Cody

The game will be at the Roundhouse at 7. Those traveling will need to get there as early as possible. Lines start usually around 5, and it fills up fast. Visiting team fans generally sit behind the visiting bench all the way to the back. Thoughts?

Central Magnet will play at the Roundhouse at McMinn Central Monday night at 7. For those traveling, I would say get there as early as possible. A line will start probably around 5. Generally, visiting teams sit behind visiting team bench all the way to the back. This one should be fun.

I was still a student there in 2004. That game was amazing. Especially from the student section. I do believe a myth was started that night with everybody thinking it is so hot in the gym. It's usually perfect; I just think the air was broken that night.

When has Central played at Jackson County? Only times I've ever seen them play were in Murfreesboro and once at Central in sectionals, but those were over 10 years ago.

McMinn Central at the Roundhouse. Teams like Livingston and Cannon from 8AA know what I'm talking about. Catch the McMinn, Meigs, or Sequoyah games in the regular season, but if you really want an experience, be there for substate. A guaranteed classic almost every year between one of the 8AA teams. Never been to Cannon, but Livingston is one heck of an environment to play basketball. It's unreal over there.

My mistake. #31 is Savana Casteel. She's a talented sophomore. She's usually the 3rd (sometimes 4th) PG off the bench. Central is very deep in the PG position.

I believe you're talking about #3 Codi Tillman. She took the year off last year and has been injured most of the year. She's a great point guard and is really turning it on since she got healthy again.

That has been the issue with McMinn Central in the past. So many around here want to complain and say that we should have won more championships, but there was always just a more superior team. It's not easy winning a championship in AA.

As dominant as 8AA has been, the last team to win state from 8AA was Livingston in the 2003-2004 season. I'm by no means mocking them as they beat my alma mater, McMinn Central, but I wonder why it's been so long since an 8AA team has broken through and won a Gold Ball. It's been over 10 years. As strong as they always are, what has been the deal with none of them being able to break through?

I don't believe I would go so far to say they've reverted back because of one season. They lost 3 VERY experienced players from last years team that were core to their state championship team. Elizabeth Masengil 2 time Miss Basketball, Kelsey Young, and Sidni Williams. Kelsey Myers goes down again. A few key players quit for various reasons. Multiple freshman starting and playing mass minutes. You can't expect Central to be absolutely dominant every year. Yes, they're packed with talent, but it's mostly young talent with little big time experience. Give them a break. Will they be less productive without Coach Young? Maybe. But give them more than a year first for you to decide. They went 18-15 the year after the silver ball in 2004 and after losing a ton of senior talent. Yes, the next year gave tons of freshman talent but it took them a year or so to get it together. By the way, Sequoyah is really good team. Don't get me wrong, Cannon will wipe the floor with them in Madisonville this Saturday, but they are still good and that win vs Central was a long time coming. They have a good team with good seniors who finally got over on us. We'll be back. Just wait.

That game last night was one of the best high school basketball games I've ever seen. To be down 19 going into the 4th and almost pulling off the comeback? Incredible. My team lost, but WOW! What a game! Brainerd is a very good team. Good luck to them and Tyner going forward. It should be both of you going to state. I'm pulling for both going forward!

Betsy won the R1AA Region Championship vs Grainger 70-55 last year.

Jacobi Lynn at McMinn Central is lights out with 5 hands in her face. I'll have to get back to you on her percentage.

Those are all great choices. McMinn Central will let ya'll have one this year Won't be long till you see Jacobi Lynn's name on those ballots though so you better hurry up and win one!

You are right to an extent. However, Jacobi and Kelsey are guaranteed starters minus one game where Morgan made a statement starting all freshman. Allie Coleman is a very versatile rebounder and a great athletic post player who started most of the games. It's fair to say that they were missing 3 starters. No one ever knew if Treantham or Gray would start (though that isn't a problem anymore ) at the 5 sometimes and whether Peyton Williams, Hannah Cherry, Bailey Martin, or Emily Plaster (later on) would start but those 3 were pretty much a given, especially Jacobi and Kelsey. They were/are the two most skilled players on the team. All I know is that they are improving and getting more comfortable with each other. This may not be their year, but those freshman and the experience of the upperclassmen will be a force to be reckoned with for a few more years.

Apparently you didn't watch them play much. Kelsey Myers started almost every game and is the most athletic and arguably most complete player on the team. It was a HUGE loss when she went down. Allie Coleman has started at the post or 4 spot almost all year and has been huge on boards. Granted, Jessi Truelove doesn't play very much but when she's out there, she works her butt off and has experience as an upperclassman who has been varsity since her freshman year. There isn't much to say about Jacobi. She's one of the best players on any team in the area and a freshman to boot. The first time Central played Meigs @ Meigs (a very hostile setting just like the Roundhouse) they had all four of those girls and 3 of them started (Jacobi scoring 28). It makes perfect sense to mention them not being able to play when 3 of them contributed so much to the win at Meigs earlier. Especially when they only lost by 4 without them. If anything, that's a testament to how far that freshman class has come already. And you forget, that Meigs is one of the best A teams in the state. I'm cool with losing by 4 to them missing 3 starters.

I'm looking forward to seeing a MCentral/Tyner Region championship possibility. Would be one heck of a game!

You definitely can't give her any room! And even when you're in her face, she'll hit it half the time.

McMinn Central just beat #1 Knox Webb by 7 tonight. Maybe now the AP will give them some respect

McMinn Central just beat #1 Knox Webb by 7 tonight. Maybe now the AP will give them some respect

Don't count out McMinn Central

That's what I was thinking. But it's the only team in Tennessee with Howard in the name. They've been great the past couple years, but they are WAY down this year.

Are you looking at last years record?!? Howard is 3-11...and a lock for state?!

Just a mistype.....my bad.

I think McMinn Central should have at least been mentioned. 13-3 record. Losing to a very good AAA Lebanon by 7 who had 14 votes for the poll, #3 D-2 Knox Webb by 4 and to David Crockett early in the season missing 2 starters. They've beaten #5 D-2 Franklin Road Academy by 1, #7 A Meigs County rival by 4, #17 AA CSAS by 16, #18 AAA Alcoa by 24. Obviously just my opinion, but they are playing better than they did last year and were ranked all year last year.