nick32

Pickel, Hare from Bradley and possibly Little from Cleveland. It is according to how well these players do in the upcoming games. All three are averaging between 17-20 points a game and have led there teams to rankings of 2nd and 3rd in the state. Hare and Pickel are all-around players and can do it all. Little being only a sophomore may be an honorable mention pick.

Bradley won by around 25 points. I left before the game was over, but Bradley had a commanding lead. Oak Ridge seemed to have a fairly strong team but were worn down quick by the Bears defense. Pugh had a double double. Brown keeps getting better and better. Pickel and Hare were the usual steady players. Oak Ridge has some good outside shooters but were just taken out of there game by the Bears. All that behind though it is a new season. Lets try to go 9-0 Bears in the new season! Good luck to all!

Bradley girls played one of their best games of the year. No doubt Coach Harlow will have them ready for tournament play. Congratulations to Brandi Scott for a great regular season. Keep it up in the tournament. And Kristen Reynolds has amazingly quick hands. Good luck to Brandi, Tamra, Kristen, Lindsey, Jackie, Ashley and all the rest of the Bearettes. If you can play a team like OR that good then you can play McMinn and Cleveland that good. Do it and you will be playing for a few more weeks.

Cleveland NEVER fouls, just ask them. They also NEVER lose. Someone steals the game from them. [Edited by nick32 on 2-21-03 1:05P]

Just glad to see that the district coaches had enough sense to make the tournament a five day one instead of three. Even so there will still be many people that won't be able to see the game on Friday night because it is in such a little gym. Maybe they will have enough sense to move the final region game to another site.

Don't know about these two players stats but I would definitely give them this award. Because of the play of these two, the determination and the hustle, there team is 3rd in state. I would guess that both of these have several steals per game and assists also. Probably don't lead there team in points but probably both are averaging in double figures. They are Cory Pugh and Kellen Pickel for the Bradley Bears. These young men have fire in there eyes and refuse to lose. These two will go far in life because of there willingness to never give up and always hustle. They would get my vote for the WOJO award. [Edited by nick32 on 2-20-03 2:40P]

I take it there is a story behind this.

Will these teams meet again next Thursday in the finals? Time will tell. The game will be played at Cleveland High School which is a very small gym for a AAA district tourney to be held in especially a game of such magnitude. All you basketball fans better get there early or the doors will be locked. There is a chance it could be the same matchup in the girls final. Skip work and get there by 5:00

Anybody got the times and matchups of the AAA tourney? Any chance at all that the final game may change locations? But I guess EVERBODY knows that it should change locations. Let me know if you know the times and matchups of these games. What about matchups and times of the AA tourney to be held at Cleveland State? :confused:

Uh- Sweetwater, McMinn Central, Ooltewah, Walker Valley? Yes I would say that is very tough. And to think that Cleveland actually beat those tough teams? my oh my, they should be number one playing a schedule like that. I can see that those teams are much better than Lebanon or Oakland. Talk about schedules all you want but Bradley's record against Cleveland is 2-0. The SOS does NOT include out of state teams that they have played.

It will take beating Cleveland in the region finals for Bradley to get any respect. It doesn't matter that they have convincingly beat all other district teams and beat Cleveland twice. Once on Clevelands homecourt. Or that Bradley has played a much tougher schedule than Cleveland. Note that Cleveland played Sweetwater, McMinn Central and Walker Valley all AA schools. But all in all do the polls really matter? No...... Hang in there Bradley and show those pollsters who is really the best team. And do you really think that a second win over Cleveland would have made a difference. Bradley beat them once at Cleveland and the voters didn't change their minds. Then they beat them a second time (oh but I forgot they cheated that time) and they still didn't change. That is a stupid remark to say that the voters think Cleveland got cheated. None of them were even at the game. What a stupid remark! :confused: [Edited by nick32 on 2-19-03 1:12P]

