Great City

Good move by Ervin. He is an intelligent young man.....valedictorian level intelligence. 

Jesus Christ you're impossible. I'm done. If you're too this simple minded or, as I suspect, willfully ignorant, there's no point continuing this. Yes, it's totally understandable that a HS kid let's his emotions get the best of him and do something he should not. It wasn't premeditated, it was a heat of the moment action that unfortunately injured someone. It is understandable and also wrong. JFC.

Expoaeitall…………..I love it how you tell everyone to "put the past in the past", and then continue to type one of the longest posts in this board's history. Plus, you then talk about doing some investigation and make several calls. Not exactly leaving it in the past.
You appear to not want to give some posts on this board any validity because they contain things that were being told second hand, but pretty much everything you cite you were told is second hand. Classic.
"One person said it was said in the locker room before the game, which that can’t be believed because opposing teams don’t go in each other’s locker room"   Hey...…..I think that was me. Never said it was a GC team member in the locker room. Actually, don't think I ever said they person who said that about Wise was in the locker room. Believe I said it was overheard when Wise was in their locker room. Is your misquote of me an example of your objective investigation? Love it.
Also pretty cool how your "objective" investigation lists 4 negative things about GC. Fair and balanced...…...right?
How about you talk to some fans from Union and see what their thoughts are on the Central basketball team? Maybe check with some other teams also? Just maybe you will find out that there are other teams that have some issues with Central. 
Go to some games and make up you own mind. Until then you are just repeating things you were told, and incorporating your own spin. 
Back to the game...…...if GC plays like they did against Lebanon, we will lose by 15+. Hope both teams play their best, and it is a good, clean game. Safe travels to everyone making the trip.
 

Really? I thought the first push alone was terrible.
 
  I agree. Should have been ejected on the spot.

Not so fast my friend.........
What some people on this board may have forgotten is that BEFORE the game in question had even started, the Central coaches were talking to the team in the locker room. Part of their game plan was to "take Mac out" if he tried to dunk on them. I was at that game. Was told that information before the game started. Tensions were obviously high. Then............you saw what happened when Mac went up to shoot.
You are living in a fantasy world if you believe "that" coach's attitude/beliefs do not extend to his team.
Not sure the Central - GC relationship in basketball will ever get better as long as McAmis is on the bench. I also know our fan base.....we can be kind of.........uh.........fanatical at times.
Hate it for the Central kids. They have potential, but the coach dampens it.
It is not just GC that has issues with that particular Central team. It seems when that team gets down in a game, questionable tactics pop up. That deterioration of behavior is directly caused by the coaching staff. Hope Richlands does not get to experience it first hand.

Not so fast my friend.........
What some people on this board may have forgotten is that BEFORE the game in question had even started, the Central coaches were talking to the team in the locker room. Part of their game plan was to "take Mac out" if he tried to dunk on them. I was at that game. Was told that information before the game started. Tensions were obviously high. Then............you saw what happened when Mac went up to shoot.
You are living in a fantasy world if you believe "that" coach's attitude/beliefs do not extend to his team.
Not sure the Central - GC relationship in basketball will ever get better as long as McAmis is on the bench. I also know our fan base.....we can be kind of.........uh.........fanatical at times.
Hate it for the Central kids. They have potential, but the coach dampens it.
It is not just GC that has issues with that particular Central team. It seems when that team gets down in a game, questionable tactics pop up. That deterioration of behavior is directly caused by the coaching staff. Hope Richlands does not get to experience it first hand.

Funny how central fans forget that your coach started this aggression with gate city by trying to take out mcclung 2 years ago. 

Man, I sure hope Central sits the starters one more time, so we can go to the Region D tournament for the first time. 🙂

As a life-long GC fan, I am very confused as to how I should react to this post. Maybe Who? can help me? Since this is a basketball thread, assume my response should be based on basketball.
1. Well...…..we are pretty good. Even after losing one of the two best players in the Region, we are still a pretty good team. So...…..not sure if I should be arrogant and tell Who? to take off the letterman jacket he bought at Goodwill and take a long look at himself in the mirror. 
2. I have no issues with the way Scottie is coaching...…...dang it. Do not guess I can reply blaming the coaches. 
3. Hmmm...…...think it is pretty obvious we are not as good as we were last year, and not as good as we were at the beginning of this year. Really.....only one 2A team will win at "the end". Everyone else will lose. I do not think we will repeat as champions, so I guess we will be losers at the end. So...……...should my response be...………….(See what I did there? Silence.)
Who?...….please help me. I am so confused. 
 

