HoosierDaddy

I think Holmes has this one locked down, as long as they come out playing. I just don't believe anyone can compete with the athleticism that Holmes has. I won't comment on point margin, b/c as always it could go either way.

Actually your wrong. I know both families, Hatton is 13 and should be in the eighth grade and McClendon is 15 and should be a freshman. McClendon was held back as well as Hatton. I would have to disagree on McClendon being able to handle Hatton one on one. I have watched both boys play ball for years. Hatton has been playing up in AAU basketball since he was in the first grade with the Tarheels. I have spoken with his mom and dad on several occasions about his AAU ball playing. He has always played up in AAU basketball. He actually played two years up for a few years b/c he use to play with Trammel. I think he also played down on his own grade as well at the same time. I can't really comment on Herndon I haven't seen him play enough. I can only go off what I have seen McClendon and Hatton do. How much Tarheel basketball have you watched these two boys play in? I know you said that McClendon was the leading scorer for JV Holmes squad, do you know what his point avg is? I heard that Hatton was the leading scorer in the region for JV? That a rumor so not sure if there is truth to that or not. Another parent told me he was averaging seventeen points a game? Does anyone know if any of this is true?

I am basing my views on overall play. Just b/c McClendon out scored Hatton doesn't make him a better basketball player. I am not sure whom you spoke with that watched the whole entire game but we must have been seeing something different. They had two defenders on Hatton from the being game almost until the end. Which again was smart on the coach's part. They left McClendon open alot giving him oppurtunity to put up the points. Don't get me wrong, I think McClendon is a great player but based on last night games and all the previous games I have watched both boys play in, I give Hatton the edge. It will be interesting to watch both of them as time progresses and they come up in age. I think there is a year difference?

I will respond since I was there to see the entire game. I think McClendon had sixteen points and the Hatton kid had 12. McClendon did have four threes last night, which was a surprise for me. I have watched both of these kids play in the past and Hatton has always had the edge. Hatton and McClendon are both solid players , but I would give the better player award to Hatton. He has a nice smooth game. There were two and three defenders on him the entire game. The coach did a nice job of trying to keep Hatton from scoring 20-25 pts on them. Dixie played a two three zone which created alot of open shots for McClendon. Dixie's focus was not on McClendon as Holmes soley was on Hattons. Dixie had the lead several times and let this game slip away from them. I was surprised at the loss. As the Varsity game Holmes just did what they do every night they step out on that court and won. Good win for the Bulldogs. I was glad to see Dixie try and fight back as best as they could.

it was nice...

He is a talented young man, unfortunately I don't think my posts are conveying what I am trying to say. The young athlete is full of talent, I would just hate to see him throw any of that away for trash talking.

If Pittman's trash talking is the fuel to his game how will he ever make it in Division 1 b-ball? Who in division 1 basketball is going to let him act that way? Does he really think that trash talking will intimidate anyone in the SEC, big east any conference? I don't hardly think so. I think he should be concentrating on his game and not running his mouth. I am not disagreeing that other players do their jabbing and jawing, but this kid is over the top. I am not sure what game you were watching, but I was sitting in the front row and you could hear all the trash talk he was putting down from the beginning of the game. I am a bulldog fan, but I was embarrassed tonight. I don't believe he got in #32 head either. I think it was the other way around, and that just fueled Pittman not to be a key factor in this game. I think he could take some pointers from Ricardo, who seems to be a well established player with a good attitude. Of course this is just all a matter of opinion, as we all have one.

I would have to disagree on the techinical foul for #32 Raliegh for Dixie. He is actually only 5'11 at the most. Pittman started trash talking within the first thirty seconds of the game. He continued to push taunt and provoke the entire game. I am not against a little jawing but this young athlete takes it above and beyond anything I have seen before. I was dissapointed to see him continuing to talk and give jabs the entire game without the ref saying anything. This young man is a dissapointment. A young man full of talent but alot of disrespect. I watched after the game, he refused to give #32 a fair shake and then threw some foul language his way. This is not really the kind of athletes we should want representing our schools. Also after the game was over, he continued his taunting and trying to get things stirred with the Dixie players getting on their bus to come home. If I was Henley I would get this boy straight and fast, before he does some damage to a future career.

Holmes will definately win. It will just depend on how well they all play. If Holmes has the attitude that this will be a blow out and Dixie comes in ready to play like they did against Scott, it could be much closer than people expect.

I will say that your reasonings are understandable, but I will have to disagree. I have been able to deal with these issues first hand and thus far has not affected any issues with the child. I believe that if the student has the ability to play at a Varsity level, then so be it. The five best players should be gracing the floor. I can't understand how parents can be upset if a seventh or eighth grader play above a junior or senior. If that seventh or eighth grader is better than that junior or senior they should play period. Varsity sports are not to put in your oldest players but your best.

I am not sure where he is at this year?! He did play for Dixie last year, and he was a junior. I am not sure if he transfered or if he is just not playing basketball this year. Does anyone know what happened to Muzzilo?

I believe Dixie only has two seniors, Boese and Pompillio. Trammel's a sophmore, Smith and Raleigh?(sp) are juniors. This is their starting five. They have a very young team. They have a freshman and seventh grader who come off the bench. I believe they are making strides at becoming a better team. I see great things for them in the next two years.

I was at the game and dissapointed in Dixie's play. Pompillio, one of their key players and driving forces, didn't seem to be a key player in the game tonight. I would have liked to see Chev shake the game up a bit, with bringing in the seventh grader. I have watched him play in some games this year and seems to change the momentum when him and Trammel are in together. He was a big factor in the win for the Scott game. Pike also seems to be an upcoming player that also comes off the bench bringing some intensity to the game. It really seems to me that some of the coaching decisions tonight, caused the loss of this game. I think Chev might want to go to his bench a little more!!! There might be some more wins in Dixie's future.

Newport at Dixie tommorow. Any predicitions? I see Dixie winning this one by six or seven points.