Cody

Central starts two seniors.

What a finish.

It was an outstanding game to watch. Neither team played perfect, but both played their hearts out. I checked my fitbit in the last minute and my heart rate was at 126. And that was me sitting and hardly making a sound but just watching. That #14 for Livingston was a heck of a player. I can understand her reaction in the end. I've been there (not to that extent; I was neither that good nor ever made it that far in my respective sport), but I cried my eyes out when I knew my high school career was done after playing a sport since I was 3 years old. I was very proud of Central for keeping their composure after Jacobi fouled out. 5 minutes to go, down 1, and without your leader on the court. That shows guts. Same for Livingston. Down 10 in a matter of a minute, and back in the game within a few more. Those girls had ice water in the veins it seemed. Both teams proved they were more than just one player. Both sides should be proud. Sub-State is a completely different animal than some holiday tournament. I don't think anybody realistically believed that Central would win by 18 again. I sure didn't. Amazing game and I'm glad my team won. That's 3 in a row against LA which is fun to see considering how much LA dominated us for most of the games prior to that in substate or state. I'm excited at the prospect of seeing MC versus Upperman in the semis, but each team has a game to win before we get to that.

Also, not to say that Livingston couldn't come to McMinn Central and beat them. It's happened before. I just believe that Central has the better team hands down this year. I hope I'm right.

If Upperman does their job, you should see them and McMinn Central at state from Regions 3 and 4. I imagine the only hiccup to that would be if Livingston happens to beat Upperman in the region 4 championship sending Upperman to Englewood for substate. I believe that exact thing happened about 6-7 years ago (2nd seeded Livingston beat 1st seed Upperman). Central won that game in a classic. I would much rather see Upperman vs. McMinn Central at state, but if it happens at the Round House, it is sure to be barnburner. My prediction for those regions at least is that Upperman and Central both make it. My dark horse candidate would be Livingston though. If they upset Upperman, they shouldn't have a problem with the 2nd place finisher in Region 3. That's just the truth.

I was very interested last night in how they would do. Alcoa isn't a slouch team, and I was worried how we would handle them without Jacobi on the court. After a slightly slow start, I was very impressed with our play. Defense, especially in the 2nd half was maybe the best I've seen from them all year. It definitely goes to show just how deep Central is off the bench. Valuable playing time for the younger players last night, and they lived up to the pressure. Very exciting.

McMinn Fire is where most come from. Some of the seniors also played for Tennessee Threat.

Very well said. That man defense held MLK to 19 first half points. They just came out on fire in the 2nd and they took advantage. It was tough watching us miss so many wide open 3's. Not usually the case. I believe MLK couldn't have afforded to play zone if we hit the shots we usually hit. MLK deserves it. They beat all of the "best" teams on the way to proving they were the best team overall. I had CPA beating them in substate (though I think most everybody was wrong about that one!)

Haha! I'm sure I'll lose some sleep about all that tonight. It's easy to criticize after the fact. All that doesn't change the attitude you have on here. It's arrogant and uncalled for. Catch me anytime! Your name? In all seriousness, there's no reason for feigned threats on here. I do, indeed, disagree with not the content of most of your posts, but the way you just barge in and spin each comment to be at least halfway insulting or demeaning. And to speak about me personally as if you know me? Uncalled for. I never pretended to be God's gift to basketball knowledge. 99% of my posts are in support of a team or individual. I don't generally delve into technical jargon. But your attitude of "hit 'em when they're down" is just childish. And I guess I shouldn't have told you to "shut up". That was childish of me. Friends?

Elizabeth Trentham, Jacobi Lynn, and Allie Coleman from McMinn Central. Blake Lamb and #40 from Grainger. I can't remember all of them. Kayla Marosites from Elizabethton won Miss Basketball. Personally, I thought Callie Hackett should have won. She's been incredible the past 4 years. If she hadn't have gotten hurt, things may have been different. The Marosites girl deserves it though from what I've seen and read. Anna Hamacker is something else from CAK as well. A good group. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jacobi Lynn from Central on the ballot next year.

I thought I made myself clear in the post. I'll repeat: all you do is wait until things are clearly going one way and bad mouth. If that makes you think you know what you are talking about, enjoy that life. And the second part: Shut up. Also, I'll ask you for the third time. Who are you? You talk about me on here like you know me.

All you do is bad mouth. Shut up.

39 all. 6 minutes left.

Her name slipped my mind. I thought I included it last night. My mistake.

I will. I've looked too. ESPN can't post their top 10s because of copyright issues so they're hard to find.

No sir. No slight taken. I've heard rumors that that play was 6 on SportSCenter Top 10 plays yesterday, but I haven't seen any evidence of it. Thinking it was just a joke. I'd like to see a clip of it again though. I asked her about it after the game, and she said she had to do it. That the girl was gonna draw a charge on her If she didn't do something.

Agreed. I was just saying yesterday that her exposure this weekend will most likely get her on the ballot next year. She's a special player with way more to show. She's still maturing crazy as it sounds. HOWEVER, that whole team is special. Those senior girls especially, Elizabeth Trentham, Allie Coleman, Jessie Truelove, and Codi Tillman are so special. And tough. JT and I were joking today about how the program lists her at 5'7". (She's every bit of 4'11" maybe). But her heart and her work ethic are 7'7" in my opinion. I'm so proud of them. Those 4 seniors were part of my first teaching class. All in the same period. All in the same row. And none of them ever shut up! I hope tomorrow they can accomplish the goal they set 4 years ago. Go Big Blue.

You're exactly right. It would have been hard to blame anybody for chalking it up for E Ton in AA but the field was so deep this year. You'd be crazy to bet against Blackman vs any team the country almost.

I teach/have taught almost all of the girls for Central. They didn't take too kindly earlier in the week when I said I was worried about E Town if we had to see them. I didn't mean we couldn't beat them, but that it would be tough (obviously). We won't see them. Nobody fights harder than those girls and I won't expect any less tomorrow night. I'm so proud of them already. They have the heart and guts to take it to them, and for that, I say Central wins. Glory, go ahead and talk about how big of a "homer" I am.

Can they handle MLK? Can MLK run with them for 32 minutes and handle the press?

What a team they are. They'll be back just as strong next year. It's dang hard to win 2 in a row in AA.

Looking like McMinn Central vs MLK for the gold ball tomorrow. Who's gonna start the thread?

Central up 18-10 after 1. 5 fouls called on Central. None on Grainger.

Ultimately, nobody forced her to go anywhere. She went where she wanted to go. There is a rich tradition at Central, and all of her friends played there. Who could blame her for going there?

She's unreal. She played a good, unselfish game with a little bit of flash. One of the better games I've seen her play since last year. Allie Coleman and Jessie Truelove were real difference makers tonight. Elizabeth Trentham too. We're gonna have to shoot a TON better to beat Grainger. Not our best game by a long shot.