CLOUDLAND LADY HIGHLANDERS

[coachh17]

Thanks, we just love our Cyclones like you love your Landers. Coach Birchfield is doing a great job and they could have a great year this year and next.

[The Highlander]

I'm really not that hard to get along with. /blush.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blush:" border="0" alt="blush.gif" /> Forgive me and look over me when I have my moments. Most of the Elizabethton posters are good ole boys including you coach. And I have to agree with Pujo about Matt. He's proving himself to be a great coach. He comes by it honestly as his dad led my Dad's 1968 team to the state tournament in Memphis. I hope he stays at Cloudland for good, because I think he will only get better and better.

 

When does Cloudland play at home again?

 

 

 

Hey King, you do have your good moments as well, I'm just not sure anyone on Stoney Creek would agree!

 

Matt is doing a great job with these young ladies, that is for sure. They would run through a brick wall for him. Actually, BJ did up at Unaka a year or two ago! His brother Randy coached the current group of Juniors for a couple of years when they were in Middle School as well, so they are used to the Birchfield Method of Coaching. Unfortunately, at the time we were not a part of the TMSAA and were not eligible for a sectional state championship. I would bet that group would have won at least one, maybe two state championships already if we could have played. That would have been nice. Not taking anything away from last year's eigth grade team that won a State Championship for Cloudland. Incidentally, Jordi Miller's little sister Sydney played on that team as a seventh grader, and she is on this year's middle school team as well. Look forward to seeing her and Jordan Hughes little sis Summer next year at the high school.

 

The 'Ladies next home game is on Monday against Chuckey Doak. The Ladies Varsity will probably play at about 6:30. Hope to see you there!

 

The Highlander

[The Highlander]

LADY 'LANDER UPDATE: Cloudland 60, Chuckey-Doak 44

 

Well,

the game was not much to write about. The 'Landers were never stressed, unless you count playing the Black Knights and the zebras at the same time. More on that later...

 

The score by quarter was

1st CHS 15 CD 6

2nd CHS 26 CD 17

3rd CHS 45 CD 33

4th CHS 60 CD 44

 

CD never had a lead, unless it was early in the first. CD only had one player Jessica Mathes that scored in double digits with 11. They were just outplayed at every position by the 'Landers. Not that they don't have a couple of decent players, just the defensive intensity and pressure didn't allow them to do very much.

 

The 'Landers continued to answer any questions about there depth, with yet another stating line up. I've lost count at this point. Brooke Hughes had possibly the best game of her career with four threes and 100% from the charity stripe on her way to a career high 16 points. Bekah Tolley had her breakout game for the season with 22 points spread liberally around the quarters. Brooke Johnson had another stellar game at point and pumped in an additional 12 points.

 

Sydnie Buchanan and Jordi Miller got in foul trouble very early and each spent some time riding the bench as a result. It didn't stop Syd from getting her season average of 35 rebounds (more or less!). And J added 3 steals, 3 assists, and 4 rebounds of her own. The bottom line is that with Shellie McKinney still out of the lineup, and J not having a great shooting night, we had two more players step up in a huge way and beat a decent team by 16 points. The entire team again played, giving a little more experience to the only two young players on the roster. I would think that by now there is a little less concern with our depth than at the first of the season.

 

Next up is a very tough game against undefeated Mitchell County on Friday night in Roan Mountain. If you don't have a game to go to, you would be hard pressed to find a more exciting place to be.

 

Oh yeah, I mentioned the zebras. We had a crew I haven't seen much this year, and apparently since they were being reviewed, they took it upon themselves to call the game VERY tightly. Jordi and Sydnie seemed to draw a lot of attention early, and both sat as a result. Reviewing the numbers, the fouls were exactly the same in the first half, and only one different in the second, with CD being whistled for 8 and Cloudland 7. What seemed to get both coaches and groups of fans was the EXTREMELY tight calls alternating with no-calls that brought howls from the crowd. It was very tough for either team to figure out how to play defense, they couldn't figure out what the ref's were going to give them from one possession to the next.

 

Oh well, perhaps they were just nervous with the TSSAA gentlemen reviewing them.

 

The Highlander

[krichunaka]

Matt is doing a great job with these young ladies, that is for sure. They would run through a brick wall for him. Actually, BJ did up at Unaka a year or two ago! His brother Randy coached the current group of Juniors for a couple of years when they were in Middle School as well, so they are used to the Birchfield Method of Coaching . . . . (Partial Quote - K. R.)

