KevB1990

I've had to run the clock, keep the book and do the public address. It's OK so long as you don't get caught up in the game as a fan.

Look, I'm big on Skylar. I've known him since he was a baby. Whether or not he's as good as McDonald is a moot point. Both are being recruited by or have been signed by two of the top teams in the country that are both in the ACC and pretty much in the same vicinity of North Carolina. I'm sure they might've crossed paths in summer ball, but I wouldn't get ultra defensive when it comes to comparisons to players from Memphis. And I'm hopeful that the Grizzlies make it to the state tournament, but that means getting through either Fulton or Austin-East in the sectionals not to mention Unicoi County in the regionals. It's a tough road ahead and I know there's not a defense that Skylar hasn't seen thrown at him, but Lord only knows EVERYONE knows who to concentrate their help defense on when they play Grainger.

It's also a fact that Skylar spends a couple of hours just about every morning before class in the gym working the "it" factor and making "it" better. He's a worker and knows that to be a good player can be because you've been taught by a good coach/parent. But to be great takes lots and lots of work and lots and lots of love for the sport and the willingness to give all you've got to be successful.

Grizz have their seven-game win streak snapped on the road at Harlan. It was a tight contest like back in December at Grainger with this one ending up a one-point loss. Anyone have a report?

Oh we know who he was there to see... /biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> That said I hope he's more than impressed with that performance. 32 on the road with a lot at stake and probably against a double team most of the night.

Grizzlies get a sweep of Union with a solid win on the road. That gives them some breathing room and no worse than a tie for the regular season title. They'll be the top seed in the tournament because they have the highest number among the teams that could tie them (Union and CG) and have the head-to-head sweep of the Pats.

I'll have to admit that's the first I've heard about Skylar playing baseball, or even entertaining the idea of playing baseball. Like Luvdagame said already there's plenty without him on the baseball team. I mean for goodness sakes Rutledge was always in contention and did about everything they could on the baseball field except get past the sectionals. Now with newer facilities and quite possibly more interest at Grainger there's potential there for a carryover of the success from the Rutledge days. I've not talked with Coach Bishop or Coach Tate though to get the skinny. I'm sure that the Skylar rumor is a lot like the Daniel Singleton rumor from five years ago at Rutledge when some thought his uncle, then head coach Wallace, was going to get him to play as a senior. It's a good topic for discussion, but probably not something that will happen. As far as the rest of the district, the Sevier County teams (both of them this year I suppose) will be the main competition. Pigeon has been very tough to beat since they broke through with the Cannon family in the early part of this decade. The extra inning championship game at West Greene where the Tigers were the first team to beat Jason Gray in nearly two years was a classic and a heartbreaker rolled into one.

You have to remember for every JuJuan Smith you have 4 Eddie DeBro-type players...

Wake Forest is very interested in him and they're talking about a scholarship and not walking on. My advice to UT is to quit holding out for him to still be available at the end of the late signing period and offer him a scholarship or he'll head elsewhere. He really wants to play at UT, but I'm hoping he opts for the place where he can play AND get his education paid for in the process. He's also had offers from UAB, Indiana State, Tulane, MTSU, ETSU, and several other D-I schools.

Now that all the nonsense posts following a big road win have been dealt with, the Grizzlies are sitting in a great spot in the district at 6-1 with three left to play. The week off before playing Union County in Maynardville could be a good thing and then again could be a detriment. When you're on a roll you like to keep playing.

Those who can't do like to bash when someone that can isn't "lighting it up." I think Bulldog fan should be happy that Skylar didn't go for 30-plus like he's capable or they would REALLY be whining. You just aren't going to find a better kid than Skylar. All the haters are counting down the days to when he graduates because they can go back to playing the Grizzlies straight up instead of double and triple-teaming him.

They are and he is. It's the same formula for success that the 1995-98 Rutledge girls used with his big sister and a big reason why the 1999-2002 Rutledge boys were so good when his big brother played. All the McBee kids have that "it" factor being the kids of a coach and just because they are extremely talented.

Well you and I would say they're pretty competitive, but folks in other parts of the state would probably have some negative crack on these teams. I say whenever you beat a larger school it's usually a good thing.

Another big road win for the Grizz tonight. They're 4-0 against AAA schools this season...maybe not what some people would consider top-flight AAA schools but none too shabby anyway. Big district road games coming up starting with Claiborne on Friday. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

That's a HUGE win. Defending the home floor against a team with good depth at guard like Union is crucial. As Rutledge/Grainger fans know we don't normally see our guys pull off a sweep of the Patriots so we'll have to wait two weeks and see if the trend is bucked or not. Regardless that's big-time good stuff. Now the boys go on the road for the rest of the month.

That's a good attitude to have for the G-P kids. I would expect no less after losing to the same team twice in the regular season. They might very well beat Grainger in the tournament, but again it'll be on the Grizzlies' home floor and there's the whole thing that we still have the district's best player and a really good supporting cast. As far as three officials, I see it as a waste of another $75-100 fee (or ever how much it is now to pay for the officials per the association)...especially in that association. I'm ready to see the district...including Union Co...work something out with the northeastern association. The Smoky Mountain has gotten far worse over the years...so bad they're rivalling the KnoxRidge for who's the worst in the area.

LOL! The same is true at other gyms in the district there eagles...just because your Highlanders lost don't go getting your drawers in a wad...

Grizzlies grind out a 37-35 win over G-P at home...McBee hits the game-winning free throws and goes over 2,000 points for his career. Way to go Skyman!

My guess is that Grainger doesn't play a lot of man defense because they don't have the bodies to put in if they get in deep foul trouble, especially McBee. Taking a guy who averages 25 a night out of the game (and is good for 40-plus on a really good night) is a tall order. They've been working on a match-up zone for quite a while going back to the last few years at Rutledge...at least that's what I remember from discussions with the coaches. As far as tips on turning in game results...I can speak to where some schools know that, but when they don't get published the next day it's pretty frustrating...and as far as less staff maybe they need to look into getting more stringers from outlying papers. They did it for Bearden when they played at Bristol and have done it for others. If the Sentinel is going to claim to be an all-encompassing publication for all these high schools in the PrepXtra umbrella then they need to get more people out covering things or just go back to being an all KIL and KFL paper.

Briefcase Brien...he's been many places.

They ran into a buzzsaw every night it appears. Somerset is pretty good obviously and they had a barn-burner with Grainger in their final game in the tourney. Grainger's Skylar McBee is one of the best players in the state and dropped 30 on the Lions in addition to Justin Humphrey going for 20 inside and...well Union County doesn't lose at home that often plus they've got some pretty good guard play ordinarily. That's a rough way to spend the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Anyone have an account of the Grizzlies' game against Somerset? The Sentinel has no mention...naturally...and that's an awful lot of points on the board in a game not 30 minutes away from the Sentinel's front door. Then again, why would they care?

You got hammered about it because it's a silly comment. It might be your opinion, but it's very much a comment that doesn't go along with the type of player he has been since he started his high school career. You might consider that next time before making such a comment.

Whatever dude. He plays in the summer with lots of D-I prospects and more than holds his own. Check out the roster for the Mid-State Ballerz South...also played in the Rocky Top League this summer along with current and former Vols and other college players both current and former. Judge not on one game...that makes you sound ignorant. /blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" />

If Carter isn't double-teaming Skylar it's going to be a long night for Hornets' fans.