dgeeman

Seriously BigENS, You gotta do the math on this one. We lost 3 senior starters last year which accounted for 75% of our points, one player that would have started defected to LaVergne, one to Nashville Central, and two decided to quit. We definitely got some new faces...a lot of freshman which bodes well for the future if they stay around...hopefully we'll compete but we'll take a little love from you anytime we we can get it! That being said....gotta have at least 3 new faces in the lineup this year!!! I like the new Big Guy! Basketball season starts in 6 more days! Go Eagles! And keeping it clean!

Cancel the league tournament...all games cancelled tomorrow.

Well, I hope it won't be your last post thundercat. I don't know that I really seen any blatant disrespect for any teams just yet. Bottom line is that most of the teams on each side of the WEST or EAST/MID will play their games vs region and non-region opponents and hope at the end of the season they hold one of the coveted spots to vie for a spot in the State Tournament...once you are one of those teams then you hold the key to become the State Champion for Division II - A. We don't hear a lot about Knox Webb, however, would love to hear more. I know they have Burton Sampson who is an awesome player...I saw him last year almost pull a victory from Ezell by nailing consecutive 3 pt shots within less than 30 secs of each other...a fallen clipboard was the difference in that game. However was really impressed with the other half of that combination as well..he likes to drive somebody help me out. They will be in the mix for sure you are absolutely right. And they have no problem re-loaded year after year. Hey here's a question for you out there...I am not sure if this is only new for the East/Mid but how will the divisions affect the season and who out there knows how the end of the season playoffs are affected? Somebody throw out the new divisions per the East/Mid. Hey just a heads-up a few of our DII-A players are wrapping up a nice little tune-up league out at CPA tomorrow Saturday October 27th. Game are from 9am to 1pm. Some of the top scorers from the Division II-A players include: Rob Marberry FRA 32.0 /pg Carson Outlaw DCA 14.8 /pg Liam Nash USN 14.0 /pg Austin Gee Ezell-Harding 12.6 /pg Well we are only a couple of weeks away... Keep it clean! Gman

'Blasphemy DCaNation! Here's a quote before the State Tourney! Bottom line is the hottest team wins!!! And yall ca rry the hottest win streak in Div II-A. There is your love! But this is after FRA was knocked off. You got to admit you would not expect a team that finished @ 6th in their Region to make such a incredible run. You have the hottest team DCA who has won 5 straight post season victories they have to be the favorite. USN and Harding have 2 straight post season wins. And Knox Webb traveled west to knock off the #1 seed in the West. If all these teams aren't believing they can win it all...then they should be there. Hopefully it will boil down to who is playing the best this weekend and not dependent on those guys in the stripes. May the best team win! gman You guys still have a good nucleus of players left. The return of the Joy will help with the loss of your senior guards so it may very well be a very dominant East/Middle Division again this season in the State Tournament. Been watching the Outlaw boy play on Saturdays...a good player but a better young man. Been getting tired of watching the oblong ball outside...ready for some round ball! Keeping it Clean! Gman

Not bad BigEns...should let you moderate this post. I think I'll just throw in a few lines and hope some others want to join in. Gonna soften it up a little to keep things more positive. Briarcrest. BA has talent but horrible coaching, MBA has great coaching but not alot of talent. JPII has some talent and a decent coach, I like JP II and the coach a class act...they have been young but with some kids who have matured and their style of play...much like your team I think. You are right, " they will be fun to watch." Nichols is a beast and they could give us a run. Your league from what I saw this summer will be FRA hands down out of the East with no one coming close. I agree with you here...I thought they were the team to beat last year but with maturing guards and all their big guys they have to be the favorites. Marberry is a special player and is starting to want it which is going to be scary. I have seen enough of Rob Marberry lately and you're right he's hungry and his coach loves to feed him...so look for huge numbers this year from Rob. Knox Webb is well coached and has some decent talent so they could make a little run. USN has the Nash kid who will score in bunches but no supporting cast. Also have a new coach. DCA lost alot but has a nice core with Joy, Ewin, and Outlaw back. Out west Lausanne has Payne but lose their fair share of games. ECS is HUGE and I would love to see a Rob M vs. Skal L matchup. Harding has an awesome coach so you can never count them out. I think you are right on with some of your commentary here. It's gonna be fun to play against some of these teams....we'll check with you again after a few games are in the bag. Till then....keep it clean!

