SportsWestTN

A lot of schools aren't hosting both boys and girls, so most fans are paying the normal rate to just watch one game. It'd obviously be nice to get two for the money, but a lot of places aren't that fortunate. With how bad schools have been hurting from a money standpoint, I'm surprised it has taken this long. And don't be surprised when the TSSAA bumps up costs down the road to help make up for the money they haven't been able to bring in.

I guess I didn't realize that. With you saying they weren't going to have a substate, I assumed they still weren't playing.

Single-A having all SCS in Region 8 certainly changes things up and makes the decision weirder. At the end of the day, you want your team to be playing their best basketball when it counts.

It's tough because you have to weigh the importance of playing and practicing. While not playing any games for multiple weeks before entering region is obviously bad, do you want to have to rush through playing district without getting adequate rest (plus possibly not being in shape from the long layoff). I'm sure there are a number of teams that practiced during the snow stuff, but I know there are a number that weren't allowed. If kids don't work on their own, that's a week plus of doing nothing. Jumping into playing three games in 3-4 days isn't a good idea if they've lost some conditioning. Whole situation is a Catch 22.

Prediction: You'll see some weird stuff happen in District and early Region. This layoff in the West with all the snow will have some teams ill prepared for tournament play. If kids aren't doing stuff on their own and gyms can't open up, you'll see some teams out of shape and off the mark. Especially with so many games being played in so few days, this is bound to pile up. I expect to see some upsets.

Don't know the other two well enough to comment, but will concur on Wilkins. He and his staff do a great job getting kids to buy in and play together. Not that the kids he has had aren't talented, but he has done a lot with what he has been given. The last state title team didn't really have any stud players, but just played great team basketball and did their jobs. These lists are hard because it is hard to choose what to base it on. You can look at win-loss record, championships, culture, etc., and come up with many different answers based on the criteria you choose. There are some coaches who have thrived for reasons beyond them being great coaches, and some that are great coaches who haven't necessarily put up undefeated seasons or won state titles.

No doubt, I just don't think the supporting cast is a good as it has been the last few years. Having someone of that caliber is what keeps them up at that level, and they are well coached, but I think the other three are playing at a higher level, right now. When you get to the Boro, you really start to see depth become more of a factor.

I'm still not sold on Westview-- not saying they are an easy out, but not sold on the as a favorite. They aren't as good or athletic as they were last year. They need a number of great games from Harrison to make a deep run. Based on what I've heard about the other three teams, though, I'd agree.

My understanding is that districts are kind of autonomous, and make the decisions themselves. I know there has been some talk about just taking the regular season top 4 ranked teams and sending them to region, if things get delayed too long. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

Per the Tennessean- TSSAA announces that DI will be played at MTSU, DII headed to Tennessee Tech. Tickets will be broken into two separate three game sessions each day. Childress said that they are looking at between 800-1000 as attendance limits at MTSU, per session. No decision has been made on TTU attendance limits, but they will play two separate two game sessions each day. Tickets will not be sold to the general public. This should mean that each school will get between 133 and 166 tickets to distribute (three games per session; two teams per game). For a team of 15 players, that'd be around ten tickets per kid. If cheerleaders are allowed, that would cut into amount available. Certainly a much lower amount of tickets then I expected to see. Not sure if that was mandated by MTSU, the governor, or a decision by the TSSAA on their own. Personally, not surprised to see the "sessions". This is similar to what you see at the NCAA tournament. This will allow people to see more than one game, but still allow for better utilization of the available tickets amongst schools. Interesting DII will be played so far away from DI, but they aren't on the same weekend, and weren't in the same venue/city before. Thing I found funny was article said that MTSU "bent over backward" to keep the tournament and make it happen this year. Think they owe everyone with how they messed everything up last year.

When I say "locals" I don't mean people in the communities of the schools participating, I'm referring to natives of the Cookeville area who have no dog in the fight, but just want to go see good basketball (or anyone from around the state that's just a casual fan). Schools participating should be given priority and an allotment. If you want to clear the gym between games, give each school 1,500 tickets to sell by the day before the tournament begins. Schools can sell those tickets to whoever they want in the community (parents, families, students, fans). They return whatever they couldn't sell from the allotment, and the TSSAA can sell the remainder at the gate. The bigger issue comes if you don't clear the gym, especially during the Quarterfinals. That means you are playing six games in the same day. Even though most people won't likely stay the whole time, you have to use due diligence and assume they will. This would mean each school (12) could only get 250 tickets, which would go fast.

I don't disagree, which is why I think a college gym is preferred. COVID capacity limits would put TTU at 2800-3000 people, which is still far more than a high school gym at full capacity. The previous point I made (the one you questioned), was about having locals come. If there are excess tickets, sell them to the public. But this year, given the restrictions, tickets should be made fully available to the schools playing, before being opened to the public.

Only reason is because of capacity limits. If gyms are going to be held to 1/3rd or 1/4th capacity, I want the schools involved to have full dibs on tickets. In a normal year, I think having locals in attendance is a great thing!

