maddams

Dyersburg is the most talented AAA team in the state, and will be again next year. They can book rooms in Murfreesboro now because no one in their region or substate should stop them from getting there. But state championships are never easy and require some bit of luck along the way. Upperman, Livingston Academy, White Co, Cumberland Co, Creek Wood, David Crockett, and Heritage are all AAA teams that could get challenge Dyersburg in the state tournament

Agree with you. GC is undefeated and deserves to be in the conversation. But, based on seeing them, I would rank them as follows: 1. McMinn Central 2. Gatlinburg-Pittman 3. York 4. GC After that group, you’ve still got Huntingdon, Loretto, Cheatham Co, Westview, Summertown, East Hickman, South Greene, East Nashville, Cannon Co, and Peabody. AA is absolutely the deepest classification this year

Anybody got a bracket? Sounds like a pretty good tournament. I might try to ride over there

Here's a few of the high school girls basketball programs that can pull 8th graders (this is a partial list): Summertown, Greenfield, Gleason, USJ, Ensworth, TCA - I'd say these programs win pretty often. I would love to see a full list of the schools that can do this. To act like this is not an advantage is disingenuous. Not only do these 8th graders help win games, it allows for a full extra year of development in the high school program.

Creek Wood is a little different this year than past years. They have a freshman who is legit - athletic, can really score the ball. They got a transfer from Dickson Co that made them more athletic than past Creek Wood teams. They're well coached. Creek Wood will be in Murfreesboro in March. I think Gibson Co wins the game, but it will be a good early test.

Kee is really, really good. Huntingdon has another big post that takes up space and lets them play high-low. They’ve also got a shooter that creates some space. They should be in Murfreesboro with a chance to win a game or two. My opinion, their guard play is average and keeps them from being a state title contender.

Yikes. Didn’t know that. If that injury is significant, South Gibson could be in for a long year

South Gibson lost a lot from last year - 3 starters were seniors and a fourth starter went down with an ACL this summer. Playing a lot of kids that didn't play much last year. They'll get better as the season progresses. They can't compete with Dyersburg, but the rest of that district and region is average or worse. South Gibson could get to a sectional game at Covington, Millington or Melrose with a shot to go back to the state tournament. Side note on South Gibson: I saw their middle school team at Wayne County this summer. They have some impressive talent coming in next year.

Saw Cleveland this summer. They should be good but their path is really tough. Their section includes Bradley, Cookeville, Lebanon, Blackman and Oakland. Bradley will be at the state tournament - they're probably the best team in the state in all classes. Cleveland could be the other school but I liked Cookeville this summer. Lebanon has a high ceiling as well.

They should be really good. I’ve got Heritage and Upperman coming out of that section but Livingston and White Co could certainly beat either of them

My preseason state tournament predictions. Could be way off, but this is based on what I saw this summer and have heard this fall. 1A: Cloudland, ?? , Pickett County, Red Boiling Springs, McKenzie, Wayne County, Greenfield, South Fulton 2A: McMinn Central, Gatlinburg Pittman, York, East Nashville, Loretto, Huntingdon, Gibson County, Westview 3A: David Crockett, Greeneville, Heritage, Upperman, Creek Wood, South Side, Dyersburg, South Gibson 4A: Jefferson County, Bearden, Bradley Central, Cookeville, Lincoln County, Brentwood, Bartlett, Clarksville Some of these can book their rooms in Murfreesboro right now. A few other spots will be competitive. I have no idea on the second team from east TN in 1A.

I saw McKenzie once this summer. They really struggled, but when you’ve got a kid like Savannah Davis, you can win on any given night. Wilkins will find a way to maximize the pieces around her. Not sure they can win the state tournament,but they can definitely get there

I saw South Gibson and Dyersburg at different places this summer. Summer is obviously not regular season, but based on what I saw, Dyersburg is more talented than South Gibson. South Gibson is well coached, will defend and can shoot it. Dyersburg is well coached and more athletic than South Gibson at every position. Both teams will have a very good chance to get out of region, though Fayette Ware could be dangerous. Region 8 probably sends Covington, Munford or Melrose to the sectional game. All those teams would be the underdog against South Gibson or Dyersburg.

I thought Wayne Co could beat McKenzie last year. Instead, McKenzie shot about 80% from 3 in the title game and ran away with it. Wayne Co looked good this summer. McKenzie looked really bad this summer. Maybe it doesn't mean anything. Maybe it does. @bobcatfan#1 is right about Pickett being in the conversation. I forgot that they were bringing everything back. Westview and South Side graduated a lot. Westview graduated maybe the best player to ever walk those halls. Southside graduated three incredible players. They will both be competitive this year because of tradition and coaching. But neither is as good as they were last year. Creek Wood has a freshman whose ceiling is higher than Burgess. Not saying she is better right now, but her potential is Power 5. If the transfer from Dickson can play, they're going to be in Murfreesboro. Dyersburg is going to be interesting. I think they are the most talented team in 3A, but I can understand your point.

A - Wayne County has to be the favorite. McKenzie will still get to the state tournament, but Wayne County was much better than McKenzie this summer. AA - Gatlinburg, McMinn, or Gibson County are my favorites. York is also a possibility. Westview will be good but I don't believe state championship good in a very competitive AA class AAA - The most talent in the state may be in Dyersburg. Creek Wood is going to be very good with the new transfer and the freshman stud. Upperman has to be in the conversation. I think South Side is similar to Westview - good but not state championship good. AAAA - Bradley Central

Dyersburg is loaded. They have the most talent in 3A and will be in Murfreesboro in March. They could win the whole thing. SouthSide will be different than last year. They don’t have the same level of guard play this year. But Askins is a big time player in the post and they will defend well. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re in Murfreesboro. South Gibson will be solid. I saw them this summer. Replacing 4 starters due to graduation and an injury but their first five was still good. Got a freshman post player that’s going to be a load for teams to deal with. Based on their postseason path, they could end up in Murfreesboro. Another team worth talking about is Creekwood. Heard they got a really good transfer from Dickson Co. Adding her to the freshman stud they have and the returning role players means they could certainly be in Murfreesboro. My way too early guess right now for 3A state tournament teams: Dyersburg, South Gibson, South Side, Creekwood, Livingston, Upperman, David Crockett and Greeneville

Any idea who's coming this year?

Doesn't White County host a Christmas tournament every year? I know they did last year and had York, White Co, Red Boiling Springs from the UC plus Baylor, Warren Co, South Gibson and a few others.

Lincoln County bumped to 4A this cycle

I believe Alcoa is still 2A

Yep. In, out, in, out again. Summertown probably looking at another year of interim coaching. Terrible for Summertown

Summertown has less talent, less money, worse facilities than Mt Pleasant. Program has no momentum. I thought Crews had them headed in the right direction a few years ago, but the Rick Rice thing was a complete disaster. I understand that he had his reasons, but he did a lot of damage to that program with his Hokey Pokey routine. Hartsfield would be crazy to make that move.

What did you think about Dyersburg? Been a lot of hype for them this off-season

Huntingdon is in a new district this year - Huntingdon, Waverly, Stewart Co, Camden. Huntingdon will have no trouble with that group. Region is a little better but not much. I expect Summertown at Huntingdon in a substate game. PeabodY moving into the Westview/GC district is tough. GC should be really good and Westview will reload quickly

Page should be pretty good but they are 4A now. So no impact on your Hawks at all