SportsWestTN

Are you suggesting that a coach getting jumped in the parking lot after the game is not a big deal? I agree the school and coach can only do so much to control the own fans, but it is something different if it were her family members that assaulted him. Again, some of it depends on who knew what and who decided to do the attack, and who assisted in carrying it out. Certainly isn't something that should be taken lightly.

Not as familiar with the East, but I'll give it a shot. I'll take: 1AA- Grainger 2AA- Northview 3AA- McMinn in an upset 4AA- Macon Co. 5AA- Maplewood 6AA- Creek Wood 7AA- South Side 8AA- Covington

Yes and yes

This is mostly consistent with what I've heard. I've heard the motive was potentially related to something McCord had said about the other coach, but not sure that has been confirmed (and still isn't justification for it happening). Regardless, it is a big problem, and one that will have ramifications beyond the basketball court. If the Coach had any knowledge about what was going to happen before it did or even directed it to happen, she should face serious disciplinary action. Until they sort everything out and find out who knew what, it is hard to say what should/will happen. We've seen teams thrown out of tournament play for fighting. Granted, this wasn't during the game, and wasn't necessarily players doing the fighting, but if they aided or instigated those who caused they fight, you might see the TSSAA step in. A bad situation, for sure.

Haven't seen either this year. Saw FW the last few season, though, and they weren't very good. Must have improved a bit this year. They opened the year losing by 15 to Westview, so that is a point of reference. Covington has dominated that district, but it is historically a weaker district. Not having District 16 in the mix hurts this regions chances. Normally you have a team out of Memphis that can pose a problem. Melrose made it to the Glass House last year. I've heard Covington has some talented players and good speed. Covington has beaten FW three times already this season, each time by double digits. Covington made state two years ago, putting out a South Side team that wasn't at full strength. Played Westview close in Substate last year. Personally, I think 7AA will get both teams in. Covington is good enough to pull off an upset, but both Westview or South Side would be favored. It'd be a big time upset if Fayette Ware knocked off SS or WV.

It is hard to not be hurt by other people experiencing joy, while you are experiencing pain. Natural human reaction. One of the difficult things about being a sports fan. It's also difficult in the moment to celebrate a victory, but still be cognizant of other people's feelings. Many people don't do that well. Some don't care and act especially poor. I know the type of celebrating that you are talking about, and it is hard to not get angry with it when you are emotionally invested in a team and players that are hurting. Good on you for realizing your overreaction, but I think most of us understand where the pain comes from. We've all been there. A lot of times, it is better to let those strong emotions simmer, and the product won't be quite as bad.

Biggest key for both teams: Dictate the tempo! South Side will want to play fast, Westview will want to slow it down. South Side will want to get out in transition and force live-ball turnovers so they can get on fastbreaks and take advantage of Westview's lack of speed. South Side has always been good at rebounding and getting second chance buckets, they'll need to be doing this at their highest level against Westview's size. Westview will want to slow South Side down offensively and turn it into a battle of half court games. They'll try to pack the paint and utilize their size to prevent drives and slow down SCJ. If they can get their defense set, they are active enough defensively they can cause some problems for South Side. On the offensive end, they'll want to get good ball movement going and use drives and screens to free up shooters. They'll need to get their posts involved and get quite a few buckets at the rim to help open up things on the perimeter. All that being said, I think South Side is a bad matchup for Westview. I think South Side wins by 12. Wouldn't be surprised to see Westview play it close or even lead early on; but I think South Side has too much speed and too much depth, and eventually that'll wear the Chargers out.

They've become a good shooting team, but that's all they've focused on. Watching a lot of their district games, their offense is just looking for open 3s, but they don't do a lot to try and setup open looks. It's a strange scheme. They'll lose three, four-year starters going into next season, but they've shown they have a lot of young talent that can compete and take them places. Allen has been a workhorse for them this season, and they've got a slew of sophomores and freshman that have shown what they can do, but just haven't been given consistent opportunities to shine, not to mention the kids they'll bring up from the MS this year. Just need to develop it the right way and put them in the right positions to be successful. Being in SS's district next year will mean they need to step it up a few notches, if they want to compete for the top spot. Tonight showed they still have a ways to go to get there. SS is good every year, not just because they have talent, but because they do a good job of developing their talent, playing hard, and putting their kids in positions to be successful. That makes up a good portion of a 21 point margin.

While true that you'll need to limit their threes, they do a lot more off-ball to set up open three point looks then SGC does. They'll get some better looks, but it will be important to limit their opportunities and do a good job closing out. Jada prefers to get others involved rather than take over the game herself. As dangerous as she can be, you have to make sure to not overcommit to her.

Most years I understand the charge for places that stream it; but with attendance limited, I think that should be waived. Saw a boys game that is tomorrow night that has already sold out. I assume most of these other games are going to be impossible to get into. Stinks for those of us that won't be able to see.

