dgeeman

Wow BigENS...that may be the nicest thing you have ever said in all the years I have been posting in CoachT. I've been checking in here and there throughout this season. Not much to talk about since the kid has moved on and that on top of that the growing pains of a young Ezell Harding team hasn't left too much to talk about from the Eagle camp. From what I can tell it could be an interesting finish for a state berth. Naturally would love to see all the teams from the East/Mid make it. Would expect BGA to be there...but they have to get the job done. Webb School of Knoxville the same. FRA needs a big game from their big guy. (losing Cooper really hurts this team) Big Rob has to play like the Mr. Basketball he should be. DCA always has a chance! Remember 2012! You guys give me someone to root for at Lipscomb! Good luck to all!

From the East side...look for these players to have a big impact from the Top 4 Schools from the past. Someone has got to give me little help from the newcomers BGA and Friendship Christian. FRA loses starters Chance Bouldin and Kessler Bell. Finally you might get a chance to see players like Tori Smith, Kenny Cooper, and Rob Marberry put up some huge numbers with the need to put in more playing time for FRA to stay competitive throughout the season. DCA loses Carson Outlaw, Joshua Joy, and D Ewin...look for Clay Hertel, Jake Singer, and Shannon Fayne to carry the boys in blue. Knox Webb seems to always be strong. With Burton Sampson gone...look for Austin Cox and Justin Jenkins to lead the guys in green this season. Finally, Ezell will hope that the young guys grow up quickly. Those returning from last year's team that will be looked at to produce will be TJ Smith, Ryan Caldwell, and Al Batson. That is it for now. Good luck guys! We'll See you on the hardwood. Gman

Boogie, You make the Gman proud! Obviously with no longer a dog in the hunt...looks like to get this thing going or things stirred up enough to get BigENS involved. Kudos to the small privates so they get some recognition...often overlooked by the newspapers when it comes to post season accolades there are definitely some decent athletes to watch at this level for sure. While a few good players have left from last season...a few good players remain which should make for some good games throughout the season this year. Plus add in Friendship Christian and BGA...who knows what the season will bring. Even though my own son is at Maryville looking for PT at the next level because my wife is an Ezell Harding teacher I'll be at a number Eagle games when I can. Speaking of the Eagles, Coach Farmer is in his 3rd year as head coach and this year he has a lot of work to do. Gone from the team are 3 of the top scorers that accounted for 65% of the teams points. And he has a brutal schedule that his team playing Hendersonville, Centenniel, Huntington Prep, (yes that is national power Huntington Prep) FRA, JPII, Giles County, and MBA in the first 9 games. In the east...I like Knox Webb to take their division I look for Ezell, DCA, Friendship, and why not Sewanee to fill out the rest of the puzzle. In the other division...look for FRA and BGA (by default...don't know much about them) to benefit from a weaker side. USN loses their only threat this year...so it could be an interesting battle for the remaining places come tournament time. The West I would favor Skal and company at ECS to make it back to the state to take care of some unfinished business. Notable players ... I'll have to get back with you on that. Till then good luck to all the teams, parents, coaches, and players. Try to keep it on the cool side. Be nice to one another and treat others as you would want to be treated. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Gman ,

Well it's been quite a while since basketball season has wrapped up but was just wondering where some of the players in our division were going to play at the next level at. Austin Gee will be attending Division III Maryville College in the Fall. http://blogs.tennessean.com/high-school-sports/2013/05/21/ezell-hardings-gee-signs-with-maryville/ FRA graduated two of their big guys. Chance Bouldin will be at Division II Dominican and Kessler Bell is at Division II Flagler. I believe Carson Outlaw, DCA is going to Welch College and might be playing two sports. I think Gunter Miller, DA, is playing attending Centre College. Who am I missing? I am particularly interested in Joshua Joy...where is he attending next year? Oh...always forget about those guys in the East. Knox Webb's Burton Sampson is at Belmont. Help me out...who else is playing and where? Still keeping it clean! Gman

