pancon

My apologies, I assumed, and shouldn't have evidently that the TMSAA would be the governing body that verified enrollment and placed the teams in their respective Large/Small divisions. I will also reiterate that the structure set forth by the TMSAA is a great way to prepare these kids for the next level and give them a goal to attain. I understand how complex it is to structure tournaments to enable fairness to all. I'm glad we have what we have.

As far as the Coach and his management...The starters were limited to less than 2 quarters, and typically the coach does not and did not press after a 20 point lead. The roster had 14/15 girls (half 7th graders) and every girl played and nearly every girl scored. I know the coach personally and believe me, it could have been a lot worse. ....Now, how do you back off...and still compete in the Area? Tough to do! ...got what they deserved? If they would have got what they deserved, they would have advanced to the state sectional! Blountville works hard at building a solid program. Science Hill, Unicoi, and the likes of Blountville have coaches that go the extra mile to ensure that their programs are top shelf. Consider the team camps during the summer, consider the volunteers that help guide these girls through tough summer leagues and then you'll understand why they are successful. Blountville played better competition during the summer than they faced during the season in their conference. Now then consider Rogersville or Holston Valley either one...what did they do to prepare? I didn't see the likes of those teams playing in Johnson City??? For the Blountville girls not making it to the State, I actually put some of the blame on the County schools that did very little to make themselves better and then in return, making the league better! Blountville should join the City League. Furthermore, the TMSAA still placed Blountville in the LARGE school division when they should have been in the SMALL school division. Blountvilles' enrollment for the eight grade is around 140! I don't think they got what they deserved. For the boys team, I would have been very upset, because several small schools went to the Small School Area tourney...but not the Blountville boys. They played Holston within 6 points and Mary Hughes within 2! Sorry guys...you don't get to go to an AREA tourney. TMSAA screwed up! Period. Lastly, before I get off my soapbox, the county schools only field one team a piece...a boys and a girls...no 7th grade league, therefore, you better be a pretty good 7th grader, or you will sit until the easy games. Talk about a rebuilding process. The city league has 7th and 8th grade teams. The 7th grade city teams have an entire schedule plus tourney. ANY county school with small enrollment should be very proud to compete. Large County schools then ALWAYS go to a city venue and play in the Large School Area Tourney...This is not fair...it needs to be alternated or played at a neutral court. This year, the Middle 8 played at Sevier during the season, then in their Conference tournament, and then what the heck...the Area Tourney too...sad!!

You were way better last year...but you did go as a #3 seed...I suppose any given night any one can get beat. As far as Science Hill beating you 5 times...reckon they did...held #4 to 8 points, right? And rumor has it that Unicoi tried to move into the County League...and lets face it, you've had a good run...but next year maybe you should move into the County League, because it doesn't look like you have much (I may be wrong.) Lets not forget, for 'always over-rated' Blountville, they did win the Large School Sectional in 2005 and were Runner-ups in Small School Section in 2006. Talent runs in cycles. Blountville struggled to win the big ones, still played Science Hill close and had a very good year. FYI..Don't know how they were classified as Large school this year...their numbers in 8th grade were under the 150 limit, they should have been in small school ...another TMSAA screw up, I guess. Nevertheless, Good luck to the Middle 8 teams, you've earned it, so go kick but. ...and don't hate me for being passionate about the game.

Area 3... Seymore #1 seed Sevierville #2 seed Who placed 3rd? Who beat them in the Semi's by how much? Area 2... Robertsville #1 seed Norris #2 seed Lafollette #3 seed Any news on Area 4?

Unicoi played well, especially #4, she hit five threes. And your right, Blountville's chances lessoned as the game progressed. The unfortunate aspect for Blountville is that their league is weak and did not prepare them for the Area Tournament, but yet I believe they are still a good team. (After all they beat Unicoi in the summer league tourney semis by 40-31.) The best thing for them is that they get another chance with T.A. Dugger. I'm sure they will be ready to play. Now lets look at 2 very different scenarios that could play out. Scenario #1...Blountville loses to T.A. Dugger. They are out, pure and simple, overrated I suppose. Unicoi loses to Science Hill. (It seems like Science Hill has been too much for the Big Blue what like 4 times now? So Sectional Seeding would be: SHHS #1, Big Blue #2, and TAD #3. Scenario #2...Blountville wins over Dugger...in turn becomes #3 seed going to Sectionals. Unicoi goes as a #2 Seed. Now then, traditionally, Area 1 teams have a good showing at the sectionals (This was evident last year as all 3 seeds made it to the Semis) and this just may be the case again this year. Wouldn't it be great if Unicoi as an Area (1) 2 seed beats an Area (3) 3 seed and then goes on to beat an Area (2) 1 seed.....and Blountville as an Area (1) 3 seed beats an Area (3) 2 seed then goes on to win against Area (4) 1 seed...WOW...Then on Feb. 13 at 4:00 Blountville and Unicoi would meet each other again! Mr. Big Blue, I'm sure you would love this...because you'd get to play the 'Overrated' Tigers again. I must admit, I'd enjoy a re-match too! ...It could be worse...TAD may be waiting on you...And SHHS will be waiting on the other side of the bracket.... again... Remember...Unicoi was a 3 seed last year and did in fact win it all..... What the heck...lets shoot for the moon! Go Lady Tigers....and just to be a good sport Good luck Cyclones too! P.S. May God bless all of our young ladies.

