chattaauhoops

I saw the Howard vs Hemingway matchup at East Hamilton. It was billed as the 2 leaders for Ms basketball. Howard was clearly much better. Good luck young lady. In my opinion you deserve it.

I would like to see BOP expand the teams and bring in better teams from other areas. At this point, it has become an additional game between teams that already play 3 or 4 times a year. (Baylor/ McCallie & Brainerd/ Tyner) And the girls side has dropped to a 2nd or even 3rd tier group. Invite some big time teams and make it more like Arby's classic.

So who won?

I have to disagree. TN is the most respected state in the country right now. Riverdale is #1 is most all polls for the 3rd year in a row. This comes after Blackman has a 2 yr run at #1. So a 5 year run at the country’s best team. Hamilton Heights - a top team in all the polls and played in the Dicks Sporting Goods National champ game on ESPN last year. Several other teams usually ranked very highly in regional rankings. Multiple McDonalds All Americans each year. Naismith and Gatorade player of the year winners and nominees. These type of awards don’t happen unless the hoop games are strong with incredible talent recognized by all areas of the country. CA, TX and TN are also the top 3 AAU/ Exposure team states for recruiting.

AAU is not free. That is why AAU teams work hard to raise money for travel and tournaments. Usually when "hosting" a tournament and playing in "your own gym" there is not a cost to the players for that weekend. If that part is true that would be troubling. When hosting the kids work the clock, book, concessions and all areas on top of playing in their games to raise money. I've not heard of paying to play in the tournaments in your gym that you are hosting.

I understand better now. Thanks for the update. I hope the young man gets what he needs to be successful in life. Much more important than the game we all love.

The more I hear about this it seems that AAU isn't necessarily the problem. I agree that AAU is where K.K. was probably seen, but we can't stop what these private schools are doing. I hate to see a talented player leave a program, teammates and family where he and his team have been so successful. Cleveland has a really good program and K.K. had solid talent around him up there. Sometimes these kids are being promised things (exposure, etc.) that are not possible and could have achieved the same results by staying put right where they are. Sad!

I have heard that Ooltewah is no longer taking out of zone kids for next year. Is that true? Also, is it true that the new Principal at OHS was named Principal of the year for Ham. Co.? If so, maybe this situation can improve with the new leadership? Those kids and families need some positive news. It's been tough around here for a while now.

Great Story. Seems like he genuinely wants to help kids.

The boys from Brainerd will show up and compete. Count on that.

I'm not looking for a "good debate." You win young fella. Go Tigers!

LOL, I tell you what if your age on your profile is correct I can sit down with you sometime and we can talk Chatt history. I'm old but Coach Bowles and Coach High were friends of mine and I know tons of the legends that we all played with and against. Or maybe we can talk Riverside, Kirkman and Chatt City High. We all played the big games at Big Mac at UTC. There was no McKenzie arena. The past few years in Chatt it's been Brainerd and Tyner and we live in a what have you done for me lately world, But i'll give you credit for defending the Hustlin Tigers. They've got some good young kids coming up.

Same page.

Spot on Warrior. 1. Update on the Hayes ankle? 2. Update on how your daughter is doing in FL?

So is that a sin?

Tough draw only means great opportunity to show what they can do.

Yes I agree and Coach English has that passion!

Riverdale vs. Stewart's Creek final. Even if Hayes is not full strength the depth is too much for anyone to knock them off. SC could play the perfect game though.

HH kids come from all over for the purpose of a national schedule. They play for something it's just not a gold ball.

You're Talking my backyard here. I've burned that path from Mid TN to ATL for 20 years. I have them in the top 5 in TN and the same if they were in GA. If less than 3% of HS kids play College ball then with them having at least 5 that have or will sign they are probably a little better than "average."

"Factor" means when you think of hoops in Chattanooga the same names pop up year after year. If you know this area you know that Tyner and Brainerd own it in AA. Central had a good run but is down right now. Aside from the privates the only other program to contend with is EHam who is emerging as a strong force.

I see you Brainerd! Congrats and go for the gold.

Sad ending for the Rams but that program just reloads and will be a factor again next year.

Canes!!! Congrats on so many "firsts" this season! Don't be satisfied just getting there, go over there to win it.

How about EHam too??? Region Champs for the first time in school history. Congrats to Coach English and the Canes. Good luck young fellas!