KnoxMoJo

Anybody that saw more than a game or 2 knows how much of a key piece Connor was to this team. I hate to hear about the injury and him not getting to play at full health during the state tournament. That last paragraph says it all. Having his priorities in order is what counts in the end.

Yep. Just saw the official word.

I laughed, but then couldn't decide if was more or less funny since he was talking about a Baptist school and not the one on Cedar Bluff.

Guess I've learned to listen when OnB speaks. AD news is official now.

I don't doubt the truth. 😀 I was a bit too young (3rd grade) for that one, but heard about it so many times. I do also still remember that feeling after we blew it against Alcoa in the semis in 1992.

It is amazing. I do believe dogtruth was right about 1983. It makes sense, though. He was the best player, but Harriman was the best team, at least tonight.

That's right. I heard the story many times how Leon was the only player to ever win MVP from the losing team. Now he's not alone.

Great game! Congrats Harriman! Basketball is a game of matchups and Harriman matched up well with Clay Co. GCA is going to be dealing with this for a long time. 3-1 vs Harriman, but couldn't get past Clay Co for a 5th one.

Ledford had 34 with a lot less FT opportunities. Guess he's unguardable, too. 😂 Congrats to Clay Co.

I do try to be objective and mostly just want the calls to be consistent for both teams and thru the entire game. I haven't watched too many games this year, but from what I could see streaming online (to my TV), I felt that was about the best called game I've seen. On a side note, I'm glad Grace and Hampton won't be in the same division next year and I won't have to worry about mixed loyalty. Considering how much of my time and energy growing up went into either that gym or the old HES gym, I don't really like Hampton described as not my team.

On the last play? There's video of it online. I'd call that a good no call that the home team sometimes gets. Initially, there was no contact, then McClain actually pushed off on Yonkers before getting the ball back. On the 2nd attempt, there was some body contact with Arnold after he let it go, but from what I could see online all night, they mostly let both sides play...the way it should be.

Well played game. Glad to see the refs let the players decide and not be whistle happy. Hampton was on fire early, but Grace didn't panic. Arnold hit a number of big shots in the 2nd half. That's the kind of game where you feel bad for whichever team loses and especially the seniors. Not real surprised to hear that Harriman coasted tonight. District 3 performed as expected all year

Unless I'm all confused, GCAPride on here is the same as Ram Pride (@GCARamRadio) on Twitter. It wouldn't be the first or last time for me to be all mixed up. After all, I am a Hampton grad that sometimes wears a sweater vest.

I'm glad I can listen live, but thought you'd get a kick out of this. Even Pride knows how good of an environment it is. Here's a tweet I just saw from him: Sub-State Game Tonight at Hampton. It's THE BEST Bball Environment I've ever seen! For the rest of us, @wbejradio will have the LIVE Stream

It gets a bit "cozy" when they start squeezing in. The windows up top will be open, but it will still be a hot box by game time. Man, I hate I'm missing this game, but I"m hoping the Twitter updates will be frequent.

Yes and no. If and when Grace breaks the press, they tend to get layups and dunks. But I've also seen them look disorganized and not handle the press very well. Knowing Ned, I would expect Hampton to be a consistent, disciplined team. Grace tends to be a little erratic, sometimes shooting too quick and forgetting how important it is for the offense to go thru #41. Expect to see both some "Wow" and "what was he thinking?" moments.

Agreed. In a single game, anything can happen. Shozen brought up GCA vs VB last year. VB won and deserved that game, but that was about as bad as GCA played all year. The refs messed with Arnold's head about his uniform before the game and then called touch fouls on him while letting everybody play ball and he probably didn't play over a full quarter the whole game. Plus, the PG played more like the freshman he was. It happens. This time of year, kids can get nervous or tighten up when they haven't all year. It is what makes high school basketball the best sport (in my opinion).

Grace is the same with weapons. 5 or 6 kids that could go off on any night. Pure talent, the edge has to be with Grace. But 2 of their ball handlers are still just sophomores and that could be an issue playing a bunch of seniors. I don't know if Ned runs the full court press much now, but I wasn't impressed at times with how Grace handled Wartburg's press in the region semis.

Well, I was practically raised in the 1st Baptist Church in downtown Hampton. 😀 It's been a slow process to pull for anybody but the Dogs, but this group at Grace are good ones. The 2 starting seniors are really good kids. I've told 12thman this before, but as much as I like Arnold's game, I like the way he carries himself and leads by example on the sportsmanship side more. All this being said, I still don't know who to take in this game. At any other site, I'd give advantage to GCA, but Hampton may pull this one out at home.

I'm sure you do. It's so tempting to try to figure out how to make it to the game since this is the last Dogs vs Rams contest with any meaning. But it is hard to make that trip up and back on a Monday.

I've heard bits about 2008 and don't even know what is true or not, but I can say this. I'm pretty sure that there isn't anyone currently involved with leadership of GCA or the basketball team that was around in 2008. The kids playing now were in elementary school. Whatever happened then, I've been impressed by how this team has handled itself on the court in the games I've been to. No trash talking, taunting, or dirty play...just playing ball and trying to win.

LOL! They don't mess around and wait to show up right before tip. Especially on the home side, if you wait till 6:30, you might be sitting on the floor. In 1992, I got there for our sub state game before the doors opened and they were lined up halfway around the school.

Before you gentlemen argue too much over coaching, I'm going to say I think it's pretty close to a toss up there. Ned has been coaching since about 1986 when we were playing elementary JV ball together. His record and accomplishments speak for themselves. I've been impressed with the full coaching staff at GCA this year. They've done the things they need to for these boys to be ready for tournament time. I wouldn't make a prediction since I haven't gotten to see Hampton play this year, but I would expect it to be a thriller.

Wow! Didn't expect a blowout. At least GCA is going to get to experience one last visit to what I consider the best sub-state environment in TN. I'm sure it's not much fun on the visiting side, but if we can beat Hampton at home, then it is a deserved trip to state. I do think Harriman will easily take care of Cosby at home.

I wouldn't be at all surprised for Grace to win on the road on Monday, but if they have to go to Hampton, I would be shocked by a 20+ point win. If they would play a little more under control and a little better defensively, Grace has the talent to make a run at the state title. But teams just don't make that drive to Hampton and that environment and blow them out.