I agree with the low turnout at the MS level. Im hoping with the success of this year's team more kids will come out. Last year's 8th grade was on the receiving end of the worst coaching ever imagined and it definitely set our program back. The 8th grade team last year competed very well in several travel tournaments. Only to win one game last year, with many kids quitting or not coming back out this year. Very disappointing. The assistant coach for the MS would be of tremendous help for the HS if given a chance. I doubt it will happen.
I agree about the assistant coach. Also, I have heard, but have not been around the little league in a while, about the rec league allowing kids to compete until they are in the 7th grade and I wonder if that hurts not only the middle school, but ultimately the High School as well
Graham should be very dangerous again. They return Allen at QB, Lester and Reed (hopefully) at RB. Isaiah Justice is a good looking receiver. Kastner at LB. I'd like to see a couple of their linemen put on a little bulk and size in the off season. I'm sure some of the younger kids will get bigger and stronger and step up to the plate. My concern for Graham is the low turnout for Middle School football the last couple of seasons. May hurt them in the long run.
Tazewell should be solid next season if some of the kids come back out. They will have some good skill players on the field. Some very good looking 8th graders moving up next year too. Give them 2 more years and they should be a force to be reckoned with.
4charter buses from Appo, 1-band,2ream1fans is what I was told by admin. Plus drivers so their side might be full
Their side WILL be full because of all of the fans from other area teams going... Just hope theres room for the Appo fans. They may all be standing around the fence..
Why do you think graham won't finish in the top 3 in the region? the only player they lost from last year was really a non factor all year, right?
Yes, Morgan was a non factor, he wasn't in basketball shape when he returned to the team. Don't forget that Graham also lost Ellison, but he wasnt a starter, but was good for a 3 pointer or 2 off the bench.
Why do you think graham won't finish in the top 3 in the region? the only player they lost from last year was really a non factor all year, right?
Graham will be #2 in the region behind GC in my estimation. Not sure why anybody would think otherwise, they return everybody from a very talented team
I saw Tazewell tonight. The Transfer has made them my pick to come out on top of the Southwest District. The Transfer is LEGIT!!! Possibly best penetrating slashing point guard in SWVA. And she is 5,11” , I’m guessing.
She is a special talent. I've been watching her since she was a freshman at Bluefield and could tell that she was going to be very good, even back then. Not only is she talented, but she knows how to play the game and makes the whole team better. Tazewell has a few other players that are pretty dang good also. She was a big part of that Bluefield team that made it to the state title game
Graham will be very good. They lost only 2 seniors. Darrin Martin, Emil Curto, Garrett Dalton will be seniors with a lot of game experience. Martin is a very talented young man who lives in the gym. Dalton should be a force to reckon with underneath the basket this season. They have a big body that transferred from Philadelphia who may be able to clear the boards effectively. Devin Lester and Chance Dawson ate sophimires who will see significant playing time and are both very good ball players. Junior guard Drew Baker will run the point in his 2nd season starting at that position. Cam Allen will return at Guard. I'd say Graham should be pretty stout. They added Martinsville to the regular season with a home and away game with them early in the season. I think they will compete very well in the region.
Coach Palmer did seem to have control of his team. You G Men have a keeper in that guy. He’ll get you a ring one day or close to it.
Why don’t these two teams play in regular season?!
Palmer has the respect of his players for sure. Graham has talent, they just need to take that next step and be ready for a big game like this one today. I have faith that Tony will keep Graham playing at a high level. Next year's team is returning a lot if talent, only losing 9 seniors. Some good seniors, but we have some younger guys ready to step up. Kids like him and want to play for him, that's the biggest part of the battle. He is beloved in the Community as well. Would be awesome for them to play in the regular season. Graham has out of district games with Bluefield, Princeton, Giles and Forth Chiswell..
You sir, have my respect. Great season for Graham.
The Union Bears have my respect. You all have a great team and a great atmosphere. Hope to travel there again some day, hopefully with a more competitive outcome.
I am not sure what to make of this game. I was convinced that Graham would be the best team the Bears have faced but final score 37-0 does not match my assessment. It is hard to predict performances of high school kids. Bears were ready to play G-men not so much.
Band showed up late, Cheerleaders barely made it in time. Team casually strolled out on the field. Didn't feel right from the beginning. Then Union proceeded to play with a purpose and Graham didn't resemble anything I had seen in the previous 12 contests.
I believe Union can beat Appomattox at Union. Appo is good, but beatable. Union has a good enough line and secondary to beat them. The QB gets rid of the ball quick on the passes, which will be harder to defend than what Graham was trying to do, but I think Unions defense will be the difference. I'll take Union by a TD.
Graham folks answer me this honestly and I'm asking because I haven't seen you all play until today. Obviously Graham is a great team only having 1 loss into today but did Graham play that bad, or was Union just that good? I'm not throwing any jabs, I'm just curious. Your going to have off games, I understand that by all means.
This was by far the worst game Graham has played, but Union had a lot to do with that. I would say that Bluefield and Union would be a whale of game. I wish Graham would have made a better showing. Game plan for Graham sucked... But Union has a very good team.
I agree with you to an extent. First off, Union was ready for Cooke and Graham's coaches knew that. Cooke isn't the only weapon they have, they have several other skilled players they needed to get evolved to win, but Union's D shut them all down. It's like Union, you always hear about Mitchell, but they have several other players that are stepping up & carrying the load that don't get much attention. Graham knew they couldn't win with just Cooke, so they tried other options and it didn't work. Union was the better team today & Graham's strategy didn't work. I don't fault Graham, and I praise Union. Both are great teams, Union was better today, and I hope they bring back the state title to Big Stone Gap/Appalachia!
I agree. Union took it to Graham in all phases. Out coached, out played. In Cookes defense, Graham's O coordinator effectively took him out of the game by putting him out wide and letting him be double teamed and have the sideline as a defender. For Pete's sake, put him in motion or something, so he can't get bumped. I think Graham was using him as a decoy or something. If so, not smart. They ran the same plays against Richland's in last seasons 3 Rd round game and it didn't work then either. No adjustments either. Just wish Graham would had a better showing. They are a better team than what they showed today.
Union showed up to play and executed a well orchestrated game plan, credit to them. Grahams game plan was not good. We have way too many offensive weapons to get shut out. Live and learn I suppose. On to basketball. Best of luck Union, bring the title back to region IV.
I felt like Allen was the key for this game. If he could throw successfully it would open up the other aspects of the game. Of course, not sure what his stats are for first half
Heard announcers say Allen 7-12 for 45 yds (1 turnover)
Cooke one carry for 8 yds
Lester -4 in yardage
Graham is spreading Cooke wide and allowing Union to double team him every play. Put him in motion or something.
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Graham vs Giles updates
in SWVA Basketball
Posted
After 1 quarter of play, it's Graham 25- Giles 3.
Graham is very fast and agressive on defense, Giles can't get the ball past half court. All starters playing tonight.