Conference Semi-Final winners advancing to Area 1 Large School Tourney at Sevier...so far Middle 8: Science Hill Unicoi T.A. Dugger Colonial Hgts. Sullivan County Blountville (Only large school to qualify) Does anyone know about other conferences that feed Area 1 Large??

Wow, I didn't know that there were automatic bids. I always thought that a team had to reach the Semi-Finals of their respective conference tourney before they could move on to the Area Tournament. Can a conference just send a couple of teams? One more thing...why is the Area 1 tournament always held at John Sevier? The facility is o.k. but the acoustics are bad, busy graphics on the floor and the poor lighting yields itself to tremendous glares. You would think it would be held at an area high school?? Not to mention parking is very limited. What gives? Maybe Kingsport sends more cash to TMSSA???

I've heard CH has been improving...(reference the high school board)....what's up with Unicoi??? seem a lot weaker than last year...

Central....Many ask why? Middle of the pack, year in year out, Chemistry...or...Coaching...or what...? ...sorry just my 2 cents.

So who's your pick this year? Science Hill has to be the favorite...who's next... can they be beaten?

Yea, I saw her play for SHHS 8th grade team...Haley is her first name, she can shoot the 3.

Definately look for Central to be the spoiler. This Junior and Senior class are the same grils that won the State Sectional as middle schoolers at Blountville. Keys for Central are Moody, Fields, Blizzard and Soph. Kestner. It's their best chance in many years. THS will carry a lot of Pride...but will have to play as a team. DB and SHHC...one of these may go to third. Just speculating.

Next years (2009) rising 9th graders...Could East Tenn. (Tri-Cities area) finally compete AAU D1 Nationals? What area players would you include? Who could represent at a national level? Johnson City, Bristol, Kingsport and surrounding cities.

One thing is for sure, it seems he motivates well, and with his JV squads at Tenn. High his win/loss record is amazing. Last year's team had just 1 loss....not too shabby!

Point well taken, I agree, lets move on.

Reference the only time this year that the Pink Panthers played combined was March 20-22 at Smoky Mt. Easter Slamfest. See Tourney Results: 8th grade division @smokysports.com Picture included. FYI...The tall brunette that was the 3 point threat for Indian Trail last season had a great game for the Starz when the Panthers won 70-60. She hit 5 treys and had 20 pts. Ref. Showdown in E-Town results 8th grade division (Bristol Pink Panthers 7 graders) @ smokysports.com Picture included.

It just occured to me that we may be referring to (2) different Panther teams. There is a 7th grade (12 and under) group and a 8th grade (13 and under) group. The 12 and under group with Ashlee and Chloe is the one I'm referring to. My records show the following: At SHHS the first weekend in March the Panthers split with the Starz...won the first game 39 - 32 then lost the second one by 36 - 32. Then at Smoky Mt. complex on May 3rd the Panthers beat the Starz 8 by a score of 70 - 60. (That was the week of the AAU State Tourney) (The 8th grade Panthers played in the State) The 8th grade Panthers go by 'East Tennessee Pink Panthers...or E.T. Pink Panthers' The 7th grade Panthers go by 'Bristol Pink Panthers' ...So, if there were 2 losses for the 7th graders from the STARZ...I sure would like to know when the other one was??? Currently, the Bristol Pink Panthers are 46-10 for the season and 9 of the losses are from 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 and under teams. ...It's not that I don't have great respect for SHHS and the STARZ program...but I just wanted to set the record straight. How did SHHS 8 fair on their last day at the Blountville Team Camp?

I believe they split 2 games w/the rising 8th graders and beat a combined team of rising 8th and 9th graders once. (That would be 2 wins and 1 loss for the panthers.) Nevertheless...It will make for a great rivalry for years to come. What teams were in the Happy Valley team camp?

Has anyone heard what the outcome is for the small school tourney in Pigeon Forge?