gicu812

To blame the officials for Torry's meltdown is very shortsighted. No one goes balistic because of one perceived injustice. That reaction came from years and years of being pampered and petted. Let's not be fooled into thinking this was the fault of a questionable call. And to the poster that says, "I wonder how many of you will contact the TSSAA on how the officials did in these Championships," I say that incompetence (at least in your view) does not equal cheating, which is what you seem to imply. I find myself torn on my feeling toward Coach Johnson of Mitchell. I appreciated his comments condeming Torry's behavior in the paper, yet I believe that he also contributed to it by not nipping it at a much earlier time. I don't know the background but those are my thoughts.

I have been a coach and teacher for over 25 years and I have seen our standards lowered and lowered and they continue to lower. I have seen many instances of kids given bad breaks. But, life goes on. They have to learn to deal with their circumstances and adjust. Kids can't be excused from unexceptable behavior because of where they were raised or by whom they were raised. If we excuse it, then very soon we be asked to excuse broken laws. Kids have to be held responsible for their actions. Help them? Absolutely. Overlook them? Absolutely not.

ya' gotta stop Hassell. She may be the best in the state.

Jasmine Brooks hits London Elie on a backdoor cut at the buzzer to beat Riverdale 47-45. Has any coach done a better job than Darian Brown? Just 2 short years ago, Lebanon was the laughing stock of the district. Now they are the champions. Congratulations to Coach Brown and all the hard working young ladies that turned this thing around.

..........as did Southside (winning both the James C. Haile and the TNT).

I like Blackman to jump up and win the district. Coach Turnham shocked me last year with the job he did and this year, with returning talent and a strong sophomore group, they may just win it all. I know Oakland and Riverdale will be loaded but I'm not sure you count Blackman out.

No doubt Oden is the best player in the district, with apologies to 2priceless and Chaisson Allen, but Siegel seemed to play harder and more cohesively tonight than I have ever seen. Scary. huh?

A coach does what is best for the team, not one player.

He sat out until the next deadball and returned to the game. I saw no ill affects from the injury when he returned. When he went down, I was devastated. He was holding his knee like it was bad. I couldn't believe this great player's career might be in jeopardy. When he returned a minute later, I was devastated all over again.

Is it possible that Siegel is a better TEAM without Oden? I mean, Ramsey gets more looks with Oden out. He just absolutely dominated Cookeville. With Oden in the game, Ramsey is reduced to a role player. A very good role player, but a role player nonetheless.

Lebanon lucky? I thought Oakland was lucky that Lebanon had an off night. Presley something like 1-7 from the 3 point line? Payne still weakened from a midweak sickness? Lebanon couldn't buy a shot and Oakland scored at will (from the freethrow line). I really thought Lebanon could have won earlier this year at Oakland. And you know, everyone has an offnight when they lose. If they have an "on" night, they win, Brilliance.

Actually, they were 2-15. They lost to Oakland twice by around 50 points. Their only wins were against Riverdale and Blackman.

That is ridiculous. In the fourth quarter, Oakland was fouled on virtually every possession. Lebanon had their entire team in foul trouble. I commented to my buddy that the officials were definitely pulling for Oakland-Siegel III.

That's wrong. Good teams come back. Cookeville is a good team that can come back on anyone. Oakland should be getting kudos for sucking it up and winning against a tough district rival. Instead, they get criticized for not winning by enough points. This is crazy! I guess when you experience the success that Randy King and the boys have experienced then overblown and outrageous expectations are just the price you have to pay. I would guess that every other team in the district would love to have such lofty expectations.

You people know that Cookeville is not just a bunch of basketball illiterate country boys, don't you? Do you think a quality team such as Cookeville is just gonna lay down and let Oakland run over them? I would expect them to fight (no pun intended) there way back into the game and would not be surprised if Cookeville beats Oakland in the rematch. To say Oakland is not a great team because they didn't bury Cookeville is ludicrous. Oakland may or may not be a great team, but don't just judge them on their game with a very strong Cookeville squad.

You're just not paying attention, are you? What I am saying is: "leave the game alone!" It is fair to all as it is. Don't change the rules because Blackman beat Oakland your freshman year. What part of that could you possibly not understand?

Let's go all the way. Let's maximize the number of volleys' allowed in tennis. Who wants to sit and watch two guys slug it out on the baseline. Let's require football teams to pass it every play. It's boring to watch a team control the clock by running it all the time. In baseball, let's require pitchers to throw nothing but fastballs. Those less talented guys that can't rip in at 90+mph just slow down things with all those boring curves and changeups. My point is, my dear slow witted friend, is that patience is part of the game. Leaving the game as it is does not "give a break" to the less talented team. Putting in a shot clock does give a break, to the to better teams. Leave the game alone. It is the best game going.

Their 'State Final Four' banner says they played terrible defense?

Pro and college football? Are you referring to a play clock? Are you relating that to a shot clock in basketball? Now THAT is ridiculous. A team could just stay in the huddle for the entire game and the defense could do nothing. Of course football needs a PLAY clock. BUT, I think high school basketball is great the way it is. I would hate to see it changed. A shot clock would simply make it tougher for lesser talented teams to compete.

I've got to agree with Devildog. It may not be exciting but it gives teams options. Hey, I've got an idea! Take the transition game away from the athletic teams and make them walk it up. Naw, that's ridiculous. And so is a shot clock.

What about the individual districts? Any results? I would really like to know, especially the girls.

I just have to add my 2 cents worth. I hear nothing but great things about Coach Sloan. The kids and the parents all respect him. BUT, and that is a big BUT, if he did indeed refuse to shake hands with the opposing coach and players, I would have to say that he was wrong. As WJBDEVILS himself said, a coaches job goes beyond the white lines. I expect the coaches of my kids to reinforce the values I teach. Respect for opponents and the game itself is a big part of the values I speak of. It really doesn't matter to me about what went wrong for a coach at a previous job, he should show respect and class at all times. I certainly hope that what binns37388 said is not true. I hope Coach Sloan did indeed shake hands and congratulate Coach Tate on his win. If not, I hope he has done whatever he can to rectify the situation. A bad example like that will stick with the kids far longer than the fundamentals of how to handle the cutoff from the outfield! P.S. To WJBDEVILS: CoachT is not just for postive thoughts. It is not all hugs and kisses and puppy dogs. It is a discussion board and people have a right to discuss issues as they see fit. If you don't agree, just meet 'em in the parking lot, right? That's a great example for your on kid!

Dude, your skin is WAY too thin. You need to find something else to do.

I hear you, coach21, but I don't agree. I think all fans are fairweather to a certain extent. They eventually will grow into the staunch supporters teams need to push them to a higher level. Again, I respect you opinion, I just don't agree.

If he is up the line WITH THE BALL, he is still fair game. You can't be expected to slide 15 feet from the plate. You are also out for 'avoiding the tag'. In this case, the catcher can be hammered.