Dick_Vitale

To be fair, you literally did not put any punctuation in that reply. (LOL)

Graham will go through some growing pains but I feel like by seasons end they will be a tough draw in any tournament. Workman was a leader... like him or not. He was the spark plug that team needed and sometimes made some bonehead decisions. Clark also was a constant for Graham. Replacing those two should be a focus for Graham. I am not sure they are "replaceable" but Graham needs that consistent spark plug/leader when adversity strikes. The talent/athletic ability is there to make some noise as well as Coach Carlock being a top tier coach in SWVA.

Abingdon Union Lee Graham Galax Giles Hurley J.I. Burton Twin Springs Chilhowie Patrick Henry George Wythe Ft. Chiswell Notre Dame Virginia No. 7 Texas A&M No. 18 North Carolina No. 23 Virginia Tech No. 10 Florida Tennessee No. 14 West Virginia No. 1 Alabama No. 6 Ohio St. Pittsburgh Philadelphia San Diego Green Bay Oakland G(s)otW Amherst 45 Tazewell 80 Ridgeview 35 Miami 50 Carolina 35

Looks like I struck a nerve there... I feel like for the most part we agree with one another. Bottom line, this area is a blue collar area for the most part. However, the blue collar jobs are now scarce so generations that is taught white collar degrees are not returning.

I disagree. SWVA has faced the lay offs a few years ago. I feel like the damage is done. The problem is now when the current generation and the generation before that (Generation Y I think) are NOT coming back home after college. They are flocking to more populated areas where jobs are more abundant in their major. That is ultimately going to hurt the area the most since there was never a fall back plan for "After Coal". This area back in the 50s/60s/70s/80s was coal coal coal with small emphasis on anything else. The area really has no one else to blame but themselves... even though it sure is fun to blame Obama and the liberals lol. I will say they definitely have not helped the economy in our area.

I think the "worse" has surpasses us. I feel like the population of SWVA has stabilizes. I have no sources for that but I remember reading a few articles explainign this theory.

I disagree mildly. Coal declining has affected the area school as far as enrollment goes... which leads into a bigger issue that our leaders of SWVA never really cared about what happens once coal is gone. They made their money and got out when the getting was good. However, as far as local athletic talent, I chalk that up as a changing of generation. The current generation is a generation that wants direct praise. They are a very entitled bunch for the most part. Of course you will have a few kids who understand hardwork/reward but for the most part if a kid does not get what they want after a small amount of effort they usually quit. Also at play is so many outside influences... Travel sports (where most athletes are praised as the next all star player from that town because they are tossing crazy amounts of cash at the coach), video games becoming more of a lifestyle ( it is not mario anymore), academics (for the most part if you want to attend a quality school you become a "bookworm" and only that), and finally your one sport athletes (They eat, breathe, and sleep their chosen sport often to become a notch above Medicare). I truly do not think "the talent is leaving" because that would infer that they were going to other schools to be successful (you never hear of a kid transferring away and going D1). What we have is a flawed system where coaches are at fault for pumping one sport athletes from a young age. Nothing grinds my gears more than those kids parents who are playing travel baseball/basketball and only that 365 days a year. I could elaborate more but I feel like this was a more so late night rambling from ole Dicky V!

Galax with 2 losses outpoint an undefeated Hurley team... But Hurley does not play a weak schedule guys.

As in?

.

Sounds like all you are interested in is fluffing up Richlands.

Graham made it a few games more than Richlands. They had the #1 team out of the east beat at their home gym 7 hours from Bluefield. I would like to think they would have won if it was at Bluefield... and graham was the 4th best team from the West.

Let me correct myself, a different style of defense you normally do not see up the ride in Richmond, etc. Not saying that is bad because Syracuse plays the packed in 2-3 and looks for lanes to shoot for steals. I'm curious the TO ratio when Richlands played Graham/Union arguably the best opponents they played last year.

