Know Nothing

Karns plays at Halls tonight. If they win, they will be back in the race in D3AAA. They almost beat Halls last time, but I would expect Halls to pull out a close one at home. Farragut and Maryville play tonight and that should be a huge game. I don't think that Farragut has lost in district play yet.

I think Oak Ridge, Farragut, Powell, Halls, Bearden or Maryville could win the Region. It is very wide open and should make for an exciting tournament. You could make a good argument for any of those teams. All of those teams have problems as well.

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This district is more "top heavy" than normal. The only three teams with a legitimate shot at winning district at this point are Oak Ridge (6-0), Powell (5-1) and Halls (5-1). Between the top three, only Halls and Powell have played, with Powell winning a very close game at home over Halls. Powell plays Oak Ridge on Friday night and Oak Ridge can get some seperation with a win. Winning the regular season district championship has taken on added importance this year as only the top team is assured a brith in the region tournament. Any thoughts on Friday night's big Powell/Oak Ridge game? Or the rest of the season ? Also, I think Karns is best of the rest and should finish no worse than fourth.

I disagree. I think that Powell is one of the very best. We'll know more about Powell after Friday night's game at Oak Ridge.

Greeneville and Oak Ridge have both beaten Bradley Central, which says ALOT about their teams. I thought Bradley Central was a lock to reach the State. Now, not so sure. Oak Ridge should have probably won the game with Farragut. Two very questionable no-calls on Jared Stephens late in that game should have put Stephens on the free throw line with a chance to win. Oak Ridge pushes the ball down the floor better than any team I have seen in five years. But, their half court offense is not very good as they only have two skilled offensive players (Stephens and Dowdell). I have heard that this is Jody Wright's best shooting team ever at Fulton. I will see them tonight for the first time. Powell is really good, but they are notorious for playing down to the level of their competition. Powell did not even show up in their loss to Catholic. I heard it was the same way in losses to Clinton and Seymour. It was like they did not even want to play the game. I have heard rumors that they have had "chemistry" issues this year. However, that win the other night over Farragut was the most impressive win they have had in several years. I heard that Powell's team traveled to Farragut again to watch the Oak Ridge game as a team. If the chemistry issues get solved, Powell will be tough to beat. We'll see how good they are with upcoming games at Oak Ridge and Halls. I really like Farragut's team. Akers is a man out there. He is a good leader and makes a lot of plays. They have good size and shooting ability. They will probably be a substate team. I love Halls' team also. They are such a close-knit team and everybody knows what their role is. They will be a factor in D3AAA, and don't be surprised if they don't give Oak Ridge fits. They are the kind of team that would. Very disciplined and several good ball handlers. Having said all that, my top ten looks like this: 1. Greeneville (steady and rolling) T2. Oak Ridge (athletic and agressive) T2. Fulton (undefeated and rolling in AA) 4. Powell (very talented, but consistency and chemistry issues raise questions) 5. Farragut (best team in D4AAA - lack of athleticism may cost them down the line) 6. Maryville (physical and well-coached) 7. Pigeon Forge (still undefeated -- have not seen them play) 8. Bearden (winning despite mediocre guard play) 9. Austin-East (athletic and deep, but battling key injuries) 10. Halls (best chemistry in Knoxville, better than people think)

Good point, IrishBball. Powell really struggled with Farragut's post game last night. Oh wait, Powell won by 15 at Farragut. Never mind.

No way anybody does anyone from Halls start over Jason Seymore at Powell. He was All-Region last year and Sophomore of the Year. I'd take him in a heart beat over Cantrell or Cooper. No question about it. As far as getting to substate, none of those teams you mentioned match up well with Powell at guard play, which is critical at tournament time. Oak Ridge, Maryville and Bearden do not shoot the ball well. Farragut certainly does, and I think that they are the team to beat in Region 2AAA.

You are selling Powell a little bit short, IrishBball. Conner and Hargis are neither one even close to 100%. Conner has a bad knee and ankle. Hargis has a minor, but very painful, hand injury that is clearly hampering his play. In spite of that, they are 8-3, with two of those losses coming by a combined two points, Clinton and Catholic. Give Clinton and Catholic credit for winning those games, but don't be surprised if Powell makes it back to substate or better this year when (if) everyone is healthy. And not to make excuses, but the Catholic game was the night after a very emotional win. Powell's m.o. lately has been to build large leads and surrender them late in games. That is a mental problem more than a talent problem. When (if) that is corrected, I think you will see that Powell starts winning most of their games convincingly. Powell is easily one of the most talented teams is the region. On an unrelated note, do you know why every single year, Powell plays at Catholic. To my knowledge, Catholic has NEVER come to Powell. Why are all those games played at Catholic?

I don't see much to argue with here. It will be interesting to see what happens when Oak Ridge runs into a talented team that zones them. My guess is that 3AAA comes down to the last game between Oak Ridge and Powell. Farragut and Maryville are the class of 4AAA, but Bearden will be the team that nobody wants to play by the tournament.

DC Oak Ridge is playing some scary basketball right now. I figured they would not be as good losing Domsic, Younkin and Coffey, but they appear to be even better than last year. What on Earth is Ricky feeding those kids and what are the main reasons for their success? Is the chemistry better than last year? (I heard that it was not too good there last year)

I few good ones that I know: Ken Cutlip --Science Hill Jody Wright -- Fulton Kevin Thomas -- Shelbyville Central Mark Eldridge -- Maryville (formerly Anderson County) Mike Ogan -- Powell Ricky Norris -- Oak Ridge Mark Blevins -- Bearden

OakRidge lost to Bradley Central. That is why I had them in front of Oak Ridge. Also, it will be interesting to see how Oak Ridge plays against a team that zones them. Oak Ridge is very good and athletic, but I don't know how well they shoot it.

Halls

1. Greeneville 2. Bradley Central 3. Oak Ridge 4. Powell 5. Science Hill 6. Bearden 7. Farragut 8. Maryville 9. Austin-East 10. Knoxville Halls

I think he's talking about the Freshmen game tonight between the teams. I think that game is 6:30 and the JV boys might play afterward, not sure.

From what I've seen so far, Chris Conner has to be up there at the top. He's in much better shape than I've ever seen him. He'll score a few points this year.

Cameron Sharp Matt Hargis others?

In no particular order: Farragut -- tall and athletic Halls -- senior heavy w/Cameron Sharpe and Zach Cantrell Oak Ridge -- replacing three good starters (Domsic, Youkin and Coffey) w/ Dowdell and Stephens Bearden -- replacing three good starters (White, Sibley and BJ) Powell -- senior heavy w/ Chris Conner and Jason Seymore Maryville -- athletic, used to winning Austin East -- athletic always Fulton -- athletic always w/ good defense

Sharpe? Conner? Someone else?

Does Wiggins' father work for Land-Air?

By the way, Smith's line against Oak Ridge: 19 points 11 rebounds 10 assists 3 blocked shots and he was not the leading scorer (Chris Conner 21 points)

We'll find out who the better team is tomorrow night. I think that Powell playing in the most competitive district in the Eastern half of the state will stand them well tomorrow. Wiggins is a nice player, but I wonder if he has enough "a$$" to handle Smith. Somehow I doubt it, but like I said we'll find out tomorrow night.

Who are Greeneville's starters and what do they each do well. What are their roles and strengths? I have not seen them play this year.

We'll see how weak Powell is tomorrow night.