2021 Single A Discussion

[Rockstar89]

10 hours ago, Itsme12 said:

I've seen teams at state that wouldn't finish top 4 in many districts in middle TN.  It really is a shame.  I think there should be more movement once regions hit and especially during the substate rounds.  There are teams sitting at home that could contend for a state title but just happen to run into a big time team.  It really is sad for those girls

Yeah it’s really frustrating. Something needs to change. In single A Region 5 & 6 which will only send 2 teams to state you have: Summertown, Loretto, Hickman County, Harpeth & Camden. All top ten in the state and not counting Jo Byrns who could probably win several other regions themselves. So 3-4 top ten teams won’t even get to compete at state while teams that play no competition all season and have gone to state multiple times to never even win a set, or barely even score in double digits in a set against state level competition, get multiple chances year after year because of poor/lazy structuring. 

[clifford20]

it's hard to do this well when you only look at one sport.  It's always going to be geographical obviously.  The only real solution woudl be expanding the teams that qualify for Region, which I am against. I don't love it when a state champion can lose in the district and region and still be a state champ.   In Division 2 they allow top 4 teams to make the region, but it's a much smaller division.  Watching single A teams play at the state tournament is difficult to sit through sometimes.   There are some really good individial players in single A, just not very many good teams.     There are certainly a few expections. 

[Rockstar89]

5 hours ago, clifford20 said:

it's hard to do this well when you only look at one sport.  It's always going to be geographical obviously.  The only real solution woudl be expanding the teams that qualify for Region, which I am against. I don't love it when a state champion can lose in the district and region and still be a state champ.   In Division 2 they allow top 4 teams to make the region, but it's a much smaller division.  Watching single A teams play at the state tournament is difficult to sit through sometimes.   There are some really good individial players in single A, just not very many good teams.     There are certainly a few expections. 

You are correct, the single A teams aren't as good as the higher divisions, that's a given - they won't be...but they really won't be when several of the better ones are sitting at home! LOL  

I don't mind the scenario you brought up and actually the reason you give for NOT liking it is a good argument for why it SHOULD be done in my opinion. Make it a gauntlet of the BEST teams not just who geographically makes it. The teams I mentioned earlier have all played each other all season and taken turns beating each other for the most part. Its hard to beat someone multiple times. If those are the best teams, they should be playing regardless. Of course, my opinion only. And as the old adage goes, if you want something...go out and get it. You gotta win what they put in front of you. Its a moot point at this juncture. Just like to see some rational change for the future. 

Edited September 29, 2021 by Rockstar89

[Jaychapman]

Do as Alabama does only send 4 to state - would eliminate weak teams and PROBABLY only have top teams left 

[clifford20]

19 hours ago, Rockstar89 said:

You are correct, the single A teams aren't as good as the higher divisions, that's a given - they won't be...but they really won't be when several of the better ones are sitting at home! LOL  

I don't mind the scenario you brought up and actually the reason you give for NOT liking it is a good argument for why it SHOULD be done in my opinion. Make it a gauntlet of the BEST teams not just who geographically makes it. The teams I mentioned earlier have all played each other all season and taken turns beating each other for the most part. Its hard to beat someone multiple times. If those are the best teams, they should be playing regardless. Of course, my opinion only. And as the old adage goes, if you want something...go out and get it. You gotta win what they put in front of you. Its a moot point at this juncture. Just like to see some rational change for the future. 

It's certainly a good debate.  it does take away the team that get's hot and wins 3-4 games and makes it to the state championship.  But it also ensures that the best teams make it.    I cannot recall a time though that a team that places 3rd or 4th in a good district that made a run to the championship (in the small class).  I am sure it's happened, but I can't recall it.  Usually the team that finishes at the top ends up running it.   I am really hoping to see a good AAA tournament this year.  

[Jaychapman]

Getting that time to buckle down / hope no injuries no virus raises it ugly head and gyms are full - all the teams have worked hard ( win or lose ) and sacrificed many school activities to represent that school - some people consider it a secondary sport but these kids don’t 

[Americal198]

6 hours ago, Jaychapman said:

Getting that time to buckle down / hope no injuries no virus raises it ugly head and gyms are full - all the teams have worked hard ( win or lose ) and sacrificed many school activities to represent that school - some people consider it a secondary sport but these kids don’t 

This is a very good post. I've tried to comment in order to add something, but I give up.

[Itsme12]

On 9/29/2021 at 10:34 PM, Jaychapman said:

Do as Alabama does only send 4 to state - would eliminate weak teams and PROBABLY only have top teams left 

I think a better option would be to use take the top 3 or 4 from district, then create a "travel ball like format" where you play a tournament over a weekend and seed from all over the state using a unapproved website ranking (not saying it's perfect but it's better than the current format for rankings) and seed 1 vs lowest seed (whatever the number comes out to).  The top 16 from the tournaments go to state.

You will see some districts dominate but a true state champion will be determined.  There should also be more than 3 divisions.  The top 3A school is almost double the lowest 3A school in size.

[Rockstar89]

15 hours ago, Itsme12 said:

I think a better option would be to use take the top 3 or 4 from district, then create a "travel ball like format" where you play a tournament over a weekend and seed from all over the state using a unapproved website ranking (not saying it's perfect but it's better than the current format for rankings) and seed 1 vs lowest seed (whatever the number comes out to).  The top 16 from the tournaments go to state.

You will see some districts dominate but a true state champion will be determined.  There should also be more than 3 divisions.  The top 3A school is almost double the lowest 3A school in size.

Something like this certainly sounds better. Or somehow add to the number of teams going to sectionals/substate. Maybe have a few 'at large' picks like they have in March Madness. Once all Regions are completed if there are a couple of teams that didn't win Region, but they have impressed enough/have credentials/pedigree...they get seeded and get a chance to continue. Like in 3A, you can't tell me you have the best of the best playing at State when either Nolensville or Brentwood is going to sit at home. It's just silly. Something has to change.

[Jaychapman]

Loretto Summertown 4 - it was 7 times last year - how bout this year ? 

[Jaychapman]

7 hours ago, Jaychapman said:

Loretto Summertown 4 - it was 7 times last year - how bout this year ? 

Summertown 3 Loretto 2 what a game / Loretto much improved - wouldn’t want play either 

[clifford20]

21 hours ago, Rockstar89 said:

Something like this certainly sounds better. Or somehow add to the number of teams going to sectionals/substate. Maybe have a few 'at large' picks like they have in March Madness. Once all Regions are completed if there are a couple of teams that didn't win Region, but they have impressed enough/have credentials/pedigree...they get seeded and get a chance to continue. Like in 3A, you can't tell me you have the best of the best playing at State when either Nolensville or Brentwood is going to sit at home. It's just silly. Something has to change.

At large is a terrible idea. Can you imagine?  Let’s say the best team loses but they get to move on anyway?  Then they End up playing the same team again and beating them…would be awful.   Again I’ve never seen a 3rd place team good enough to go win the state, but this year could be it