 

The Highlander

 

 

I vividly remember that collision with the wall. Poor thing, we were literally picking up small fragments of her teeth. And how's this for competitive spirit?: She wanted to "finish the game, and then go to the dentist." And this was a Junioir Varsity Game! Really! What a player.

 

As you know Unaka has padding just behind the backboards; had it extended just a foot further out, Brooke would've collided with a rubber mat.

[The Highlander]

LADY 'LANDER UPDATE:

 

Cloudland 48, Mitchell County 39

 

By quarter:

 

1st Cloudland 7, Mitchell Co. 9

2nd Cloudland 11, Mitchell Co. 9

3rd Cloudland 7, Mitchell Co. 11

4th Cloudland 23, Mitchell Co. 10

 

Definitely a fantastic ballgame! Mitchell came out and jumped to an early lead in the first quarter. The second quarter saw the return of Shellie McKinney to the Cloudland lineup, coming back from an ankle injury. She was able to contribute very quickly, with a couple of rebounds, and a free throw in the second. The first half ended in an 18-18 tie. Both teams played pretty well, not too many turnovers or blown plays from either side. I really don't think either had much of an edge, although Mitchell Co. typically had the lead, with Cloudland hitting buckets to tie the game several times.

 

The third quarter was more of the same. A well-played game from both teams, although the Mountaineers outscored the 'Landers 11-7 to pull out a 4 point lead to start the final period.

 

Much like the Unicoi County game, the 'Landers owned the fourth period. To be specific, Sydnie B. and Jordi Miller owned the fourth. To give a little bit of a rundown, without the same level of excitement of the game...

 

With 7:00 to go in the game, Sydnie B. hit her first three of the game to put us up 31-29. Around a minute later, Jordi drained another three to put us back on top at 34-31. At 4:30 to go, Jordi pitched a beautiful assist to Sydnie B for her second three to give us another big lift.

 

As many experts will tell you, free throws win games. Shellie was 1-2, BJ was 1-2, Sydnie was 1-2, and Jordi Miller hit a perfect 100% from the charity stripe, nailing 8-8 in the final 2:30 of the game. The lesson here is "don't foul 23."

 

The scoring recap looks like this:

 

Jordi Miller 19

Sydnie Buchanan 18

Brooke Johnson 6

Shellie McKinney 3

Brittany Reece 2

 

Congratulations to the Lady 'Landers on beating a very good team. Mitchell County is a large AAA team in NC, and had only lost two this year, with one of those being to 4A powerhouse McDowell County.

 

The Highlander

[krichunaka]

Congratulations to the Cloudland.

 

And if you think the Lady Highlanders are good now, guess how many of them graduate this season.

 

Edited to say: Congratulations to Sydnie Buchanan! I have on very good authority that she played her best-ever game last night.

[zAZa90]

Wow, I'm impressed with Sydnie scoring so many points! She's not ususally known for scoring a lot. I'm really happy that she is attacking the bucket. She can do this every game if she puts her mind to it. And Jordi can score 20 a night with that 3 ball. Good to hear that Shelly is back. That will only help this team. And did I see it right or was Rebecca held scoreless? Must have had a tough one. This team has so many weapons if one player is off then others can fill right in. Good Job Lady Highlanders.

[y1627]

LADY 'LANDER UPDATE:

 

Cloudland 48, Mitchell County 39

 

By quarter:

 

1st Cloudland 7, Mitchell Co. 9

2nd Cloudland 11, Mitchell Co. 9

3rd Cloudland 7, Mitchell Co. 11

4th Cloudland 23, Mitchell Co. 10

 

Definitely a fantastic ballgame! Mitchell came out and jumped to an early lead in the first quarter. The second quarter saw the return of Shellie McKinney to the Cloudland lineup, coming back from an ankle injury. She was able to contribute very quickly, with a couple of rebounds, and a free throw in the second. The first half ended in an 18-18 tie. Both teams played pretty well, not too many turnovers or blown plays from either side. I really don't think either had much of an edge, although Mitchell Co. typically had the lead, with Cloudland hitting buckets to tie the game several times.

 

The third quarter was more of the same. A well-played game from both teams, although the Mountaineers outscored the 'Landers 11-7 to pull out a 4 point lead to start the final period.

 

Much like the Unicoi County game, the 'Landers owned the fourth period. To be specific, Sydnie B. and Jordi Miller owned the fourth. To give a little bit of a rundown, without the same level of excitement of the game...

