pancon

Rematch...THS vs Elizabethton. This should be a dog fight. Has to be for THS to win. Up to this point, Betsy is on top. Period. Betsy can be beat though. Dugger goes for the throat from the start. He will keep his starters in almost the entire 1st quarter. They get winded doing this, but by that time, he typically has a good lead. THS must counter this, even if it means a reduction in the rotation. THS must push the tempo, driving to the basket and kicking for high percentage buckets from good shooters. It has to be run, run, run on offense because Betsy plays great half court man defense. If THS has to play half court, in and out will be more effective than around the horn and settling for the pressured trey. On d, the vikings must hedge very quickly on the screens and everyone needs to have a hand in their shooters' eye's! EVERY shot must be contested! Make the Bowlings run and play very physical d on both...make their leggs tired and they will miss their shots. It will be the toughest game yet for both teams. 5 to 7 players on each team will decide. Who's tougher? Who's in better shape? Who see's the floor better? Smart with heart will win this game! Good luck ladies. Have a very physical but injury free game. AJ needs to guard CB too!

It was a good night for the Big 8 teams. They started out a little rusty looking, but all teams looked better in the second half. Boone and Volunteer represented the conference well. ...more to come!

Bingo. One key player can make a huge difference.

According to Tricitiessports.com other than the toss up for #1, this is still the case! Wish I was as lucky at the lottery! ...Plus, nice win for the Toppers last night...and, alas, DB was a little weak at guard play.

According to Tricitiessports.com other than the toss up for #1, this is still the case! Wish I was as lucky at the lottery! ...Plus, nice win for the Toppers last night...and, alas, DB was a little weak at guard play.

Great game! Two top tier teams going at it as if they had already played 20 games each. Bunches of talent on the floor! Looked like a college game. Intensity at it's best. Hats off to both programs. Love of the game was shown with mutual respect on both sides.

Still out here being entertained by momafalcon... It is early...but I still think that the Hill and THS will be at the top. The hill is so deep. Heck, their second string could fair very well in the Big 8 on their own! As for THS, Honeycutt missing the first 4 games didn't help much. I really believe that killed their chemistry, not to mention the competition was pretty good. Looks like the coach is still 'tweaking' the line-up looking for the right mix. They'll be there. In my honest opinion, team play will be the key, because that will yield a higher efficiency. The team with the most efficient half court offense that can break the press and play good defence will rise to the top. Statistically speaking, shoot the ball well, near 45% and thats a tough team to beat! We've all seen what making the extra pass will do....And, with that in mind, several teams could be in the hunt...DB and South...for sure. ...yall knew I start rambling...couple more cents worth for what it's worth..

The Big 8 girls are playing very well...probably some of the best players there. A couple of our Big 8 girls are league leaders. Don Brown does a good job running the league.

Toss Up at the top spot. (1) Science Hill Most Talented...coach demands team play and intensity. Could win most games playing only sophomores and 1 freshman...could use some bigs in the paint though. (1) Tennessee not quite as talented as the Hill (overall)...intensity is about pride! and must press to win...half court offensive often has trouble...read and react works sometimes...could use the old pick and roll...but that's for the coach to decide. (3) DB...Missing top-notch guard play (that the Hill and the Vikes both have)...but the bigs are very talented...patience on the press and the half court set looks pretty good. (4) South...Mac's last year, but look for some very talented underclassmen to help out. Must play as a team! (5) Boone...dark horse here...had a great run in last years jv tourney... (6) Central...If they couldn't place higher last year with Blizard and Wood...they will struggle this year. Especially if 'flex' is their main offense. Play a zone like a 1-3-1 or 3-2...it's over. (7) Volunteer...I hope they have a good year. Rumors of loving everything else...other than bball! Just look above, the best teams have girls that love the game...(and no, I'm not Bobby Knight...there is more to life than b-ball!) (8) Crockett...Just don't know much about this group...someone help us out here. Just my take. I hope and pray for a very good year with no injuries!! Good luck girls! ...and most should be thankful that Betsy is in another conference!! LOL

...All last year she played for the Carter County Elite. They did pretty good at the State. They played AAU D2 15U group. Don't know about this year...Played alot at Smoky Mt. Sports Complex. Fred would know how to reach her...If this helps...

Our family thrives on winning at the highest level. Coaches make all the difference in the world. ...Our move was based on coaching philosophies. If it means less playing time then so be it. But, call me old school...(Bobby Knight and George Pitts fan too!) we need more fire...more intensity!

I agree risktaker. THS has at least 8 girls on their rosters (jv and varsity) that are county girls. I speak from experience too. My daughter recently transfered to a city program because they are winners. Coaching plays a hugh role in winning programs! TH, DB and SH play to win. If a county school finishes 15-12....that is successful and the coach still gets paid and nothing ever changes. If TH, DB or the Hill ended up at 15-12...not good... The big three schools will put the best on the floor regardless of class, they will play in your face pressure defence and anything less...well just have a seat young lady! The coaches know exactly what they have coming up from the feeder schools and will adjust their game plans to fit their stengths. Lastly, having attended practices at both county and city schools, my daughter was amazed how much more conditioning there was at the city program. She said after the first day's practice at the city school, 'OMG dad, they ran my a** off, but eventually it had to end and besides, they can't eat me.' LOL. For our family, we needed more fire...more intensity...a goal to go to state. It was the best move for us, wished we would have moved sooner.

THS played an awesome 4th quarter...33 points. This team is only going to get better! If Ashlee had not of gotten in foul trouble the first half, DB may have had a really rough night! ...and Dang...these girls are young!! DB certainly IS lacking at guard play...