They have enough athleticism to not get run out of the gym, if they play to their potential. A lot of the younger group they have (freshman & sophomores) are very athletic. Not saying they are as athletic as South Side, but they are athletic enough to hold their own. Physically, I'm not sure how well they match up. The length SG has (couple of near six-footers) are very lanky. They don't have a true post player. Bone, Freed signee, has to play center when she is really a sharp shooting wing. Spencer is best physically imposing presence down low, but she is undersized for a post and plays more on the perimeter. Their offense style though doesn't take advantage of their speed. They take a long time to do things in the half court. They look for open threes or wait for one of their few drivers to go to the basket. Against SH they were able to get some good lobs on cuts to the basket, but they haven't utilized that much this year. If I were coaching against them, I'd be more likely to force them to convert in the half court. Unless they are just nailing threes, they flounder in the half court. SG has the athletes and enough ball handlers to press break, IF they have the right kids in. There are a few they'll keep in that don't make good decisions with the ball and don't dribble. Gibson Co. spanked them over Christmas, because they just crumbled against their press (which befuddles me because GC's press isn't even that intense). I'm assuming at Thanksgiving against SS something similar happened. They've played other teams this season (Westview, Dyer Co., etc.) and been able to handle the press and actually get easy buckets against it (why Westview had to move to 2-3 zone). Like I said in an earlier post, mentally will be the issue you see from SG tonight. I think they'll be rattled and defeated before the game starts. If they can get past the mental side of things, I think they could keep it respectable. Lose, but not get run out the gym.

Agreed, both districts are down. Makes me wonder exactly where Westview and South Side are, since it has been hard to gauge. Both are obviously good, the questions is how good. Covington certainly won't be easy.

The foul was inexplicable. Game was for sure going to overtime without it. SGC did a decent job defending her but the difference was rattling the rest of their team. She didn't touch the ball a lot, especially early, because SG was disrupting passes and forcing errors. Best defensive intensity I've seen from this high school group.

As down as I've been on Westview, I think they are much deeper than Chester Co. Saw CC early in the year and they'll live and die by Mia. Westview has the best player on the floor (Jada), but she makes an impact on the game without having to score. They need her in the game to facilitate, and she can't go scoreless, but it'd take a herculean effort for CC to pull the upset IMO.

I was really surprised with how poorly Scotts Hill played the other night. Blaize scored 14, but it was a quiet 14. Lions couldn't throw a marble in the ocean in the first half. SH seemed really bothered with SGC's defense, which was a real surprise. South Gibson kept them in it in the second half with a lot of poor decision making and trying to hold the ball. Credit to SH for continuing to fight and tie it back up. Game was tied with SGC trying to hold for the last shot and Blaize intentionally fouled with 6 seconds left on the clock, while in the bonus. Guessing she either didn't realize they were tied or that they were in the bonus, but that proved to be the difference maker. South Gibson wasn't going to get a good look on the possession. It was a mess. I'm guessing the SH you all got to see through much of this season played a lot better than the other night.

UC's biggest key will be getting Williams and Bonds going early on the offensive end. I think they'll need a 20+ point performance from each if they are going to pull off the upset. I agree, gotta keep turnovers down and not give Gibson Co. anything easy. Would definitely be a fun game to be at. This late in the year, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to find a ticket for any of these games (Thanks, COVID).

Did pretty well with my predictions for first round. I stand by my predictions for the Semifinals. I think Chester Co. can hang around with Westview and at least keep it respectable. South Gibson looked as good defensively and effort as I've seen all season, but I think we'll see a different team tonight. Physically/athletically, I think South Gibson isn't as outmatched as some would think (not saying they are good enough to win, but good enough to play a decent game with them), but mentally they'll be defeated before they walk in the gym. South Side has beaten them real bad the last two times they've played and I don't think they believe they can compete with them. I think it gets out of hand, and gets out of hand early.

You see this in all districts. I saw someone mentions Haskins, as well. Other coaches aren't going to give it to the same person every year. They try to spread the love, or pick teams they feel like have overachieved. Coach of the year rarely goes to who is actually the best coach. Most great coaches don't care anything about the award, anyway.

Certainly wouldn't surprise me. I think if the right South Gibson team shows up they can compete with Scotts Hill, but if they play like they did last night they'll get run out the gym. They've got their own issues they need to correct.

I feel good about Westview and South Side's ability to get to the championship game, given the matchups. I could see Scotts Hill pulling an "upset" (wouldn't be much of one IMO). I really am not impressed with Chester Co., so wouldn't be shocked if they lost, but I just don't trust Crockett's ability to score. My predictions on margins could be wrong, but feel pretty good about the winners I picked.

Not sure about the Gleason game, but I know Bradford was down huge going into the 4th and went on a big run to turn it back into the game. Walter is a matchup problem for most teams; but having Hart, I don't expect that to be an issue. Bradford certainly isn't a bad team, but GC is a bad matchup for them. I'd expect it to be a wide margin.

Combination of the two, plus I've been around a lot of these teams and kids for a while. Try to stay in my lane and only talk about the stuff I know about. I have some leanings, but still try to be impartial and realistic about the teams I do pull for.

I could see the attitude issues, so that's not a surprise. I know they have a couple good young players that should move up next year, and some other kids that can improve on the current team. I think Dyersburg will be fine moving forward. In that respect, they are in a much better spot then Union City is.

Like I said, my concern would be less about Westview offensively, but defensively. Top level PG and smart kids you can handle the press, for the most part. The bigger issue is handling things in transition defensively. Any rebounds or live-ball turnovers become a big issue. You either sacrifice offensive rebounding, or risk getting beat on fast break. Neither is a good predicament against a team of South Side's caliber.

Westview is going to struggle to play fast on the defensive end. The twins aren't very quick and that is going to put someone out of position defensively. South Gibson exploited that in the regular season meeting, which is why they moved to a zone. South Gibson had a few opportunities last night to try and push the pace after misses or steals, but didn't take advantage. I don't know if McNairy or Chester can do enough to really exploit it, but South Side definitely will. As long as Westview can make their baskets on the offensive end, they can get back and get set defensively, but if shots aren't falling, they'll struggle to get back against all the speed South Side has.