pancon

What's everyones thoughts on the semi-finals?

 

Lady Toppers. Vs Lady Eagles - Toppers by 18

 

Lady Canes. Vs. Lady Vikings - Canes by 11.

 

Dang wkk....give us some love! THS has the ability to win...if they would log some assists...and play unselfishly! If they play unselfish, they will win...if not...they will shoot poorly like they did vs. West (3 for 25 in the second half). MAKE THE EXTRA PASS AND THE VIKES WILL LIVE TO PLAY ANOTHER DAY!

Same thing happened last year vs Jeff. Co....should have won that one as well!!!

Added note: Morristown West played well and were very patient...almost pulled off the upset.

The Hill by 30 (no brainer)

My top 5 would be:

 

1) Memphis Central

2) Riverdale

3) Clarksville

4) Mt. Juliet

5) Blackman or Memphis Overton

Gotta add Science Hill....to top four...

Good Win by SH last night. Not the best game i have seen but what a 4th quarter. nice job girls. way to keep trying. how about boone beating DB also? How did THS do with Central? Where is that Central team from?

THS lost 67-52 to Wise, VA. Central. THS split with them over the summer during team camp.

This time around (when it counts) Wise shot very good and THS showed little or no chemistry.

I noticed THS has a couple of teammate coaches too...That never helps a teams chemistry.

THS needs to look at one statistic in particular...Assists...Tricitiessports reported Wise 16 THS 3!

Same thing was true against the Hilltoppers...Toppers had a bunch (as Barnwell stated in the paper) THS prob had a handful at most. Successful teams will log many assists...

Another example would be Unicoi vs East last night...Unicoi had 16 assists over 19 baskets!

Some teams play like it's 'my time to shoot' rather than just playing good team ball and building chemistry.

Teamball...isn't that a big part of chemistry?

Oh well...THS better be ready today against CAK...

Actually Morristown's West View Middle School beat the SH middle schoolers(today's sophmores)West High starts 4 of these with the fifth also starting at times.

I thought that they might have lost 1...I couldn't remember...

Still a great bunch of Sophomores and Juniors...

West should get better and better too.. I watched them this year. Scrappy bunch!

SH looked out of sink the first half. Played A better 2nd. Pancon what did you think? I was surprised by the margin of victory.

I was unable to attend...But I have a dvd of the game and I'll probably watch it soon. Science Hill has a load of talent. As middle schoolers, the Junior class was 29-0...The Sophomore class was undefeated as well...I think. They have so many threats! They are nearly unstoppable if they play team ball. I would rank them a final four team in the state. IMHO, I think their success started about mid-season last year. I noticed that the likes of Copney and Reid 'bought into' making the extra pass even though they were capable of creating their own shots..(actually heard that Barnwell benched them on an occasion for not seeing the floor...etc)

Barnwell certainly did his homework (but dang! look at his talent). As for THS, throw any four of the other 14 girls on the floor and Mitchell and you can win against the rest of the Big 8 teams. The challenge comes when you play 'top tier' competition. THS definately does not have the talent compared to the Hill. Coach Wade will have to 'trim' the rotation down to about 7 and devise ways to create offense for other players to help Mitchell carry the load. Extracting the 'strengths' of those 7 will be critical if they want to make it out of the region. Adapting to your level of talent and skill is the hardest part of coaching! I still think THS would be ranked around 15 in the State. That's just my take on it...I'll have to watch the film!

Pretty good assessment coach. Cloudland is 5-2. They lost to Wise Central, VA friday. I don't know if they won saturday or not. There is some very tough competition in Virginia. I think they Lady Landers overall play a pretty tough schedule. The only cup cakes I see are providence, Johnson Co., and University High. I would probably drop one of them since they can't drop UH. You have to have an easy game or 2 to get the younger varsity players some time.

Dec 3rd at Va Tip-off Cloudland wins 57-34 over Patrick Henry (Glade Va.) for 3rd Place

We are ready!! First year without any players from old era and SLS system fully implemented!

