JoeDirt

This is a brief account of what happened from close relations to the situation. Balcom was, from all accounts, a good teacher, we'll liked and respected by the administration, staff, kids @ the school, on the basketball team, and community, hard worker, ran a Christian Club, and did a really good job as a basketball coach @ TPHS. They won 20 games, finished well in a tough district, and made the region tourney in his first year with a mostly Junior laden team. Majority of the team comes back...including 4 starters. Balcom left on his own because he was not supported from Central Office. Specifically, the Superintendent of schools in Monroe County. From my understanding, he wanted to punish a player for not showing up to summer camps and was supported by the school administration (AD and Principal), BUT the kids parents complained to Superintendent and he was then told he couldn't punish the player (running, playing time, etc...). Superintendent stepped over the AD and principal decision on the matter. He basically had lost any power to be a true coach anymore. Certain players and parents could now run the team by complaining about anything they wanted to the Superintendent. By the way, par for the course in Monroe County. This has happened to other coaches as well, which is why they have and always will have a hard time attracting and keeping good coaches. Thee parents of the kid and the Superintendent, for all practical purposes, would now be the coaches of the team. Fairly certain there was some heavy politics involved with the Superintendent and the kids parents that complained (good Ole boy stuff). He was not asked to leave, but felt he would not have any leg to stand on as a coach. Can't punish players, you have no authority to run a program. Or he would have just been a "yes" man to those parents and the Superintendent. He started looking for job openings and took the opportunity that presented itself at a great school like Bearden. In fact, the AD and principal completely understood why he chose to leave the situation. I know the administration @ the school, some school board members that learned what happened, and many parents were not happy with his departure and aren't very fond of the Superintendent for it. http://m.advocateanddemocrat.com/sports/article_08fa743a-3096-11e5-868a-8f19413977ba.html?mode=jqm

Being the antagonist on here is fine with me. In fact, I'm kind of relishing it. Excuses...excuses....excuses...that's all you guys talked about in your losses to us. Anyway, I will say you are right in Tellico's performance the other night. It was awful. It's still just one game and im sure those kids and coaches over there were not happy with their performance. Yes, practice does mean something. Ridiculous comment that it doesn't mean anything. Probably not 30 pts...didn't say it was worth 30 pts, but it was obvious they were out of sync. and no way Meigs is 30 pts better as was obvious in the previous 2 meetings. What do you mean free throws? Huh? You mean, the ones a team hits to beat you because you have to foul or you can't guard them well enough and have to foul or both? Just curious? Also, it's funny to me that Harriman is getting credit for losing. I guess that since they lost close, they are figuring it out and peaking? You all are hilarious! You all are putting way to much into one basketball game...ours, Harriman's, yours, Grace, etc... High school kids, for the most part, are completely unpredictable in these tourney type situations and really any time. Go ahead and hate me. It's all good.

If anybody gets taken to the woodshed on Tues, it will be you guys. By the way, Gresham scored a total of 10 pts in 2 games vs us and Pace scored 9 pts the 2nd time against us. Yeah...petrified of those 2 going off. Our pg and 3rd leading scorer on the team, alone, scored 47 pts in 2 games vs you all. Don't be mad, you earned your 4 seed.

Nice that I've now met Graces village idiot...oh wait, village would indicate that you had some kind of borders, but we know Grace doesn't have borders. So, that would make you just an idiot.

Harriman fans talking about class...hehehe...lolololololololol. I'll say this, ALL schools have bad examples in the stands. You wouldn't have beat Tellico today, tom, Mon, or whenever because I'm pretty sure they would have shut the paint down and forced Harriman to bomb 3s...I know Tellico would have scored on Harriman's awesome defense.

Just be glad you all won't see us again...or will you? Still beat you 2 out of 3 and last time I checked the Region tourney starts tues and we are there. You all have a way over inflated view of how good you think you are. If Tellico had played you under normal circumstances (practice time in, etc...) that game would have been no where near a 30 pt blow out. However, me saying this will not change your mind...better prep for Jellico (likely to see them) because they might get you like they almost did earlier in the season.

Monroe County schools, from what I understand, have a policy to not play on Sunday. Or they just don't allow it...not the teams fault. By the way, you private guys just keep backing the private party line. Once again, you're not going to get a public school on here to support or back your arguments. Continue to say whatever you want, everybody knows about privates...Tellico basketball team, from what i was told, did not pick up a basketball for 5 days. They looked really bad...it happens. To say that there 20 wins, 2 against Meigs (luv to see rd 4 with actual practice time - Meigs practiced 3 days for hrs to prep for Tellico?-it showed), 1 against Harriman without leading scorer and 6th man, and finished 3rd in the much tougher district than 4A...and straight up lose to Coalfield or Oakdale??? Could happen because they have to travel, but I think Tellico will be prepared to win against either one. Nice to see Harriman talking some junk on here after their terrible finish to the season...that's what happens when you back load your schedule. Many on here called it before it happened...true. No worries Meigs Tigers, from the looks of things, you won't see us again unless we make the Championship game. I guarantee you're excited to not see us again this yr because Tellico will be prepared next time...no doubt. All this doesn't matter...it will play out in the Region. Let the real tourney begin.

