SLEDGEHAMMER

Tonight's game should be interesting. Van Buren has played well in spurts this year but needs to pick up a little more intensity on defense. Marion according to its schedule has played some tough teams in Howard and Cascade so it's record might cause the Eagles to overlook tonight's game. Boys, are you ready to play?

EAGLEPROTECTOR I looked at Van Buren's schedule and I am only guessing, but since you are new to CoachT you have not clicked on the blue "Full Schedule" at the bottom of the schedule that only list a few games. This will pull up a correct schedule for this year. If this is not what you are questioning, please be specific about what you think is wrong.

Hard to say without knowing much about Cumberland Co. Based on the few facts I know I believe it will be a interesting game to watch. 1. Van Buren has good size for a single A school. 2. Van Buren has already played a game and Cumberland Co. has not. 3. Cumberland Co splitting seems it would hurt the depth of their team. 4. Van Buren has been competitive with everyone they have played (including larger schools) in the last few years. I don't like to make predictions, but to answer your question, Yes I believe Van Buren can compete with Cumberland Co.

Thanks for the information Blueangel.

Thanks for the information Blueangel.

Not based on both team's schedules.

I don't know any of your fans but my statement was based on watching your fans. Fans can be loud and passionate and still be a class act. I have seen a lot of high school basketball games ( I guess that means I am getting old) and on Tuesday night the fans of Dekalb Co. were a class act. The players were physcial but not dirty. That's the way it is suppose to be done. I did not see any "Attitude" from the players either. Once again I will state my opionion, Both the fans and players were class acts.

Your team and your fans are both a class act. It also seems that Spiff has a smart friend. Good luck in future games.

I have heard a lot of talk about the high school splitting. How has this affected the basketball team? Will the school stay AAA? New Coaches? I would be like to hear from the fans and look forward to Friday's game.

Dekalb Co. wins by 2.

Tell us a little real information about Dekalb Co. (Sundrop, Spiff, Dctigerfan) Who will the starters be? Good height? Good speed? Good shooters? Van Buren did lose some starters but every team does nearly every year. What is the basis of the predictions? I only have one thing to say about tonight's game. It's the best time of the year- HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SEASON!!!!! Let the games begin.

Congradulations of the win. The Bledsoe boys play hard and will win many games. Good luck at Grundy. Hope you are right about your prediction.

As a fan of Van Buren basketball I would like to welcome all Middle Tennessee Christian players, coaches, and fans to the new district. We are in the same boat as your team matching up against programs we know little about. Your team looked good from the record from last year's record.. Friday's game should be interesting. I would welcome any information about your team (experience, size, playing style). Hope to see you there.

Thanks for the predictiion from Bledsoebtheboys, but have you seen MTCA play? They were a good team last year, this year is still unknown. Van Buren played a solid game last night. If they stay consistant the Eagles will be O.K. I heard Bledsoe lost a close one. Things will turn around soon. Good Luck in the future.

My error on the first half fouls. So the final fouls called was Bledsoe 28 Van Buren 16 (Bledsoebtheboys numbers) This looks lopsided on paper. Take away the 6 to 8 intential fouls by Bledsoe to put Van Buren on the freethrow line. Now the comparison is more like 22 to 16 or 20 to 16. The home team normally has less fouls called on them just like winning percentages for most teams is better at home than on the road. Bledsoe has a good team but Van Buren is not too shabby either. Yes, being at home is an advantage and Bledsoe will have that edge in the next game. I hope the Bledsoe team wins rest of their games (except one) and wish the Bledsoe fans a great season and a Happy Thanksgiving.

Congradulations to the Lady Eagles. Lauren, the best game I have ever seen you play. To the rest, good teamwork, hustle, and determination. To the Bledsoe girls and fans, You have a very talented team and will be a force this year. Have a great season.

I think you may be leaving a little bit of detail out. Between 6 to 8 of the fouls against Bledsoe in the second half was intential fouls at the end of the game to put Van Buren on the line to shoot free throws. And the foul count in the first half was in favor of Bledsoe. I will agree the officiating was weak. Van Buren does not have to live up to any hype. As the owner of the Oakland Raiders used to say "Just Win Baby!"

If you are referring to the district picks in the nashville newspaper, read the article very closely. Players were mentioned about some of the teams, the number of returning starters for many teams were mentioned, but what was said about Van Buren? I don't believe anything. It is much easier to rank teams in the top of the district if you know something about them. If you don't know anything about them it is easier to rank them in the middle. By the way I don't believe Van Buren was picked very high in the district they just left last year. Van Buren played some good teams last year in that district. I have watched Van Buren for quite a few years. This year's team has the potential to be good. Time will tell if fourth in the district was justified. Have a good basketball season Billy Bob!

Van Buren vs Clay Co. could be a blowout, a close game, or an upset. It is easy to think you are good. You must prove you are good each night. Both teams have enough quality players and good coaching. As far as being over-rated, I have not seen any official ratings of either team. If we knew ahead of time who is going to win, I would not spend good money to get in the game.

"At this point" does not mean at any point. "At this point" means with 2 games played at the beginning of this season compared to 2 games played as of last season. English is such a difficult language!

Very true, VanBurenEagle. You have to not look past those teams (Hermitage Springs) that have speed and coordination. Very true, VanBurenEagle. You have to not look past those teams (Hermitage Springs) that have speed and coordination.

Congradulations Eagles on the opening game win. One of the better all-round games from Van Buren I have seen. Lookout Valley missed some easy shots and terrible from the free-throw line. They have good athletes and will be a force before the season is over. Low-post defense, crisp execution on offense, and rebounding were excellent from the Eagles for an opening game. Next up, Hermitage Springs or should I say Hermitage Speed?

Van Buren players not very cordinated? If I remember from last year they had enough cordination to win against Hermitage Springs and only one starter was replaced from last year. And unless "Speedy Gonzolas" and his family has moved into your area since last year I don't think your speed will intimidate everyone.

This most exciting time of the year begins tonight. Let's fill the gym in support of the Eagles. Time to find out if the Eagles will be flying high or looking for a place to land. Does anyone from Van Buren or Lookout Valley have insight or predictions on tonight's game? Please engage brain before making comments.

Let's see now! 1. Does not like the district tournament held at Van Buren. 2. Has never seen a good referee. 3. Too far to travel to watch a basketball game. Doesn't sound like "whining" to me.