Let it die. What has been said has been said and what has been quoted has been quoted. Personally, I believe that the paper either misquoted Kellen or he was confused with the question. No player is dumb enough to go around saying that he did not get fouled. I haven't seen the replay but I have talked to two people who have seen it. Defintiely a foul and I believe even Cooper would admit it if he was honest. I also have heard from a reliable source that two of the writers who quoted Kellen said that he did NOT say that to them and they just heard it from someone else. Some rliable quote, huh! But either way, all this should just be dropped. I also know Aaron Green and he probably was misquoted also on some of the things that were written. Green is a good coach who just needs a littel maturing on the court. In a close game at any level one team always leaves thinking they were cheated. Like someone said, if a foul was not called, Bradley would think they had been cheated. Smith would have been mad but I doubt he would have reacted in the way he did. But again, lets all just let it die.Hopefully these two teams will meet again twice. I think it is a shame that they have to meet in the smallest gym in the district. Something should be done to move the game to a larger gym.But that is another controversy in itself. There is no way that Cleveland will give up it's home court for the fans. As for the calls and misquoted qoutes, let it die. And eliminator, I don't have a clue who you are, but to call Kellen Pickel a liar on here is as low as if gets. You obviously don't know the kid. They don't get much more honest than him and to say what you said only takes away from the tremendous effort he gave on the court last Friday. Shame on you!

The integrity and ethics that were lost were when an adult coach chases a referee off of the court and when fans begin throwing things at players. Such should not happen. As far as the game. Two excellent ball teams faced off in front of 4000 fans. At Cleveland, Bradley let a 13 point lead wither away to send the game into three OT's. I believe that there were two or three steals in that game by Cleveland where "obvious" fouls were committed and not called to help the Raiders make there run. Instead of being upset at the calls or "lack of calls", I believe Coach Smith was instead angry at his players for allowing the Raiders to come back on them. If blame should be placed anywhere look to the 16 point lead that was given up. No referee can take 16 points away from a team. And speaking of referees I believe that one of the three referees was in fact a close relative of the Cleveland Coach. Am I mistaken? So if the call was made against Bradley, would Coach Smith have the right to be upset at a relative calling the game. As for Rymer, many games I have seen him call technicals and deciding calls that decide the game to be not in Bradley's favor. My belief is that nobody at Bradley would be very upset if he never came back to Bradley. I was very proud of the class that the Bears showed in coming back. The players for both sides showed class during the game. It is shame that the coaches and adults cannot do the same. It is sounds like nothing but "whining" to blame a loss on the referee. Like I said, Cleveland had a "16" point lead late in the game. Momentum shifted and with that momentum shift, there is always a questionable call. Cleveland will be able to use there own referees next game. The referees in question were "not" the same ones used at Cleveland and Bradley did still come on top in that game. Maybe you can keep looking for some referees that can give you the game. It only makes sense that if you "blame" a referree for a loss then you can give "credit" to the referree for the victory. Congratulations to Kent Smith and his coaching staff for a great victory last night. I think I watched four all-state candidates on the floor. Not bad!!! Baconbreath, nice post. The game was great. How can anyone say that Cleveland is a 10 point better team. I think I would have to say that the two are equal. Cleveland outplayed Bradley for three quarters, I would have to admit. The game was there's to give away, and they did. Bradley took what was there and ran with it. Literally. I can't wait until district finals to see what each team has up there sleeves. Two great teams, many great players. The critics need to let it go at that. Bradley deserved to win with the comeback they made, just as Bradley probably deserved to lose with the comeback they let Cleveland make in the first game.

