The dudes have been playing basketball for a couple of months now. It's time we talk about the good and bad, and coulds and shoulds for each team. Ready!?? BREAK!
#16 NORTHWOOD (4-10, 0-4)
BAD: Northwood is winless in the district. In fact they have lost eight straight since winning both games at the Greever Crouse tournament back in mid-December.
GOOD: Their losses have been within reach. The Panthers suffered a close one-point loss to Chilhowie at home back on January 9th. Senior guard Jeremiah Thompson leads the district in scoring.
COULDS: Avenge all of their losses as they repeat games against Holston, Chilhowie, PH, and GW. Should they turn it around and beat any team remaining on their schedule that they lost to by less than ten points the first time as well as take two over RR, the Panthers could win five of their next 8 and be no lower than fourth come tournament time.
SHOULDS: Get on the ball. The season is much shorter now which leaves very little wiggle room for errors. Should the Panthers play to their potential, their season could get much brighter.
#20 RURAL RETREAT (2-10, 1-3)
BAD: The Indians have only won two games and lost nine straight before upsetting Chilhowie at home on Jan 16.
GOOD: The Indians upset Chilhowie at home on Jan 16. They have won 2 more games this season than all of last season.
COULDS: They could break out and redeem their early season struggles and make last season all but a distant memory by beating any of the teams remaining on their schedule. You can’t really call it an upset now since they beat Chilhowie, now everyone knows their potential and will be ready and waiting.
SHOULDS: Win one more. With NW struggling and RR having to play NW two times still yet, the Indians need every win they can get to secure a fifth place spot in the tournament. Which helps them avoid potentially playing GW in the semi-finals should they get that far.
#11 CHILHOWIE (6-7, 2-2)
BAD: The Warriors lost to RR, a team they haven’t lost to in several years. A team few Hogo teams have lost to in several years. The Warriors are also hampered by several injuries which may mean things get worse before they get better.
GOOD: A few roster switches got Chilhowie rolling on a four game winning streak which included avenging losses over Marion and Grayson County.
COULDS: Chilhowie could win five of their last 6 games, including avenging the upset loss to RR, going 7-3 and be second place in the tournament, in line for a first round bye.
SHOULDS: Get healthy. Stop twisting ankles and knees. Stop doing back-flips off the monkey bars. Losses to PH and NW in the coming days could really damage a season that isn’t far from redemption.
#10 HOLSTON (6-6, 2-2)
BAD: Losing to John Battle after beating them twice.
GOOD: Getting must wins over NW and RR. These wins, including a close loss to PH, mean that Holston is a three-pointer away from being second place in the district for the first time since… well for the first time in a while. I’ll get back to you on that once I complete my microfilm research on boys basketball.
COULDS: If Holston beats who they have already, learn a few things from playing high-caliber teams like Galax and George Wythe, and finish out the season by topping Chilhowie twice…AND avenge a close loss by beating PH at home, Holston could be 2nd place entering the district tournament. Which also includes a hefty seed in the Region C D1 playoffs too.
SHOULDS: Keep playing like they are… excluding the loss to JSB. Don’t play like that.
#14 PATRICK HENRY (6-8, 3-2)
BAD: Talk to Holston. STOP LOSING TO JOHN BATTLE. Stop losing close games period. (i.e. Virginia, Oak Hill (Red), Saint Paul, and Chilhowie) all by 5 or less.
GOOD: Defense baby. Keeping teams in the 40's and low 50's will get you W's. Thompson has really solidified himself as a true paint man and with Ronnie Groves running around outside the paint with reckless abandon, good things will happen for the O too.
COULD: Win their next 6. Including avenging a loss to Chilhowie and then taking on RR, Holston, and NW (teams they have already beaten). Just have to beat the county rivals, and PH sets up a good showdown at the end of the year against GW and quite possibly have a first round bye in the district tournament or a coin flip for it nonetheless.
SHOULD: Take it one game at a time. Now is no time to get big-eyed at some fine print written on some loser's sports blog. The games are won on the court.
#6 GEORGE WYTHE (10-5, 5-0)
BAD: Losing five games this season. You should be ashamed! In all seriousness, GW’s defense is of some concern. They are having very little trouble scoring points but when it comes to stopping the other team, well that’s a different story. PH scored a season high 76 points against them, in a loss, mind you. The Maroons have allowed 74 and 82 against Giles, 89 against Radford, 76 against Fort Chiswell, 87 and 82 against Pulaski.
