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Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2008 > March
March 2008
Disappointed in the Braves?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What did you think of the Braves’ extra innings loss to the Pirates in their home opener Monday night?
Is anyone at fault that Atlanta lost? If so, does more blame lay at the feet of the pitchers, the fielders or the batters?
Win or lose: was it a thrilling game to watch?
Editor’s Note: This blog will close Tuesday at 9 a.m. To continue the conversation, click here to join Tuesday morning’s Chop Chick entry.
Permalink | Comments (90) | Categories: Braves
Braves-Nationals post-game forum
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves fell to the Nationals Sunday night in the season opener.
Atlanta starter Tim Hudson was sharp, and Chipper Jones homered, but the Braves managed only five hits and fell to 0-1.
Atlanta also unveiled new blue uniforms.
What are your thoughts on the game? Who looked good and who didn’t? What concerns do you have after the game?
Also, do you like the new uniforms?
Permalink | Comments (135) | Post your comment |
Falcons will see Hall again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Falcons haven’t seen the last of cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who is expected to be traded to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for two draft picks by the end of the week.
Atlanta is scheduled to play at Oakland in the upcoming season.
How do you expect Hall - who was outspoken and often recalcitrant as a Falcon - to perform against his former team? Do you think he’ll do something demonstrative, like run onto the field brandishing a Michael Vick poster the way he did on the day the QB was sentenced to prison for his involvement with dogfighting?
Do you think the Falcons’ receivers will have a difficult or an easy time making receptions with Hall covering them? Or do you think Hall’s emotions will get the best of him and that he’ll play poorly?
On a side note: the Raiders already have a star cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha , who wears jersey No. 21. Do you think it will sit well with Hall to have to wear another number this far into his Pro Bowl career?
Sound off here.
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons
Falcons close to trading Hall to Raiders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s nearly done - DeAngelo Hall is apparently headed to the Oakland Raiders for a pair of draft picks.
Now that the deal is all but done, what are your thoughts? Are you surprised the Falcons didn’t get a first-round pick in return for a player who was the eighth overall pick in the draft?
Permalink | Comments (96) | Categories: Falcons
What do you call these Dogs?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Now that Georgia has capped off its improbable run to the NCAA Tournament run, it’s time to assess where last weekend’s SEC tourney championship ranks in the school’s illustrious sports history.
Is this the best moment ever in UGA’s largely unglorious basketball past? Does it rate with the 1983 Final Four team?
Or is the feat by embattled coach Dennis Felton’s team even more significant than that? Does it deserve mention with some of the greatest football accomplishments at UGA?
What sort of moniker should this team take into Thursday’s NCAA first round game against Xavier?
Wonder Dogs?
Miracle Mutts?
Unbelieva-Bulldogs?
And should Felton, who was likely to have been fired, receive a hefty contract extension? How should athletics director Damon Evans reward his coach?
Permalink | Comments (87) | Categories: UGA
Georgia’s in, but where do they stand?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s stunning victory in the SEC tournament puts the Bulldogs in the NCAA tournament for the first time under coach Dennis Felton. The Bulldogs had to win four-straight games to earn the SEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Despite their SEC title, the Bulldogs’ record of 17-16 could only earn them a No. 14 seed. UGA will play third-seeded Xavier on Thursday.
What do you think about the Bulldogs’ seeding and their chances? Where do you think the Bulldogs deserved to be seeded?
So what have we learned?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve just started the first night game between Alabama and Mississippi State, which will be followed by the nightcap between Georgia and Kentucky.
So what have we learned?
In the first game Friday we learned that if Tennessee has any hope of reaching the Final Four, the Volunteers are going to have to get better play at the point guard position—especially on the defensive end.
South Carolina’s Devan Downey is a good player but Friday he looked like Earl Monroe. Nobody on the Tennessee side could keep this guy from getting to the basket. Downey took 20 shots and single handedly kept South Carolina in the game. As a result, Tennessee shot 73 percent from the field in the second half and STILL only won by two, 89-87.
Tennessee likes to play fast but in the NCAA Tournament you have to be able to run a half court offense and stop other people when they run the half court offense. The point guard must control the tempo.
I’m anxious to see how Tennessee plays on Saturday against Arkansas, which is pretty big and pretty athletic.
