opusnbill

Yes, they did. The girls chosen in all positions certainly seemed the proper choices. Congrats to all of the girls and good luck to the senior who move on to play in college.

Look, if it didn't raise eyebrows that the state champs (girls) didn't have a single player on the all region or all state list, that would be turning a blind eye. I think the numbers of teams who actually had nominations was ridiculously low. Not trying to "devalue the accomplishment" or take anything away (don't have that authority or desire), but reality is reality. Once again, congrats to her for her accomplishment and her coach for taking the time to be a member and nominate her, but also shame on those who either aren't memmbers or don't make the effort for their kids.

That's true, but, having watched Eustace play a couple of times this year, there was no one on that team who should be All Region. It's only because of the lack of nominations that it happened (see Eagle88's explanation earlier). That said, congrats to her any way.

Amazingly, the word is he isn't going to play in college. Probably will go to TJC - maybe Clements will convince him to play there and that might get him the bug again.

Didn't really think he wasn't nominated. So, how in the world does he not finish in the top 8? I couldn't see it if he failed to make the top 4, much less the top 8. I presume then that coaches just must not have seen him play, because if they saw him play it's a no-brainer. I guess it's a flawed system and coaches, particularly in ETX, need to get more involved and know players better.

True. I think a similar thing as you outline occurred on the girls side. I also understand a Eustace girl made all region - amazing.

Assuming he was nominated by his coach (and I can't imagine why he wouldn't be), then the coaches in the region who failed to vote him in as, at a minimum, all region should have their heads examined. And, for Lindale, whose sole loss on the year was in the regional final against the team that lost in the state championship, not to have at least one of their star players (Norris or either or both of the Shipman twins) is a travesty. It's hard to take those all state selections seriously.

Lindale's #23, Maddie Fraser, will play at Midwestern State in the fall on a full ride.

OK. The problem is going to be that they didn't advance far in the playoffs. They might be very good, but don't know that anyone would have seen them and, since they are both defensive players, they would be even harder to notice.

Chesley Strother for All State? First, as someone else said, she was hurt virtually the whole season and she's pretty talented for a freshman, but . . . She didn't play enough and didn't stand out when she did. Campsey was screwed in not getting the defensive MVP in the district, but don't know that she's All State material. Who are the PT girls? Never even heard of them. As for the Longview girls, they had a solid team, but no one stood out as being worthy of All State. Lees might be an All Region nominee, but not All State.

Couldn't agree more about Drogba, though when he wants to play (which is nowhere near enough), he is terrific. I, too, would take Rooney or Torres and might even take Adebayor as the top strikers, and certainly would take them above Drogba. C. Ronaldo is probably the most talented, but his absurd amount of flopping, in a league with an alarming amount of it, really detracts from his overalll game. I would take Lampard (who is a stud and really is the engine that makes Chelsea go - whether or not he plays great for jolly old England or not) or Garrard ahead of Ballack (who is still a wonderful player, no doubt), and all 3 are better total players than Ronaldo, who doesn't defend much at all. Hard to argue against Ferdinand and Van De Sar (tho Tim Howard is getting closer and closer).

You are exactly right. And it's quite an accomplishment that the Lindale boys have 3 guys who merit serious consideraton for being all-state. Not bad.

Not to pick nits, but the best in the world? I am a Chelsea fan, as well, but I don't think he's the best. He may have as much athletic ability as any striker out there, but I think there are several better. For example, I would take a healthy Wayne Rooney over him, and C. Ronaldo, who oftentimes plays outside but is effectively a forward, is truly amazing (a flopper, but aren't they all). And, as an aside, for all the talent on that team, there is 1 guy who makes it go - Frank Lampard.

According to the TASCO website, voting ends 4/29. I agree with the boys' assessment from a couple of folks, sp I wouldn't be surprised if 1 or both of the Shipmans make it from Lindale, as well as Norris. I am less sure about the PT guys, just because I only saw them once I am surprised there is no one weighing in on the girls' behalf. Hmm.

So - and this goes to not just guru - who is deserving of being an all-stater?

Agreed. This was more a rhetorical question, as I think there are several players worthy of the honor. I was interested in hearing who folks thought should be chosen and why.

So, now that the season is over, are there any East Texas players worthy of making All State (guys and girls)? I can think of a few (and only a few), but am interested in hearing from others.

Quite right. The Lindale/Longview girls game was as poorly called as any we have seen all year. That said, I am not certain it cost Lindale the game, as they just didn't play very well. Did the referee (who was pathetic - more on him in a bit) cost them? I doubt it, but he certainly impacted the game by the many calls he didn't make and then with the calls he did. But, Lindale was outworked that afternoon, and that cost them, too. Someone has previously on another post about the girls game summed it up quite well when he/she wrote that the poor calls might not have directly cost Lindale the game, but it likely impacted their mental state during the game (I'm paraphrasing), and said there was no doubt Longview isn't 3 goals better, and I would have to agree. Any way, that whole crew was amazingly card-happy, handing them out like Halloween candy. I had the misfortune of watching them call 3 games, so each of them was in the middle, and the worst of them was the one who called the girls game. The same crew called the Lindale/PT boys game later that night and then the Lindale/Poteet game on Sat. The guy in the middle of the girls game was the linesman who called a clearly onsides play off against Lindale boys that almost cost them that game. None of the 3 were good at all in the middle, and they certainly had no business calling games this late in the season. Hope the UIL, in its infinite wisdom (tongue firmly in cheek), can get better officiating in the future.

Had a 4-0 lead and then relaxed. Gave up a goal on a free kick and then another on a corner. After that, they settled back in and dominated the rest of the game, as they had until their 15 or 20 minutes of average play. They were much better than Corsicana - in fact, I think Mt. Pleasant was actually a better squad than Corsicana. No matter - Longview's next.

Good luck tomorrow night. Would love to see a Longview/Lindale rematch for the chance to play in the regaional finals.

That doesn't bode well for them, as Lindale has an abundance of team speed.

Obviously, it was the closest game they played so far. I would agree that there were probably some Lindale fans who were surprised at how close the match turned out to be. Lindale had the better of the opportunities, but it was certainly a nail biter and about as even a match as a match can be. I don't think the weather had an impact, as both teams possessed the bal pretty evenly, whether with the wind or against it. Great match - fun to see Lindale get the last laugh, particularly with the couple of Mt. P players who were taunting the bench and flipping off the stands. They were, hopefully, an embarrassment to their coach, school, and community.

But still unbeaten!

Assuming no rainout and reschedule to tomorrow, Lindale girls and MP girls play at 6 at Pine Tree tonight, as well.

Very good summation of both games. The girls game was pretty easy to call, as it was a pretty substantial mismatch. To Pleasant Grove's credit, tho, they kept the game clean despite what had to be complete frustration. As for the guys' ref, he was terrible and never seemed to have control of the game. Your description is right on!