The integrity and ethics that were lost were when an adult coach chases a referee off of the court and when fans begin throwing things at players. Such should not happen. As far as the game. Two excellent ball teams faced off in front of 4000 fans. At Cleveland, Bradley let a 13 point lead wither away to send the game into three OT's. I believe that there were two or three steals in that game by Cleveland where "obvious" fouls were committed and not called to help the Raiders make there run. Instead of being upset at the calls or "lack of calls", I believe Coach Smith was instead angry at his players for allowing the Raiders to come back on them. If blame should be placed anywhere look to the 16 point lead that was given up. No referee can take 16 points away from a team. And speaking of referees I believe that one of the three referees was in fact a close relative of the Cleveland Coach. Am I mistaken? So if the call was made against Bradley, would Coach Smith have the right to be upset at a relative calling the game. As for Rymer, many games I have seen him call technicals and deciding calls that decide the game to be not in Bradley's favor. My belief is that nobody at Bradley would be very upset if he never came back to Bradley. I was very proud of the class that the Bears showed in coming back. The players for both sides showed class during the game. It is shame that the coaches and adults cannot do the same. It is sounds like nothing but "whining" to blame a loss on the referee. Like I said, Cleveland had a "16" point lead late in the game. Momentum shifted and with that momentum shift, there is always a questionable call. Cleveland will be able to use there own referees next game. The referees in question were "not" the same ones used at Cleveland and Bradley did still come on top in that game. Maybe you can keep looking for some referees that can give you the game. It only makes sense that if you "blame" a referree for a loss then you can give "credit" to the referree for the victory. Congratulations to Kent Smith and his coaching staff for a great victory last night. I think I watched four all-state candidates on the floor. Not bad!!!

My bet is on McMinn Central. They may be the best team in the state. Plus the fact that Walker Valley has no true quality wins this season. They are banking on the fact that they beat Cleveland that they are very strong.Maybe they are strong and this game will be the tell-all game. Cleveland is a AAA team that is simply average in their district and classification. I just looked on here at both teams scedules and couldn't find another win over a top notch team. The only other team they have played that is quality they lost to by alot. I will listen to this game and pull for the Lady Mustangs as I do all local schools. They might can pull it out and make a believer out of all the doubters like myself. Maybe Cox, Rominger, and Morris can pull them through. The key might be in the outside shooting of Brown and Grider or the bench play of the super freshman youngsters Butler and Parks. Don't know how good McMinns bench is but Butler and Parks have been burning the nets off the bench. Good luck! [Edited by nick32 on 1-31-03 10:41A]

After watching Saturday's classic game between Cleveland High and Bradley, I must still say that three of the top 25 juniors played in that game. Hare, Pickel and Cooper could be anywhere in your top 25. There is not much difference between the three. Hare is the strongest, Pickel plays awesome defense and may be the purest shooter of the three, and Cooper is fast and can handle the ball. He can also be a offense show if need be. Hare is averaging around 20 points a game, with Pickel and Cooper both hovering around the 17-18 point mark. All three have impressive stats in the assist and steal categories and Hare rebounds well for a guard. All three can play PG as well as guard. And most impressively, these stats have come against quality teams and all three play on state-ranked ball clubs. Yes, these three are in a class of there own in District 5AAA and in most of the state. My bet is that all three will be two-year state candidates.

Is there any team in District 6AA that is any good at all? From scores I read on here and in the papers, the only teams they can beat are each other. It should be a shoo in for substate as the region runner-up for either Meigs County girls or Walker Valley. Why is it that teams like Livingston, Jackson, Cannon have to put each other out and you have districts as weak as 6AA? I don't see any AA team in the state being able to beat Jackson County come tourney time unless it is McMinn Central. I only hope that McMinn and JC don't face off in the opener of the state as they did last year. I am from Chattanooga and wish that the girls ball in our area was somewhat tougher. Unless you drive up North some to see Bradley, Cleveland, Walker Valley, or McMinn a fan doesn't get to see much good girl's basketball.

Are they in the same district? Region?

Just wrote on the girls board that polls mean nothing. After looking at the boys new poll, I would have to completely second what I wrote over there. Bradley boys defeated Cleveland and Cleveland is still the number two team in the state. :confused: Again, pollsters tend to look at records and not the quality of the wins. Nothing really counts until March.

Good. Maybe when the district happens it will be bearable in there.

I agree with you. Polls mean very little. Some teams have one or two losses with one or two QUALITY victories. Don't worry though, the best teams will be in Murfreesboro no matter where they are ranked in the polls. Giles County has to be a top five team.

In complete agreement! If Cleveland can't turn on the air in a crowd of 2000 plus, then they should not be allowed to host a those type of games. I think it was a disgrace that Cleveland allowed the crowd, who all paid 5.00 a head, to suffocate the way they did. It was a disgrace to all CHS supporters.