 

No more Kool - Aid, watch out Toppers you are first! (OOPS)

 

No more Kool - Aid, watch out Cougars you are first!

Love your spirit Momo!

Well it looks like a two team race. THS and SHHS. I thought Boone would do something and they may still but Tues. they looked bad or frightened. THS put the clamps down on them and Boone turned it over and over. I did notice that THS was missing their post kid. Where is she at? South and SHHS go at it tonight what do you all think. I will be there and supporting.

I'm with Tommy...I really thought that Boone would do much better against THS (at least a couple of quarters)

They did look frightened.

The post from THS when down with a knee injury playing against Greenville a couple weeks ago. I dont think a definitive prognosis has been made yet.

According to the Tricities Sports report on the TN High and Morristown West game, TN High only used 11 players during the game. If that is the case then your argument about TN High using more players than Science Hill against Morristown West does not add up. Also, due to the large lead Science Hill had during the 2nd half they did not play their top 6 as much as they would in a closer game. I believe Science Hill is also working on their chemistry with some new players and trying to figure out what rotations work best for them. It should be interesting to see how each team improves throughout the season.

Victory,

You are correct. I was wrong about the MW game. THS did play 11 and not 15. Nevertheless, I still feel that SH would have the edge with their rotation of 11. You are right about trying some other girls for chemistry. The Hill is such a dangerous team because 5 (or more) different girls could lead them on any given night. THS on the other hand have a stellar athlete in Mitchell and she will be the typical leader 95% of the time.

This is a similar situation as last year...It was hard to stop Hensley...Goodman...Copney...Reid...Tarter...etc. THS had Burleson...Mitchell...and many 'other role players'...

IMHO, Stopping 5 or 6 players who average close to 10 pts or more a game is a difficult task.

THS will be competitive...and Mitchell will have to carry them...one way or another.

Pesonally I think that is Science Hill and then everyone else. I watch THS and MW and then SH and MW. There is no comparasion who the better team is. TH will still get their W's but not against SH. SH played all their kids in a game that was not close on Saturday. TH had to really scrap to get their W. DB got a good win against Central. so they may be in the mix with TH just not sure. IMO

One factor for the Hill 'winning with a greater margin' than THS against MW is that SH has an 11 player squad and THS has a 15 player squad. Maybe the THS coaching staff is looking for chemistry...or making sure their JV players don't suffer some losses come conference time...(as they did last year)

THS, up to this point, have played Mitchell along with any 4 of the remaining 14 and have come away in victory. Against MW, Betsy and Greenville, Mitchell was able to drive at will...(Playing 11 girls almost back-fired against MW). Taking the top 11 from each team, I would still favor the the Hill...

One would have to give them the edge because it takes less time to build chemistry with fewer numbers. Cut the rotation down to 7/8 players, it will be a closer game between SH/THS. I guess the argument could be made that high-pressure defence requires more players in the rotation...although, as you are aware, Big Blue, Unicoi does a pretty good job with about a 7/8 player rotation on both ends of the floor. THS should be very competitive with the Hill once they gain more chemistry with fewer numbers. It will be a dog fight!

Tennessee has great players such Danielle Ballard, Bashaara Graves, Shacobia Barbee and Aaliyah Whiteside. Who are the players from across the state that are good players, but don't get quite the publicity of these 4 and seem to be "under the radar" right now?

D-1 Potential from NE TN

Tianna Tarter Science Hill SO

Shy Copney Science Hill JR

Ashlee Mitchell Tennessee JR

Brooke Rhodes Cloudland JR

The 2 things I liked about her game when I was evaluating at Carson Newman was she is a hard worker on the floor and thats without having the basketball in her hands,and she is a very coachable kid. I heard some coaches saying down there that Western Carolina was wanting her pretty bad is there any truth to that?

Yes. WNC plus a host of others. Several are evaluating her...including ETSU.

I agree, she is very coachable. What a gift for Cloudland!