Sigh. Am afraid Zac's high school career might be over. Hate that. Had a chance to really climb the VHSL career scoring ladder. Those who know him, know that he is also a great kid.
Coach Vermillion...."It's a minor thing, and he could play right now, but that wouldn't be the wisest thing for his health. This is a wonderful game and a wonderful community, but this is a young man with a basketball future and we've got to do the right thing for him. We're going to allow him to get better before we play him again."
.......and just like that the M7 and Region is wide open.
However...........great effort last night. Lots of minutes played by lots of kids. Understandably took a little while for the team to get going. Saw the GC half court defense of old. GC gave up 21 first half points, and 15 second half points. Saw the offense move the ball around and work for a better shot.

I am hearing some bad things about Zac. Hope they are wrong. 

All this board needs is another childish wanna be who results to name calling to attempt to make a point. Grow up, learn to have a conversation and then maybe we’ll keep talking sports. Until then I got nothing for you. Our conversations are about CURRENT sports, if you want to blow smoke about what a coach did 10 years ago start another thread and have a good conversation with yourself. 
The Bears are playing well, we all are happy about that. I’m sure as hell not going to bow down to some guy who just joined this board and pretend your are the guru of Union basketball. 

Slow morning at work.
Realistic Expectations:
Prior to the DB game this year, GC had played 5 larger schools, and 2 schools in their same classification. The 2 VA AA schools were Lee (38 point win), and Central (32 point win) for an average win of 35 points. The 5 larger schools were Daniel Boone (14 point win), Science Hill (15 point win), Wenonah (4th ranked team in Alabama....1 point loss), Greenville (13 point win), and Sullivan East (15 point win)..for an average win of 14 points.........and an average loss of 1 point. That is an 80% winning percentage against larger schools. GC beat Science Hill by 15. DB beat them by 10.
Given the above information...........how was it not realistic that GC fans had the expectation that we COULD beat DB? Not trying to cause an uproar or start an argument. Really curious to hear peoples' answers.

The lion's share (see what I did there?) of local VA teams will not be able to duplicate what DB was able to do. Could definitely cause us problems if/when we meet Radford. Thankfully there are not a lot of 6A schools, with an enrollment of 2,000 students, left on our schedule.

I do love bananas. :)
Let me rephrase. When the VA High baseball team plays larger schools and the TEAM believes they can win.........do you as a fan believe they can win? Do the majority of VA High fans believe they can win?              Again.......I would HOPE that the majority of fans at all schools believe that their teams have a chance of winning in most of the games they play.....but, I am wrong a lot.
Guess it also depends on the success of the particular team in question. When GC baseball plays..........the fan bases' confidence in winning is not very pronounced. Has been the same in football the last few years. In basketball we have been winning, so the fan base has more confidence in winning. That seems fairly realistic to me. Please let me know if you believe otherwise.
Substance: DB did provide a blueprint for teams to emulate. Did not help that Zac and Dean shot a combined 1-13 from behind the line, but DB's defense had a lot to do with that. Will just be a matter of which local teams have the horses to use it. Would think Graham/Union/WC will give it a try. Radford should have the horses to not need to try any "gimmick" defense. I know Zac normally can light it up from outside, but I would like to see us use him under the basket (on offense) a little more.........especially against teams who have a good big man. He would no doubt help rebound, and would draw a lot of fouls. Getting him....and the rest of the team...to the foul line often should always be good for us. I expected we would see more of Eli this year. Believed he would play PG, penetrate, and dish back to Zac & Dean. We do need someone else to step up and become more comfortable shooting the ball.
 