Arkansas beat a very good Vanderbilt team (81-75) despite the fact that forward Sonny Weems, who was averaging 17.3 points per game, made only 1 of 9 shots from the field and was held to only three points. Patrick Beverly, the Hogs’ No. 2 scorer, made only 3 of 11 shots from the field. Those guys will have to shoot better against Tennessee.
I also think the win over Vanderbilt put Arkansas (21-10) in the NCAA Tournament as the fifth team from the SEC. Ole Miss and Florida were kind of hanging around the bubble until getting beat Thursday night in the first round.
Finally, it was a little sad to see South Carolina’s Dave Odom coach his last game. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve known Dave since he was an assistant coach at Wake Forest in 1977. He is a true gentleman.
Who will South Carolina hire? One of the names you’ll hear is Anthony Grant, the former Billy Donovan assistant now at VCU. But the Gamecocks may have to fight LSU (and maybe even Georgia) to get him. Grant, whose team finished 24-7 this season before losing in the CAA Tournament, is one of the bright young coaches in the country.
South Carolina hanging tough with Tennessee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s nice see some bodies in the seats today.
Because Tennessee, the No. 1 seed, is playing in the early game we have a significantly bigger crowd today than for the first session on Thursday, where only a little over 12,000 showed up. But today both Kentucky and Tennessee will play and their fans have filled up the bottom part of the Georgia Dome pretty well.
South Carolina, which knocked off LSU yesterday to get to this second round game, played Tennessee tough in the first half in each of their two regular-season meetings and did again today, trailing by only 41-40 at the intermission. But in both games South Carolina was blown out in the second half and I expect the same thing to happen today. The difference in athleticism and talent is significant.
South Carolina coach Dave Odom told me this yesterday and he is absolutely right. Nobody in the league plays quite like Tennessee. People think they are a three-point shooting team but in fact, they shoot just enough threes to make you spread your defense to cover them. Then they slash into the lane for a lot of lay-ups and very short shots by their big guys.
“They scare you from three but they beat you from five (feet),” Odom said. “The trick is being able to guard them from both places. That is not easy.”
Speaking of Odom, it looks like he’ll be coaching his last game today. I’m dating myself here, but I’ve known Dave since I was a rookie reporter in North Carolina and he was an assistant coach at Wake Forest in the late 1970s. He was the head coach at Wake Forest for 12 seasons and had several great teams when he had Tim Duncan and Randolph Childress.
A lot of people don’t know this, but Odom almost became the head coach at Georgia. Odom had several talks with AD Vince Dooley after Hugh Durham was let go after the 1995 season. But things didn’t work out and Dooley hired a bright young coach from Tulsa named Tubby Smith. Odom is one of the true gentlemen in coaching.
The building is still buzzing a little today after Florida coach Billy Donovan torched his team after a lackluster effort in a loss to Alabama Thursday night. Donovan can understand a young team that has to learn its way. What he CAN’T understand is a lack of effort and not being ready to play. One of the problems with young players who have watched veterans have the success of the past two years, is that the young players think they just have to show up and that success will come to them.
Speaking of Florida, it is now clear that the Gators will not get a chance to defend their NCAA Tournament championship. Wonder how these guys will play in the NIT?
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Let’s look ahead to Friday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Okay. Last blog of the night. Let’s look ahead to Friday’s quarterfinals:
South Carolina (14-17) vs. Tennessee (28-3), 1 p.m.: In both of their meetings during the regular season, the Gamecocks played the Volunteers tough in the first half only to get blown out in the second half. Tennessee simply has too many athletes and if South Carolina cannot slow down the tempo, then the Gamecocks have absolutely no shot in this one. Tennessee wants to win its first SEC Tournament championship since 1979. The Vols are also trying to get to the semifinals for the first time in 17 years. South Carolina will again keep it close for a half but won’t be able to stop Tennessee.
Vanderbilt (26-6) vs. Arkansas (20-10), 3:15 p.m.: Vanderbilt looked scary good against Auburn when the Commodores shot 76 percent in the first half and 67.3 percent for the game. When Vandy’s big guys, A.J. Ogilvy and Ross Neltner stay out of foul trouble the Commodores are hard to beat. But Arkansas matches up well with Vanderbilt and has won its last two games against the Commodores. I like Vandy. This is a team that is good enough to get to the Sweet 16 and beyond.