Im an old timer pancon the age is catching up with me. And I agree the Falcons will really miss the Snyder girl. I thought with the Combo of her and Lindholm to go along with a couple of more good shooters they could compete for 3rd in that big nine conference. Anyway why we are on the topic of transferring Pancon how is the Rhodes girl from Cloudland? I got a chance to evaluate her at Carson Newman not to long ago and I believe she went for 22 and 10 but it was a one time thing so I thought I would ask your opinion.

Brook is a winner on and off the court. Division 1 player. She is a true 6'-1" post that can put the ball on the floor and create. Great form on the shot, plus her release is at the 9' range. Goes right or left very well. Great defender. She has the potential to average a double double...Closer to 15pts/15rebs. a game. She would also have these numbers at a AAA school. Simply put, she's a fierce competitor!

My mistake pancon.I am not sure how Depew,Mitchell and Neil slipped my mind all very good players. And for some reason I was thinking that Goodman was just a Junior last year.Emily Edwards is another very good player for Unicoi along with Mikayla Bennett. I also like the Cabbage girl from Grainger county but I was trying to stay with in the area and had a couple of other kids slip my mind so I will add a few more to the list to go along with yours. Any idea is to why the Snyder girls transfered?

 

But like I said I will add a few more to the list I was just going on who I have got the chance to see play over the summer and pieces of last year.

 

Morgan Knack- Science Hill

 

Sydnee Mitchell- Tennessee High

 

Jenny Snyder- Volunteer

 

Alison Brooks- West Greene

 

Baylee Head- Science Hill

 

Logan Tart- Tennessee High

 

Morgan Depew- Elizabethton

 

ALLISON BALL - COCKE COUNTY

 

ALISON ATHA - COCKE COUNTY

 

KAITLYN MARTIN - COCKE COUNTY

 

SHARINA COFIELD - COCKE COUNTY HS

 

Kara Cabbage- Grainger County

 

Bethany Spoone- Grainger County

 

Kasey Williams- Sullivan North

 

Gabby Lyons- Science Hill

 

Mikayla Bennett- Unicoi

 

Emily Edwards- Unicoi

 

Jaleesa Kennedy- Science Hill

 

Laura Johnson- Grainger County

 

Chloe Neil- Tennessee High

 

Hopefully that clarified a couple of more good players I didn't have room for on the first list but all very deserving players.

Bunch of good players listed...I'm impressed...you are a new poster Johnk...but you know a lot of quality ball players...You've been around a while it seems...

Must say...Gabby Lyons big time sleeper for the Hill...Glad to see you list her.

Haven't heard why Snyder transferred...that will hurt the Falcons!

No Copney from Science Hill? Goodman was a senior last year. Snyder is at Boone now. Anyone here how Duggers knee rehab is coming?

Ashlee Mitchell...NE TN Defensive POY??

Shy Copney...All Big 8??

Morgan Knack and Chloe Neil...JC Press List of 3 pt. shooters @40%??

Emily Edwards...JCP Top Scoring List

Morgan Depew...?

Lindsey Overbay...?

many others...

HERE IS A LIST START:

1. SCI. HILL--RANK HIGH IN ANY DISTRICT, LOTS OF TALENT, #1 COACH.

2. TENN HIGH-- BE IN THIS SPOT DUE TO TALENT BEING DOWN ACROSS THE CONFERENCE

3. VOL HIGH -- BE HERE IF KOOL-AID IS MIXED WELL.

4. BOONE -- WITH IMPROVED PLAYERS FROM SUMMER LEAGUE COACH CAMPBELL SURPRISE A FEW AND

MOVE HIGHER INTO THE TOP THREE.

5. SOUTH -- COULD FINISH HIGHER IF THE RIGHT PLAYERS COME OUT TO PLAY.

6. CENTRAL -- LOST A FEW KEY PLAYERS BUT COULD FINISH HERE WITH THEIR HARD PLAYING STYLE.

7. D.B.H.S. -- LOST MOST OF THEIR TALENT LAST YEAR, WILL NEED TO REBUILD.

8. CROCKETT -- NEEDS LOTS OF KOOL-AID FROM VOLUNTEER.

1. SHHS If the team plays 'teamball' they will go back to the 'boro'

Bunches of talent...got to share the rock. DEEP on the bench too.

