runner up in the District. The runner-up of the Regional has yet to be decided so the only team that had home court advantage was Morristown West because it was their turn to have the Regional there. Why should DB have that advantage over South or vice versa? It isn't District 1's turn to host the Regional. Why try to change the rules that are in place for unfair advantage?

Nice try, but yes the Big 8 conference coaches agreed to it and it has been done before. Wendy just refused to go by the agreement because she is a coward and it would not have been in her favor. Like I said before, we all know her story would be different if south had won the district. Professionals go by the agreements made by the conference, end of story!

 

My, you sure have a lot of insider information on the conference meeting, for a parent. And exactly when has this been done before? Since this information has been made available to you maybe you could share. Only two teams from the conference were involved in this regional tournament. IF that decision was made by the whole conference (lobbyed I am sure by Kathi Shaffer) it should not have been. It should be up to the two teams involved. This was the year to play the regional at Morristown West. I repeat - it is a neutral site with referees that should be unbiased (meaning they have not seen DB and South play all year long).

After all, DB wouldn't want an unfair advantage, would they? If I were the DB team, I would welcome the chance to play on a level playing field. Their coach should too. There is no need for name-calling. Coward? I don't think it is Coach Ratliff. Neutral site and unbiased referees - what does DB have to be afraid of? They are a very good team. I have the utmost respect for the players.

Well, this idiot knows more about it than you think. Ask Mr. Harvey, his sister in law is on the board. Plans have been in the works for sometime to make south a 8-9 campus like Science Hill or a freshman academy. If you really think Kingsport is going to spend the same amount of money on a second high school, you are crazy!

I didn't call you an idiot, I said you sounded like one. Who knows what will happen in 10 years time or if we will be around to see it? or who will be on the board or any of those things. A little too much anger and hostility because of a volleyball game, don't you think?

Region 1-AAA

Dobyns-Bennett defeats Sevier Co 25-21, 25-6, 25-9

South outlasts Morristown West 25-9, 23-25, 25-11, 21-25, 15-9

 

Finals Tues:

6:30 - Dobyns-Bennett vs South

 

 

My daughter has just informed of some very disturbing information from a fellow teammate. Per an earlier agreement from the coaches within the Big 8, since the finals are between 2 schools in District 1, the championship match was to be moved to Dobyns-Bennett who won the district championship. However, the coach from south has refused to allow this, thus fans and both teams will have to drive an hour to play the finals at Morristown West. This is a slap in the face to everyone from Dobyns-Bennett who worked so hard to win the district, not to mention a very unethical and unprofessional act from a cowardly coach who is refusing to honor what the conference coaches had agreed to. We all know that had south won the district, she would be all about the match being played at south. This is just another disgusting display by this coach. This reminds me of my daughter's freshman year I believe when this same coach allowed two girls from the varsity team to play JV who had not played JV all year just to beat an undefeated DB team in the JV tournament championship game. I now can understand why I heard a couple south players making a scene in the hallway after losing in the chattanooga tournament a couple years ago about how much the disliked playing for this coach and what a bad coach she was. After this act tonight, I tend to agree with them. This makes me look forward to when south volleyball won't even exist in 5-10 years and everyone in Colonial Heights will have to do the chop. Wendy, you know better than this disgraceful act. You have slapped the Lady Indians in the face and I hope they remember this tomorrow night!

Do you really think DB has room for all those students that presently attend South? I don't think so. That sure would be a big school and not very practical. Get real. You sound like an idiot.

Region 1-AAA

Dobyns-Bennett defeats Sevier Co 25-21, 25-6, 25-9

South outlasts Morristown West 25-9, 23-25, 25-11, 21-25, 15-9

 

Finals Tues:

6:30 - Dobyns-Bennett vs South

 

 

My daughter has just informed of some very disturbing information from a fellow teammate. Per an earlier agreement from the coaches within the Big 8, since the finals are between 2 schools in District 1, the championship match was to be moved to Dobyns-Bennett who won the district championship. However, the coach from south has refused to allow this, thus fans and both teams will have to drive an hour to play the finals at Morristown West. This is a slap in the face to everyone from Dobyns-Bennett who worked so hard to win the district, not to mention a very unethical and unprofessional act from a cowardly coach who is refusing to honor what the conference coaches had agreed to. We all know that had south won the district, she would be all about the match being played at south. This is just another disgusting display by this coach. This reminds me of my daughter's freshman year I believe when this same coach allowed two girls from the varsity team to play JV who had not played JV all year just to beat an undefeated DB team in the JV tournament championship game. I now can understand why I heard a couple south players making a scene in the hallway after losing in the chattanooga tournament a couple years ago about how much the disliked playing for this coach and what a bad coach she was. After this act tonight, I tend to agree with them. This makes me look forward to when south volleyball won't even exist in 5-10 years and everyone in Colonial Heights will have to do the chop. Wendy, you know better than this disgraceful act. You have slapped the Lady Indians in the face and I hope they remember this tomorrow night!