Well this is very well my first post under Boys Soccer and may very well be my last post as my son is playing his last few games as a high school athlete. All I can say is "Phew" as the spring sports are coming into their Region games now, Substate Games, and for some High School Graduations. It appears we are at a stretch where games must be played and they have to be played today! Just thought I would share with everyone the kinda messy game that went on when Ezell-Harding faced DCA on Saturday, May 4th, at DCA. It was pretty sloppy, pretty wet, and for the winners...maybe pretty neat. Ezell-Harding went on to Knox Webb and faced the Spartans yesterday, Tuesday, May 7th and lost to them in the District Championship game 1-2 in Double OT. Congratulations to Knox Webb, DCA, Kings Academy, and to our own Ezell-Harding Christian School Eagles on advancing to the Region and Good luck to all. Here's a look at the game from this photographer's/dad's perpective. Gman

BigEns, I will say that Dan Carter is a great man and a good coach and should not be confused with anything that has happened with our girls season this year...However in my mind I believe Coach Carter would have had the Girls team back to the State Championship this year if he would have been allowed to coach them. However, the rest of your questions really are not basketball related and deal with real people and life issues which...unless you are a minister, a loved one, counselor, etc...should only be praying for these folks and not looking to fuel a messages on a high school sports website. Because in all honesty...I am not perfect...no one is...so have compassion and love...eventually all of us are going to need to receive some sooner or later. Gman

Hey Boogie I was at the game... even sporting some FRA "Fan Gear". And not taking anything away from Lausanne but they were a very athletic and good team (obviously now that they are State Champions) but thought maybe some things should have or not have been done as far as FRA getting the win. Take something that I have seen from Coach Ramsey from DCA in the past. Seen him win a championship with only 5 guys one time and nearly take his DCA team this year as well using the same approach. Sometimes you have to let your best guys play...alot. Going 6 deep for this team would have been plenty as really none of them were in foul trouble throughout the game...Marberry did foul out but only after picking up a few late game fouls. I thought a few of your guys were out too long considering the situation. While rotating five in and out and subbing religiously throughout the season works well for Zion Christians, the Webfeets, and Riversides...not sure if the same approach you should have been used against this level of opponent or at tournament time. Please keep in mind this is easy for an Ezell parent like myself because we didn't have the depth of an FRA, Knox Webb, ECS, or Lausanne...and obviously a big reason why we were not there at the State Tournament. If needed I would have played the starters the whole game. Bottom line I thought the coach my have left himself open to some questioning with some substitutions during the game...this from an outsider who has not seen this team play but a couple of times...but just my opinion...who am I ... just a videographer without a game to video on that day... My opinion only... gman

Well the Regions have been played and the seeds were as expected in the East/Mid. No upsets, no surprises...but I can't answer for the West side. But here is what is going down for games this Saturday for a berth in the State Tournament. FRA vs FACS will find Franklin Road Academy hosting FACS Knox Webb vs Harding Academy will find the true Road Warriors Harding Academy who have to span almost the entire state to play the Spartans DCA vs Lausanne will find last year's State Champions with a chance to repeat traveling to Lausanne Ezell vs ECS basically a true David vs Goliath matchup While the Mid/East dominated the state tourney last year some are thinking that the West side might be a tad stronger. I guess we'll know in a few days. Good luck to all the teams who have made it this far! Keeping it clean! Gman

Praying that Austin will be able to play somewhere that will provide a great atmosphere, education, college experience, and a chance to play. A few colleges and jucos have contacted Austin...but the process is more complex than just an offer to play due to scholarships available, costs at schools, etc...We'll have to see what happens in April...but for now...it is about finishing the season strong. Go Eagles! See you at FRA this weekend...good luck to all the teams that are still alive. It doesn't happen all the time...but I feel that all the teams who deserve to be at the Region are there this weekend. Personally I would love to see all four of these teams at the State Tournament...there is just a lot of good players and parents from each team that I have actually come to love. Good luck everyone! Keeping it clean! Gman