 

https://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/video/1405521475837?amp=true
https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/georgetown-hoyas/more-just-mixtape-hoyas-mac-mclung-drops-career-high-38-points-win-over-little-rock
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/freshman-mac-mcclungs-38-points-power-georgetown-to-ot-win/2018/12/22/31bb305c-0618-11e9-b5df-5d3874f1ac36_story.html?fbclid=IwAR0pbhQqV_vayzurQEEvUQmWVdJWWOlGFufKhe7rqyHtNVfg7892oysTqIw&noredirect=on&utm_term=.837f2c6dc381

Great for them...…….but.......uh.......aren't they supposed to be competing in a higher classification? 🙂

I would say let him ride.......unless he crosses the line.
 
Message boards should be about expressing your opinions. He should be able to say what he believes/thinks..........no matter if he is correct or not.
 
Remember.........we ALL have the ability/option to NOT respond to his, or anyone's, post. If you are going to feed the bear, then you have to put up with his growl.
 
Message boards would be a pretty boring place if we all agreed on everything.

I would say let him ride.......unless he crosses the line.
 
Message boards should be about expressing your opinions. He should be able to say what he believes/thinks..........no matter if he is correct or not.
 
Remember.........we ALL have the ability/option to NOT respond to his, or anyone's, post. If you are going to feed the bear, then you have to put up with his growl.
 
Message boards would be a pretty boring place if we all agreed on everything.

I THINK what Grapeape was trying to convey was that fan attendance at the games is not why Akers lost his job.
Akers lost his job because of his record, his attitude toward players/assistant coaches, and the direction the program was heading (falling). He literally started alienating players/assistant coaches on Day 1. For example........you do not talk openly in the field house about coaching at VA High being your dream job.  
GC does not have a history of running off head coaches. Counting Akers we have had 4 head coaches during the last gazillion years. Slight exaggeration. :)
Several weeks ago someone, who said he was on the team under Akers, posted and talked about some issues with Akers. Unless you were close to the team, or are close to people who are close to the team, then you really had no idea what was going on inside the program. So many people, not from GC, have posted about the attitude toward Akers from the GC fans......without having any knowledge about what was going on in the program.
I have attended GC games for 40 years. Played under Colobro. We have had years where the talent level was not exceptional, but we have always had coaches who could get the most out of the players. I know some will disagree with me, but our OVERALL talent level the last few years has not been great. Plus.......we have not had a coach who can get the most out of the players. You add those two together and you end up with 1-9 seasons. Factor in Akers' inability to build positive relationships with players/coaches and you end up with the current state of our program.
I am truly surprised he lasted as long as he did. Sadly, I believe the School Board would have acted quicker if they thought they could find a quality coach, and if they had set their egos aside. Remember.........Akers was what......the School Board's third choice?
Not sure how it works at other schools, but the AD at GC has no influence over who is hired. Have seen him thrown under the bus several times.
Going forward:
Most GC fans will tell you that there is not a coach in America that will restore our program in a year or two. The rest of our fan base needs to accept that.
We need a HC and Assistant Coaches who will bring some enthusiasm back to the program. We need these coaches to be in the halls of the school encouraging kids to participate.
I have no idea who has applied or who will be interviewed. Personally, I do not care if a "GC Person" is hired.
I do think the position is a great opportunity for someone. You could be the HC of a program with a tradition that few in the state can match. A program that has a fan base starved for success, and who would eagerly support a HC who gets the program heading in a positive direction. Plus........you will have a School Board that wants/needs you to succeed after the Akers debacle. Even with our recent failures, believe we are the last, or second to last, AA Team from SW VA to win a state championship. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong....which happens a lot. :) )
 

