McGyver

Needs to be an incentive for officials to be at the top of their game. Really good officials need to be compensated and paid what they are worth. I think this might motivate some to really work their mechanics, go to camps and workshops, and actually know the game of basketball. Just like in a lot of things you have officials just going through the motions and getting paid same as really good officials. Maybe a ranking system for officials, like 5 star, 4 star, etc. This might work. Thanks to the few really good officials out there, we all know who you are. Officiating is just like sports in that it starts with good fundamentals.

Had really bad officials last night at Gilmer. All three out of shape and couldn't get up and down the floor and mechanics were horrible! didn't know how to present a foul to scorers table, etc. Just way out of their league. If you are going to do it you need to try to be professional and not just go through the motions.

McLane Carter! Stats don't lie and a state championship.

Congrats! Lord knows they needed a new facility.

Gilmer played Kilgore last night and lost 41-36. I said that to say that even though we lost this was a well officiated game. The refs were consistent through the whole game and let the players determine the outcome. Don't know names, but great job!

Just be consistent! At first of every season we hear there is going to be a point of emphasis on whatever and by middle of season refs just go back to old habits. Every chapter is different and needs to be more consistency with all chapters. It's also very easy to spot those refs who know what they are doing, you know, the ones who have great mechanics, don't look in stands at every one who complains about a call, the ones you hardly notice during a game. Thanks to those who really work at it and do a great job! I remember when Brent Simmons first started calling basketball games right out of high school. I could tell that he really wanted to get it right and be a great official. The hard work has paid off and he is now officiating at the college level and also calls some high school games. He really does a great job! He is from Longview, so I would assume he is with Longview chapter.

I agree with you that kids should definitely enjoy high-school ball, but not all dreams are mythical. You are correct about baseball or (softball), they do not give full rides. Fortunately my kid chose a sport that does give 100% full ride scholarships (Basketball). I will disagree about the dreaming, sure a lot of people dream, but don't do the work to make those dreams come true. On the other hand there are those few who dream and put in the work to make those dreams a reality. Yes, we played AAU or select basketball for six years and yes we did invest some money during this time and yes college is overpriced. The money and time we spent turned out to be a great investment. My kid graduated with a bachelors degree in 2 1/2 years and will receive their masters and MBA while on FULL scholarship. Trust me, we had coaches, parents, friends, etc., telling us we were wasting our time and money. Seven players on our team play in Big 12 and another one plays in SEC and not one of those players would play at that level had it not been for playing on a select team. By the way the Slavic European basketball players are pretty good. lol

It helps going to camps, but it's a lot more productive playing in front of a few hundred coaches. We went to camps at schools to help narrow our choice and they were great. When going to camps it is important to go to the elite camps where there are only about 40 kids there. The camps that have hundreds of kids are just fundraisers for the program. If your goal is playing at a top tier D1 school it's very rare for a player to not play in the exposure tourneys. We were a NIKE team so we always played at Nike nationals in Augusta and nothing like playing in front of the best coaches in the country. It is not for everyone, but it worked great for us. I also worked a lot of elite camps and regular camps at major universities and this was a great opportunity to meet coaches and see what they look for in recruits. I agree with you about the fairness of letting select teams compete against UIL teams and it makes no sense. The whole idea with select or club sports is to challenge yourself against great competition. Like I said we had a great experience with club ball and playing high school ball. A lot of these so-called home school organizations are putting together select athletes and wanting to play UIL. Dallas had a home school girls team that was nationally ranked a few years ago. Their PG now plays for UCONN. lol not fair!

If you want your kid to play basketball at the next level then they need to play on a good club team that will get them exposure. Basketball and baseball are a lot different than football. How many major college basketball coaches have you seen at basketball games in east texas? ZERO! I'm not just talking or giving an opinion, I have a kid who played at a small east texas school that now plays in the Big 12. We traveled all over the country playing in exposure tournaments. We were very fortunate to be on one of the top teams in the country and played with the same coach from 6th grade thru high school. Yes, we had people here in good ole east texas telling us that we were wasting our time and money, but thank God we didn't listen to them. The same people were scratching their heads when their kid didn't get recruited and just couldn't figure out why. lol We were very fortunate to have a high school coach that understood this and didn't let his ego get in the way. It's also funny to hear people talk about AAU ball. We played in the national AAU tourney two years and that was 7th and 8th grade. The trend now is to play in exposure events. Next time someone from east texas says they are playing AAU ball ask to see their AAU membership. They probably don't have one. Club sports are like anything else, there are good and bad organizations.

Blake is truly a great kid and is one of the most humble kids I have ever met. Baylor is blessed to have him.

I guess Deep East Texas Chapter is where the Longview guys went. Either one, they are better than Tyler.

I agree 100% You hit the nail on the head about officials holding a grudge. They are human and have egos, but they need to realize it's not about them. Those officials that start looking in the stands when someone says something are the ones you need to worry about. Tyler has some good officials, but like you said they need to be more consistent. The Longview chapter seems to be really trying to train their officials and improve the quality of officiating. Right now I think Longview is best in East Texas. (I'm sure I'll eat my words later. lol)

They may be sad now, but those state rings are going to make them feel a lot better. How bout them Buckeyes!

This is very true! We played a group of 7th grade girls and it was crazy! They beat our boys.

I think the one thing that hurts teams like Gilmer when it comes to these rankings is that Gilmer spreads the ball around to multiple players. I think the kids had rather win a state championship than some award from guys who just look at stats to make their decision.

He is not joking, I saw on the news where Tatum had a boil water notice. Sounds like this is going to be a very good tournament.

Halftime Buna leads Tatum 33-22 in Hardin Jefferson Tourney.

Wow! I didn't know Coach Coleman left Kilgore. REL got a good one! Who is coach at Kilgore now?

Lol, Tatums never at full strength when they lose. Always an excuse.

You are right about Kilgore. Kilgore has a very good coach and the kids really respect him and buy into his program.

Right now I would definitely say that Zac will be our QB next year. Brett is a good player, but has a very long and slow release. I have heard that it will be Zac next year and the freshman QB will take over the next two years. Gilmer is blessed to have the best QB coach around and I'm sure he will put the right person in that position. It's funny that no one ever mentions Devin Smith who is a junior and is one of our fastest players. We have a load of players that would be studs at other schools that are just having to wait their turn, that's what happens when you have a program and why every year at this time people are always trying to figure out how the Buckeyes will make it without our seniors. It's simple, just RELOAD!!!

Can't think of any freshman on Gilmers varsity, but we have a lot of sophomores.

Bullard should win their next two games against Melissa and Canton.

Peyton Manning

After watching Bullard and Melissa I think Bullard is 10+ points better. Don't think either team wants any part of Van though.