Orangeslide

I think MTSU is the right venue because the state tournament does not draw big crowds in Tennessee for whatever reason. I agree the steps up to the arena should be addressed by MTSU. I think the format with 8 games a day is tough and some plan needs to be addressed with trash in the stands. I had to kick trash out of the way to sit down and the concrete was a sticky mess in the arena. If they keep the same format a plan to deal with the trash needs to be addressed. Maybe they could get people to periodically pick up trash or schedule a break after game 4 to collect some of the trash. I would even have it announced on the PA between games asking fans to dispose of their trash around them. I attended the state championship game in Kentucky and they had 17000 in attendance plus Rupp was very clean. They play two semifinals on Saturday morning and championship game on Saturday night. They do have more time between the sessions to clean the arena. The TSSAA needs to look at double venues for the state tournament for dealing with 4 classifications. Use MTSU and TENN TECH and play two classifications at each venue. Both are geographically connected to middle Tennessee. 4 quarter final games on Wednesday and Thursday and four semi final games on Friday and two championship games on Saturday. Get rid of the 8 games on one day for 3 consecutive days. I definitely think you would get better crowds by playing an afternoon session (noon and 2)and evening session (6 and 8) for games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Play the championship games at 4 and 7 on Saturday evening. Just my 2 cents opinion.

Cookeville, Bartlett, Rossview, and Independence

Creekwood, Ridgeway, Upperman, & Fulton

I like Whites Creek, Austin-East, Alcoa, & Ripley.

I like Union City, North Greene, Middle College, & Jellico.

We will see. Unless they prove they can hit some perimeter shots I think it will be hard for them to put together three starlight wins. Union City has the best overall team of the 8 in class A.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Reynolds and the Jellico Blue Devils. They are making their school’s first ever state tournament appearance! They went on the road tonight and knocked off a tough University High team 65-59. Exciting times for their school and community I’m sure!

I would think Farragut has the largest enrollment in Knox County but Hardin Valley community is really growing and I could see that school having the largest student population in the future.

I think it would depend if Davey wants to coach his son or step side and enjoy the ride of watching his son play high school football. Obviously the kid has superior talent as a 7th grader and he might choose to move him to an elite prep school. But he seems to be doing well at Norris and he might want to play for his dad at AC. I’m sure Davey will weigh out the options for his son and select the path that’s best for him. Until then, I’m sure they just want him to enjoy middle school football.

I agree, if a school wants a certain coach they will take them teacher or not. Administrators believe that having your football coach in the building helps build a better culture as the coach can monitor his players actively at school. The days of full time coaches being full time teachers are slowly diminishing away. Knox County school should always be able to attract quality coaches in football. Find you guy and hire him.

I guess AC has the required seating to host then. Their lower level bleacher situation has existed for 2 years. Not sure what the hold up is with that situation. If they indeed are hosting, a huge advantage for them. They’ve already beaten Union County twice in the regular season and getting them on their home floor is advantage AC. AC has come out smelling like a rose, with the controversial buzzer beater in district final with Clinton. Because of that they were able to avoid Fulton until the region finals, which gets them a guaranteed sectional game which will be on the road. But none the less they will get an opportunity to play with a chance to qualify for the state tournament. I guess Clinton is still steaming as they get Fulton in the semis and their season will be over.

The region 2-AAA semi-finals on Tuesday: 6 pm- Clinton vs Fulton. 7:45- Anderson County vs Union County. I wonder will these games be played at a district 3 gym or a district 4 gym? Don’t think AC could host because of their bleacher situation.

I would assume it would stay at William Blount. I don’t think I’ve ever seen separate region tournament locations for the semi-finals and finals.

Anyone know the Region 2-AAA and Region 2-AAAA tournament locations for semi-finals and finals?

Don’t think region 2 has anyone that can knock off cloudland or north Greene. Sunbright should win region 2, so they will get a home sectional game so I guess anything is possible but I just don’t see it. I think Cloudland and north Greene will be in Murfreesboro.

Oneida knocks off South Greene tonight in Lady Rebel territory. Washburn gets Unaka. Cosby beats University. North Greene rolls. Mondays semis- Cosby/Cloudland. Washburn/North Greene. I see a Cloudland/North Greene regional championship game on Wednesday in the Eagle Nest.

4 classes allows some class A schools a better chance at experiencing success in post season, especially in basketball in my opinion. I personally like the 4 class system for basketball and spring sports. Don’t think the TSSAA would ever drop to 4 classes in football, that’s just my opinion.

Agree, basketball is a unique sport in one and done situations, one bad shooting night and a team can be sent home. Fulton is very good defensively, and they can overcome off shooting nights because of that. Anything can happen in tournament play, but someone would have to catch Fulton playing really bad or shorthanded to knock them off. I would think Fulton will be the prohibitive favorite to bring another gold ball back to Knoxville.

Good point Barney. Some Knox County schools may be up against it to come up with that type of money unless someone gave them advice to develop a financial plan for upgrades when they were installed. I bet the latter as most schools were just happy to get the turf for free. $750,000 is some serious cash to cough up for turf upgrades. I’m old school Barney, not a big fan of the turf fields. I like a well kept Bermuda field, to me they are beautiful. I get the advantage arguments for the turf fields, but the grass fields to me is what high school football should be played on. I think we just got lazy with field upkeep or some schools do not have quality help to take care of the field. Back in the day, coaches took care of the field and still coached the team.

Think i might make my way over to the secret city Saturday night to check this one out. Should be a good one to watch, plus oak ridge had good popcorn the last time I was there. Nothing like a good bag of corn at a high schoolbasketball game.

I agree sweet science this will be a challenge for oak ridge even on their home floor. West is really a good team. Should be a fun game for the fans. Coach Green will have them ready though.

Fulton will be the favorite from the east. Don’t think anybody on this side can beat them AAA. Defensively, they do not let you breathe.

He will be at NG as long as he wants to be there unless he does something stupid to get him canned. Very difficult for 1A schools to find quality coaching. The argument his success is at the 1A level should be put to rest. He’s not gonna be replaced for losing state tournament games. You play who walks through the door to play you. He’s made 3 state tournament appearances in 7 years. Many 1A schools would love to make 1 appearance. Now I will admit he’s been helped tremendously by the foreign exchange program.

I think Oak Ridge will cruise to another district title. But when the region rolls around, gotta get their big boy shorts on to advance.

I’ve seen them once and they do shoot the ball well from 3. Gotta run them off the 3 point line and make them play a grind it out game, by making tough 2 point shots. Take care of the ball with their pressure and try to pound them inside. They lack defending in the post.