GOOD: Winning five straight district games. And the offense. Need I say it? They have scored tons of these "point" things. It’s almost as if they’re trying to score points or something. 89, 84, 78, 96, 78, 81, 86, 83, 79, 80, 93… the LA Clippers can’t even do that. When scoring more than 70 points, GW is 10-1.
COULDS: Win out, go 17-5, undefeated in the district, and host a first round Region C game.
SHOULDS: Keep scoring points and keep the other teams from scoring points. The current game plan has worked thus far, but further down the road, the tides may change.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Girl's Hoops: Midseason Assessment
Girl's basketball is in full force this season and it has been interesting predominantly because it has been unpredictable. Lets go through each team and talk about the goods and bads and the coulds and shoulds.
HOLSTON (0-13, 0-4)
BAD: Well the bad is clear. The Cavs are winless and have been for quite some time. This not only affects their current season, but seasons to come will deter athletes from the program. It is always frustrating for coaches when they see talent in the halls and not on the court.
GOOD: Closer games and more points. The Cavs have lost in margins of 13 against NW and 19 against GW, teams who traditionally blow out the Lady Cavs. Improvment, no matter how infinitesimal and no matter how unaffecting it is on their record, is good improvment.
COULDS: The Lady Cavs are not outside the realm of upsetting any teams remaining on their schedule.
SHOULDS: The other seven juniors from last year's team should've come out for their senior season to help provide a spark.
RURAL RETREAT (5-8, 1-3)
BAD: The bad news for RR is that Charlotte Reasor is a senior. Reasor has had a habit of keeping the Indians in all their games this season with double-double after double-double. The other bad news is that their only district win is over Holston.
GOOD: Reasor eclipsed 1000 points against Chilhowie on 1/16/09 with 31 points in the loss.
COULDS: If RR can get it together for the home stretch of district games, they have a good shot at nabbing away the fourth spot in the tournament, if not the third spot.
SHOULDS: The Indians should realize their potential. They are a darkhorse favorite to upset anyone on their schedule. Anyone.
PATRICK HENRY (6-6, 2-2)
BAD: Only scoring 24 points against Northwood. It was their poorest offensive output of the season, ableit it was against the current leader of the district.
GOOD: Although it was a loss, the Lady Rebs kept it close against Chilhowie back on January 6 in a one point defeat. They also have more games left on their schedule than any other Hogoheegee team, so they have plenty of time to get it in the right gear for the district tournament.
COULDS: Depending on how they play GW, PH could get runner-up in the district because they've already shown they can play with and possibly beat Chilhowie.
SHOULDS: PH should win at least half of their remaining games. Should they do this, and get wins over RR, Holston, and Chilhowie they are a coin-flip away from third place heading into the tournament.
CHILHOWIE (10-5, 2-2)
BAD: The Warriors are showcasing youth and inexperience and its shown in the big games. Especially against NW and GW, teams that Chilhowie played with but could not beat.
GOOD: Even with three new starters and a new supporting cast, the Warriors have won 10 games and are currently third in the district.
COULDS: If the Warriors avenge a close loss to NW and fend off PH the second time around they are in a good position. If they do all that and get revenge over GW, they could be runner-up and get a first round bye into the district tournament.
SHOULDS: The Warriors should beat who they are ahead of. If they maintain homeostasis, they will be right where they want to be come tournament time. If the tournament started today, they would be in NW's bracket and play Holston first round.
GEORGE WYTHE (7-9, 3-1)
BAD: Whether or not they overlooked the likes of the Lady Panthers, they lost a game that could have major implications on the district battle.
GOOD: They have won soundly over their other district opponents. Ashley Buckhannon has already scored 98 total points against Hogo competition in GW's four district games this year.
COULD: Depending on how NW plays out, if GW wins the rest of their games they are at least district co-champions and a playoff or coin flip will decide their fate for the tournament.
SHOULD: Give the ball to Ashley Buckhannon. Or Lacey Price. Or Chelsea Corbin. Or Kari Eubanks. A tough non-district schedule has toughened these Maroons
NORTHWOOD (11-4, 4-0)
BAD: Two losses to Bland County might shed some light on how the Region C finals might play out.
GOOD: 5 straight W's. Over teams such as Chilhowie and George Wythe. Northwood is playing their best ball all year. Thank Kendra Nutter and more recently, Chelsey Cardwell.
COULDS: Win out and go undefeated in the district and have a high seed in the regional tournament. Bland may be their only obstacle and even then, depending on the bracket, a consecutive D1 state tournament appearance may be in order.
SHOULDS: Not get ahead of theirselves. They should focus on Chilhowie and George Wythe, along with the rest of the district. Those wins were no gimmes afterall.