Alabama (17-15) vs. Mississippi State (21-9), 7:30 p.m.: The Crimson Tide was very impressive, particularly in the first half of their game with Florida as they jumped out to a 14-0 lead, led by as many as 28, and went on to win 80-69. Mississippi State won both regular-season games, beating the Crimson Tide 66-56 in Tuscaloosa and 73-66 in Starkville. Look for Mississippi State to find a way to contain Richard Hendrix, the SEC’s No. 4 scorer (17.7 ppg) and top rebounder (10.1 avg.) Hendrix had 22 points and eight rebounds against the Gators.
Georgia or Ole Miss vs. Kentucky (18-11), 9:45 p.m.: Kentucky won both games with Georgia and beat Ole Miss by four (58-54) on Feb. 27. Since losing by 41 to Vanderbilt on Feb. 12, the Wildcats have won six out of their last seven games, the only loss coming by only three points (63-60) at Tennessee. Since the loss of freshman big man Patrick Patterson Kentucky has re-invented itself and will rely on guards Remel Bradley and Joe Crawford. The opponent does matter. I like the ‘Cats.
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Will Gators go dancing? Will Gottfried be back?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There is some tension in the air at tipoff of the 7:30 p.m. game between Alabama and Florida.
Florida (21-10) won the national championship in this building just a year ago but unless they win at least a couple of games here in Atlanta, the Gators won’t make it back to the NCAA Tournament. Florida finished 8-8 in the SEC but, in the final analysis, coach Billy Donovan probably should have put a couple more tough non-conference games on the schedule.
Florida played Florida State (lost 65-51) and Ohio State (lost 62-49) but that was about it for the non-conference schedule. Of the Gators’ 20 wins, eight came against teams that are ranked No. 200 or higher in the RPI.
Donovan would argue that when you have such a young team, you have to schedule that way so that their confidence doesn’t get crushed. He’s right about that.
I think Florida has to get to Sunday’s championship game to make the field of 65. But first they have to beat Alabama, a team that is better than its 16-15 record.
There is tension on the Alabama side because of uncertainty about the future of coach Mark Gottfried. But I don’t think there is any doubt that Gottfried will be back next season as the Crimson Tide coach.
Here are a couple of reasons why. First of all, point guard Ronald Steele will return next season after sitting out 2007-08 to recover from a knee injury. When healthy, Steele is as good as any guard in the country. And if forwards Richard Hendrix and Alonzo Gee both return Alabama will probably be the favorite to win the SEC West.
Secondly, Alabama just can’t afford to let Gottfried go at this time. The school would owe him $3 million. They are already paying Mike Shula about $1 million a year NOT to coach football. They’ll pay Nick Saban $3.75 million this year. Then there are the Alabama assistant coaches, which comprise one of the highest paid staffs in the country.
Gottfried has proven that he can coach. It makes no sense to make a change.
CLASS ACT: Auburn’s coaches wore orange ribbons on their coats during Thursday’s game with Vanderbilt. The ribbons were in honor of Auburn freshman Lauren Burk of Marietta who was murder near campus on March 4.
PEP TALK: Al Horford, a member of Florida’s 2006 and 2007 national championship teams, spoke to the Gators before the game. Horford is now a member of the Atlanta Hawks. The talk must not have gone well. Florida fell behind 14-0 to start the game.
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Tennessee gets the matchup it wanted
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tennessee got the matchup it wanted for Friday’s second round of the SEC tournament when South Carolina upset LSU 77-73 in Thursday’s first game at the Georgia Dome.
I visited with Bruce Pearl, who was here scouting the game with two of his assistant coaches, and it was pretty clear that he was concerned about LSU’s athleticism. The Vols barely beat LSU 47-45 in their only meeting back on Feb. 9.
But South Carolina had a superior game plan, especially on the defensive end, which forced LSU into 19 turnovers. It also held LSU’s best player, Marcus Thornton, to only 6 of 14 from the floor.
Pearl stayed at the Georgia Dome until about 2:30 p.m. and then went over to Georgia State, where he held at 3 p.m. workout with his team, which is heavily favored to win the tournament.
South Carolina’s goal in Friday’s 1 p.m. game with Tennessee is simple. The Gamecocks played a pretty good first half when they met the Vols on March 9 in their last regular season game. But in the second half the talented Tennessee team simply overwhelmed South Carolina to win 89-56 in Knoxville.
“I’m going to keep showing them that first half over and over,” South Carolina coach Dave Odom said after the game. “That’s the way we have to play for 40 minutes if we’re going to have a chance.”
Odom has no illusions about the task in front of his team on Friday. In the first meeting on Jan. 12, Tennessee won 80-56 in Columbia.
