BBallExtreme

Adams referred to boxcars of course.

It never fails to amaze me the ignorance with which otherwise learned individuals cite the Founding Fathers as the basis for public prayer. The founding fathers knew the abuses of religion and spoke onpenly and often about the separation of church and state. In fact, the words "In God We Trust" were only placed on currency during the Civil War, long after our Constitution was ratified. Believe it or not, not everyone is a Christian. Would athletes of all faiths have an opportunity to lead their religious prayers? If so, I have no problem. History says more likely those players would be ostracized. I believe that a moment of silence for prayer, meditation, or personal focus is appropriate. Surely God hears all prayers, whether silent or voiced. Here are some quotes from our Founding Fathers for your enlightenment: "Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon, than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness, that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind." - Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason, 1794-1795.) Every man "ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience." - George Washington (Letter to the United Baptist Churches in Virginia in May, 1789) "Question with boldness even the existence of a god." - Thomas Jefferson (letter to Peter Carr, 10 August 1787) "When a Religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its Professors are obliged to call for help of the Civil Power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one." - Benjamin Franklin (from a letter to Richard Price, October 9, 1780;) I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of... Each of those churches accuse the other of unbelief; and for my own part, I disbelieve them all."- Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason, 1794-1795.) "Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth." - Thomas Jefferson (Notes on Virginia, 1782; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 363.) "During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What have been its fruits? More or less in all places, pride and indolence in the Clergy, ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution." - James Madison (Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments, 1785.) "Where do we find a precept in the Bible for Creeds, Confessions, Doctrines and Oaths, and whole carloads of other trumpery that we find religion encumbered with in these days?" - John Adams

Well, maybe not YOUR stands! Let's get the facts straight, she did sign in November, check the paper. Interesting you didn't say "Lausanne type of league"which is "SBEC's" league. I guess then you'd have to admit that Avant's playing in that league defeats your argument. Anyway I'm glad she'll be coming to Memphis instead of UCLA from whom she received her first letter as an eighth grader. I went back and did some more reading on her and, just as I thought, McFerrin says she's been "following her since eigth grade". I don't know if she'll be THE ONE for the U of M, but I hope she does at least as well as the equally talented Memphis girls you claim McFerrin overlooked.

Well I too, as a parent, stand by my statement. I don't know Melissa McFerrin personally, but I have to comment on what I KNOW she has done in Memphis and give credit where credit's due. While McFerrin may not have concentrated much on local talent for the 2009 year, she has definite plans for 2010, 2011, and 2012. Remember she only took over this last summer, I'm sure she had already put in time with girls from this class while still at American U--Bilqis Quaadar is from Boston, much closer to Delaware than Memphis! Sorry, I don't think she felt she had much chance of landing a James or a Pratcher without first building a relationship. That list of girls she could have gotten may not be as talented in her opinion as yours, anyway no matter how talented a player is, if she doesn't fit a program's needs at the time she won't be picked up. I do believe she has made a committment for the BEST talent available regardless of location and that's the only way to build a winning program. After all, how many local boys has Coach Cal signed at the U of M? As I stated before, she has been VERY aggressive with the underclasmen. More than one coach has told me that she has done more outreach in Memphis in the past six months than the previous coach did in her entire career. Now... I do remember that butt kickin'! First the 16 and under team beat them, and if that wasn't bad enough our 14 and under team beat them. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> But that's the team McFerrin inherited, she didn't build that team. Give her some time and I believe she will get not just any Memphis players but top notch girls.

The U of M has made strides in improving its women's program. So far they've hired Coach McFerrin and her staff, increased the number of women's games held at the FedEx Forum, and drastically stepped up their recruitment efforts--they have invited all girls AAU teams in the city and quite a few high school teams to several home games. Locally, they have recruited Ashley Robinson from Millington, and they have also recruited the young lady (Bilquis is her first name) who recently broke Rebecca Lobo's scoring record in high school this year. I have seen this coach's recruiter at every exposure event beginning last summer--Atlanta, North Carolina, and here in Memphis. The U of Memphis is starting young and being agressive. I can't speak for CBU except to say that they have come to some high school games to see some particular girls who haven't yet committed. The U of M is doing what it needs to in order to improve their program, but it will take time. Most of your D1 players here in Memphis have SEC dreams, many of them (and/or their parents) aren't willing to be the "trailblazers" for a developing program. Heck, I may even be one of them /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> But it won't be for the U of M's lack of trying! While there are some problems with women's basketball here in Memphis, I have to commend McFerrin and her staff for being part of the solution. They have made a whole lot of players here feel special and talented and WANTED. They have reached out to the girls basketball community and treated coaches and parents with respect. Give them some credit.

Way to go JJ! What an accomplishment to forever leave your mark on an institution. Although I must confess...I was looking forward to seeing lil sister Destiny wear that number! /wub.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":wub:" border="0" alt="wub.gif" /> Can't wait to see JJ make her mark at the next level /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

Here's the best argument I can make: They did it again Northside & Melrose Northside / 4 / 0 / 0 / 2 / -- / 6 / Melrose / 22 / 0 / 0 / 0 / -- / 22 / Last time the score was 26-6, no scores after halftime /blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" />

They were told they couldn't. I'll leave it there.