HOLSTON (0-13, 0-4)
BAD: Well the bad is clear. The Cavs are winless and have been for quite some time. This not only affects their current season, but seasons to come will deter athletes from the program. It is always frustrating for coaches when they see talent in the halls and not on the court.
GOOD: Closer games and more points. The Cavs have lost in margins of 13 against NW and 19 against GW, teams who traditionally blow out the Lady Cavs. Improvment, no matter how infinitesimal and no matter how unaffecting it is on their record, is good improvment.
COULDS: The Lady Cavs are not outside the realm of upsetting any teams remaining on their schedule.
SHOULDS: The other seven juniors from last year's team should've come out for their senior season to help provide a spark.
RURAL RETREAT (5-8, 1-3)
BAD: The bad news for RR is that Charlotte Reasor is a senior. Reasor has had a habit of keeping the Indians in all their games this season with double-double after double-double. The other bad news is that their only district win is over Holston.
GOOD: Reasor eclipsed 1000 points against Chilhowie on 1/16/09 with 31 points in the loss.
COULDS: If RR can get it together for the home stretch of district games, they have a good shot at nabbing away the fourth spot in the tournament, if not the third spot.
SHOULDS: The Indians should realize their potential. They are a darkhorse favorite to upset anyone on their schedule. Anyone.
PATRICK HENRY (6-6, 2-2)
BAD: Only scoring 24 points against Northwood. It was their poorest offensive output of the season, ableit it was against the current leader of the district.
GOOD: Although it was a loss, the Lady Rebs kept it close against Chilhowie back on January 6 in a one point defeat. They also have more games left on their schedule than any other Hogoheegee team, so they have plenty of time to get it in the right gear for the district tournament.
COULDS: Depending on how they play GW, PH could get runner-up in the district because they've already shown they can play with and possibly beat Chilhowie.
SHOULDS: PH should win at least half of their remaining games. Should they do this, and get wins over RR, Holston, and Chilhowie they are a coin-flip away from third place heading into the tournament.
CHILHOWIE (10-5, 2-2)
BAD: The Warriors are showcasing youth and inexperience and its shown in the big games. Especially against NW and GW, teams that Chilhowie played with but could not beat.
GOOD: Even with three new starters and a new supporting cast, the Warriors have won 10 games and are currently third in the district.
COULDS: If the Warriors avenge a close loss to NW and fend off PH the second time around they are in a good position. If they do all that and get revenge over GW, they could be runner-up and get a first round bye into the district tournament.
SHOULDS: The Warriors should beat who they are ahead of. If they maintain homeostasis, they will be right where they want to be come tournament time. If the tournament started today, they would be in NW's bracket and play Holston first round.
GEORGE WYTHE (7-9, 3-1)
BAD: Whether or not they overlooked the likes of the Lady Panthers, they lost a game that could have major implications on the district battle.
GOOD: They have won soundly over their other district opponents. Ashley Buckhannon has already scored 98 total points against Hogo competition in GW's four district games this year.
COULD: Depending on how NW plays out, if GW wins the rest of their games they are at least district co-champions and a playoff or coin flip will decide their fate for the tournament.
SHOULD: Give the ball to Ashley Buckhannon. Or Lacey Price. Or Chelsea Corbin. Or Kari Eubanks. A tough non-district schedule has toughened these Maroons
NORTHWOOD (11-4, 4-0)
BAD: Two losses to Bland County might shed some light on how the Region C finals might play out.
GOOD: 5 straight W's. Over teams such as Chilhowie and George Wythe. Northwood is playing their best ball all year. Thank Kendra Nutter and more recently, Chelsey Cardwell.
COULDS: Win out and go undefeated in the district and have a high seed in the regional tournament. Bland may be their only obstacle and even then, depending on the bracket, a consecutive D1 state tournament appearance may be in order.
SHOULDS: Not get ahead of theirselves. They should focus on Chilhowie and George Wythe, along with the rest of the district. Those wins were no gimmes afterall.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Celebrating the Top Hogoheegee Coaches All-Time, Ever...
.. in the history of the Hogoheegee.
In 2010, I'm going to do it. It is going to be quite a task but a fun one and I hope readers, coaches, fans, former and current players, all chip in on what I'm about to describe to you.
Few of you may know (or most of you may know, whichever) that the school year beginning in 2010 will be the Hogoheegee's 40th anniversary. You consider kids were 17 or 18 when they graduated in June of 1971, so hug anyone that is 57 or 58. Or don't, that is creepy and entirely up to you. But to celebrate this 40 years of Hogo-awesome..ness, I would like to contrive a list of the 15 most notable standout coaches in 40 years across all sports, and conduct a small documentary.