Good job BigENS! You picked our Region perfectly! Just to test your basketball knowledge of late then who do you like in the Region. It looks like DCA vs FRA then Knox Webb vs Ezell. What seeds do you place on the teams in this division. Also I am curious to know who do you think will go with the boys II-AA group? 9aaFan...missed you last post...but you gotta know me by now...not gonna guess to much at predictions and stuff...while BigEns was pretty confident of his Region selections...I was not wrong either predicting that Davidson and USN was in the hunt and they were. On a personal note...so glad our boys overcame some questionable first half refereeing with a solid 2nd half performance. It was totally miserable watching the Region Tournament from the sideline last season. keeping it clean, Gman

Fan, The division is broken into a East and West District now. Ezell just won the coin flip so they are the #2 team from the east behind Knox Webb and followed by DCA, MJCA, SAS, and Kings. On thursday DCA hosts Kings and MJCA and SAS will play. Winners of those games advance to the District at Knox Webb on Friday and Saturday. Knox Webb plays the winner of MJCA and SAS and Ezell will take on the winner of DCA and Kings Academy. The West side of the division are playing at FRA has FRA #1, USN #2, probably Davidson #3 and the rest well your guess is good as mine. Three teams will advance from each district to play for a berth in the Region. I would assume that the top two teams of the district tournament get a bye, then 2 in the west will host 3 from the east and 2 in the east will host 3 in the west. The winners advance to the Region at FRA to determine 1,2,3,4 for the substate games. The season is almost coming to end for some and getting fun for others...Hoping Ezell's team is part of the last part of that season. keeping it clean and fun! Good luck to all the teams down the stretch. David

Or maybe I should have said partially right. So BigENS what kinda of report can you give us on the teams to the West? Or can you? Who can? Where my old buddies in the west from USN when we need them...don't care that your sons have graduated...tell us something ....about the West side of the state.

Hey! Well this time BigENS....we hope you are right!

Hey you know there is a good chance that FRA will make the State Tournament and very well should. At a minimum they have 3 Division I or II college players on their team. Everyone would be disappointed if they don't make it to the dance. Then you have about 5teams with a fighting chance to go to a sub state game in the other 3 spots. I think Knox Webb, Ezell, DCA, USN, and Davidson all appear to have a chance to make it to the Region Tournament and a chance to play in to the State Tournament. I think it was surprised everybody when there was only one west team in the State tournament and the team not to make it to the state last season was FRA. At this point...nothing can be assumed. The best 4 teams a the end of the season...advances to the Region. The others just stay at home and watch from the sidelines. BigEns...your gonna miss the message board next season! Admit it...and what are yall going to do without Corn? Keeping it clean! Gman

