hoopnation

I think it's too early to give CSAS one for the books. Both teams lost part of a core squad, but still have talent left. Since its so early, we won't see a lot of execution like we will later in the season. This game will be decided off who rebounds and score off of the 50/50 balls. I think I'll attend this game myself.

CSAS handled Lookout Valley last year in the Region semifinals. Lookout Valley was a 2-man team last year, losing Delaney Heathington. William Long will be alone this year and will need a lot of help from his supporting cast. I don't think he is enough of a 1-man show to take them all the way to state. CSAS was everywhere last year between the distribution of points. They lost a guard and their best player, Johnathan Kurtz. Towards the end of the season, Frank Brogden lessened his scoring role as Patrick Taylor, Chaison Gordon, and Johnathan Kurtz filled up their scoring stats. Loosing Johnathan's rebounding and presence will be big if they can't find players to fill his role. Grace Baptist lost their 1-man show and 3 point man. They have supporting players who will need to step it up BIG TIME if they want to contend with Boyd Buchannon, Copper Basin, or CSAS. It's always hard to predict high school basketball teams because you never know what players used the off-season effectively, what players will be big bust, or what players will breakthrough. Only time can tell with Chattanooga Class-A.

True, but you have to know the background and not just the foreground. CSAS has 2 Senior guards who have been apart of 2 Back-to back state apperances, 1 Substate apperance, and played along with 2 All-State players, which one player was named Player of the Year for Chattanooga. So you can't deny that they don't have "experience". Yes, the whole team isn't experienced, which would be impossible unless you have multiple seniors that were built into the program having premiere roles starting freshman and sophomore year. I'm not arguing in any fashion that they'll come out stomping teams and dominate in the state, but I am stating that you can't judge players based on knowledge and such if you haven't seen them grow first hand. CSAS should be able to handle their region and be close to a state level contender if they can their experienced players to spread the knowledge and build the experience level mindset for the younger players.

Saying that CSAS is "young and inexperienced" is totally false. They have to returning Starting guards, their lead point Chaison Gordon and SG Patrick Taylor, and also a returning forward Nick Moore to the starting line up. The judgement won't be of youth and inexperience, it will be how well their chemistry grows. They have a LOT of talent this year as I went to watch them in a pre season playday @ Marion County. Over the course of the season, I'm very sure they will grow together and will put together the pieces in order to become success and have a great year. The teams that are underestimated are usually the top dogs at the end.

Let me totally change my view because that sounded very biased. Dakota Hudson is infact a good little ball player. He doesn't have a future in college basketball but that doesnt mean he isn't an effective high school player. Any area team would love to have a 6'4" player on their squad. Although he isnt the best baller, he is a good baseball and definitely has a future their. As for Jamal Worthington, I had the opportunity to watch him at Marion County this weekend. It seems that he grows physically every year. His althletism is growing also and he seems comfortable and knows the game well. To be even more successful than he is now, he needs to work on his 3-pt jumper.

Sequachi lost Daniel Cartwright, Dakota Hudson doesnt match his caliber of play yet, he has much to learn to even be in this topic..

Don't get me wrong, Boyd has talent this year with Q and Hall Allen, but with out their ability to match the height of the other district teams, I just don't see shooting ability to be a factor. They need a post presence to stop teams. Also, rumors have spread that they are loosing senior guard John Hale due to his desire to play baseball. Silverdale lost Justin, Nate, and Stephen, 3 of there best players. I don't see Spencer Mossburg doing much by himself because he isn't extremely athletic enough to fare off against CSAS and Boyd alone. Copper Basin is always good competition because those boys bring good rough, physical games, but never have the talent or atheltism to dominate or beat the upper district teams. Grace lost Corey Nelson, their foundation. Is big man Austin Powell going to be enough? I don't think so. They lack the depth they've have in recent years. I'm giving the favor as of now to CSAS because of the returning player they have in Nick Moore, Brandon Houston, Patrick Taylor, and Chaison Gordon. Now, with that returning core, if they can add some addition height and a big man to their arsenal, it will be very tough for the district to keep up with their atheltism.

