Glory

I've been reading this thread and laughing at the comments of some people, especially this one. A friend of mine who played college ball has a son playing in the tourney. He only watched White County play one game (beating McMinn Co. in a blowout) yet he predicted Bradley would beat White Co. by double digits. I was surprised and questioned why he thought that and he said Bradley was better coached and had better basketball skills. You said "if" not for the foul trouble White Co. would be playing WV tonight. Well, the reason for the foul trouble was because White County finally played a team with better coaching and skills, causing White County to struggle stopping Bradley. And remember that Bradley beat White County by 12 points!!!!! It wasn't like White County had a chance at the end of the game to tie it, or even come close. Whether Bradley wins tonight or not, I doubt if they win their substate game. And if they do, they'll lose in the first round at State. That's a visual that White County fans need to realize; you had a good team that built their resume on a soft schedule, and the first solid team you played beat you. Losing to Bradley only saved you from getting beat even worse by some team in State., so be thankful. It's as simple as that. End of story.

Dist. 8AA used to be Coach Morgan's nemesis, but he started getting girls from the McMinn Fire (AAU) program and the worm started turning about 10 years ago in his battle against that district. He's gone 7-2 in substate play against 8AA teams the last 10 years. All but one of those substate games have been in the Round House (he won at Cannon Co. in 2010). Ironically, his only recent substate loss at the Round House was in 2013 to Cannon Co., 57-56 with the questionable (to most Central fans) 3 point shot at the buzzer by Cannon Co. Morgan is 1-1 against 8AA teams in state play the last 10 years, beating Cannon Co. in 2011, and losing to Livingston in 2009.

Not since 2007 That was in 2009

McMinn Central beat Sequoyah for the Reg. 3AA Championship. Which team will travel to the Round House Saturday night?

I haven't seen them play this year, but they're a very solid team and have earned their current #1 ranking. The question for them - or any team that makes it to State - is can they put together 3 good games in a row, in back to back days against very good competition to win State.

Why did I say what?

Finally, a voice of sanity. I live over 150 miles from Elizabethton and support an AA girls team (McMinn Central) that should be in the state tourney and may play against Elizabethton, yet I don't see any serious problem with what Elizabethton's coach did. It was minor indeed, and something that any coach could do without second thought. I've seen similar things happen with the team I support, but realize it's required to get to the level of being a contender every year. As you said, until the state has more definitive rules of enforcement, things like this will continue.

I knew the Reg. 3AA championship game is usually between two 6AA teams, but as a McMinn Central fan I expected more from our team in the first round, playing against the #4 team from 6AA on our floor. It wasn't as close as the final score and if Red Bank's coach hadn't emptied the bench in the 4th qtr it would have been a 40 point loss for the Chargers. It was awful sitting there watching it for a McMinn fan, many of who exited at the end of the 3rd qtr. I knew our district wasn't that strong but I didn't realize it was that bad. Once again all we have left is the girls team to follow.

The # 4 team from Dist. 6AA, Red Bank thoroughly annihilates the #1 team from Dist. 5AA, McMinn Central 81-55 on McMinn Central's home floor. The game was really over at halftime with Red Bank holding a commanding 25 point lead. Ahead by 30 going into the 4th qtr. Red Bank emptied the bench to further not humiliate the Chargers.

Central could probably start any 5 players and win the Region. That other District is weak, so it will be Central playing Sequoyah for the Region championship. I'd let Jacobi heal up and save her for the substate game or not play her much in the Region games if she's healthy.

I think Elizabethton, McMinn Central, and Upperman will be 3 of the 8 teams at the Murphy Center.

As bad as EH was for so long and appearing to not be interested in getting better, it's understandable that a girl would want to play for a better program. With Tony Williams there and the immediate improvement in the program I'd say the problem is probably solved. I agree there are snake coaches who recruit girls. It happened to Howard and I've seen it happen numerous times to girls in McMinn County and surrounding counties.