Thanks WarEagle and Boogie...we enjoy watching Austin as well . WarEagle the East/Mid has gone I think to the same format that the West used last year. The Region is divided into two sections. In one is Knox Webb, DCA, Ezell, MJCA, SAS, Kings Academy and I guess the other is FRA, Davidson, USN, Webb-Bellbuckle, Riverside, and Zion Christian. So I am referring to just our section (and this is probably not what it is called). I believe the top 3 teams in our division have wins over the others and both of us DCA and Ezell have losses to Knox Webb...so this is how I came up with battle for #2. Personally I would love to see the teams mentioned in the top 4...but you never know for sure. It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Not sure ... but it seems like I am talking to myself on this board lately...but since the fans asked...will give you a quick run down of the Ezell Harding - Knox Webb game last Friday. The 2nd quarter Webb outscored Ezell 23-12. I believe 8 of those points came in the 45 seconds that Austin Gee was out of the game after picking up his 3rd foul. Unfortunately by the time the kid got back in the game...the damage was done. I am pretty sure that Knox Webb had a huge rebounding advantage as our two big men only had 5 rebounds combined for the game, Austin had 6 by himself. One of our big men, like Austin was saddled with 3 fouls early too. Even with Burton Sampson hampered with 2 fouls early he managed to score 25 pts mostly in the interior. Justin Jenkins added 23 more around the basket as well. Bottom line they outscored us by 17 in the end. With the win...Knox Webb seems to be in the drivers seat with victories over us and DCA. I want to believe that FRA, DCA, Knox Webb, and Ezell-Harding will make it to the Region Tournament, however, as we know last year...the HOTTEST Team at the end of the season wins...hope it is us. Friday's game at DCA should be a good game and will go a long way to decide who might finish #2 on our side of the Division. On a side note for his career my son, Austin, will look to surpass the 500 assist mark in the game. With the 1,000 pt accomplishment earlier this season...500 assists...is good accomplishment as well. Or is it? Either way...we have been having a lot of fun watching him this senior season...what in the world am I gonna do next year? Anyone got any ideas? Sniff, sniff. Keeping it clean, but not very dry! Gman

Well FRA beat DCA last night 59-40. Amazingly the parking was a lot easier than I had expected. And I would venture to say that the Wildcats may have had as many fans as the Panthers last night. The match-up lost it's luster a little though when you noticed DCA's sparkplug Carson Outlaw on crutches and looking noticably good in Ezell Harding Crimson. Well for the first quarter it just looked like the pint-sized Wildcats might just give the Panthers a battle. However in the first half the whistle happy refs were calling everything and soon both bigs for DCA were quickly saddled with 3 fouls. Though the first half the calls were pretty even...the fouls on the FRA end were pretty much distributed among the mass of players that the coach plays and they looked to go at least 10 deep during the game. While Marberry seemed to struggle offensively he was still dominant in the paint swatting shots and using that long frame to grab a lot of rebounds, Flagger University bound and former Gym Rat Kessler Bell dominated the inside for the Panthers scoring a game high 19 pts to lead all scorers. Chance Bouldin and another Gym Rat also chipped in 14 knocking down a couple of 3's. Kenny Cooper added 10 pts and I thought Dalton Ponchillas (8) back to back 3's in the 3rd quarter prevented DCA from making any type of miracle run down the stretch. Tori Smith added 2 pts for the Panthers to complete the scoring. Got a chance to the Clay Hertel DCA's new guy on the block and though his shot was a little off (due to tall trees in the paint) he seems to be a good solid all-around player. Joshua Joy had a good game handling the point for the Wildcats he and Hertel shared high point honors for the Wildcats with 11. Warden (6) and D Ewin (4) were saddled with early fouls which may have affected their game but were good to play as many minutes as they did considering. Jake Singer I thought played fearless in driving to the basket and was rewarded with 8 pts for the game. I enjoyed seeing John Charlton on the court, a former Seeker...who says little guys can't play this game. The game was only 10 pts at the end of the 3rd quarter a 15-6 fourth quarter made the game appear more lopsided than it actually was. It is a nice change in watching other kids play...as a dad in the stands sometimes you get a little nervous and intense while rooting for your son and daughter, however, there is nothing better than watching your own play. Keeping it cool always and thanks for all you guys who have made the effort to say thanks for what this message board is all about or that I hope it is all about...cause it should be all about the players. Keeping it positive always... Gman

D-II A East/Middle Rivalry Week Well this week has some key matchups on the boys side. With DCA playing at FRA tonight and on Friday Knox Webb plays at Ezell. Someone says that DCA is minus one of their best players tonight. Knox Webb's game vs Ezell on Friday could put them in control of our division since they beat DCA at their place in December. It looks like the side of Ezell, DCA, and Knox Webb may be the strongest division in our Region. Who is gonna be the runner up in FRA's division? Any clues yet? Who are you for and who do you like? May have to go take a peak at the FRA vs DCA game tonight. Gman Gman

