Doc.____615

Here is the links to newspaper articles on both Haywood and Liberty's substate games. The first 1 is for Haywood the second for Liberty, they're more informative than I can ever be on either 1. http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../603070317/1006 http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar...319/1006/NEWS17 It was Kemp he hit. But I think Irvin had only played in 1 or 2 games before that 1.

I'm no Liberty expert or an expert on anything for that matter, but I have seem them play quite a few times. They are very athletic and play an very very aggressive style of basketball. They attack non stop on both ends of the court. They have some size, I don't know all the names but I think the line up is like this. 1. J. Long I think his about 6'2 and he's has real good game on both ends 2. A Long 6'1 and he's a great player also on both ends and will battle inside 3. Jones 6'6 very athletic great inside guy great shoot blocker 4. Sampson 5'3 ridiculous quickness and ball handling skills 5. Brandon Evans I'm sure you guys know about him 6. Sain 6'6 can shoot the outside jumper and plays hard inside I don't know the other names, but they have a back up PG that's not as quick as Sampson but very good. 3 more guys that knock down 3's all day 1 is no.5. I know its more guys than that for Liberty that get legit playing time. I've seen them put so many different lineups out there that its hard to get all the names. But they play about 8 or 9 deep and press press press.

I want to see Bolivar win 3 in a row, but I think Mitchell might be too tough if Bolivar is waiting on its role players to step up. I think Mitchell pulls of the upset of the champs.

Sycamore abeat JCM by 10 and then lost to Bolivar by 30. Bolivar lost to Hamilton by 1. There is no logic in comparing games like that. This not a good matchup for Greeneville. Hamilton wins by 15.

Thats the reason this tournamnet is odd to me. Second rounds are generally where you see the big upsets. In the first round you have over a week to prepare for your opponent, in the second round you have 1 day at best, so its a prime round for the upset. This years tournament puts teams together that are pretty familar with each other. Bolivar and Mitchell have played each other, and Brandon Powell, Thad Young, Willie Kemp and Wayne Chism spent all summer together playing on the same AAU Team. Haywood and Liberty have played twice already and Jarvis Varnado and Brandon Evans spent all summer together also playing on the same AAU team. Just kind of ironic to me I guess. I think Mitchell will win this 1, but you never know. I dont think any team is a lock this year.

I never in my life would have thought that Haywood would be an underdog to Liberty.(I still dont BTW, because if Haywood wins I would have a hard time calling it an upset) I ate enough crow after the first defeat that I didnt have any room left for the second one. When I think of West Tennessee basketball, I think of Union City, Bolivar, and Haywood. It seems like those three schools always put a great team on the floor. They might have a down year here and there but for the most part they are always well coached and always dangerous. But this year Liberty overall team is one of the finest. There are teams with 1 or 2 players that are hands down the best on the floor, but as far as a team, Liberty is as deep as it comes. Haywood will bring their A game "this aint their first rodeo". I think it will be a classic.

Experience is often a key factor in the tournament. But you have to remember the last 3 games were all new to Liberty also. The win over Bolivar was huge for Liberty. They always had the team physically to do it, but they just were not there in the mental aspect yet. Without that win I think the lack of expereince would have gotten to Liberty once they made it to the boro. The fact that they get a fimilar foe also plays in the Crusaders favor. As far as players being mature, its hard to find teenagers more mature than the Long brothers and Brandon Evans.

Anyother year Siegel would be the favorite with the team they have right now. Hamilton is just too big too strong and too deep for most teams. It would be a great game between the 2, but Hamilton is undefeated for a reason. Yes, it does get old hearing how 1 part of the state is so much better than another part of a state in a sport. East and Middle Tennessee fans tend to forget that during football season though.

Mitchell.

2006 ESPN2 & ESPNU High School Basketball Games (All times eastern) Wed., Jan. 18 Episcopal (Pa.) vs. Neumann Goretti (Pa.) 7 p.m. ESPN2 Thu., Jan 19 Lawrence North (Ind.) at North Central (Ind.) 7:30 p.m. ESPN2 Sat., Jan. 28 Boliver (Tenn.) vs. Mitchell (Tenn.) 7 p.m. ESPNU Ridgeway (Tenn.) vs. Brentwood (Tenn.) 9 p.m. ESPNU Sat., Feb. 11 Episcopal vs. St. Patrick (N.J.) 7 p.m. ESPNU Oak Hill Academy (Va.) vs. St. Benedict's (N.J.) 9 p.m. ESPNU

I'm glad somebody posted this because i got blasted at work for saying the same thing about Memphis teams.

Charger is exactly right. Middle schools and freshman teams are a great start. Sometimes you can get on a varsity team, but be prepared to be a glorified manager. Also youth football leagues can help, its extremly easy to get a team to caoch, and you will find out how difficult it is also.

Numer 1 fact: Neither team will make it to substate. Number 2 fact: If the coach was smart he would let his PG gaurd Liberty's 2 and l let his 2 guard handle the Sampson kid. Number 3 fact: I've seen both, clear out a spot for distirct trophies only.

I've seen all three of these play, and Lexington is no Bolivar. Bolivar isnt even the best AA team in the state, so lexington is a long long way from being it this year. Liberty might not even make it out of the region and mcnairy and lexington will take 2 losses by both of them. After Jan. 3 this topic will disappear just like lexington in the tournaments. BET ON IT

Another vote for Wille Kemp.