Funny BigENS! It took the Wise Owl 1,2,3 licks to get to the center of tootsie pop and you usually just one post to make it to the center of controversy. We'll be looking forward to some of your enlightening posts throughout. It's almost like you are chomping at the bits to at some of our boys! I'm not gonna stray much from our division but will a little for your sake on this one post. I would say your team has a good chance to repeat in DII-AA this year and actually got a chance to watch a few of the 16's play with the Franklin Fury this summer Trent Holt and Brycen Hopkins (both good kids)...where is your competition coming from this season?

Well official practices are about 2 weeks away and games about 1 month away. There are a lot of questions to be answered, predictions, and dreams. We'll throw out a few for everyone to think about and we'll look for some clean, good-natured kind of comments. This will be my last year to moderate this line of postings cause my boy is a senior (sniff, sniff) I made a good call about DCA being a "Team of Destiny" from 6th in the Region to State Champions I don't think anyone saw that coming but maybe a handful of DCA faithfuls...but that was last year and this...is this year...so what do you think? Will the Middle/East Region dominate the West in the State Tournament in 2013? What do you think about the new divisions in both of the Regions? What teams will be impacted the most by the Graduation Class of 2012? Who are the new coaches this season? Who are the key players for each team? Early season "key matchups"? How many posts will it take before "Big ENS" chirps in? (How many licks does it take to get to the center of a "Tootsie Pop"?) Well there is a few questions to get us started...throw out a few more if you gottem! Will look for some great posts throughout the year. Keeping them clean for another season. Gman

Whoo Smokestack that would be an excellent choice. Young Ron Sarver would be an awesome choice for that position. His dad the architect of Ronnies Runts. Got to play basketball with Old man Ronnie Sarver years ago in the church league...he was quite the player in his older age as he was a coach. Young Ronnie is a great young man...known him for a long time and he gave a tooth in their run at Ezell in his senior year to help his team win a State Championship...the onley one we have ever had. He gets my vote. Gman

WELL I WAS RIGHT! DCA MET IT'S DATE WITH DESTINY ON SATURDAY! DIVISION II-A BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WILDCATS!

Well it looks like an all Mid/East finish in the Championship games at Lipscomb University on Saturday. A little bonus coverage on the Lady's side although this is a Boys post. The first game was pretty close in the Fayette vs FRA game until late. Derica Wyatt did her thing ... but so proud of Kennedi Bell (Kessler's sister) who scored 8 pts in the 4th quarter to help her team advance to the Championship. While on the subject of the ladies, Knox Webb took advantage of our poor shooting Lady Eagles to advance to the rematch of last years game and this year's Region Championship game. This one is gonna be a coin toss as both teams have flipped-flopped victories over the past year. On the boys side...the two quickest teams advance to the Championship on Saturday. In the first game, USN used a strong performance by Ross Welch and a very aggressive full court press to vanish a 8 pt Harding lead at half time. This year's Region MVP used a variety of shots and drives to the basket to secure the victory. USN's post player Sheldon Freeman also had a superb game in the paint. The night-cap again saw the Wildcats use another one of their nine lives to advance. The Wildcats had balanced scoring and with ball game tied late in the game the Wildcats used a missed free throw to win the game. Carson Outlaw goes to the line and misses the shot to the left side...not sure how he did this but as the ball comes off the rim...the Outlaw boy is there to put the ball into the goal and give the Wildcats a 2 pt lead. It comes down to the last 16 sec of the game with Knox Webb behind with the ball. There is a Sampson miss, a missed put back, and the next thing you know...DCA has made the finals...could they be the team of DESTINY? The boys final should be a good one. USN won the first game during the regular season, DCA won the Region Tourney Game...this one is for "all the marbles" Yall let me know if I left out any details...I know you will! But keep it clean! Gman