Taylor Boggess absolutely deserved to be one of the three finalists in A. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago how political the process is and I'm saying that based on facts that I know. That doesn't mean the winner this year isn't deserving or the three finalists weren't actually the best three, but it has happened before.

Miss Basketball is usually very political unless the girl is just heads above the other girls.

I agree with you about dist. 5AAA being weak. McMinn Central is AA and easily beat McMinn Co. and Walker Valley earlier this year and will play them again in the next two weeks. McMinn and Walker Valley will finish either 3rd or 4th in dist. 5AAA. Sequoyah beat McMinn both games this year and they will finish 2nd in our AA district.

Taylor should be a nominee in single A, and Jacobi Lynn should be a nominee in AA.

Maybe Tony knew what he was doing. lol Just kidding, he's a good coach and person. But when you look at the new district they went into a few years ago, it's understandable that he didn't want to play tough out of district teams. That district is loaded with good teams, much stronger overall than the district they were in. Maybe they'll play Meigs and McMinn Central when that great Middle School group gets to Rhea.

It's getting uglier each day. News is surfacing now that a previous basketball coach at Ooltewah molested some of his players a couple decades ago, and current Director of Schools Rick Smith (who's asking for a buyout) was aware of this incident back then, but swept it under the rug. The former molested players are now speaking up, as are others with even other issues, that pretty much exposes Ooltewah's LOIC (lack of institutional control) for a long time. I suspect there will be many heads roll and it may cost Hamilton County millions of dollars before when all is said and done. I've heard that several families have already pulled their children out of that school, and many more are planning to.

It's usually a good game when these two teams meet. Large crowd of fans from each side who are very vocal. I think Central has too much depth for Meigs and will pull out the win. Post play may be the difference of who wins this game. Looking ahead to next year, this would be the year that Meigs could win this game since the Lady Tigers will lose too many of their starters who are Seniors and won't be there next year. Central will only lose one Senior. The difference in average scoring each team will lose after this season is a lot.

It's all good between us etown. I know Elizabethton is a force and can beat any AA team they face. You have good reason to be proud of them! When you're good you've got a target on your back, so you better be prepared every game. Substate and state games aren't forgiving if you're not. You'd love the team that MartianMan supports. Small, single A school that the entire town supports. They're gym is small, the folks are loud and it's tough to win there.

It's a great rivalry and brings in a lot of money for each hosting school. Meigs will probably drop off some after this year but they start reloading again soon with some girls from Meigs Middle. Central is loaded with Juniors and a great sophomore, so they should be even better next year. I've watched the freshmen who are on varsity play a few freshmen-JV games and I'm not as sold on them as other people who told me about them. They don't have a good coach so there may be hope for them yet. I posted on the boys page about the game next week. Over here I'm hearing that Central boys believe they've improved enough since the first meeting to beat Meigs. What do you think?

I knew Meigs had some talent. Central has improved a lot since the first meeting, and no team has been able to stop the Mason kid. Lots of talk from the about the game.

McMinn Central boys are saying they'll beat Meigs Co. when they come to the Round House next Tuesday. I haven't kept up with Meigs boys that much, but McMinn Central's boys have played pretty good lately and the Mason kid has been lighting up the scoreboard. What do you Meigs fans think?

I agree with you Martian Man - somewhat. I've questioned fan's statements myself, just as I did with etownsparky when he/she was boasting about Elizabethton beating McMinn Central in a play day, or boasting about them going 20-0 over the Summer. It is something to be proud of, but in reality it won't mean a thing when the season starts, or when they go to state. I'm assuming both Elizabethton and McMinn Central will make it to state, but that's no guarantee either. McMinn Central's substate matchup is always against a good team from the best overall district/region in the state for girls basketball. I don't know who you are MartianMan, but I'm pretty sure you're a fan of single A, Meigs County. I have a lot of friends who are Meigs fans, and the Lady Tigers have a very good team again this year. I may even know who you are in the real world. Looking forward to the game between Meigs/McMinn Central next Tuesday.

It's an honor to make it to state. Winning one game at state, then losing to the eventual state champion in the next game is nothing to be ashamed of.