“Some teams come into the conference tournaments and play like they are nervous,” Odom said. “Tennessee is not a nervous team. Their future for next week is very certain. They are the overwhelming favorite to win this tournament.”
Odom, who has announced his retirement at the end of this season, says he will enjoy the next 24 hours.
“The Lord has given me one more day and I’m going to enjoy it,” Odom said. “I don’t want to go to sleep tonight. I just want to say up for the next 20 hours and think about it.”
One other thing. LSU’s loss, I believe, makes it very unlikely that Butch Pierre will be retained as head coach. Pierre, an 11-year assistant, took over when John Brady was fired in early February. LSU has some talent, but the Tigers played South Carolina’s tempo all night long and could not handle some of the defenses thrown at them by South Carolina. That’s coaching.
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Bruce Pearl is in the house
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl, whose team plays the winner of South Carolina-LSU on Friday at 1 p.m., is sitting just down from me with two of his assistant coaches, Tony Jones and Jason Shay.
I chatted with them a few minutes and they immediately wanted to know about the status of Georgia’s Dennis Felton, who could be gone after tonight’s game with Ole Miss.
It is clear from their demeanor that they believe Felton should be given more time. He’s cleaned up the program, which school officials asked him to do. Now he needs a chance to win, they said.
Pearl is one of the few coaches who really gets his role when it comes to promoting the Tennessee program. Whereas a lot of coaches scouting this game would try to find a quiet place in the Georgia Dome where they wouldn’t have to talk to anybody, Pearl is down here on press row talking to everybody.
Pearl told me that he is here scouting live because, by NCAA rule, you can’t do it during the regular season.
“One assistant takes South Carolina, one takes LSU, and I’m talking all the time to both of them, of course,” Pearl said at halftime. “It gives us a chance to freshen up our game plan that we used during the regular season.”
Pearl told me that he’ll leave the Georgia Dome at 2:30 p.m. to practice with his team at 3 p.m. over at Georgia State. His assistants will bring the notes they have taken on the first game and those will be factored into the game plan.
No question Pearl would rather play South Carolina than LSU because the Tigers are more athletic. Looks like Pearl will get his wish. The Gamecocks, who have had a tough time winning tough games all season, are pulling away from LSU here at the end.
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Live from the SEC tournament
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s not a big crowd at the Georgia Dome but a lot of people are paying attention to today’s SEC tournament opener between LSU and South Carolina, which tipped off at 1. Here’s why:
Tennessee (28-3) is the heavy favorite to win the tournament. But there is a strong feeling that if LSU beats South Carolina this afternoon, Friday’s quarterfinal game with Tennessee will be much closer than people think.
“I think LSU is going to give Tennessee all they can handle,” TV analyst and Dunwoody resident Larry Conley told me a few minutes ago. “They are playing well. I think it will be a really good game.”
“Tennessee is the best team in our league but if they were to fall, every coach in this league thinks LSU could win the tournament,” South Carolina coach Dave Odom told me yesterday.
Odom spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Wake Forest before he came to South Carolina seven years ago. He had an interesting take on the quality of basketball in the SEC — at least for this season.
“There are more great shooters in this league than anywhere else,” he said. “Look at Shan Foster [Vanderbilt], Chris Lofton [Tennessee], Marcus Thornton [LSU].
“Remember J.J. Redick at Duke? This is a league full of J.J. Redicks.”
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: College sports, UGA
Live From the SEC Tournament: Pearl is in the house
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl, whose team plays the winner of South Carolina-LSU on Friday at 1 p.m., is sitting just down from me with two of his assistant coaches, Tony Jones and Jason Shay.
I chatted with them a few minutes and they immediately wanted to know about the status of Georgia’s Dennis Felton, who could be gone after tonight’s game with Ole Miss.
It is clear from their demeanor that they believe Felton should be given more time. He’s cleaned up the program, which school officials asked him to do. Now he needs a chance to win, they said.
Pearl is one of the few coaches who really gets his role when it comes to promoting the Tennessee program. Whereas a lot of coaches scouting this game would try to find a quiet place in the Georgia Dome where they wouldn’t have to talk to anybody, Pearl is down here on press row talking to everybody.
Pearl told me that he is here scouting live because, by NCAA rule, you can’t do it during the regular season.
“One assistant takes South Carolina, one takes LSU, and I’m talking all the time to both of them, of course,” Pearl said at halftime. “It gives us a chance to freshen up our game plan that we used during the regular season.”