Asitis, Always love your prospective of the game...you're a man after my own heart. Hey email me at dgeeman@juno.com and let me know who you are? Unless you would like to post it on the board. There are a lot of side stories to every game and team. USN has the emergence of the Nash kid, the return of Hodge, and the Former DCA standout Welch (player of the year) who sat out last year ... seems to have been worth it. While DCA counters with it's senior and the Outlaw boy who has virtually came from obscurity to lead the Wildcats. And Knox Webb who may be the unknown from East Tennessee led by Jr All Region player Burton Sampson. Luckily for me I will be at the games first to video our Lady Eagles then maybe to take a few of the guys games in tomorrow. Asitis, thanks for remaining positive throughout. All losses are tough! Luckily I have another year of basketball watching... Keeping it clean, Gman

I wish I had an answer for you on that one but I tell you one thing is for sure Harding's chances against USN are alot better than Ezell's and FRA's. Kidding aside, I never got a chance to see Harding play but they narrowly lost to FRA and then narrowly beat FRA so they must be pretty good...it looks like you have 4 teams trying for the title. You have the hottest team DCA who has won 5 straight post season victories they have to be the favorite. USN and Harding have 2 straight post season wins. And Knox Webb traveled west to knock off the #1 seed in the West. If all these teams aren't believing they can win it all...then they should be there. Hopefully it will boil down to who is playing the best this weekend and not dependent on those guys in the stripes. May the best team win! gman

Wow! Well it was almost near dominance of the Mid/East and I did not see this coming at all. I would not have thought FRA the runner-ups from last years title game would be missing. While I would have loved to see our Eagles there, I believe the DCA Wildcats might be a team of destiny, with more lives than the common alley cat. USN and Knox Webb advancing against what I thought would have been a powerful 1-2 out west...not sure if anyone saw this coming. Asitis...it's a shame that we are now only commentators or maybe "common taters" anyone want to shine a light on what happened out west and it looks like Harding holds the hopes for respect for yall cross the Tennessee River. They knocked off who I thought was a favorite this season so don't take them lightly Mid/East guys! Good luck to all! Hope to see ya at Lipscomb this weekend. Gman

Thanks Wildcatdad! That's the kinda post I really like to see. Cause it is the players that is what is all about. Enough sniping and pot shots on the posters. I was thinking today that maybe if there wasn't so much anomynity in Coacht if the posts might be a little nicer in the long run. Thanks for letting me know he's a junior...we'll be working on those homesick letters for next year. It's a great story! Thanks for sharing.

A little bonus coverage from the Gman now that unfortunately his boys team is out of the hunt some independent coverage from the DII-A Mid/East Regional. Well I got to spend a lot of time watching basketball last weekend by filming Ezell Harding's Girls team. Just a little about the girls before talking about the boys. The girls side appears almost even after the games were played. I understand the FRA girls struggled a little in the first game before gaining the "V" and in the second game...after leading most of the game the Knox Webb girls came out on top of our Lady Eagles. On Saturday's contest it took a last second shot by Tanginique Nowlin for the Lady Eagles to get third place and Knox Webb girls team took advantage of a poor shooting FRA team to win the crown. The boys games on Friday found the FRA boys winning a slow down game vs Knox Webb. A strong performance by Tori Smith got FRA the victory. DCA led from the beginning in the nightcap using a good defense and strong shooting performances from Josh Erickson and Mr. Outlaw to win. Obviously proving their point that they belong at the Region by beating Ezell #3 and now USN #2. On Saturday the two-headed combination of Nash and Welch led USN to a third place finish. The finale pitted DCA and FRA, in their 3rd contest for this season. The rubber game for the Region Tournament Championship. Like Gee and Like Welch before in games vs DCA, Rob Marberry one of key players got into early foul trouble. Makes me think this team of DCA could be a team of destiny. The game pretty much went back and forth the entire game. But with Marberry out of the picture the Tournament MVP Carson Outlaw seemed to be given the chance to lead the Wildcats to victory. FRA missed some key foul shots down the stretch which opened the door for the DCA win. Gotta give credit to the Wildcats, with the Crazies that they have following them, they are poised to make run into the state tournament. I have heard the story behind Carson Outlaw, but I would appreciate someone close to DCA telling the whole truth behind the young man and his "Tebow-like and Lin-like" rise to the top of the Divsion II-A players. I think it is an awesome story worth sharing. I think there is a good chance these two teams might meet again. So fair warning watch out what you say...Panther and Wildcat fans...you don't want to post anything that might serve as Locker Room material. Here is some video taken of the boys who brought some hardware home. Keep it clean! Gman

