eyeonu

Westmoreland girls won, by seven I believe. I wasn't very impressed by either team. There was just too much sloppy play, too many turnovers. Holly Compton is going to be a great player for Macon County. She's already the best player on that team as a sophomore. She's so quick. She controls a game with her ball-handling and heady play. Macon County would have had a better chance had Wix stayed out of foul trouble. She has to be a presence inside for Macon County to be successful. Troutt played pretty well tonight too. Westmoreland's girls play more as a team. They don't overly-rely on one or two players, like the Tigerettes do with Compton and Wix. I was surprised however at that Westmoreland's big girl, No. 31 I think, didn't make the all-tournament team. She's a real good player. I couldn't believe she wasn't one of their top four players. She always plays tough defense on Wix or Sircy, helps handle the ball on the press and just seems to be a leader out there. It'll be a big loss for Westmoreland when she's gone. She was in foul trouble too though along with Westmoreland's No. 15. It's always a good game when those two teams play. They play two more times I think. Good luck to both teams.

Macon County beat Portland 55-30. Consolation game-RBS vs. Portland Championship game-Macon County vs. Westmoreland

Is home-court really that big of an advantage for RBS? I mean they split with Westmoreland on their home floor, winning once, then get pasted on Monday night.

Let's get one thing straight, nobody is replacing Jones. She was a stud. She was the best player in the district and region last year. She may have been the best player in the midstate (though Mariska Reed was awfully impressive). Snow was great too, but nobody controlled a game like Jones. Snow had to rely on others to get her the ball. Other people had to put her in a position to succeed, and succeed she did. She led her team to the state title. Jones ran the show. She should have been a Miss Basketball candidate also. Urell is solid. She's seems smart and is a good defensive player. She is one of many solid players on the Westmoreland team. But there is no Sarah Jones on this Westmoreland team. Again, nobody runs the show like Jones did. Westmoreland is solid and seems to be getting better. They could challenge some of those favorites during the second half of the season. I don't think the Gordonsvilles, Friendships, Clarkranges and Clay Counties of the world will be overlooking Westmoreland though with all of the success that Westmoreland has had since coming into 8-A. Good luck to all. It should be a great regional tournament.

I thought Portland beat ER. Anybody know for sure. I believe the scoreboard has it backwards.

51-30

51-30

GIRLS Westmoreland vs. RBS girls, 7 p.m. On Dec. 27 Macon County vs. Portland girls, 7 p.m. On Dec. 28 Consolation game 4 p.m. On Dec. 30 Championship game 7 p.m. On Dec. 30 BOYS Dec. 27 Macon County vs. Hermitage Springs, 8:30 p.m. East Robertson vs. Portland, 5:30 p.m. Jackson County vs. Smith County, 4 p.m. Dec. 28 Macon County-HS loser vs. ER-PHS loser, 4 p.m. Westmoreland vs. Macon County-HS winner, 8:30 p.m. East Robertson-Portland winner vs. Jackson County-Smith County winner, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30 Jackson County-Smith County loser vs. winner of Dec. 28's first game, 2:30 p.m. Consolation game, 5:30 p.m. Championship game, 8:30 p.m.

That's it. They can't do any worse than fourth. Four total games on the girls' side – two semifinals, a consolation game and a championship game.

RBS has proven that it has a solid squad. RBS plays a lot better at home though. They just play with so much more confidence at home. It should be a great game with Westmoreland in the opener.

Macon vs. Portland RBS vs. Westmoreland

RBS obviously played well against two very good Class A programs. They were well-prepared for their opponents and did a great job of executing their game plan. RBS is a different team when playing in front and playing from behind. If they get the lead, they're tough because they're very patient offensively. They make you work on that end of the floor. RBS is a threat. It sounds like it should be a very interesting district and region tournament with the likes of Clarkrange, Clay County, RBS, a much-improved Monterey team, Gordonsville, Friendship Christian and Westmoreland. Good luck to all.

Did Portland beat RBS?

Did Portland have some girls who didn't play? The box score in the Tennessean said that only three players scored - none of which was their best player, Smallwood.

Each team plays the other two teams in its pool. The teams that finish 2-0 in their pool go to the championship game. The 1-1 team from each pool makes it to the consolation game. If there is a three-way tie in one pool, it goes by margin of victory.

Red Boiling vs. Portland on Thursday night The winner of that game plays Westmoreland on Friday night The winner of Friday night's game plays Clay County in Saturday's championship

What about the other bracket...who plays the late game on Wednesday (or is there a late game on Wednesday)?

Portland by 10

Miss Basketballs should come from teams that play somebody. The level of competition that she plays against is horrible. Her team is not good either. She's a very good player, but shooting 30 times to score 30 points should not get her a Miss Basketball nomination. Good luck to her though. I hope she gets an opportunity to play college ball somewhere if that's what she wants.

Is it surprising to anyone that Westmoreland went to Red Boiling and won? Westmoreland lost Jones. I thought Red Boiling was supposed to be really young last year and much improved this year. Was it just an off night for RBS?

Friendship played them that close without Zimmerman? Sounds like 7-A might be down this year. Clay County beat Clarkrange and then almost loses to FC without Zimmerman. Region semifinals may be as far as 7-A goes this year.

It may be just like old times (2002-03) for Clay County and Clarkrange come state tourney time.

Okay, but what does that have to do with basketball...is she not playing basketball because of these other committments?

Still no Zimmerman in the box score of last night's 65-25 win over Boyd Christian

Gordonsville will be back playing in Murfreesboro for the first time since the Brooke Armistead days. Lots of depth and well-coached. As for Clay County and Clarkrange, I don't know how either of them can believe they are that good when one gave up 76 points and the other gave up 65. If defense wins championships, then those two will be in Murfreesboro...if they buy tickets.