I suppose DB WOULD like to play on their own court and have that home court advantage as well as have all those "nice" DB fans. However, that would be totally stupid on the part of the South coach to give DB that advantage. Ask any coach in any other region and see what their reaction would be. This was not a conference decision. It was a regional decision. Maybe Kathi Shaffer needs not to count her chickens before they are hatched. I'm sure she thought that was in the bag.

This is a neutral court with referees who should be unbiased. Kind of levels the playing field. May the best team win. Coach Ratliff owes nothing to DB. She does owe giving her own players a fair shake. There is nothing disgraceful about doing the right thing for your team. It is a regional tournament. The finals should be played at the regional location. I don't mind the drive myself. I will be right there cheering the team on.

Better yet, why don't we play at South. Oh, I guess Kathi Shaffer wouldn't agree to that, would she? After all, it would benefit both teams and all their fans. We wouldn't have to drive an hour to play. What a shame and a disgrace!!!! Get real and get over yourself. Why don't you sign your real name?

Alright, your point is well taken. It's obvious that schools from different parts of the state find playing each other advantageous. Some do it now and some don't. It is their style with some very good reasons. Some really have not many reasons and because they do not have a state wide program at the time, why spend the money and time. Its not necessarily important to be a Tournament but may be cost effective. For those who have done it, its appreciative. Schools find other ways for exposure that being out of State. Some schools find ways for it to happen with the help of other schools. While you are evidently not a member of a coaching staff, you are a supporter of a school or you wouldn't be posting. Supporters fund programs especially devoted fans. Certainly my post got some attention and maybe something can be built from there. My post had nothing to do with programs who generally find more important things to do. So I do hope your school has a good year.

Thanks for the well wishes. Hope your school does well also.

Very respectfully I do say that the arrogance seems to be with South but that is the way it is when two are not communicating. Maybe it is better if South does go to South Carolina, Virginia, Atlanta. MT has invited some 30 to 50 schools for two tournaments that I know of and it looks as if there will be a couple of more eventually. It normally is easier to get a cross section of the State by doing that. But you are right, if schools here feel a need to play East Tennessee Schools, there is ample time in the Chattanooga area which has three high profile events which are first class events and they are good hosts.

Very respectfully, I don't see how one could consider it arrogance to constantly have to defend against what I consider to be unnecessary criticism of coaching decisions. Most of the comments from South supporters have been informative without being critical of other coaches unless provoked. And just for the record I am not a member of any coaching staff. And if I were a member of any coaching staff I'm quite sure I could find much more important things to do.

I guess the real issue is MT Schools do not know how good South is since they do not see them as much as DB.

Well why didn't you just say that instead of trying to make derogatory remarks about coaching decisions. Just because a decision as to where one plays in a tournament does not fit in with your plans to "see" South does not mean that it was a bad decision which was made for the benefit of South's team and all those involved.

Guess you haven't been around VB very long or you think the state tourney takes place in East Tennessee. You may want to look up who was AAA state runner-up in 2005 and 2006. Hint - not Siegel.

 

Yes, this has been a while, but 2009 is not and South was regional runner-up and lost to Karns in sub-state. Perhaps a more-than-competent South parent will get involved with club and help take them to the next level. Maybe they already have.

Looks like somebody forgot to take their medicine last night! How exactly did I bad mouth the coach from south (ratliff)? All I did was point out that she is often more worried about other teams' fans than what is going on on the court. Anybody who has watched their big games in front of rowdy fans would offer the same observations. Case in point the game at DB when south was up 2-0 and lost in 5. Things really went down hill for the rebels when she kept trying to have the DB students threw out of the gym. Lost focus meant lost match. Did you listen to her comments to the media after the game at Central this year when they lost the first game and were down 16-14 in the second? Just stating my observations, you are welcome to your own.