Pearl told me that he’ll leave the Georgia Dome at 2:30 p.m. to practice with his team at 3 p.m. over at Georgia State. His assistants will bring the notes they have taken on the first game and those will be factored into the game plan.
No question Pearl would rather play South Carolina than LSU because the Tigers are more athletic. Looks like Pearl will get his wish. The Gamecocks, who have had a tough time winning tough games all season, are pulling away from LSU here at the end.
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Do the Falcons have the worst quarterbacks in the NFL?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons began last season with same quarterbacks they currently have on the roster — Chris Redman, Joey Harrington and D.J. Shockley.
In terms of NFL success, it wasn’t an impressive unit last year and it certainly isn’t any different this season. But, a month before the draft, do the Falcons have the absolute worst set of quarterbacks in the NFL? If not, who does?
Here are a few other teams that could compete for the dubious distinction:
San Francisco: Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, J.T. O’Sullivan, Trent Dilfer. Drew Olson
Chicago: Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton
Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers, Dalton Bell, Craig Nall
Baltimore: Steve McNair, Kyle Boller, Troy Smith
Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, Andrew Walter
Kansas City: Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, Tyler Thigpen
N.Y. Jets: Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens, Brent Ratliff,
Miami: Josh McCown, John Beck, Casey Bramlet, Matt Baker
What does everybody think? Which teams, if any, have worse quarterbacks than the Falcons? And, with that said, if the Falcons choose anyone other than a QB with the third overall pick in the draft, is it a huge mistake?
Permalink | Comments (175) | Categories: Falcons
Hawks “season” begins with loss
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Hawks’ so-called “20-game season” began with a loss Monday on the road against Orlando.
Next up for Atlanta - the Houston Rockets, winners of 19 straight games, the third longest streak in NBA history. The Hawks are still clinging to the Eastern Conference’s final playoff berth, but have a slim lead over the Nets and Bulls.
So what are your thoughts after last night’s game? Granted, Orlando has the best record in the Southeast Division and are headed to the playoffs, but were you disappointed with the Hawks’ performance? Or would you just chalk it up to being defeated by a better team?
Let us know what you think.
Permalink | Comments (47) | Categories: Hawks, NBA
King just wants to play football
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spring football practice at UGA has given redshirt freshman Caleb King an opportunity to do what he does best - “Go out there and play football.”
He’s been one of the most publicized recruits in years, and now he’s ready to prove he has the ability to match the reputation. Said assistant coach Mike Bobo, “We’re very pleased with him and the progress he’s made, and we’re going to continue to work him and give him what he can handle.”
What are your thoughts as King prepares for the upcoming season? Can he team with Knowshon Moreno to give UGA a dominant backfield?
Let us know what you think.
Permalink | Comments (55) | Categories: UGA
20-game season begins tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the eyes of Hawks All-Star Joe Johnson, the team’s 20-game season begins tonight in Orlando.
If the regular season was over, the Hawks would be in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. But the season isn’t over, and as Johnson puts it, “If we win more than we lose our chances of making the playoffs go up dramatically.”
So, what do you think? Do you think the Hawks will take care of business in the next 20 games and secure a playoff spot?
Let us know what you think. Also, check out Johnson’s full comments and comments by coach Mike Woodson as the team prepares for tonight’s game. (See story)
Permalink | Comments (74) | Categories: Hawks, NBA
STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL: Championship Edition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday is here and with it comes the final day of Finals. Classes A, AA, and AAA all take home boys and girls crowns today, closing the book on the 2007-08 season.
Class AA title games: Wesleyan pounded Paideia 79-40 in the girls final. Game story • The Wolves boys made a school sweep with 61-43 win over East Laurens in their final. Game story
Photos: Class AA girls championship • Class AA boys champion
Class A title games: Hancock Central nipped Turner Co. 49-45 for the boys crown. Game story • Calvary Day topped Terrell Co. 57-48 in the girls championship. Game story
Check back throughout the day and night for live updates, scores and photos from all of Saturday’s action.