Well, Antonia is the best passing point as of right now. He has also shown good scoring ability in the Fall League as well as Stedmon did. Stedmon is quick and can pick defenders apart, but chucks up his share of bad shots and forces the issue sometimes although his team depends on him for his scoring. Sadik Spence has a good handle on the ball and was able to command his team last year. Now, the challenge will be how effective will he be passing wise without big man Trey Suttles because he was an inside presence for Sadik, but don't get me wrong, he has the ability to find more open people other than his bigs. So yes, those are a good 3 guards for Chattanooga. Like I said earlier, Chaison Gordon didn't look as comfortable at the beginning of the season last year but averaged 11 pts. in his last 6 games as a junior. I had the chance to watch him at a showcase at Carson Newman, he has picked up more Floor General abilities and has adapted the mid range game which he shoots very well from there. His dribbling ability has surpassed what it looked like last year and he looks more comfortable and knowledgeable about scoring and finding the open man. He'll be a talked about point guard this season along with Stedmon Ford, Antonio Jackson , Sadik Spence, Jamaal Calvin, William Long and Jorden Williams. This a good year for Chattanooga basketball once again, although this class isn't as exciting as the 2011 class, but they have their share of players to watch. Personally, I think the top teams to watch love this year would be McCallie, Baylor, Howard, Ootlewah, Notre Dame, CSAS, and East Hamilton.

So what Chattanooga Class-A teams are good to your knowledge?

Depends on what type of point. Antonia is the best passer and has stepped up his scoring abilities during the fall league ,Stedmon is a good shooter and scoring addition, Chaison is good defensively & off the dribble and creating his shot.

Anybody know any middle school standouts? CSAS has a really great player named Michael Malik Hampton, brother to Dontay Hampton of UTC Basketball team. Malik has a good handle on the ball and has some dribbling moves in his arsenal. Seeing him in action is truly a blessing to Chattanooga Middle School basketball. He is a young 7th grade guard who can shoot from 5 steps from the half court. One thing he has to work on is his attitude, other than that, EVERYBODY needs to see this extremely talented guard LIVE. He has a bright future on any team he decides to play for going into high school. Are there any others who completely "WOW" you?

Well maybe not top 10, yet but I've seen players like 6'0 Point Guard William Long from Lookout Valley, he's a good scorer and shooter. Also, Chaison Gordon 6'0 Point Guard from CSAS. I watched him play at Carson-Newman Basketball Showcase hosted by unapproved website back in late September. He has shown improvement from last season, being that his mid range game is becoming something lethal and he's showing more leadership at the lead guard position. I feel like his name will be out there this season and will be a talked about player. Similar to All-State and former player of the year guard Sharif Cobb from CSAS, neither guard was supreme at their position starting their junior year. Sharif eventually surpassed Alex Stallion's scoring and skill level. As for Chaison, he had a decent junior year, has shown exeptional improvement.

There are a lot of good young talents coming from Class-A in the state. Who are the standouts and soon to be breakthrough players?

Well, Grace loss their foundation , Corey Nelson. That said, they won't have any powerhouse scoring from that position because for two straight season they depended on him for scoring and getting the team hyped with his dunks. CSAS has traditonally been atop of that District and look to be District and Region Championships this year because the district will not be as strong and as tough as it has been for a while. CSAS has returning Point Guard Chaison Gordon and Shooting Guard Patrick Taylor. They are a tandem and good combo guard unity. I expect them to run through the district with no problem this year, the real challenge will come from the Region Tournament and how that plays out.

Well, you've got to look at CSAS as well. Two years ago, they lost All-State guards Alex Stallion and Sharif Cobb. Last year, they made it to Sub State and lost to Frienship Christian, only losing talented seniors. They were remodling and have some good senior guards this year having starters Patrick Taylor and Chaison Gordon returning for the upcoming season. Look for CSAS to be in the top half of Class A and back to their dominating years in the District and Region.