DCnation, Glad to hear from someone from DCA. Curious as to what you ran into up at Knox Webb. Are they beatable? (lol...everyone is beatable) Personally would hate to say any team is bad...not my style...but would rather say that USN has fallen on hard times. The past few years they have been blessed with some talent no doubt. Nilan Hodge, Ross Welch last year, along with Liam Nash were as good a trio of guards as you could have. Just like your DCA squad next year. The question might be how good will DCA be next year? We were less than 10 pts better than USN this year so like them...we are either rebuilding or reloading...that is yet to be seen. Nash is still a great player but for now they lack a good post player. They lost two huge guys that for some reason did not return. Tell us something about Knox Webb that we don't know about. That team in the East doesnt get a lot of talking...but it looks like they must have a pretty good squad. Gman Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hey Everyone! Well, I had to look back to 3 pages till I found this post. So let’s get this thing jumpstarted and keep it going to the end of the season. Don’t make me have to get BigENS involved to get the talking going. J The other day a parent asked me, “Where have you been dgeeman, I haven’t been able to keep up with our Region, you need to talk a little to keep us up on what’s going on in the Division II East/Middle Region. Well here I am and here I go. Well after a month worth of play…you can kinda get a feel of things to come…but don’t forget…it is never the start, and while the middle is good, the season is all about the finish to get the Gold Ball…just ask DCA. I don’t like talking about our team much…but at 5-5…it is about a much as we could expect for a team with so many new players. Our seniors are playing well. Zion Mckinney is doing a great job as our defensive stopper and Austin is doing a great job with the young guys. Two 1 pt losses to Hume Fogg were agonizing…but hopefully we can learn from both of those games. We did knock off previously undefeated Sewanee on Tuesday. We have a key matchup versus Davidson Academy tonight. Obviously FRA is playing well (5-2) , as they always do they play a tough preseason. A big win at Ensworth, losses to Father Ryan and JPII are their only blemishes. As they should be they are being led by their “bigs†Rob Marberry 15.6, Kessler Bell 12.3 and Chance Bouldin 11.7 and they are getting good output from Ponchilla, Cooper, and Smith. They have to be a favored team…however…around town…look for DCA to give them some trouble…they always do. So what about DCA…well it looks like they have found another player to add to their mix. Who is Clay Hertel? He is leading their team in scoring 15.8, Joshua Joy 15.0 and the newcomer of 2012 Carson Outlaw 13.9. DCA is 7-1 with only a narrow loss to Goodpasture early in the season. They have a huge game with Knox Webb tonight at Knox Webb. Though it is early it is a big game that could eventually put one of the teams in the drivers seat for the regular season championship…crazy to be saying that…but the truth is…both are among the few teams that actually have a chance. Knox Webb…I am gonna have to wait till we play them…but they are good! There is not going to be any doubt about it. Burton Sampson is a great player and the other guard has a lot of length and skill so we’ll know more after the DCA/Knox Webb game tonight. What is that guard's name I am thinking about? I will say that USN appears to have only two players…Hood and Nash. Without any big guys they will struggle. We (Ezell) only beat them by nine so I don't know what that says about us? Both are good players but without any support they will draw most of the attention of all the defenses. And Sewanee, well this team is much improved. They seem to have a little length and some pretty good guard play. Unlike previous teams our game actually went to the 4th quarter before the subs came out…that has been a little different than the past. That’s it for now…hope to see some talking. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Basketball Merry Christmas! Gman

Here is some of the scoring for FRA vs Smith Co. Kessler Bell 20 Chance Bouldin 9 Kenny Cooper 16 Connor DeJean 2 Rob Marberry 14 Dalton Ponchillia 11 Tori Smith 5 Wayne Tansil 2 I know in the previous game vs Hume Fogg Chance Bouldin scored 17 and Tori Smith had about 8 I believe. FRA was 20+ winners in both of their contests thus far. Congratulations to Kessler Bell for taking his game to the next level at Flagler University...which I believe is somewhere in South Florida. I saw Tori Smith last year in the game vs Knox Webb in semis of the Region lead his team to a victory...with Ponchilla and Cooper I think they are good with guard play.