With Bradley playing at a sub-par Red Bank tonite, the game to watch will be at Cleveland High. Cleveland's girls are coming off a big win over Bradley and Oak Ridge may be the best team in teh state. I predict Oak Ridge by 15. Boys game will be a differernt story. Cleveland is worn out after three OT's Saturday, but I think CHS will prevail in a close close one. Maybe even another OT for the Raiders. LOL Everyone in Bradley County should come to Cleveland tonight to watch this big game. Should be a good one to see. Wonder if the heat will be on in the CHS gym tonite!! :confused:

Like the boys game, there was more than one hero in this game. Though it was not as obvious and outstanding as the boys, the girls had some young stars on the court too. Expect both teams to be a threat at tournament time and next year both should be a state threat. Cleveland and the balanced scoring says a lot for the Lady Raiders, as a matter of fact, looking at the scoring for Bradley, they also had a balanced scoring attack. Radar and Rogers, both sophomores, both outstanding ball players. Never lost focus during the game. Though neither are big scorers for the Lady Raiders, their defense and ball handling cannot be overlooked. Rogers has been known in the past to get rattled easy but never looked rattled Saturday. Buckaloo, Bradley did a great job of holding this high scorer to only 12 points. Probably the most overlooked player in the area, maybe the most talented girl in the district. She only scored 12, but when the game was on the line, she put the ball in the hoop. Bradley's Jackson was her usual outside threat. She can hit from anywhere at anytime. Brandi Scott never initimidated by anyone of any size. I like that! I like to watch her play. How about the freshman Pickel? If she wouldn't have fouled out it could have made a huge difference at the end. The kid never skipped a beat on the court. I read about Reynold on here. Love to watch her play. She can outrebound posts that are several inches taller than here. The girl has guts. I would like to see her in the scoring act though. My prediction is that these two teams will fact up in the district finals. My guess is that Harlow will have Bradley ready. Cleveland Lady Raiders should be one of the best in the state with the material that they have, but losses to McMinn and Walker Valley should never have happened? For those two losses alone, I predict that Bradley will upset Cleveland in the district. Can't wait. I will be there.

I have been to numerous Bradley/Cleveland games over the past years and must say that this was the best boys game that I have seen. The girl's game ranks up there with last year's girls game as one of the best in recent years. I must say that the Cleveland administration did a poor job of circulating air in the gym during the boys game. Yes, I think I felt the air during the girls game and then noticed the time that it went off. It never came back on. There were no doors open either. But, the game was so exciting that all of us true fans endured the misery for the excitement. Hare, Pickel, and Cooper, true all-state material. If any of these three are looked over, it will be a shame. Suitor and Little, both stars in the making, just sophomores too. Bradley's Pugh, don't underate the guy. He has heart and can help Bradley to a possible state tourney appearance. In fact, I wouldn't ba at all surprised if both these teams made an appearance in the state either this season or next considering the youth on each team. I agree with the statement made by BYLegend, that there were many heroes of the three OT game. Cooper and his second half heroics, Little and his crowdpleasing dunks, Hare's full court lay-up with little opposition from CHS's defense, Pickel and two very crucial steals that resulted in scores for Bradley, Suitor's free-throws, and the bench for both teams. To come in and play in a game such as this is an awesome accomplishment. I was impressed with both teams. Is Cleveland overrated as I saw a couple of Bradley students holding signs that said? Probably not! My guess is that Bradley is simply not rated high enough. Both teams are legit to be in the top five. I can't wait till Valentine's Day. I am assuming that everyone else is anticipating that date too. I am going to add this to my thoughts about the gym situation, at the risk of making some people mad. Cleveland High is just too small to host a district and region tournament. Someone from Cleveland should have enough class to step up and forfeit the place and go with another setting. I know there is no way in ---- that CHS would allow cross county rival Bradley to host the tourney, but how about letting McMinn host it? Is is all a money thing? The gym is just too too small to seat the crowd that a district such as 5AAA will have.