2. THS Strong Jr. class and a couple of Seniors will have to carry the

load. Mitchell will have field day on teams 3-8. May give the Hill

a run. They won't go down easy...Viking Pride!

3. DB/VOL Go inside to Anderson...place here at No.3.stay outside..drop to

4th or 5th place...(Gray didn't get enough touches last year...)

4. VOL/DB Got some talent here. Kool-Aid and hustle...Lindholm, Snyder,

Overbay and Way...could give any team (except for the Hill)

a run for their money on a given night...

5. BOONE Scrappy bunch of girls...Agree, will surprise a few..

6. SOUTH Recently watched a video of South from last year...They just don't

play enough defence the whole game. They should play as a team tho.

7. CENTRAL Rough year...will miss Kestner. PG should go on with Vball...Should

she even play Bball? Please quit using the flex...Boring..

8. CROCK Should move to 3 Rivers Conf....enrollment too high..

Why would a D1 player go 2 Cloudland? That makes no sense if you want your kid looked at. I wish all local teams well

..Just ended up that way. She is a great player and a great kid. She should average a double double. I know her and her game well. Great parents too! She plays for a high profile travel ball team and attracts many D1 coaches attention. As I have said, team chemistry will be the key for Cloudland. Go Brook!

Northeast Tennessee should be from Knoxville up. Science Hill should be a serious AAA state championship contender this year. Unicoi County may be the early AA favorite to go far in the post season. North Greene would have to be the best A hope to get back to the Boro.

Cloudland should be a serious state bound team. They have wins this summer in team camp against Unicoi and DB...Now the good part, they picked up a 6'-1" post transfer (rising JR) that many D1 schools are looking at. Just need chemistry now.

After attending todays AA and AAA games in Murfreesboro, I've come away with the conclusion that this might be the best bunch of Freshman players that I've seen in Murfreesboro at the same time playing on the biggest stage. These Freshman were extremely impressive and showed tons of poise considering they were playing in the state tournaments. Some of these Freshman were also the difference makers in their game today. I'll throw out a list of the Freshman that impressed me today. Most of these girls will be big time players by their Senior seasons. Give thoughts and opinions. (Keep in mind this is only from the AA,AAA games today)

 

- Alisa Guariola, #23, McMinn Central

- Loren Cagle, #3, David Lipscomb

- Abby Sissom, #5, Cannon Co.

- Tianna Carter, #10, Science Hill

- Tia Wooten, #22, Memphis Central

 

All 5 of these players will be big time players by their Senior season. To be contributing to their teams like they were today as Freshman in a state tournament game was extremely impressive.

#10 from SH name is Tianna Tarter. She will be the real deal. Great team-player, sees the floor well and can take just about anyone off the dribble. Too many players try to do too much, but not Tarter, she gets everyone involved and that's becoming a rare thing. Hat's off to the Hill. Keep playing well and show the Boro that the northeast Tn. girls got game!

Sneaking a little kool aid in girls water cooler. Hope it's not locked up and I can get to it.

Good Win for Volunteer!

You'll have to share your kool aid recipe for the regionals! Go Big 8.

Would have to agree w/esparky ...some officating crews in D4 are below average. Usually the crew has 1 ref that makes the calls and 2 that just stand around and defer to the dominate official. Have saw 2 CAK home games....IMO the 8th grade PG carries the ball 50% of the time. Only once in 2 games was this called...it does give her a huge advantage. Will be interesting to see if regional refs will call traveling.

WOW! Someone else thinks that refs don't call the carry! I see girls carry the ball ALL THE TIME! Everyone screams: 'carry, carry, carry!' but they just never call it. What's the deal? It is an unfair advantage!!! Call the game!!!! I'm sick of this 'no call'!

