Tri-County Seven

[krichunaka]

1) Cloudland

2) Elizabethton

3) Unaka

4) Hampton

5) Happy Valley

6) Unicoi County

7) Johnson County

 

There are so many individuals we can discuss at length, but a quick glimpse suggests

that, teamwise, this could be a topsy-turvy season, the one mainstay being Cloudland.

 

Might this be the year the Lady Highlanders make a run in Murfreesboro? Multi-MVP

Brooke Johnson leads a very talented, senior-laden club that lacks only a prototype

post player to be a threat to win the state title. Cloudland has second-to-none talent,

experience, leadership, and coaching.

 

Elizabethton starts high in the Seven due to the return of our area's most dominant

true center. Mariah Pietrowski is a scoring and rebounding beast. But the Lady

Cyclones lost four all-star graduates. Kelli Culler, Jasmine Treadway (now at King College),

Kyla Jones and Hannah Fritz were all very good players. Pietrowski has a lot of talent

around her, but a repeat of last season's sensational, region championship run is

expecting a lot. But then, that's become the norm at Elizabethton in recent seasons.

 

Unaka has the talent to win erything this side of Murfreesboro. However, with the

dismissal of our area's winningest coach over the past eight seasons, the graduation

of regular season Co-MVP Brittany Scott, and most-recently, the probable season-ending

injury to one of our area's best all-arounds - Taylor Byars - the Lady Rangers suddenly

appear very vulnerable. Length, athletic ability, marksmanship, and experience are

still in abundance, but, for the reason's noted, Unaka is the Seven's biggest

question-mark.

 

Happy Valley has a special player. Kara Bowling possesses amazing outside-in

offensive skills. Her shooting range has improved, and she appears a couple inches

taller. An incredible player, on a deep, talented club.

 

Hampton will challenge Cloudland for the Conference title. Coach Leon Tolley enters this season three with a lot of promise, led by sensational senior Mikki Oliver. The others aren't bad either: Josie McKinney is very versatile and experienced. Sophomore post

player, Chelsea Weddle was a fantastic freshman.

 

Unicoi County at sixth? Possibly. Bottom line, the Lady Blue Devils lost six very good

players from last season's district championship team. And then, six-two senior post

player Jennifer Edwards is now a Davy Crockett Lady Pioneer. The good news:

Aly Gardner is a sure-nuff all-star. And, Unicoi County still has Glenn Fisher.

 

Johnson County has the size and athletic ability to finish much higher this season.

Coach Stacey Reece might bring the surprise team of the season into tournament play.

 

Again, there's a wealth of individual talent in the Seven, and, it wouldn't be all that

surprising to see a near-complete reversal in ratings come season's end.

 

The teams to watch closely, early? Unaka, Johnson County.

[coachh17]

Krich,

It is good to be back for another season. I'll take my first shot:

 

1. Cloudland (depth, experience, and Brooke Johnson can go a long way)

2. Elizabethton (Pietrowski will dominate, injury to Bowling hurts early)

3. Hampton (Coach Tolley has a good team)

4. Happy Valley (very talented group with experience)

5. Unaka (lots of stuff going on may be distracting)

6. Unicoi Co. (Should climb higher as the season moves along)

7. Johnson County (May be improved, but the six above them are all pretty good)

[CycloneFan]

I'm gonna hold my first poll until I see what happens this weekend in the HOF games. 1 vs 2 tommorrow at 4 pm at Daniel Boone.

Coachh17, any word on when Bowling will be back for the Clones?

Krich, has Byars injury been confirmed yet?

 

 

Saw where South Greene beat Greeneville by one in a HOF game last night.

[screenandroll]

Welcome back to all who have a say in the Tri-County Seven. Should be an outstanding year and a lot of close competitive games. The lower portion of the seven have really improved and should cause the ranking to change on a frequent basis. My preseason poll goes as follows:

 

1. Cloudland (with their experience and returning players should start as number 1)

2. Elizabethton (solid post play will take them a long way, as their guard work improves so will they)

3. Hampton (also returns some experience, should be over their growing pains)

4. Happy Valley (with one of the best players in the area, if they get some help can beat anyone in the poll)

5. Unicoi County (based on the experienced coach)

6. Unaka (based on the inexperienced coach)

7. Johnson County (should have one of their better teams but still not sure it will be enough to gain many spots)

[dog4life]

Lady Bulldogs beat Stone Memorial tonight 65-60 at Daniel Boone.