Well thanks boogie and I try to be...however I have my times in the stands like many do. Just ask the folks around me during the games. Usually if real bad ... apologies follow. Christian Schools should represent themselves better I believe and though better than most public schools certainly most of the times not as good as we should be considering the reason our schools should exist...to Glorify God. Please Again No Pot Shots cause I know I need to work on many of my "being a better example" I'm a work in process! Gman

Well I would definitely be lying if I said the game on Monday did not hurt a little. Much was decided early in the game. I love this picture...please take a look at it...it is a perfect example of "point of view" in life and believe it or not on a basketball court. http://gs60.photobucket.com/groups/h33/A08W9ERXDG/?action=view&current=oldlady.jpg From an Ezell perspective/dad's... a lot was taken away from the team when Austin was called for two fouls in the first 4 minutes...that was big! (my video taken doesn't reflect a foul either time. Colin Johnston as a result had a huge game I thought. Love that kid..but glad he is a senior. Even Austin's 3rd foul in the beginning of the 3rd quarter was questionable too! (got video to back that up) Please no pot shots! There's no sour grapes here! After the game I did tell congrats to Coach Ramsey, Josh E., and Colin J, all whom have my utmost respect. Only the point that everyone has their own point of view on situations. To the DCA fan, they see the officials as making great calls, their kids quicker to the ball, playing physical basketball, and their coach a winner! To the Ezell fan the refs were awful, (Oh and unfortunately I did yell and certainly directed at the refs) and not the DCA players) our players were getting hammered, and our players never had a chance, and our Coach never had a chance to coach on a level playing field. So you have the Eagles point of view, the Wildcats point of view, and of course the officials point of view. Each probably has some of the best points of view at one time or another...but never the best perspective all the time. I would love to be at Webb this weekend watching my son play...there's no doubt about that. To all my friends with FRA, DCA, and USN the best of luck to you all. Yall carry the Flags for the East/Mid Region. To the guys out West yall continue to keep us in the know! Look forward to reading the posts coming out from the two Regions and look forward to seeing some games I guess at Lipscomb in a few weeks! Oh by the way..gonna send a little love to my son Austin. Even though often hammered, slapped at, and elbowed...really proud that when whistled for especially non fouls that he has kept his cool and maintained a good perspective and attitude. Of course not always perfect he still remains my favorite player to watch. Got tickled when our announcer called him Austin "Jeremy Lin" Gee at the foul line. Glad we have another season. Keep it fun fellas! It's just basketball. Keep it Clean! The Gman

Well Austin falls just short of the tops of the point getters but since I introduced Corey and Zach enough was said about the Ezell Boys. Rob falls a little short when looking at performance (and I am talking about scoring only vs the top 6 teams) in the East/Mid division. But like I said you really have to look at the team dynamics if you are gonna look at what each player means to the team. Rob at 6'7 is certainly intimidating in the paint, Austin does great beating the press, and we could probably go down the line and determine that beyond scoring what the others bring to their individual teams.

oh yes though you probably figured this out that the previous post would only apply to East/Mid Region. You guys out west know what is best out that way. You know it is really okay to promote the kids you know..as their fans are the best to know. No need to tear down any player/parent for that. My opinion and that's all I'm gonna say about that. Peace and love, Gman

Remember BigENS you invited me to this dance. All the players mentioned thus far have played well at times, some quite remarkably at times and others just being the humans they are. I would say the most unfortunate thing is that the POST SEASON HONORS like Mr. Basketball are decided prior to the dance which unfortunately may leave out the "Belle of the Ball" like in Steven Kasper's situation last year off the dance floor. Based on the finish...Kasper would have gotten my vote for Mr. Basketball. The thing with D-IIA is that there are really only about the top 6 teams that most teams should play there starters the majority of the game. If you take the performance of the players to be considered you will find the following results for their games against FRA, EHCS, DCA, Knox W, MJCA, and DCA. Teague (EHCS) 18 Burton Sampson (KW) 17 (info from 2 games only) Nash (USN) 16.25 (Does not include KW) Jenkins (EHCS) 15.0 Wankel (MJCA) 14.6 Bell (FRA) 14.2 Welch (USN) 13.75 (Does not include KW) Of course this is only one offensive stat...but one a lot of people focus on. Speaking for Corey Teague because no one else will...he has turned in a great season along with Zach Jenkins in leading this Ezell Harding team to finish in 3rd place just as last year's team did. Without their leadership Ezell would not be where they are today. They may not get recognition for Tennessee's Mr. Basketball but they sure should get some love from all of our Ezell Harding fans. Please keep in mind scoring is only a part of what Mr. Basketball should represent. Basketball is a lot more that just scoring. Since Mr. Glover won it last year...he's a strong favorite to win it again I would say. But you never know.