I THINK what Grapeape was trying to convey was that fan attendance at the games is not why Akers lost his job.
Akers lost his job because of his record, his attitude toward players/assistant coaches, and the direction the program was heading (falling). He literally started alienating players/assistant coaches on Day 1. For example........you do not talk openly in the field house about coaching at VA High being your dream job.  
GC does not have a history of running off head coaches. Counting Akers we have had 4 head coaches during the last gazillion years. Slight exaggeration. :)
Several weeks ago someone, who said he was on the team under Akers, posted and talked about some issues with Akers. Unless you were close to the team, or are close to people who are close to the team, then you really had no idea what was going on inside the program. So many people, not from GC, have posted about the attitude toward Akers from the GC fans......without having any knowledge about what was going on in the program.
I have attended GC games for 40 years. Played under Colobro. We have had years where the talent level was not exceptional, but we have always had coaches who could get the most out of the players. I know some will disagree with me, but our OVERALL talent level the last few years has not been great. Plus.......we have not had a coach who can get the most out of the players. You add those two together and you end up with 1-9 seasons. Factor in Akers' inability to build positive relationships with players/coaches and you end up with the current state of our program.
I am truly surprised he lasted as long as he did. Sadly, I believe the School Board would have acted quicker if they thought they could find a quality coach, and if they had set their egos aside. Remember.........Akers was what......the School Board's third choice?
Not sure how it works at other schools, but the AD at GC has no influence over who is hired. Have seen him thrown under the bus several times.
Going forward:
Most GC fans will tell you that there is not a coach in America that will restore our program in a year or two. The rest of our fan base needs to accept that.
We need a HC and Assistant Coaches who will bring some enthusiasm back to the program. We need these coaches to be in the halls of the school encouraging kids to participate.
I have no idea who has applied or who will be interviewed. Personally, I do not care if a "GC Person" is hired.
I do think the position is a great opportunity for someone. You could be the HC of a program with a tradition that few in the state can match. A program that has a fan base starved for success, and who would eagerly support a HC who gets the program heading in a positive direction. Plus........you will have a School Board that wants/needs you to succeed after the Akers debacle. Even with our recent failures, believe we are the last, or second to last, AA Team from SW VA to win a state championship. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong....which happens a lot. :) )
 

I THINK what Grapeape was trying to convey was that fan attendance at the games is not why Akers lost his job.
Akers lost his job because of his record, his attitude toward players/assistant coaches, and the direction the program was heading (falling). He literally started alienating players/assistant coaches on Day 1. For example........you do not talk openly in the field house about coaching at VA High being your dream job.  
GC does not have a history of running off head coaches. Counting Akers we have had 4 head coaches during the last gazillion years. Slight exaggeration. :)
Several weeks ago someone, who said he was on the team under Akers, posted and talked about some issues with Akers. Unless you were close to the team, or are close to people who are close to the team, then you really had no idea what was going on inside the program. So many people, not from GC, have posted about the attitude toward Akers from the GC fans......without having any knowledge about what was going on in the program.
I have attended GC games for 40 years. Played under Colobro. We have had years where the talent level was not exceptional, but we have always had coaches who could get the most out of the players. I know some will disagree with me, but our OVERALL talent level the last few years has not been great. Plus.......we have not had a coach who can get the most out of the players. You add those two together and you end up with 1-9 seasons. Factor in Akers' inability to build positive relationships with players/coaches and you end up with the current state of our program.
I am truly surprised he lasted as long as he did. Sadly, I believe the School Board would have acted quicker if they thought they could find a quality coach, and if they had set their egos aside. Remember.........Akers was what......the School Board's third choice?
Not sure how it works at other schools, but the AD at GC has no influence over who is hired. Have seen him thrown under the bus several times.
Going forward:
Most GC fans will tell you that there is not a coach in America that will restore our program in a year or two. The rest of our fan base needs to accept that.
We need a HC and Assistant Coaches who will bring some enthusiasm back to the program. We need these coaches to be in the halls of the school encouraging kids to participate.
I have no idea who has applied or who will be interviewed. Personally, I do not care if a "GC Person" is hired.
I do think the position is a great opportunity for someone. You could be the HC of a program with a tradition that few in the state can match. A program that has a fan base starved for success, and who would eagerly support a HC who gets the program heading in a positive direction. Plus........you will have a School Board that wants/needs you to succeed after the Akers debacle. Even with our recent failures, believe we are the last, or second to last, AA Team from SW VA to win a state championship. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong....which happens a lot. :) )
 

