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I read where they have won a few more games. Are they playing better? I have watched them three times this year earlier in the season. I was unimpressed with the coaching and the overall play but the bench players that played contributed nothing other than the bigger post player who could score but could not play defense. Your child must not be a starter. Be patient as a parent and if your child shines, the Coaches will notice. Getting on CoachT and expressing yourself anonymously only stirs the pot and causes dissension. Coaches do read CoachT although they would deny it. Oneida was a Class A basketball powerhouse with numerous state tourney appearances. I wish Oneida luck and hope to see them improve and progress in the tourneys.

I agree totally.

I have shared the floor with a lot of the old ones mentioned. I have been on the bench for many others and I have witnessed several at the college and high school levels. Tefteller, Paul Webb could just flat out shoot, Chris Jones-"the Shot Doctor", Jay Cole, all come to mind from the past Gettlefinger was a very good shooter but "pure" doesnt come to my mind. Aaron Green also--he just competed and when he coached High School. Padgett I thought of as a "scorer" as opposed to "shooter" and Caylor likewise. Yaden- fluid played up at Oneida and in state tourney around the same time as Green. Someone mentioned Dan Anderson at Walters State---Didn't he also play at Carson Newman? I could have this all wrong I am also thinking Harriman--maybe I got the wrong guy? I enjoy thinking about the good ole days and the old hot gyms Brad Seal at Hancock and Parsons at Cumberland County Lee Humphrey--when he got spotted up you knew it was going in. from deep Justice and England and AW Davis (what a class guy) There are several upper east tennessee guys. Knox area has a 8-10 real good shooters now already mentioned in the 2009 class. It seemed the 90's had better shooters than today. Maybe the kids just shot more ball then; however, there are so many more opportunities to play ball through aau and more gyms than ever. Lets keep up the good work and continue playing hoops.

That was pretty informative. I do know from my referee buddies that OS isn't exactly the number one spot they like to go on Tuesdays and Fridays but they admit that it is better than a mundane evening somewhere else. I look forward to my Friday night trek. Evidently Coalfiield must be entertaining this year but I don't really like going there. Maybe I will catch them some time in January. Their Boys team must be down again from the scores I have read and what I have heard. /motorbike.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":motorbike:" border="0" alt="motorbike.gif" />

My question is to either Coalfield or OS people: Is there any difference in Kayla's play this year as opposed to last year? If so,, of course what... I am going to the OS next Friday night to see them play the former State tourney mainstay team ---Oneida. If Coal field has played them are they any better than last year (Oneida)? I have read where they had coaching problems up there a week or so ago. How will they match up versus Kayla and Co.? Lastly, it appears your game vs. OS was close,,, has Coalfield improved??.. and if so, what are some of the improvements other than maturity? I would like to have some thoughts before I venture over to the Land of OS. Do you anticipate a trip back to Murfreesboro for OS? /motorbike.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":motorbike:" border="0" alt="motorbike.gif" />

I thought the same thing

This thread is about top players but your analogy of Powell to Sunbright is just not a "good example of a Single A team v. a 3AAA team" It is an absolutely a horrible example. It is what happens when a bad a teams plays a big AAA team on a very bad night. You ask Jody Wright, Shane Wells, Derek Wallace, Kevin Windle (who has been at all levels) to name a few coaches as to give you a "good example". Many A teams can compete with AAA teams just not night in and night out. You might have averaged 35 a game at an A school in High School---but it would have been a lot harder than you think. I have watched a lot of ball at all levels. It is comparable to what you see in college-Small schools beating bigger schools---occasionally and competing hard--but not night in and night out.

Unfortunately, 81booger, criticism of coaching goes with the turf. The good coaches ignore it and weather the storm. The internet and media has permitted all of us to read and follow sports programs but also permits people to criticize whether just or not. Just read GoVols Extra and the idiotic comments on there about Fulmer. I enjoy the ability to express myself anonymously just like you do. Young coaches can't get their feathers ruffled everytime someone types an opinion or speaks negatively about perceived problems or situations. Go with the flow. Learn from it. Stand by your integrity. If not, that young coach and his family will end up in turmoil and stress every week of every season worrying about what some parent, athlete, or family member has to say. That coach should get out of the business if they cannot take that criticism.Coaching in this decade is not as easy as some people think. I dont know what has happened up at Sunbright but there are some nice folks there (Also good food at Lou's) I have always enjoyed Oneida sports and I wish you the best. Oneida and Scott County have been the subject of a lot of media attention in the last year or two and the most positive thing I have read has been about is the resurgence of Oneida football. Good programs always rebound and I trust the basketball programs will do the same. Good luck and lets look forward to another great season.

When I responded to threeball, I liked all of the ones he/she liked plus ol Darden and Ogan (something about his court presence ha ha). Today in 2008 Wright and Eldredge would be my first two picks. Next year who knows maybe Barnes and Wells if they are still around. You can't go wrong with any of those four. You cant leave our Mr. Ricky N either when the game is on the line. I guess what I like about Knoxville area basketball and those coaches---you know we dont have a lot of D-1 talent here but they do a pretty good job with fundamentals, strategy and gamemanship. What is that old saying,,, "Refuse to Lose".......

Man, you know your coaches. Jody Wright, Mike Ogan in some things, and I always liked the bluntness of Coach Darden. You seem to like Wallace. He is fun to watch but I put him at the bottom of the guys you listed--but he should be listed. I guess if I had to pick a new coach for a new school I would choose eldridge or wright.

I think you meant DISCIPLINE! My thought entirely.

You are right, I enjoy watching CAK play too and Hammaker is an exceptional athlete who I feel will be much better this year. I feel the same way, by the end of the districts, dont be surprised to see CAK playing for the championship.

The coaching profession in East Tennessee has a lot of shake ups particularly in Class A. You find a lot of ex jr. pro coaches there. They follow their kids through middle school and then wind up in High school. With the Volunteer Coach rule that went in during the 90's it is not uncommon these days. Traditionally, your better coaches usually never did Jr. Pro; however. The mind set of course is completely different. I hope things work out up there in Sunbright with the new coach. Sunbright is not exactly a destination school for up and coming young coaches but I have always respected Scottie Stephens. In the same district, I notice yesterday, that Oneida was having problems again with one of their coaches. I hope they get things straightened out up there. Oneida used to be a power in Class A girls and Boys. Good luck to you Sunbright and the teams in your district.

I like Reynolds too and of course Steele, Galman and Simpson Titlow will probably dominate some A teams if he gets motivated. Rorex is fun to watch. I think Reynolds will keep improving. It should be a fun season to watch.

That is true, but it means a lot to the kids and people in the Sunbright community. Scott Stephens is a personal favorite of mine to watch when I come to the area. He puts his heart into the game and the kids respond sometimes with no talent whatsoever. I enjoy Joe Layne at Wartburg and Ricky Norris at Oak Ridge too who used to coach at Harriman. Good coaching can help a mediocre team be competitive. There are a lot of reasons why a coach isnt there anymore. A few of them include politics, power struggles within the school and coaching fraternity, dealings with students and faculty. Sometimes it is family related. These coaches take a lot of time away from their families. Health, financial. Most coaches dont make squat for the time involved. I don't consider Scottie Stephens a great coach, but he gives his utmost and I have respect for that. Sometimes believing you can win goes a long ways on the floor or field. That is why I enjoy watching him and his teams. By the way, how are the boys and girls teams going to be up there this year---KING BRIAN?? /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" /> I look forward to your opinion and then I will tell you and GOOSEVOL what I know. /flower.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":flower:" border="0" alt="flower.gif" />