Know Nothing

Powell didn't look so hot tonight and escaped with an overtime win over a clearly inferior Bradley Central team. A little birdie told me that Powell got a big transfer from Ohio today. I also heard that Oak Ridge lost Coffey for the year, at least that was reported in the Oak Ridger. That is actually a pretty big loss for them as he is a good defender and athletic kid. What's the story about Coffey, I am assuming he got hurt like his brother.

Powell and Oak Ridge are now both 4-0 in district play. Oak Ridge and Powell both had convincing road wins on Friday night. These two teams play at Powell on January 11. There is a decent chance that these two teams will have one combined loss going into that game. I certainly don't see Oak Ridge losing between now and then. Powell's road ahead is fairly easy also. Outside of these teams, I think Karns is clearly the third best team. Clinton, Halls, Campbell County and Central all have a district win, but all have problems. Of these four teams, maybe Halls has the best chance to finish fourth because Cooper and Zabowski will make them competitive with any other district team in the post. Halls' guards are young and green though. West is the only team without a district win.

Powell hit two threes in the last 30 seconds of the first half to lead by 8 and poured it on in the second half. When Halls tried to press, Powell did a nice job of finding easy baskets. Halls is young. They will get better as the season progresses. Panthers looked really good though -- lots of shooters on that team.

Dowdell really struggled tonight. Did not look at all like a D1 player. Neither did Damron for that matter. I am sure that both will have better nights. Stephens was really good. Oak Ridge made some silly mistakes down the stretch that allowed Maryville to stay in the game. Oak Ridge should have won by 20. They had Maryville buried and kept digging them up.

Why? Because they beat up on a mediocre Clinton team. Not so fast. Oak Ridge is very good, but let's see what happens when they play a team with good guards that plays a little zone. These guys have not exactly come up big come Region Tournament the past few years.

Jason Seymore from Powell is averaging four made threes per game. Nick Gordon is also knocking down threes for the Panthers.

Farragut lost at least four starters from last year's team, including Akers and Ounsic (sp?). Clinton may be better, but they will have to show me something. Powell, on the other hand, had a nice win at Bradley Central last night 58-42 in a game that was not close.

I think Oak Ridge is a no-brainer for the #1 spot. But I would put Powell at #2. They have several key players back from the team that went to state, including Jason Seymore, Nick Gordon and Andrew Hansen. They also have Jordan Allen off the football team. He did not play last year, but he is a very good defensive player and will be a good addition. Clinton will have to show me something, but their coach is very good and gets them to play hard. I think Central is the dark horse. Their coach is a former Powell standout and will bring much enthusiasm and competitiveness to that squad. They will be better than before. Halls is awful at the guard spot but getting Cooper back will help. Oak Ridge Powell Clinton Central Campbell County Karns West Halls

Amen on Jason Seymore. That kid shoots it better than anyone I have seen in this area since Lee Humphrey. And he makes them in crunch time. I think he has like 5 four-point plays since he started playing varsity ball. His range is good to five feet behind the line. I would be shocked if he doesn't play DI ball. My buddy who assistant coaches at Powell said that the UTC head coach loves Seymore.

Well, Powell beat D-B in susbstate last year and I find it hard to believe that D-B will be better losing Throp, Sensabaugh and Williamson (I think). Powell should be pretty good again this year. Bearden has great inside game. Oak Ridge has almost every one back from a talented team. And, don't forget Maryville. They are, after all, the defending state champions with numerous players back from that team. To be honest, I think any team from Region 1 will be lucky to get to Murfreesboro.

CCS is a private school. I think that anyone of those kids could transfer to the public school that they are zzoned for and be eligible immediately. They would certainly be eligible if they moved. heck, Gruithous, or whatever his name is attended four different high schools.

Pure unadulterated politics.

It would not surprise me at all for that job to go to the girl's coach at Central.

Knox Central Campbell County

I think Powell has to be second behind Maryville. Powell drilled Fulton at Fulton late in the season. Powell also destroyed A-E in a scrimmage by 20 right before the State Tournament. It wasn't that Powell did not have the depth to do well at State -- Powell simply drew the one team (Oakland) in the tournament that they did not match-up well against. In any event, it was a great year for Powell and Knoxville basketball in general. Congrats to the Rebels. Worthy Champions!