Hey there DCAnation, Well while most of us have tipped off the season the little run yall are making in Football has delayed the start of your basketball season for a game or two or three. Wouldn't put it past you guys just to go ahead and finish ranked #4 in football and just decide to win another state championship with another miracle finish like in basketball last season. Good luck tonight vs Knox Webb as we know miracles do happen. In talking with Carson and Joshua I know they are chomping at the bits to play some round ball. Thanks for jumpstarting the talk on this thread. Well I wouldn't worry about USN too much, keep in mind they were playing a very good opponent in Hillsboro...I believe with their front line they are pretty far up the food chain. I believe they are ranked #8 in the midstate so that is a unfair game to make a judgement on. USN and Ezell I believe are in the same boat this season. It's called rebuilding for those underclassmen but for our two seniors it is called trying to leave the program something from which they can build on. For Liam at USN it is probably the same thing. Coach Sonn has a good looking team out at Goodpasture, their point guard, Jalen, I believe, Christian Lynn and Chris Kennedy (yall are familiar with Chris of course) played well and their big guy Trevor Randolph had an excellent game. And they went 10 deep without much loss. I think GP will show well this season..if they play like that every night. We are a very young team with 6 freshman of 12 that dress for varsity and a few jrs which are practically all new to the basketball program...there's a lot of learning going on...unfortunately because they are learning on the court...there's gonna be a lot of yelling...I would be disappointed if the coach was not yelling. Goodpasture was the better team on the floor last night. Though the outcome would have been the same, everybody on the Ezell side was yelling at the refs last night...me included. They were inconsistent, out of position, even gave us a few stupid calls, but seemed to like the guys in blue...that's why yall do so well when you play in our house... Doubt if Coach Farmer yelled at Coach Sonn. Too much respect there..but didn't see that...however I did notice that Coach Sonn was standing close to the sideline one time...so close that he grabbed a loose ball in the air right before one of his own players was about to save it...with some good slight of hand he might have picked my own son's pocket on a dribble or two last night. (just kidding) Hey and thank Coach Dismukes and the boys for coming out. We need the revenue. We actually subbed early in this game and their subs extended the lead...but it was easily a 20 pt win for them. All in all...it's all still good. I think yall will match up better against Goodpasture. Though you lost two key guards in Erickson and Johnston, you had Joshua all healed up, move Carson from 6th man to a starter and Voila! You guys don't have to rebuild but only re-load. Give me an update on that game on Monday.

While Ezell has gotten some kudos for its baseball fields in recent years we hardly match up to the fine campus that you have at Ensworth...though for the money in the area it does have a some nice things going for being the bargain priced private school in the area. Just trying to get the Big Guys good size. Gomer Pyle said it best, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." The Eagles open up with Coffee County on Tuesday! Glad the season is finally upon us. There are a lot of new faces at the school this year and many on the basketball team. At least three of them will be starting to go along with the two seniors left on the team. Keeping it clean! Gman

No actually I was referring to BigENS...he's the big guy I am talking about. I think he might be finding a soft spot for the Eagles . Hey maybe we could be the Ensworth of Antioch. Wonder if they will send us some extra money for a little extra construction! LOL this is getting away from basketball. Keeping it light and clean! Gman

The last game of the TN Prep Sports League was cancelled due to some of the teams turning in their rosters for their H.S. According to the commissioner it could have made some eligibility issues so he decide to err to caution and all the final games were cancelled. Enjoyed the league for the past 3 years...it certainly aids in getting the high schoolers ready for their upcoming season.