With basketball season in full swing and district play ramping up, UCR’s Rusty Ellis and Michael Lindsay have graded each team’s performance to this point. Grades were decided upon using multiple factors including win-loss records, quality of wins and preseason expectations for each school.
Lady Bulldogs: A-
Overall Record: 13-3 (1-0)
Key Wins: At Red Boiling Springs, At Harriman
Reasoning: Clay County entered the season with state tournament expectations and so far, they seem well on the way to making it back to Murfreesboro. Their district will test them, but Matthew Walker’s team is playing some really good basketball at this point in time.
How to Improve: Take care of business in district play. It’s easier said than done with teams like Pickett County, Red Boiling Springs and Clarkrange all vying for the top spots, but Clay’s already beaten one of those teams by double-digits. Expectations are rightfully high in Celina.
Bulldogs: A-
Overall Record: 11-3 (1-0)
Key Win: Jackson County
Reasoning: Head coach Rob Edwards had a tall task this season of replacing an important senior class and so far, the team’s done an admirable job. Keaton Arms has taken over the lead scoring role and other players like Jimmy Burchett and Bryce Bailey have stepped their game up.
How to Improve: Maintain the hold you’ve had on the district the last few years. Pickett will be a good challenger, as will Gordonsville, but Clay’s been at the top of the standings for a while now. There’s a good chance they win the district again this season.