I THINK what Grapeape was trying to convey was that fan attendance at the games is not why Akers lost his job.
Akers lost his job because of his record, his attitude toward players/assistant coaches, and the direction the program was heading (falling). He literally started alienating players/assistant coaches on Day 1. For example........you do not talk openly in the field house about coaching at VA High being your dream job.  
GC does not have a history of running off head coaches. Counting Akers we have had 4 head coaches during the last gazillion years. Slight exaggeration. :)
Several weeks ago someone, who said he was on the team under Akers, posted and talked about some issues with Akers. Unless you were close to the team, or are close to people who are close to the team, then you really had no idea what was going on inside the program. So many people, not from GC, have posted about the attitude toward Akers from the GC fans......without having any knowledge about what was going on in the program.
I have attended GC games for 40 years. Played under Colobro. We have had years where the talent level was not exceptional, but we have always had coaches who could get the most out of the players. I know some will disagree with me, but our OVERALL talent level the last few years has not been great. Plus.......we have not had a coach who can get the most out of the players. You add those two together and you end up with 1-9 seasons. Factor in Akers' inability to build positive relationships with players/coaches and you end up with the current state of our program.
I am truly surprised he lasted as long as he did. Sadly, I believe the School Board would have acted quicker if they thought they could find a quality coach, and if they had set their egos aside. Remember.........Akers was what......the School Board's third choice?
Not sure how it works at other schools, but the AD at GC has no influence over who is hired. Have seen him thrown under the bus several times.
Going forward:
Most GC fans will tell you that there is not a coach in America that will restore our program in a year or two. The rest of our fan base needs to accept that.
We need a HC and Assistant Coaches who will bring some enthusiasm back to the program. We need these coaches to be in the halls of the school encouraging kids to participate.
I have no idea who has applied or who will be interviewed. Personally, I do not care if a "GC Person" is hired.
I do think the position is a great opportunity for someone. You could be the HC of a program with a tradition that few in the state can match. A program that has a fan base starved for success, and who would eagerly support a HC who gets the program heading in a positive direction. Plus........you will have a School Board that wants/needs you to succeed after the Akers debacle. Even with our recent failures, believe we are the last, or second to last, AA Team from SW VA to win a state championship. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong....which happens a lot. :) )
 

I THINK what Grapeape was trying to convey was that fan attendance at the games is not why Akers lost his job.
Akers lost his job because of his record, his attitude toward players/assistant coaches, and the direction the program was heading (falling). He literally started alienating players/assistant coaches on Day 1. For example........you do not talk openly in the field house about coaching at VA High being your dream job.  
GC does not have a history of running off head coaches. Counting Akers we have had 4 head coaches during the last gazillion years. Slight exaggeration. :)
Several weeks ago someone, who said he was on the team under Akers, posted and talked about some issues with Akers. Unless you were close to the team, or are close to people who are close to the team, then you really had no idea what was going on inside the program. So many people, not from GC, have posted about the attitude toward Akers from the GC fans......without having any knowledge about what was going on in the program.
I have attended GC games for 40 years. Played under Colobro. We have had years where the talent level was not exceptional, but we have always had coaches who could get the most out of the players. I know some will disagree with me, but our OVERALL talent level the last few years has not been great. Plus.......we have not had a coach who can get the most out of the players. You add those two together and you end up with 1-9 seasons. Factor in Akers' inability to build positive relationships with players/coaches and you end up with the current state of our program.
I am truly surprised he lasted as long as he did. Sadly, I believe the School Board would have acted quicker if they thought they could find a quality coach, and if they had set their egos aside. Remember.........Akers was what......the School Board's third choice?
Not sure how it works at other schools, but the AD at GC has no influence over who is hired. Have seen him thrown under the bus several times.
Going forward:
Most GC fans will tell you that there is not a coach in America that will restore our program in a year or two. The rest of our fan base needs to accept that.
We need a HC and Assistant Coaches who will bring some enthusiasm back to the program. We need these coaches to be in the halls of the school encouraging kids to participate.
I have no idea who has applied or who will be interviewed. Personally, I do not care if a "GC Person" is hired.
I do think the position is a great opportunity for someone. You could be the HC of a program with a tradition that few in the state can match. A program that has a fan base starved for success, and who would eagerly support a HC who gets the program heading in a positive direction. Plus........you will have a School Board that wants/needs you to succeed after the Akers debacle. Even with our recent failures, believe we are the last, or second to last, AA Team from SW VA to win a state championship. (I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong....which happens a lot. :) )
 

Found this on FB:
"The Blue Devils defeat Class 4 Jefferson Forest, defeat Class 3 State Champion Roanoke Northside and defeat Class 3 Final Four participant Western Albemarle"