A few points just for discussion: Barry Wade does a fine job but he has a D2, NAIA, and future D1 player on the roster (possible other college players in the underclass ranks); UOY - Ashlee Mitchell- to not mention her would be hard to do- has broken the school record for single season assists (missed by 2 last year as a freshman), re-broke her own record she set as a freshman for single season steals, has either set or is just a few away from being the CAREER leader in assists and steals, all while averaging 16+ ppg and nearly 7 rbs from the pg position! ; POY - see notes on Ashlee Mitchell for all around player; All-conference- think Mitchell and Honeycutt should both be considered.

 

The young ladies you mentioned are all very clearly awesome players too- just adding some to the discussion and not taking anuthing from the ones you discussed.

Panther,

Youve made a great point. Not only should Mitchell be considered as POY...considering she's just a soph, she should be a top vote getter for UC too! She does fill up a stat sheet! Ball is not all about scoring!

With regular season over whats everyones thoughts on:

 

1-POY

 

2-All conference

 

3-Coach of Yr

 

4-Top underclassman

1-POY. I would think that about 5-6 girls could win this. Hopefully the powers that decide look at overall statistics, efficiency and the one that wins and shines in the 'BIG' games. They need to ask, 'What did this player do against the top teams?', ie THS, SHHS and DB. Who has the total game? Total stats in the biggest games! Got a couple from THS and 3 or 4 from SH that could be this player. A great team player that can score, gives it up consistantly at the right time and plays with toughness 100% of the time. A rebounder, a thief that is always ready to pounce! Now thats a ball player! Lets pick a winner!

2-All Conference. Burleson, Mitchell, Reid, Copney, Hensley, Tarter, Osborne, Gray, Kestner, Campbell,

Lindholm to name a few

3-Wade or Barnwell...

4-UC. Tarter. Period.

Great win by the Lady Toppers last friday. Was an exciting game. These two teams battled to the final horn.

It was an awesome game! Huge crowd. Thought that Tarter shined big. Especially only being a freshman. The treys by the hill was the turning point too. Bunch of 'D' being played in that game!!!

Kudo's to both SH and THS.

Pancon,

I agree with most of your analysis and this should be a great game that will help both teams develop. Betsy won big in the first game, but I do not think the 6' Huneycutt played in that contest. Her low block size, rebounding, scoring, and lane clogging post defense will make a big difference. Burleson and Mitchell are very quick and physical. Their ability to slash to the goal and either score or draw fouls will be a challenge for Betsy. I fear that Cara Bowling and Powell will get in foul trouble if asked to guard Mitchell and Burleson for long. The opposite is also true, Cara Bowling and Powell will be hard for Bristol to guard. Easterling gives Tennessee High a nice spot up shooter, whereas Chelsea Bowling and Erin Kiser can do that for Betsy. All in all, It is a pretty close match-up with each teams top four. This game may be won by whichever teams #5-8 make the greatest contributions. For Betsy that will be Norris, Demoss, DePew, and Roberts. I do not know all of Tennessee High's top reserves, but I did like their length and atleticism last night. Should be a great game. Go Cyclones!!!!!!!

Great game tonight at Viking Hall. Hat's off to Betsy and Cara. She's a multi-dimensional player that was clutch at the end. This was a very hard fought game and both teams played their hearts out. Both teams have what it takes to make a deep run at seasons' end. You are right, Coach 17, Huneycutt made a big difference, but I think the maturity level of Elizabethton won out in the end.

AJ was a beast! Coaching staff, on both sides did a very good job....And the fans, what can I say...very competitive, and very rowdy! I love it when a fan gets thrown out! LOL...

Go Cyclones....If we (THS) have to lose, It would be nice to lose to a State Champ.

Go Vikes...Use this and learn...most of you are still young! WORK HARDER NOW!

...And 17, I agree with your advice to Momofalcon, The support programs make a huge difference. It starts at the elementary level. It takes years to make great players! I've always said, If you want to be a great shooter, shoot the ball a million times and you'll be better than most!