Science Hill looks like they are on a roll...Hat's off to Coach Barnwell! Last night 3 freshman dropped 42 points on Sullivan Central... I love fact that he has given them the opportunity to shine! Good job Shy, Morgan and J. This team and their coach plays to win!

Should be a great game... Keys for each: DB...Slowing the tempo down is a must. Scoring in the paint is a given...But, they will have to hit some shots outside. They must (and should control) the boards. SH...Run, Run, Run! Then keep running. Make DB's Post run the entire game. Isolate Shy and hope she is on her game. Finish at the mid-range shot...don't take it too far into the paint. FRONT the post everytime! As previously said, homecourt advantage may give the Hill a slight edge.

South not played?? Get out of here! On another note, watched THS play this weekend. They press and apply pressure the whole game. They double team in the corners. They run a read and react offense. ie. pass, cut, fill. They were effective running this offense. Top contenders will have to deny/front the cutter continually to combat this offense. If you allow the cutters to front the defender, they'll make the pass and draw the foul. As with most THS teams, practice up for the press! also...they are a very unselfish team, constantly making the extra pass. They can be beat, but it will take very good defence. How's the rest of the pack doing? DB? The Hill?

The Bolus rankings can be useful for coaches, recuiters, etc. I would imagine that all the girls listed are quality ball players. Putting a number or ranking on them can stir up a hornets nest. Players and parents especially (which probably account for most of the posters on this board) will never see it the same way. They may agree with Mr. Bolus if their daughter is a blue chipper and is high on the list. Personally, I'd rather read a report of the 'Top Performers' at an exposure tourney. But, I would like to see stats included. Compiling a list is a good thing, but ranking players turns bad, especially when it's such a small list and leaves out so many good players. Does this Bolus list include statistics? ppg, rpg, apg, etc.

After a couple of games...this is what I see...for what it's worth. 1-THS-have a very good mix. Blakeley and Rachel will score and know that's their role. Ashlee is a great team player and will add in high speed scoring, plus she is a beast on defence! They show chemistry already. The rest are role players that will give their best for their demanding coach. They should do well. They will press...so try pressing them back. Make them play half court and always put a hand up on Blakeley and a few of the reserves that shoot well too. 2-DB-Just big, really big. They will own the paint in most games. A team that runs and presses should give them a fit...But, if you miss... the rebound is theirs. 3-Central-A lot of talent here. Very little chemistry. You've got 4 dominate scorers...and they all want to score! Very little team play. The 5 spot is still open...look for a rebounding role player here. Good Lord, can't put another scorer in the 5 spot...else they would need 5 balls to play offense. Rely on help side defence and draw charges when they take it to the hole. Stop Kimmie from going left....or better yet, let her go left then draw the charge. Better put a hand in Erika's face, she's shooting it well. This team needs to play team ball to win the big ones. 4-SH-Young...But that's a good thing, they'll be in the mix come tourney time. Haley has such a quick release and see's the floor fairly well. Shy will become more and more dominate as time passes. IMHO she has the most potential of any other Big 8 player...and just a freshman.! (AJ from THS will give her a run for her money if she developes a more consistent jumper w/more arch and work on the left hand) J. Reid will help out as she learns to finish, but she has a very quick first step. As the youth becomes older, look for this team to dominate. Remember last years 8th grade went 29-0. Give them 2 years, then look out Big 8. 5-South- Campbell is so much of this team, she should have her own Soup Sponsorship. Need I say more. Fletcher will yeild some great defensive plays, but needs to drive the ball to be effective. Look for good things from Fuller. Where is Keri Beth?? Move her to varsity. Simple here, stop Mack. (Great rotation on her shot...pure shooter, needs foot speed) 6-Volunteer- Needs depth...don't know much here other than Lindholm can fill it up. Very good player. 7-Daniel Boone- ??? 8-Crockett-Tough year for these girls...don't ever give up...try for an upset...one always happens! Just my thots...seen a lot of these girls. Good luck ladies. and remember, you only have one shot in life!

Evidently no one is doing squat....or afraid to say! We are a sorry bunch to say the least! The IMAC posters make us look sad...come on Big 8!!

Hey Pantherman check out the Freshman on Unicoi that I was telling you about.... she's one worth paying some attention to.......

Sullivan Central went to Knox West playday...won against Bearden and Powell, lost against West. about 16/17 girls played. They look like they will be about 7-8 deep during the season. Where are the other teams scrimmaging? any results. IMAC....Morristown West...will be tough...the team to beat imho.

Trotter Coach, I agree...It was absolutely a great experience! It is time to change hats...but, Hat's off to Don Brown and all those that helped out with the Elite 80 league. Thanks again!

Hey wkktnvolsfan...I somewhat agree. THS could split with several teams. I don't think they'll go undefeated. As for DB, Central and SHHS, I think they will contend for second. South (if they are on) could split with the top teams as well. I'm not that familiar with the rest. It could be a very tight year in the new BIG 8. Home court advantage may be the difference in some games.

I'm confused...You say Team Pride beat TN A-Game and TN Attack in Sub-State? They are in different divisions...are they not? What is your basis of your rankings? Have you seen all these teams play? ...elaborate if you will..

Courtney did a great job. Her team showed poise. Bristol Pink Panthers 13U later on Sunday beat the TN Trotters to win 2nd place...controlled the game through-out, won 47-39. Panthers only lose was to TN Xtreme on Friday in O.T. (One of their starters could not make it to the Friday game)....she was there when they played late Sat. night...Panthers then won 62-48. Two new teams will represent the Eastern Division well in the State. Too bad the Attack and the Panthers never met...would have been a good one!!