[coachh17]

That speaks highly of the Bulldogs and I love to see anyone beat Stone Memorial.

[Lord Vader]

That is a very impressive win for the Lady Dogs...

[krichunaka]

I'm gonna hold my first poll until I see what happens this weekend in the HOF games. 1 vs 2 tommorrow at 4 pm at Daniel Boone.

Coachh17, any word on when Bowling will be back for the Clones?

Krich, has Byars injury been confirmed yet?

 

 

Saw where South Greene beat Greeneville by one in a HOF game last night.

 

 

As a parent who has been there, you have personal knowledge concerning the difficult road ahead for the Byars family.

Taylor's case is very serious, and as you know, quite complicated. It is confirmed, and I'll follow up after speaking with

them.

 

Now, as to your wait-and-see approach... Hey, it's the "PRE-Season Poll!" Time to man-up! Go ahead. Put yourself

out there!

 

Or, do I detect a little hedjun'?

[dog4life]

Welcome back to all who have a say in the Tri-County Seven. Should be an outstanding year and a lot of close competitive games. The lower portion of the seven have really improved and should cause the ranking to change on a frequent basis. My preseason poll goes as follows:

 

1. Cloudland (with their experience and returning players should start as number 1)

2. Elizabethton (solid post play will take them a long way, as their guard work improves so will they)

3. Hampton (also returns some experience, should be over their growing pains)

4. Happy Valley (with one of the best players in the area, if they get some help can beat anyone in the poll)

5. Unicoi County (based on the experienced coach)

6. Unaka (based on the inexperienced coach)

7. Johnson County (should have one of their better teams but still not sure it will be enough to gain many spots)

 

 

Agree pretty much with all you say with the exception of Happy Valley. This could be their year. They have all the pieces and are as talented or more so than anyone. Will be interesting to see how they progress during the season. They could end up as number ONE. Each and every game will be a battle, should be great to watch.

[screenandroll]

Agree pretty much with all you say with the exception of Happy Valley. This could be their year. They have all the pieces and are as talented or more so than anyone. Will be interesting to see how they progress during the season. They could end up as number ONE. Each and every game will be a battle, should be great to watch.

 

Dog, Happy Valley could be the best team in the area, but they do have to have someone step up besides the Bowling girl. They are very capable of scoring high numbers each night but will they be able to stop anyone from scoring with them will be the big question. Teams with strong inside games may give them trouble as they do not have much size inside. Their match up with Elizabethton may give them some problems unless they can make it a faster paced game. Does anyone know if they play Hampton or Cloudland this year? Those would be really interesting games to watch as none of the teams have a exceptional inside game. They all have about the same size and depth in the post. Don't take that the wrong way. Their post games aren't bad just don't have a lot of size. Another thing that would cause Happy Valley trouble would be if the Bowling girl got into any kind of foul trouble. Have seen her play and she does play aggressively and could pose a problem with fouls. Not sure they have anyone that can replace her if she would have to sit out. Again should be great matchups throughout the year. Congrats to Coach Tolley on their big win our Stone. Not sure what Stone had back from last year but know they have had quality teams in the past. How 'bout them dogs!

[jorgesez]

jorgesez that unaka will be lucky to win 8 games in season with new coach. may finish last in conference but will chuck this one up as a "learning experience" for Wes. may have better perception after hof game at daniel boone.

good bye for now.

[coachh17]

Hampton lost a close one today to Cumberland County, letting a ten point lead slip away in the fourth quarter. Weddle and Oliver are both outstanding. Elizabethton ran a clinic in defeating Cloudland by about 15 points, despite missing two of their top seven players who missed the game. Pietrowski, Jefferson, Fritz, and Powell all brought their "A" games. Kiser and Norris were also bright spots for the Cyclones. Unaka trailed Boone by two when I left in the third quarter. Stone Memorial beat Science Hill today, making Hampton's win over Stone even more impressive. This is going to be a fun season. Go Cyclones!!!!