maddams

1 hour ago, BasketballInsider37604 said:

He’s a good recruiter/ promoter of himself  as well. He’s at ALL the middle school camps/ travel tournaments that are local.

I don’t know the guy, but I read your post as a knock against him. Are we knocking a coach for trying to build his program? A coach going to local middle school games and travel tournaments is a positive

10 hours ago, BallIsLife1 said:

I think South Side and South Gibson are still in the conversation also

Both will be competitive but I don’t think either one has the talent to challenge Dyersburg this year. South Side is rebuilding, playing a lot of young kids. South Gibson lost two starters to knee injuries. However, with McNeal and Embrey, both programs have great coaches. They’ll get better as the year goes and will be tough outs in the postseason

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

1 hour ago, 1983 said:

Not sayings it’s true but that’s the reputation they have.  Gibson County may be ranked #1 but I would place McMinn, York and Gatlinburg Pitt 1, 2, 3 right now with Gibson County behind them.  AA in the state of Tennessee is the strongest class in the state in my opinion.  It is loaded

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

11 hours ago, jvaughan said:

 If it was such an advantage then why don’t those programs win more often?

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.  

11 hours ago, pioneer42 said:

I agree. There are a handful of teams I predict will get better as the year goes. We usually run into them in camps somewhere but I hadn't seen them since last year. Seen where Bradley Central and McMinn Central had a great game last night. 

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.

1 hour ago, Waker said:

Huntingdon returned a lot of player that have played a ton of minutes. Kee is a handful and guard play is solid. Posters seemed to forget most games they lost last season were by 2-6 points and lead in many of those games late.

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.

14 minutes ago, RedDevil23 said:

South Gibson had a knee injury last night before half time. Hopefully it wasn’t too bad. They seem to have a short bench

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

1 hour ago, BallIsLife1 said:

 

Everybody was high on South Gibson this summer. What has happened to them?

  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.

19 minutes ago, WestTNHoopsFan said:

Cleveland in 4A?

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.

5 hours ago, pioneer42 said:

You forget about Livingston Academy in 3 A??

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.

18 hours ago, VOLnWTN said:

We have a hard road to get back to the Glass House.  Davis and Reynolds will have to play lights out everynight.  It is going to be a battle every time we step on the floor.  

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

40 minutes ago, WestTNHoopsFan said:

With the new district line ups can they beat south gibson?

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.

4 hours ago, BallIsLife1 said:

I feel like this is the same thing that was said last year about some of these teams and the results were the opposite. Everyone said Wayne County was good or better than McKenzie. Some said last year was supposed to be Gatlinburg Pittman's year also, but did they even make it to the Boro?  Many said that South Side was good, but hadn't played any good teams and it would hurt them in the postseason, well we see how that panned out. Same with Westview, "they are good, but not good enough to beat York". 

I do agree, Dyersburg is extremely talented, but there is a BUT there and I cant put my finger on it just yet, but i like what they have. I also have heard that Creek Wood has a transfer. Is she Burgess good? If not, they wont be as good as everyone thinks. They didn't have a whole lot outside of her to return. Upperman will be Upperman as long as Coach McWilliams is there. It will be interesting. I have a new job so I will get to see a lot of basketball this season and I can't wait!

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.  

3 hours ago, BallIsLife1 said:

So are the defending champions in each class the favorites to win until they don't, or are there new favorites to start the preseason?

I still like McKenzie in 1A as long as Savannah Davis is healthy. You can never count out Westview in 2A, they always reload. Jackson South Side in 3A will bring as much pressure as they want to give them a chance. In 4A, when has Bradley Central not been a house hold name?

What are some of your thoughts?

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

1 hour ago, TrickyD said:

Kinda going off last year do know Dyersburg is loaded 

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

22 minutes ago, 85warrior said:

Correct. White County has the Sonic Shootout every year. They typically invite Clarkrange every year as well. It's probably the best tournament in this area.

Any idea who's coming this year?

37 minutes ago, LadyCavsFan said:

It’s a great idea.  But the main argument (other than being scared)  is that some of the top UC teams are in the same district and don’t want to play each other a third time before post season (possibly 4-5-6 times down the road).  Totally get it.   But you can still get the best team(s) out of each classification in the UC and invite some top outside teams and have a great tournament.  If two teams from same district decide to play put them in opposite brackets so they can only meet in finals.  Maybe someday someone will make this happen.      Would be fun to watch.
 

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.

7 hours ago, LadyCavsFan said:

Lincoln County will be there.  They looked really good this summer.  

Lincoln County bumped to 4A this cycle

On 7/30/2023 at 10:23 AM, Americal198 said:

You might want to check on Alcoa. I think they are moving up to 3A. I don't know how many Hampton girls graduated but have a hunch they will be competitive and rough (like they always have been.)  

I believe Alcoa is still 2A

2 hours ago, Southtowner said:

I thought Rice was at Summertown then left.   Busby was interim and Rice came back.

Now Rice is gone again?   To McEwen.

So Summertown is open again? 

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.

12 minutes ago, RedDevil23 said:

A few games I saw at the UTM camp today. Green checks winners. Several I missed.

✅South Gibson vs Obion County Central

✅Union City vs Jackson Co

✅ Jackson South Side vs JCS

✅Dyersburg vs Marmaduke

✅South Fulton vs JCS

✅Union City vs Middleton

✅South Gibson vs Hutchinson

✅South Fulton vs Dyersburg

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