simonlegree

Just a couple of things to address: trtiger: maybe my wording was incorrect. What I was saying about Riverdale was they always seem to have talent, but never seem to make it past the first round of the regions. If you have seen loads of talent for Blackman I would like to ask how many games you have seen. Phoenix: If there was something positive to say I would. catuballer: Yes, the guys on Cookeville are good football players. However, not a one of those guys matches up against any of Siegel's guys. So if you would match up against any starting five, start there. There is no one on that team like Kevin Smith or Chaisson Allen. They play great team ball, no bigtime standouts, therefore that is a compliment to their coaching.

Don't read a lot into the thrashing Riverdale put on Warren County. They are miserable right now, just miserable. Riverdale was looking for the 3. They were also looking for the oop. I think they could be a lot better than they are. They should get the ball in Smith's hand and let him create even more.

Not sure about names, so I will just go with the team name. Oakland, no brainer Cookeville, getting the most out of the least athleticism Lebanon, knows how to use athletes Blackman, winning with nothing Riverdale, just can't seem to put a lot of talent on top Siegel, discipline and motivation seem lacking White County, not much to work with Warren County, zones rock!!

First of all, fanchs, stay on the threads concerning your school. Secondly, no a coach won't make up 41 points, but a coach should have their team prepared. This obviously is not the situation in WC, either program. 41 points!!! It's okay, the AD won't make a change. The only chance these girls have is if the coach has a conscience.

520 and HH, thanks for the backup on the AAU comments. The bottom line is that playing against better competition makes you a better player. Also, the memories these kids create playing against competition they would never see in their state or district can't be replaced. This summer I watched the Siegel guys play in front of Tubby Smith, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, etc. Granted they were all there to see Branden Wright, but the contacts they have and the people they can pass the word on to can't be found in a high school gym. The opportunities presented by AAU just can't be matched by high school ball. Granted, you have probably only seen AAU in local gyms with no college coaches, but go to nationals or the Hoosier Shootout or the Kingwood Classic or the Real Deal on the Hill and you will see basketball at the highest level you will ever see high school kids play. I wish you could see Greg Oden's AAU team and compare it to the high school team on ESPN2 the other night, no comparison. p.s. Hardball and Net, if those two kids don't play on the next level, it will only be because they choose not to. The have height and that can't be taught. Both could get scholarships to DII or NAIA, guaranteed.

OK, since when does coaching with a great coach make someone a great coach? Zones are for those who can't man up. ANYWAY, back to Cookeville. We did play them tough, I just don't think it will happen this time. Last time, their football players had just returned, now they are back in the swing of things. Cookeville by 15+.

Phoenix, man chill. I don't know why you get so offended. I just call them like I see them. There is a lack of depth, I understand that. However, choosing defenses, offensive plays, etc. lies squarely with the coach. A 2/3 Zone is much more conducive to holding a lead than making a comeback. The comment about being allowed to involves the freedom, or lack thereof, the players are given. When they played all out in the first half against Lebanon, they succeeded. When they were reined in in the second half, no field goals for 14 minutes. You tell me what works. Nothing personal against anyone. Just dissappointed to see a team with a lot of talent be wasted. It will be a while before there is another senior class like this one.

Wrong again Phoenix. The incredible Matt Cotten foul on the 3 was in the new gym. That was a game. Oh, for the the olden days. Not happening Tuesday night. Man, I don't know what happened against Tullahoma, wasn't there, but I heard we played OK in the second half. That's news. Siegel, well, outmanned, outtalled, and just outplayed. However, I have never seen a high school team attempt a comeback from a 2-3. That was interesting Keep playing hard guys, when you're allowed to.

The people who I think have the drive AND the talent are Wood, Weir, and Weitzel. All three could definitely play on the next level. Weitzel may be the only D-1 talent out of the three, but they could all play. As far as Glenn and Majors. Glenn has talent, no drive. Majors has the competitiveness, but too short. Phoenix, quit talking out of both sides of your mouth. Nothing negative, only Motlow... pick one. Motlow is just fine. College is paid for. I think you can look at Pelham and Nunley and see that we aren't getting the most out of the talent here in WC.

I don't understand everyone slurping Glenn and Majors. There are only three kids on this team with the talent and the drive to go to the next level and these two guys aren't among them.

I just didn't expect this type of team from a disciple of Bobby Luna. I expected more uptempo, pressure, running style of play. The things I'm seeing and hearing about is what I'm talking about. Some examples: individualistic play(shooting from 25', shooting when someone is wide open beneath the basket, happy players after losses, etc.), lazy play (walking, no deny, etc.), {didn't see this, just heard it}coaches physically bumping players trying to walk off the court I know, give it time, I know, first job, I know, old coach, blah, blah, blah!! With all of these excuses, this is starting to sound like a girls' basketball thread. If something doesn't happen this year, has anyone looked at the upcoming talent? One injured junior on the team right now? Only two real players as sophomores, maybe fewer freshmen? I don't know. I'm just afraid we're about to entire a dark time for Pioneer basketball. Excuse me, continue a dark time.

I for one expected this team to achieve a lot higher this year. Does anyone have any opinions for what has been happening? Last night's loss to Coffee was pretty ugly. I heard from some that were there the holiday games were even uglier. Players, coaches, combination? What happened to Martin and Curtis? We could have used some depth last night. The boys don't seem to be very motivated. I'm not very sure where the blame lays. Things are better than the last couple of years, but still not where they need to be. Any opinions?