Tellico didn't show up. Meigs played well, but Tellico looked lethargic. Props to the Tigers. May get to meet again...doubt that score will happen next time. On to Regions...

You keep putting words in my mouth about Tellico kids and that's low class. YOU are the one that has said those things...i have not once said anything negative about them. You, my friend, have completely taken things I've posted out of context to basically throw low blows @ me. That's fine. I'd expect that from someone your age...you dated yourself in your post. You are just defending your school and that's all good...no offense here. The ONLY people reading these posts that would defend your posts about privates schools are other private schoolers. I could rebuttal ALL your points quite easily, but I will let my posts stand for themselves for those intelligent enough to actually take them @ face value and know exactly what I'm saying...pretty clear I thought. I would expect more from someone with that great private school education. Maybe I should have used Elementary level words, so as to not confuse you of the thesis of my previous posts, which is that the playing field is NOT ANYWHERE NEAR LEVEL. By the way, been around A LOT longer than you and my so called broad statements are not so broad...they are true. I can remember when there was just Catholic and Webb as private schools in the area. When you roll in the mud with pigs...it just makes you a pig too:) Go Bears!

Beat Grace last yr @ home...what are you talking about? I do know we have beat the Tigers by double digits twice...

Whatever you say Knox...panties in a wad about truthful comments. By the way, you made my argument for me when you said MOST of them have been together since Middle School...that's the good AAU age to start building a team right? Then, if you don't have ALL the pieces you pick up another 1-2-3 high school age to fill the gaps:) Grace athletes aren't any better...maybe not ALL of them, BUT you really don't believe that ignorant comment do you...C'MON MAN!? So, it's not about the Jimmies and Joes and it's ALL about the Xs and Os huh? So, having a 6'7, 6'5, 6'3, 6'3, and several others over 6' and a bench of kids that can actually play doesn't have anything to do with why Grace wins? Same for their football team, baseball team, girls volleyball team, girls softball team, etc..? They don't have a chip on their shoulder and that is why they're successfull...lol. Don't have woe is me attitude...you must not have read my previous post about we will COMPETE against the AAU teams and take our best shot. I can GUARANTEE you our kids aren't scared of Grace kids. In fact, their chip lies with wanting to beat them every chance they get because they all know how it works too. I DIDN'T say winning was everything. Although Grace seems to emphasize that in their enrollment process:) All my point was about is a level playing field...not winning is everything. You need to check yourself on that one. Instead of throwing out baseless accusations against ME, why don't you refute what I said above? Once again, agree to disagree. Usually when people get mad about a topic, it means a nerve was hit...the truth nerve. I'm not "mad" about Grace being in the public sector...just think there is a better way to level the playing field for children's athletics...key word being children's. We ALL know life isn't fair, but this is something that could be changed and made better for children. No hard feelings about it. We will play who TSSAA tells us to play because that's how it works. It doesn't mean there is not a better way OR that I can have an opinion about it. I'll rephrase my post above you quoted...I bet the Grace coaches would rather not play it out and go in as 1 seeds...just MY opinion and last time i checked this is a message board FULL of opinions. Some popular, some not...It just makes sense for them because they have NOTHING to gain. I apologize if you felt I insinuated the KIDS didn't want to play. Hopefully the tourney will play out.

Hopefully, the District tourney can be completed before Regions and it won't just go to seeding. I bet Grace girls and boys would like to not have to finish the tourney. Go straight to Regions as 1 seeds without really having to do anything...I hope it gets played out. Weather does not look promising though for travel.

Fair enough gcapride...agree to disagree on some points you make as well. Such as the fact that yeah you all actively promote the school and turn NO ONE away...I'm sorry I don't buy that. It benefits ALL your sports programs, according to the multiplier rule, to keep your #s @ a certain level OTHERWISE Grace would have much more #s by now because you all DO have the lowest tuition of the privates in the area. Also, I do know that just because someone applies to go to school @ Grace and has the $$$ doesn't mean they get accepted...I'm not buying that either. I was born on a Wednesday, just not this Wednesday:) As I've said before...you all are competing for championships in almost every sport you offer yr in and yr out with 300 students and you're telling me they ACCEPT EVERYBODY that applies...:) My overall, though mute point, (yes, Chill, I know complain to TSSAA) is that privates (tons of them across the state now) should participate against each other come tourney time. We'll play in the regular season all you want. You all have MANY built in advantages that publics can't even come close to competing with on a regular basis as well as the fact that TSSAA does a terrible job monitoring cheating (publics and privates both). 90+% of the Tellico basketball team grew up and played with each other from elementary school. The ones that do come in or transfer from somewhere else usually had roots there in the past and have come back for various reasons. It IS NOT a level playing field, BUT we will continue to compete and take our best shot @ assembled AAU teams with all the other advantages afforded to them. Just don't think that MOST people will root for you to be successful...it's like being the "Evil Empire" of high school athletics:) When you all play a public, just know that the vast majority of neutral observers are most likely rooting for you to lose. By the way, this is no shot @ the quality of people you have there @ the school...always been treated well. TSSAA will keep privates in as long as they can because it's all about $$$ for them...not fairness for the schools or kids. The more privates that pop up that want to participate in the public sector, the TSSAA sees $$$. Not changing any time soon...unfortunately.