"A documentary?!" you stammer. "But HogoOnline, that is for A&E or MICHAEL MOORE!! But, not for you!!"
Anyone willing to volunteer their time and energy into making this possible please contact me. Anyone willing to sponsor this endeavor for making this possible please contact me.
We have 18 months to do it, I'm sure it can be done.
TASK OVERVIEW
Step 1: Contrive a list of 15
Step 2: Obtain any pictures, videos, former players, family members, coach him/herself and have them agree to be interviewed even if we have to bribe them with candy
Step 3: Based on the opinions of current/former school administrators and myself, generate an ascending list
Step 4: Interview as many fans, coaches, fellow coaches, and former/current players of these coaches for documentary purposes
Step 5: Edit, produce, and release film in Fall 2010.
In 2010, I'm going to do it. It is going to be quite a task but a fun one and I hope readers, coaches, fans, former and current players, all chip in on what I'm about to describe to you.
Few of you may know (or most of you may know, whichever) that the school year beginning in 2010 will be the Hogoheegee's 40th anniversary. You consider kids were 17 or 18 when they graduated in June of 1971, so hug anyone that is 57 or 58. Or don't, that is creepy and entirely up to you. But to celebrate this 40 years of Hogo-awesome..ness, I would like to contrive a list of the 15 most notable standout coaches in 40 years across all sports, and conduct a small documentary.
"A documentary?!" you stammer. "But HogoOnline, that is for A&E or MICHAEL MOORE!! But, not for you!!"
(Sorry, no image of Michael Moore would fit..)
Well, nay-sayers, I'm doing it anyway. And if the documentary idea falls through, you will each get to read a pretty sweet write-up about it at the very least.
"HogoOnline, listen. Documentaries bore me unless it's Shark Week or Armageddeon Week on Discovery Channel. Is there anything I can do to help that won't bore me or require me to talk to people or reveal my identity? I'm a retired storm-trooper from the Death Star, and I'd like to keep that a secret."
Of course! Anyone can help out!
What do you need to do to help out? Well, I'm glad you asked. I need: (email this info to: hogosportz@hogoheegee.com OR hogo_sportz@yahoo.com)- Recommendations for top coaches
- Pictures- Can be of players that they coached, the coaches themselves or anything else relevant (scan your yearbooks PLEASE)
- All-time records - Wins/Losses (Tim Hayes, I hope you're reading this.. you too Bucky Dent)
- Histories - Other schools or coaching experiences
- Greatest sports moments - championships won, etc.
- Email addresses, mailing addresses, contact information - Will they agree to a video interview?
- Anyone with semi-expensive video equipment and time (preferably video equipment more expensive than my digital Kodak Wal-Mart special) - This is low budget, obviously, but I will be willing to pay for your help to make this a quality masterpiece. Anyone looking to gain some experience in journalism? This is your chance. Contact me NOW, this is will be a great experience. Anyone already have experience in journalism? Contact me NOW, that would be excellent.
- Some coaches to get info, pictures, etc. of are:
- John Adams
- Duane Alderman
- Ron Bales
- Al Copenhaver
- Mary Copenhaver
- Jean Gillespie
- John Goodwin
- Jimmy King
- Randy Poole
- Donnie Pruitt
- Dean Rhea
- Larry Russell
- (Please note that this list is a list of suggestions off the top of my head. Head Wrestling, Volleyball, Track & Field, Tennis, Soccer Coaches, etc. should not be ignored)
- These coaches may or may not be a deadlock for the list, but it would still be great to have this information and any relics of them
- Please consider great coaches from schools of the Hogoheegee past and present. Castlewood, Chilhowie, George Wythe, Holston, Honaker, John S. Battle, Lebanon, Northwood, Patrick Henry, RB Worthy, Rich Valley, and Rural Retreat
- Guess what. If you help in any way, you get your name on the rolling credits at the end. It may not be much but its all part of the documented history I'm attempting to preserve.
Anyone willing to volunteer their time and energy into making this possible please contact me. Anyone willing to sponsor this endeavor for making this possible please contact me.
We have 18 months to do it, I'm sure it can be done.
TASK OVERVIEW
Step 1: Contrive a list of 15
Step 2: Obtain any pictures, videos, former players, family members, coach him/herself and have them agree to be interviewed even if we have to bribe them with candy
Step 3: Based on the opinions of current/former school administrators and myself, generate an ascending list
Step 4: Interview as many fans, coaches, fellow coaches, and former/current players of these coaches for documentary purposes
Step 5: Edit, produce, and release film in Fall 2010.
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