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!

Me too. Especially considering that we (Powell) stomped Maryville a couple of weeks ago. Go Rebels!!!!

He's long, athletic, can shoot and score the ball. He needs a little more muscle mass, but he is clearly a good Division I prospect. I don't know how well he will respond to physical play. We will probably find out against Powell.

Patterson played more than 6 players that game, and Marshall Moses and Jamar Samuals played in that game, along with a couple of other players who are Division 1 recruits. Moses committed to Oklahoma State and Samuals is now being actively recruited by Tennessee. You can diss that win all you want -- it was a heck of a win.

Maryville beat Science Hill, who beat Dobyns Bennett, who beat Greeneville, who beat Bradley Central. LOL. You know, I kind of like Maryville's chances. As for Powell, the officiating had nothing to do with the fact that Powell played maybe it's worst game of the year and still won. It was not the refs fault that D-B could not make free throws and point blank lay-ups. Oakland and Bradley Central will have their hands full. There is no dominant team in the state this year. It is up for grabs!!!! But I'm thinking White's Creek vs. Powell for the Championship.

They sure didn't show up in the Region Tournament. I thought that their fan support was pathetic and their kids deserved better than that.

Powell has a decent inside game. It's not like they can't get inside baskets. Powell had success inside against both Maryville and Dobyns Bennett, who both had 6'8" and 6'6" posts. In my opinion, Oakland has an advantage inside against Powell, but if the big boy buys a good head fake, he may end up in early foul trouble. Conner and Seymore are both effective inside players. Powell's big concerns should be 1) containing Allen, who is a stud, and 2) limiting Oakland's second-chance opportunities. If, and that's a big if, Powell does those two things, they will have a good chance to win the game.

For the record, Powell beat Patterson Prep High School out of North Carolina this year. Patterson Prep has one of the better teams in the country and three or four highly sought-after high-Division I prospects, including Jamar Samuals and Marshall Moses. Powell probably should not have won that game either, but they were not intimidated and got the job done. If Oakland wins, it will not be because Powell is intimidated or scared. Powell shot well against Patterson, and can certainly do the same against Oakland. Oakland is not nearly as athletic as Patterson Prep.

Having seen Oakland on film, I would guess that if these teams played 10 times, Oakland would win 6 or 7. I think Oakland has the better team, but not by a bunch. Oakland fans should not make too much out of Shelbyville's win over Powell as several Panthers were battling injury during that part of the season (early). I do think that Powell can give Oakland problems because Oakland's big man will not come out of the paint. Powell's 4 and 5 guys shoot the ball exceptionally well from three-point land and Powell uses a five-out motion offense. Coach King could try and compensate for that by putting Epps in the game for the big boy, but then Powell could score from the inside because Conner will a very tough match-up for Oakland. Conner is a 6'4" 195 lbs. guard/wing who is very strong, athletic and shoots about 45% from three. I don't know how Powell is going to guard Allen (he is REALLY good). Hargis vs. Maupins will be a good match-up at point. Wade is also a tough match-up for Powell. It will be fun to watch and should be a fine game between teams with contrasting styles.

They were Region 3 officials from Cleveland and Chattanooga. But hey, don't let the truth get in the way of a good story (and DB whining). Geez, take the loss with a little class. That article was a joke. Bliss is the biggest homer I've ever read.

These guys have played with passion and heart all year. They had struggles at times with various issues, but they believed in each other and accomplished something that they will never forget. Then, to win against a good team when Powell had such an off-night is really the epitome of what these guys are all about. Way to go, Panthers!!! See you in Murfreesboro!!!!