Whether you think it's silly or not or mentioned a million times...maybe a reason it's been mentioned a million times...It's TRUE. Not one to back off. Didn't know you held water for the privates.

IF you start a school with the sole purpose of providing the children @ your church and the surrounding community with a quality Christian education, then decide to focus more on the sports aspect and draw in kids from miles and miles away...that is NOT a true Christian school. Sorry, I call it like I see it. Be mad all you want to about the statement...it's truth. We all know how the Christian privates with a sports emphasis work and we all know how the Christian privates with an academic emphasis work...don't be upset because somebody class it like it is. Once again, be happy that you know you all will always compete for championships in almost every sport you participate in yr in and yr out with a school population of what 200??? C'MON man...that's really focusing on a quality Christian education for church members and the immediate surrounding community. That's a LOT of local talent in an area with good $$$ to attend Grace. By the way, how is it that for such a good school with excellent sports programs, does the enrollment stay SO low? That's a rhetorical question as well... because we all know that answer too.

It was rhetorical really Pujo...they already have a great girls volleyball program...competing and winning championships. They are located in Farragut area...plenty of talent that can be filtered in. Especially for singleA ball. Thanks for playing. Anybody else want to chime in? By the way Pujo, over/under 4 yrs?

Concord Christian joins the District next yr. and though I doubt they are very good right now, how long before they start dominating or competing @ a very high level? Competing for District/Region Championships? Over/ under 4 yrs....? Who knows, maybe they are a "true" Christian private school looking to give students a good quality Christian education with sports as a secondary focus...there are some of those out there:) Only time will tell, I guess.

Just hope all your players are paying their own way to attend Grace:):)...jibberish aside.

By the way, as a HUGE supporter of keeping publics and privates separate when it comes tourney time, I hope two public schools represent our region in the sub-State games...that goes for either district. Sorry Grace fans, but not a lot would make me happier than you all getting knocked out as early as possible:) Probably won't happen, yet it's wishful thinking.

Have not seen Bowlin, but he is obviously very good and on any given night win a ball game by himself. That is why whoever gets Jellico in the region tourney will have it tough...IF he plays well. I also believe that whoever has to travel to Coalfield or Oakdale will have it tough as well. Seen the other 3 teams left on the 4A side and ALL have a chance to pull out wins. Especially in a one and done scenario. I'm still loving the Grace and Meigs got it all wrapped up attitude... Both are really good teams, BUT their are a couple of teams in this region that can beat them. They are not world beaters, though by their talk, they would like you to think they are. Maybe they will run rough shod through the rest of the District tourney and Region tourney...OR they will BOTH be left out in the cold with their inflated egos being punctured. However, I would say that the coaches of all of the remaining teams will stress having the right mindset to make it to a sub-State game and maybe trip to the Boro. Good banter by fans either way.

Jellico has to travel. They lost to Coalfield in the semis. That will be a tough game for the #2 on this side.

We'll see TFL...We'll see:) I still say that Tellico matches up really well with Meigs. Wouldn't surprise me either way though. It's good you're confident...it will be extra bitter for you and Tiger Nation when Tellico wins again:) Go Bears!

Neutral observer on this message board, BUT have heard ad nauseam about Carter and "The System" and will say it is all fine and dandy with athletes. Without athletes... "The System" is garbage. No defense = no championships...TRUE:) Yeah, you win a bunch of regular season games that really have no meaning in basketball, BUT lose vs. teams that D your butt up and slow you down..tourney ball. That is what smart coaches with average to decent talent will do vs. "The Sytem." Also, it is obvious that the guy moves around...wouldn't hire him IF you're looking for a long term solution. Just my humble opinion...what do I know:)?

All the Meigs vs. Grace talk is great....keep overlooking Harriman and especially Tellico, who has beat Meigs by double digits twice this yr., for the Championship game. Furthermore, Harriman will not just go away on their home court. Grace had better not look past them, though they beat them handily twice. I already know what somebody is going to post...Harriman got hammered by Grace twice and Tellico struggled with Greenback. All I've got to say is...This is tourney time and these are high school kids and wild things happen A LOT. Don't go counting chickens before they hatch:).