In most normal years, wanting to have locals attend would be a good thing, but this year you probably don't want to look at that as a factor. Long term, I think it'd be good to see it moved elsewhere, especially to an area that would support it, regardless of the schools involved. I know that if state tournament was held near us, I'd be likely to attend, just to see some good ball.

They aren't going to play in a venue without fans. I don't think that option is even on the table, so I wouldn't worry about that. Only way they play with no fans is if Governor puts out another Executive Order for the state.

Under the current rules (local and TSSAA), I don't see why fans wouldn't be in attendance. They had this issue come up with college football where the Rose Bowl wasn't going to be able to have fans, so they moved the game to New Orleans. If a certain municipality won't allow fans, the simple solution is to move the tournament to a place that will allow them. Now, if we go back to statewide restrictions, that goes out the window. Zero reason we shouldn't at least see families at the games. Not sure you'll get to see students, but there will be people there if the game is played. TSSAA needs that gate and fans need to be able to see those games. IMO, most likely scenario is tournament will not be at MTSU, played at a number of large high schools or at a different university. Schools will be allotted a certain amount of tickets to distribute as they see fit (parents and families first, then students/fans). Gyms will be cleared between games.

Based on earlier comments by Childress, they don't seem optimistic they'll play at MTSU. That being said, the day after those comments, they supposedly met with MTSU officials to discuss. I think the more likely scenario is they pick a few larger high schools in Murfreesboro/Nashville area, and play them there. But, if TTU is interested, I wouldn't be surprised to see the switch. At this point, the thing the TSSAA needs to ensure is they have a plan in place, as well as a contingency. MTSU hung them out to dry last year, which caused the tournament to end prematurely. Can't afford to have that happen this year too.

Wow! This thread went off the rails over the weekend...

I know that it won't happen for a number of reasons, but I think state championships should rotate between East, Middle and West, not just in basketball but all sports. It is a definite advantage to not have to travel a long distance to participate at state. Whether it is tournament or single game/event, the advantage of being able to sleep in your own bed cannot be understated. Being able to stay in a normal routine can make a huge difference. Let alone the benefit of having more fans available to attend. The issue is nowhere else seems to bid on these things, and I'd assume it is because there isn't anything in it for the other areas, because the TSSAA takes a large cut of the revenue. There are other venues/areas that would be great to see state titles hosted: UTK, UTC, UTM, Memphis, Vandy, or just other cities with their own venues for sports. The issue is that it takes someone to run all of that and volunteers to assist. The whole centralized location thing is a bit of a farce. Golf is moving their championship to the Smokies, Soccer already plays in Chattanooga. Schools in the far East and West are at a disadvantage financially, as well, having to constantly spend money if they regularly make championships. It has less to do with that and more about putting together a package the TSSAA thinks is good. That being said, the more centralized the location, I'm sure the more money they bring in.

Good news for cheerleaders, as well. Should mean gyms will be back to "new normal". Looking forward to being able to support our kids and watch some good ball.

There is a lot that needs to happen for South Gibson to get to the point they can consistently compete with South Side, not saying they are there right now. However, they have the pieces on the team to get there. There is enough potential coming through that program that they can compete with anyone, but they have to develop and utilize it properly; and at this point, that's the biggest question mark. South Side will be for sure the team to beat, and for good reason, but if they play their cards right don't sleep on SGC, especially down the road.

They should have a couple of solid posts coming up the pipe over the next couple of years, but all of their height seems to be lanky right now. With as many athletes as they have, they can play positionless basketball and thrive. One of their best players, Bone, is playing a post when she should be a wing. Great 3pt shooter, not built to play the post offensively. If they can figure things out over the next few years, they should give South Side some competitive games in that new region, but they still have a ways to go. Pieces are there, but not put together.

South Gibson has a lot of potential, they showed that tonight. Just haven't been able to come anywhere close to maximizing that potential yet. They played well and kept the game close, even before Harrison got hurt. First game I've gotten to see Westview this year, and wasn't as wowed by them as I've been the last few years. Not sure if it was just an off night, or what. After the injury, Westview looked (understandably) rattled, but they played solid defense and managed to hang on. South Gibson sat on the ball the final two minutes, and held for one shot at the end. Both teams throughout the game held the ball for long periods of time (SGC primarily). Westview sat in a zone and South Gibson kept sitting on the ball to try and pull them out of it. It was a game of chicken and no one budged. Made you wish we had a shot clock in high school. Weird night for both teams. Harrison injury was very scary. Hate to see that happen to anyone, but especially someone of her caliber. Hopefully, she makes a full recovery quickly. Was glad to hear last night that she was regaining feeling. South Gibson was playing without their coach and lead assistant coach (they are married). Their 13 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia on Monday and has suddenly been very very sick. Moving him to St. Jude. Keep them in your prayers!

Final was 43-28 Westview. Westview was up 28-26, going into the final period.

Anyone go to the Westview-Dyersburg game? Why in the world was that game as close as it was? Westview had two point lead going into the 4th.