 

The biggest difference between her wins and the coach at DB (Shaffer) is that she took over a very established program at south. In fact, her first couple of years coaching when south did so well, she brought in the former coach every week to teach defense and help the team. She is simply cruising on a strong foundation. Yes, south will win many games in a weak Big 8. DB travels to play the best in the state. Yes, that costs money and not every school can do it. Just pointing out that that will benefit the team in the long run. Not many would disagree with that statement. The coach at DB, like Pat Summitt, has been successful by beating the best teams, not just local competition. The coach at DB (Shaffer) built a state contender at Sullivan East. Sullivan East! If the coach at south (ratliff) coached at East, do you really believe they would be a powerhouse? How successful was DB before their current coach? Not very! Could the coach at south win at DB? I doubt it. That's my opinion, but there is strong evidence to back it up if you look hard enough.

I would like to actually quote some facts gotten off the TSSAA website, not just make statements off the top of my head. Sullivan East made it to the semis at state in 2000 and won in 2001 under Coach Shaffer. They had not done anything statewise under Shaffer since then. I think she left about 2005 or so. Meanwhile South made appearances at State under Ratliff in 2001, 2003 and 2004, made it to the finals in 2005 and 2006 finishing as State Runners-up both years. Yes she had a very good foundation established by Coach Hooks. Coach Ratliff is continuing that winning tradition.

Now someone made a statement that it was because of coaching that South was not as successful in the past few years. As any coach will tell you talent is not equal every year. If we use this reasoning that it is up to the coaching, then what happened to East in the last years of Shaffers "reign"? And more importantly, what happened on Tues. nite when South won over DB? Was that coaching or talent? I think it was a combination of both.

All these coach "wannabees" or whoever need to stop casting stones when facts tell a different story.

I'm not taking anything away from Coach Shaffer. Neither should anything be taken away from Coach Ratliff. She has been coaching nine years and in that time has about 375 wins versus 60 losses. Not shabby for a young coach. Given the much longer career of Coach Shaffer her win/loss record is understandable and commendable. That would be a loss percentage of 13% for Coach Ratliff and 32% loss percentage for Shaffer.

I might also mention that in Ratliff's first year of coaching she took a fine Abingdon, VA school to state finals.

You know, volleyball or any other sport, is just that. It is a good influence on young people or should be. Much more important is having a good role model for young people. Volleyball will pass and we hope what will last is the lessons learned. According to TSSAA, purpose of athletics is development of character, integrity, sportsmanship and teamwork. Maybe we should all concentrate on that.

By the way, I was there at that DB/South game where the DB fans got out of hand. I think it was ridiculous that it got out of hand to the point that the DB fan was actually allowed on the playing court during the game. It was a failure on the part of the DB coach as well as administration of DB to take charge and get things under control. It is sad when you want to win at ANY cost.

By the way "facts" (taken from the TSSAA website) say that East has made two appearances in the finals at state in 2000 and 2001. While I have the utmost respect for any team who can accomplish this it doesn't sound like much of a dynasty when you consider that South has 7 appearances in the finals with two of them being under Coach Ratliff.

Looks like somebody forgot to take their medicine last night! How exactly did I bad mouth the coach from south (ratliff)? All I did was point out that she is often more worried about other teams' fans than what is going on on the court. Anybody who has watched their big games in front of rowdy fans would offer the same observations. Case in point the game at DB when south was up 2-0 and lost in 5. Things really went down hill for the rebels when she kept trying to have the DB students threw out of the gym. Lost focus meant lost match. Did you listen to her comments to the media after the game at Central this year when they lost the first game and were down 16-14 in the second? Just stating my observations, you are welcome to your own.

 

The biggest difference between her wins and the coach at DB (Shaffer) is that she took over a very established program at south. In fact, her first couple of years coaching when south did so well, she brought in the former coach every week to teach defense and help the team. She is simply cruising on a strong foundation. Yes, south will win many games in a weak Big 8. DB travels to play the best in the state. Yes, that costs money and not every school can do it. Just pointing out that that will benefit the team in the long run. Not many would disagree with that statement. The coach at DB, like Pat Summitt, has been successful by beating the best teams, not just local competition. The coach at DB (Shaffer) built a state contender at Sullivan East. Sullivan East! If the coach at south (ratliff) coached at East, do you really believe they would be a powerhouse? How successful was DB before their current coach? Not very! Could the coach at south win at DB? I doubt it. That's my opinion, but there is strong evidence to back it up if you look hard enough.