ENS just helping us out with our post numbers...thanks big guy. Well naturally I was at the game as well and Boogie's comments are pretty much on the cue. Though speaking from the Gee camp my son struggled a little..not used to shooting with trees and limbs in front of the goal. FRA is as good as everyone says. Personally I think a more solid team that last year's especially with the playing time that Bouldin, Bell, Cannon, and Marberry are getting now. The development of Bryant, Smith and Ponchilla throughout this season now gives them a little more depth and have to seen as the frontrunners to win the Mid/East and make it to the State Tourney as well. Ezell was as close as 1 pt down going into the 4th quarter. Down the stretch some great play and coaching and late fouling gave the Panthers their 12 pt differential. On this night the Panthers had a lot of weapons. Ponchilla did well off the bench and thought Cannon played great during one stretch...just seemed like someone stepped up all during the night for FRA which prevented any type of comeback for the Eagles. Ezell got a nice effort from freshman Jake Hammond who hit a couple of 3's but too many turnovers and missed opportunities prevented Ezell from a possible upset. Zach Jenkins and Corey Teague continue to lead the Eagles in this their senior season...Go Eagles! Good seeing the FRA friends and I hope the next time might be in the finals of the Region Tourney. FRA will decide their fate in the next week or so by playing Knox Webb and DCA and will have a lot to do in determining who comes in 2,3,4th places. Keeping it clean! Gman

Lucky to win, unlucky to lose, the Ezell boys were due a "V" from DCA in the close ones they lost last year. Despite the great shot from Wolfe to tie in OT Coach Farmer is credited with the "v". My congrats to the Ezell team for breaking the streak vs DCA. Was great game played with a lot of emotions...and in the end with the exception of the late ejection...all the players seemed to have mutual admiration for one another and left proud that they all had done the best they could for their teams. That's what HS basketball should be all about. But like I say...if you look at what you have done yesterday was something good...it means you have not done anything good today. Go Eagles! Gman

Well the game turned out to be just as expected, one full of ups and downs for both teams. And the funny thing is the one kid I failed to mention in any of my posts that I know... Brett Wolfe... a baseball player for DCA whose dad coached Austin when he was 6 years old almost became a near hero last night. Fans for DCA went absolutely nuts when Brett hit his three to time the game to send it to overtime. Here is the scoop on Brett from his dad. Brett joined the DCA team mainly because he just loves to play. He actually played in the JV game and enjoys that the most. However last night's game with DCA's starters in foul trouble Brett was almost able to become DCA's hero last night. Below are his two shots. However in the Overtime period the Eagles beat the Wildcats in a close one! The final margin Ezell Harding Christian School 79-77.

I love that Johnston kid for DCA. He's always been a very solid defender and consistent player for DCA since Middle School. Be glad when he graduates this year. My wife taught Josh Erickson in Kindergarten and you know what they say about that...everyone learns everything they know in Kindergarten. And personally I would love to see the Kyle and Chris Kennedy on the floor as well...but that is all that really needs to be said about! As Asitis always says old things don't need to brought up. We'd be crazy to count the DCA game as a win...as Ezell's season goes we have to play well to beat any team. It should be a great game on Friday but as everyone knows a foul here or there or a hot hand will make the difference in a win or a loss. GO Ezell! Keeping it clean! Gman

Hey Asitis! Been enjoying your posts! Nope I don't think two districts apply for basketball. From all the posting it seems the only thing left to decide in our Region is who is coming in 2nd Place. Wow yall in the West seem to be wide open! I think it will be interesting on both sides how everything turns out it sounds. Take care! Gman