What happened? Houston learned from last time! They handled Ridgeway's pressure defense much better, with very few turnovers. Once they beat the press, Ridgeway didn't drop fast enough. Also, Ridgeway's offense was stifled by Houston's zone defense. In the final analysis, Ridgeway has got switch up on it's defense (the diamond press will only take you so far once your competitor figures out how to break it). We've also got to develop more plays and use them at the right time (ie, you can't call man-to-man plays in a zone defense). Finally, and most importantly--good teams bounce back after a loss. Players, coaches, and parents can't hold grudges and point fingers so long that it affects the team's performance in future games. Ridgeway hadn't practiced since losing to White Station although the players desperately wanted to! So facing a team like Houston, who I'm sure practiced their ---- off in preparation for this game, was a death blow. Ridgeway ended it's season last year 14-12. They have improved so much this year. I hope they can get it together and make a strong stand in the District Tournament even though they'll now have a tougher row to hoe. Phil, I hope we count on your support. /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

Houston gets Ridgeway this time. /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

Exactly. It's that uphill battle that has led to what some have called heavy-handed "persuassion" on the part of some notables with ties to exposure basketball AND MTSU. UT doesn't have any recruitment problems--for most players, if UT wants you that's were you'll go, who wouldn't?

Phil! What about the intangible value of being able to do something well? I thought you said players shouldn't be playing just to earn a scholarship? I agree. Don't you enjoy watching the game played with skill and precision? I sure do. Maybe the 97% will go on to coach at the church, maybe they'll play intramural in college, maybe they'll be the best fan their grandchildren could ever hope for! Maybe they won't do anything other than play high school basketball, but it shouldn't be because nobody thought enough of them to challenge them to be the best THEY could be. Oh by the way, the irony that YOUR daughter is a D1 commit hasn't been lost on me /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" /> I just feel that adding a shot clock affords more players--those who, unlike our daughters, can't afford to play AAU or exposure ball--the opportunity to compete for some much-needed money for college!

Was that rhetorical? /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" /> Just having some fun, but facts are facts.

Phil, I think you misunderstand my point. I simply believe that anything worth doing is worth doing at the highest level (of course that varies from one individual to the next). The entertainment aspect of sports that you mention is merely a side effect that some chose to embrace. In making my point for increasing the rigor of athletics, I likened it to increasing the rigor in the classroom. Of course not all students will advance to college, but a well-prepared student has that CHOICE. Likewise with athletics. I don't believe that students should play a sport ONLY to get a scholarship. That's like going to college ONLY to get a job. I believe in the instrinsic value of education and athletics and this is what I have tried to impart to my children. From the time they were born they were college-bound, long before I knew about any athletic ability. But hey, if they can get a free ride through academics, athletics, music, whatever we're all for that. And pushing just as hard in every arena! /wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink.gif" />

Clearly you are unaware of the politics involved in Tennessee Girls' Basketball. /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

While I agree that sports can provide a lifetime of lessons that is an education unto itself, sports themselves exist simply for recreation and entertainment. These are not the aspects that I chose to embrace, but it is undeniable. For many students, the purpose of high school athletics IS to garner an athletic scholarship that would allow them to acquire a "free" education while doing something they love on a higher level. Sure not all high school athletes aspire to a college career through athletics, but neither do all students aspire to academic scholarships. Should classes, then not prepare all students as though they will enter college? All areas of the high school experience should prepare our children to dream bigger and perform better. Tennessee students should be prepared to compete with students from around the country in the classroom AND in the arena. If rigor has a place in the classroom--and it certainly does--then it has a place in the gym.

The shot clock makes the game more interesting by adding another level of intensity. AAU and exposure games use the shot clock, so when I look at a High School game it seems "dumbed down", and girls who play year-round have a distinct advantage by playing all summer under the pressure of the clock. The excuse that some teams will dominate may be true for the first few years, but as programs make the adjustment, the teams will get better. I'm sure that's what many naysayers said when the women's game moved from half-court to full-court! I mean you don't get stronger by lifting the same amount of weight day after day...at some point you're going to have to add some weight. As knowledge and technology allow athletes to compete at ever-increasing levels, the game must adapt in order to maintain the challenge.

I'm all for spice, Phil. Doesn't WHITE STATION play Collierville Friday!?! /hungry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":hungry:" border="0" alt="hungry.gif" />

Interesting, take, Phil. Ridgeway's early foul trouble may have cost them this game. The second quarter comeback stands out with Hasina and Ashley off the floor. If there are any clear "Queens of 15AAA" I would say it's Overton. They have handed double loses to White Station, Ridgeway, and Houston. There's no clear runner up either--Ridgeway lost two to White Station...White Station lost two to Houston...Houston lost to Ridgeway. We all know our teams' potential, but that's all it is until they prove otherwise.

Ridgeway didn't submit this game either, go figure /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="

Then Ridgeway still has a chance. Hooray!!! /biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

And let the fans say...........AMEN!!!!!!! /roflol.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":roflol:" border="0" alt="roflol.gif" />

That's right.

Ridgeway still has the district tournament. Maybe some adjustment can be made then...... Let's hope so!

Giving Overton another look at us (Ridgeway) during the Finch Classic was a BIIIIG mistake! We won that battle for that game, but we lost the district game war /dry.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=" I don't know why we fell into that trap.