3. Playing int he summer and playing in season are two different things. Howie could definitely help, I agree there. 2. The scheme they ran last year was successful for the weaker teams they played. More of a GC style of subbing throwing 10 games at you constantly... Only difference is Richlands does not play defense. Secondly, the comment "Phillips does not care about your kids feelings. He is there to win" really speaks volumes. 1. Wait a few days and see if they are on schedule. Rumor mill was swarming they they were dropped. I guess we will see here in a few weeks. I hope they kept them on though. Richlands has a chance to be a good team... No need to drop other good teams.

How accurate is this "inside info"... I would not think Howie will play. He has a lot of interest from football. As for Booker, he would probably contribute if he was interested in just playing "defense" or that lazy 2-3 they play. Not sure how I would feel is my kid lost playing time to a senior who decided to come out and have a victory lap their senior year once football was over. Furthermore, I am not sure there is enough basketballs to go around for that team as it is. I know Graham lost a lot but I look for them to give Richlands a good game. I look for Graham-Richlands to be 1/2 out of Conference 39. The conference points have changed again and the first (or only for some teams) time teams meet will count toward conference points. (Example: If Tazewell only plays Marion one time then that game will count for points. When Tazewell plays Graham twice, only the first game will count for points. The second is merely for bragging rights). This will give the conference a true champion and the automatic 1 seed to region. With all that said, the first time Graham and Richlands meet will be BIG. Richlands has always had a problem with the GMen and I look for Carlock to have something up his sleeve for Richlands. Wouldn't that be something for a 21-1 Richlands team be the 2 seed (and inevitably have to play the one seed out of conference 40 which will most likely be GC) in the first round of Region. Richlands might still end up winless in Region play. Rumor is Richlands also watered down their schedule by dropping Union and Bluefield.

Abingdon Grundy Marion Lee Gate City Union Graham Narrows Richlands Giles Glenvar J.I. Burton Castlewood Chilhowie George Wythe Rural Retreat Galax Georgia Tech No. 5 Louisville No. 10 West Virginia No. 8 Baylor Miami No. 4 Washington No. 11 Wisconsin No. 15 Auburn No. 18 Tennessee No. 3 Clemson. Washington Detroit New England Carolina Green Bay Dallas GotW Honaker 50 Twin Springs 70

Post them when you get them!

I really hope you were being sarcastic about the last part...

You guys think the North gets the rider points wins against the French and Indian war and the Revolutionary War?

Wonder how many PowerPoints the North got for beating the South?

I think the rule does state one game for 10 game seasons and 2 games for 20+ game seasons. Every ejection is handled individually. You can appeal to the VHSL for player/coach ejections and they take them case by case scenarios. Of course, if someone is ejected, their behavior is ALWAYS justified. Even if it is fighting or something crazy it is always someone else's fault... so and so MADE him do it or my personal favorite "that official just does not like that player or team". Bottom line, the player in question did something to warrant an ejection. The player should have NEVER put himself in jeopardy by acting in such a way if he is so valuable to the team.

Can you imagine a 12pm/7pm game day at Richlands if both Hurley/Richlands make it to the state semi finals? Ernie Hicks would be packed!

Grundy Marion Gate City Lee Union Graham Ft. Chiswell Virginia Giles Hurley Twin Valley J.I. Burton Thomas Walker George Wythe Rural Retreat Galax No. 22 North Carolina No. 24 Navy No. 12 West Virginia No. 1 Alabama No. 19 Utah No. 21 Auburn No. 23 Ole Miss Los Angelas Indianapolis Philadelphia Buffalo Pittsburgh Seattle a GotW Richlands 75

Abingdon Richlands Ridgeview Union Gate City Grayson Castlewood Giles Hurley Twin Valley Eastside George Wythe Northwood Ft. Chiswell No. 20 WVU Pitt No. 1 Alabama North Carolina No. 17 Virginia Tech No. 18 Florida No. 12 Ole Miss No. 2 Ohio St. Washington New England Oakland Seattle Green Bay Indianapolis GotW Patrick Henry 65 Graham 60

*Sixcat runs around internet forum saying "I know something you dont know, I know something you dont know"*