statman3

That was a 5 way tie for 2nd.

RR, I unfortunately missed the Cherokee/East game the other night. Not much to talk about with Cherokee Bball this year and I missed the only bright spot in the lady chief's IMAC season so far. Poor timing on my part. I understand that the lady chiefs had to battle back from a big deficit early, and that's great to hear from this young group. With the way their season has gone, it sure would be easy to give up in the face of a big deficit like that. So as the season winds down, my hope is for the season to end on a positive note for these girls. There are two seniors who deserve to go out on a positive note and there is tremendous upside for the younger players on this team so a strong finish would help build toward what will certainly be more success over the next three years.

Ashley Tharpe - Morristown East signed with Carson Newman Whitney Gilbert - Cherokee signed with University of Alabama in Huntsville Abby Hughes - Cherokee is signing with Milligan College later today These are the ones I know....I am sure there are others

Fury Fastpitch 16U has already qualified via their Championship at the southern nationals last year. Knoxville Thunder Harris is a 15 year old team that were the first to qualify last summer in 14U and I think stand a greaat chance to qualify again this year expecially since TN has 4 state berths.

I was just poking a little fun at the IMAC board. Last year in the preseason, the IMAC board had a lot of fun discussing the "ray of sunshine" that transferred into M West between semesters. A 6' tall pitcher from Florida who has apparently had to move back to Florida between semesters this year. But in all honesty, M West has at least two other good pitchers to pick up the slack. And for about the fourth year in a row....it should be a dog fight for the top spot this year.

No harm, I was just curious as to the stats.....and yes there is a vested interest. I was wondering how these pitchers compared with "Rodney Dangerfield" from Cherokee who ended up with 420 by my count. My guess is the pitcher from Rossview was up in the same area. I'll get out of the way and let the original purpose of this thread continue.

Just curious....what were the strikeout counts that you consider to be 2nd in the state behind Thomas?

Region 4 gold qualifier....June 26-28 Greenville, SC http://www.eteamz.com/scasa/news/

Mwtfan.....Lance..... Come on out and get it started. But in all fairness and before you cast your vote, I must say that the folks on the west side of Hamblen County apparently have a new theme song this year.

How about this for a starting list. These players are returning pitchers that lead their teams to the final four of the 2008 state tournament: Division I A Savannah Cole - Sr - Cornersville Shelby Stinnett - Jr - Forrest Renfroe's (Ivey, Ellen, Anna)- Sr, Jr, Fr - Trinity Christian Academy AA Kara Woods - So - Unicoi COunty AAA Kat Banks - Jr - Beech "Rodney Dangerfield" - Sr - Cherokee Division II Morgan Mosby - Sr - Southern Baptist Ali DiGirolamo - So - FAC

Welcome back Mrnoitall. I'm looking forward to your ensights on the upcoming softball season. Hope to see you extend your coverage/thoughts and predictions beyond the midstate. Time for mrnoitall to expand!

Excellent observaiton on the increased physical play in the IMAC. Also much improved and more competitive teams in IMAC now....maybe there is a relationship. I do have to say though that as physical as Greeneville plays, I think their physical play fits within what I would call "basketball contact". Hard box outs, contact in the paint when someone is attempting to cross the lane, aggressive pursuit of loose balls....this type contact fits in the game nicely and I like to see it. The physical play that involves intentional hard fouls, extended arm shoving, and the dreaded intentional elbow "targeted" at a jaw is not so welcome however, and I have to say I haven't seen much of that from Greeneville.

Nut, While perhaps not the same level, don't you think you may be discounting the demonstrated abilities of MW and Greenville to draw talent to their programs as well?

OK....let's get some good information on here. Maryville League Fall '07: 9/8/07 Knoxville Thunder - Sams 16U (6) Maryville Magic - 18U (0) 9/29/07 Maryville Magic - 18U (2) Knoxville Thunder - Sams 16U (1) Halloween Havoc Fall '07: 10/20/07 Maryville Magic 18U Defeated Knoxville Thunder - Sams 16U (score unknown) Southeastern Exposure (Summer '08): 6/7/08 Knoxville Thunder - Sams 16U (2) Maryville Magic - 18U (1) Not sure if Magic actually faced Thunder 18U during that time frame.

Starters backed off of the full court press during their last defensive possession before being pulled out with 3:30 remaining in the 4th quarter. At the time, Lady red were up by somewhere in the 38 to 40 point range. You are right... it was a butt whooping that got ugly and way out of hand in the 3rd qtr. I have seen every Cocke County/Cherokee ball game for the last 5 years and I can't remember a game with more spread than 10 points during that time. So, unless your comment goes back further than that, I just don't understand your "payback" comment. Why do you think the butt whooping was "needed"?

Your comment has ABSOLUTELY NO merit!

Defensive pressure was tough....deep into the 4th quarter with a 40 point lead and all the Ladyred starters pressing full court....very impressive. This along with the coach's comments in the paper, it seems he is really trying to make an impression in IMAC!

I understand but I was wondering if anyone knew when and where the territory and region berths were going to be awarded?

yep....thanks....corrected

Thanks for the info. I like to see the extra berths this year, but how did they re-structure to get that many state berths. Are there still 2 regional berths and are there still 16 national qualifiers like in years past? Also, does anyone know dates and locations for the GOLD berths available to TN teams?

I noticed on the ASA district 10 web site that the council meeting this year adopted changes to the way berths are given. It states that TN will receive 4 berths in each age group. I am assuming that this impacts 2009. Does anyone have information on when and where the tournaments giving out these TN berths will be held?

Great Post!!!! and Great advice....obviously someone who has been through it.

Not that it is much better, but for the sake of accuracy, I feel compelled to issue a correction: The score at Lee this fall was 12 to 5.

Barb, Did you make it to Cherokee last night? Cherokee/Greenville game got pretty ugly after a decent first quarter. A couple of observations. Greenville may be down on talent compared to past few years, but they still have the great equalizer.....tough, in-your-face, fundamentally sound defense and board work. Be prepared if you dare cross the lane....all legal.....just good strong tough defense. Cherokee has pleasantly surprised me in the early season. Many times playing three freshman along with the sophmore, Ryans. Have had success against Science Hill and West Greene, but are a little unpredictable as you might expect from their youth. Last night early on, it seemed Greenville might have trouble with some of Cherokee's size from both Ryans and 6' + Freshman, Maddox. Once Greenville cranked up the defense a notch or two, it was over....Cherokee just didn't go up their with them....hopefully it's just youth and they keep getting stronger through the season. There is definitely potential there and the future is bright.

Don't know if you are getting any advice, so I will just throw a little out. If she contacted your HS coach, then you should be e-mailing them, filling out prospect questionaires, etc... in order to stay in touch with them. Also, many times it is easier for you to go to them than it is for them to find you at a tournament. Check out their camps and get in one if at all possible in the off-season. Here is a link to their winter camps. http://www.ukathletics.com/camps/sb09_camps.html Good Luck