 

With 7:00 to go in the game, Sydnie B. hit her first three of the game to put us up 31-29. Around a minute later, Jordi drained another three to put us back on top at 34-31. At 4:30 to go, Jordi pitched a beautiful assist to Sydnie B for her second three to give us another big lift.

 

As many experts will tell you, free throws win games. Shellie was 1-2, BJ was 1-2, Sydnie was 1-2, and Jordi Miller hit a perfect 100% from the charity stripe, nailing 8-8 in the final 2:30 of the game. The lesson here is "don't foul 23."

 

The scoring recap looks like this:

 

Jordi Miller 19

Sydnie Buchanan 18

Brooke Johnson 6

Shellie McKinney 3

Brittany Reece 2

 

Congratulations to the Lady 'Landers on beating a very good team. Mitchell County is a large AAA team in NC, and had only lost two this year, with one of those being to 4A powerhouse McDowell County.

 

The Highlander

 

 

Just a small correction concerning Mitchell County's description.

 

Mitchell is actually a small school currently playing as a 2A team in a split 1A/2A conference. Due to enrollment losses, they have been reclassified and are scheduled to become a 1A school, beginning with the 2009 season.

[krichunaka]

Just a small correction concerning Mitchell County's description.

 

Mitchell is actually a small school currently playing as a 2A team in a split 1A/2A conference. Due to enrollment losses, they have been reclassified and are scheduled to become a 1A school, beginning with the 2009 season.

 

 

How severe were/are the enrollment losses? I read one account (www.greatschools.net) showing the number of students at 680, but there's no date to support when the data was collected. The school website - http://central.mitchell.k12.nc.us/mitchellhigh/index.htm - puts the number at "approximately 700," but again, there's nothing on the page that states when the numbers were taken.

 

I noticed a few pictures and plaques on the walls and in the school's very-impressive trophy case that alluded to AA titles. Either way, the Lady Highlanders (student body - approximately 200) can, and should be very proud.

[The Highlander]

I was told Mitchell has over 700 kids, in Tennessee that would be a AAA school I believe. Cloudland actually has 320 kids...in SIX GRADES! The school is actually grades seven through twelve. So Mitchell has approximately 3-4 times the size of Cloudland. That is far from being a "small school" in Tennessee.

 

Not taking anything at all away from Mitchell County, they are a very good ball team, that has a lot of talent, and is well-coached. Of course, they had to come to Carter County to get such a good coach!

 

The Highlander

[The Highlander]

King,

Sydnie B. played one of the best games of her career in scoring only. She ALWAYS has a ton of rebounds and plays fantastic defense! I'd love to see her score like that in every game. She is certainly capable.

 

One of the neat things this season is the number of players we have had lead the scoring. Jordi has several times, and she and Syd tied for the lead at Unicoi. BJ led early in the season (sometimes by a bunch), and Bekah led with 22 against Chuckey-Doak. Most of the games haven't had a standout, they have had balanced scoring, which is really neat to watch.

 

Bekah was indeed held scoreless in the game. She had a little defensive sagging keeping her from getting good looks at the ball. She played a big roll in getting the guards open though, she sets one massive screen, that is for sure. Absolutely floored (literally) one girl.

 

The Highlander

[The Highlander]

Just a small correction concerning Mitchell County's description.

 

Mitchell is actually a small school currently playing as a 2A team in a split 1A/2A conference. Due to enrollment losses, they have been reclassified and are scheduled to become a 1A school, beginning with the 2009 season.

 

 

Y1627,

I'm assuming you are from Mitchell County since you have so much information about the school. Not really sure what North Carolina calls a 'small 1A' school, but according to the North Carolina State Department of Education website, Mitchell County High School reported a total of 665 students enrolled in grades 9-12 for SY 2006-07.

 

http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetail...mp;pSchCode=334

 

According to the Tennessee Department of Education's website, Cloudland had a total enrollment of 361 students grade 7-12 for SY 2006-07.

 

https://edu.warehouse.state.tn.us/pls/a ... 7095::NO:::

 

Now, we fully understand that enrollments fluctuate from one year to the next. If Mitchell County truly lost half of their students this year, I'm sure the Director of Schools is looking into why. With that said, I really don't think the two schools compare in size.

 

At any rate, thanks for a great game. We enjoyed having some competition. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

The Highlander