SATURDAY’S TITLE GAMES
AAA Girls: Kendrick finishes perfect season
AAA Boys: Glenn Hills wins first boys championship
Friday’s Finals
AAAAA
• BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP: NORCROSS 57, WHEELER 54 • Game story • Photos
• Girls Championship: Stephenson 58, Redan 43 • Game Story • Photos
AAAA
• Boys Championship: Columbia 69, Fayette Co. 63 • Game story • Photos
• Girls Championship: SW DeKalb 62, Fayette Co. 46 • Game story • Photos
AAA
Semifinals
Girls
• Carrollton 63, Glenn Hills 44 • Game story
• Kendrick 92, Monroe Area 62 • Game Story
Boys
• Glenn Hills 61, Hart County 45 • Game Story
• Carver-Col. 96, Dunwoody 89 • Game story
• Todd Holcomb’s Tournament Breakdown
SEND US PHOTOS: Submit your Finals & Semis pictures
PREDICTIONS
• See how Derrick Mahone’s bold pre-tourney predictions are panning out.
BRACKETS
Boys: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA• A
Girls: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA • A
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Is Richt worth $2.8 million a year?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The UGA Athletics Association on Thursday approved a $600,000 raise for football coach Mark Richt, making him No. 5 in compensation for SEC coaches.
The Bulldogs finished No. 2 in some national polls after winning the Sugar Bowl and are rated a contender for top honors next season.
Is this money well-spent for UGA? For a coach who has never won a national championship? Or is it inline with salaries for coaches who have enjoyed his level of success?
Permalink | Comments (49) | Categories: UGA
STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The madness has begun. Congratulations to the AAAA and A finalists, who earned their shot at a state title on Wednesday.
Now, it’s time for the best of AAAAA and AA to take the stage.
As usual, we’ll be here with in-game updates, highlights and scores. But we need your help. Heard a score we don’t have, post it. Got a comment on the officials, post it. Just need to vent, go for it. And, of course, if you’ve got photos, input them HERE.
Day 2 of the state tournament final fours starts now. Bring it.
THURSDAY’S FINALS
Girls
AAAAA
• Redan 62, Duluth 50 • Game story Photos
• Stephenson 66, Mill Creek 51 • Game Story • Photos
AA
• Paideia 52, Randolph-Clay 47 • Game story
• Wesleyan 89, Savannah Chr. 65 • Game story • Photos
Boys
AAAAA
• Wheeler 68, Hiram 54 • Game story
• Norcross 79, Savannah 46 • Game story • Photos
AA
• Wesleyan 56, Dublin 44 • Game story • Photos
• East Laurens 66, Lovett 63 • Game story
WEDNESDAY’S FINALS
Girls
• AAAA: SW DeKalb 90, Westlake 63 • Game story • Photos
• AAAA: Fayette Co. 45, Madison Co. 44 • Game story
• A: Terrell Co 56, SACA 49 • Game story • Photos
• A: Calvary 50, Towns Co. 37 • Game story
Boys
• A: Turner Co. 52, Wilkinson Co. 50 • Game story
• A: Hancock Central 87, Portal 84 (OT) • Game story
• AAAA: Fayette Co. 76, MIller Grove 68 • Game Story • Photos
• AAAA: Columbia 68, Westlake 57 • Game story
COMPLETE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Semifinals, championship games
BLOG: MAHONE’S PREDICTIONS
Now’s the time to take a second (or third or 10th or 28th) look at Derrick Mahone’s predictions for which boys and girls teams will win each state title in each class. Then you can wholeheartedly agree with / staunchly disagree with / laugh hysterically at his picks and post YOURS in response.
BRACKETS
Boys: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA• A
Girls: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA • A
Permalink | Comments (91) | Categories: High Schools
STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The madness has begun. Congratulations to the AAAA and A finalists, who earned their shot at a state title on Wednesday.
Now, it’s time for the best of AAAAA and AA to take the stage.
As usual, we’ll be here with in-game updates, highlights and scores. But we need your help. Heard a score we don’t have, post it. Got a comment on the officials, post it. Just need to vent, go for it. And, of course, if you’ve got photos, input them HERE.
Day 2 of the state tournament final fours starts now. Bring it.
Thursday’s Games
BOYS
Class AAAAA
(at Gwinnett Arena)
Hiram vs. Wheeler, 5:30 p.m.
Savannah vs. Norcross, 8:30 p.m.
Class AA
(at Macon Centreplex)
Dublin vs. Wesleyan, 5:30 p.m.
E. Laurens vs. Lovett, 8:30 p.m.
GIRLS
AAAAA
(at Gwinnett Arena)
Redan vs. Duluth, 4 p.m.
Stephenson vs. Mill Creek, 7 p.m.
AA
(at Macon Centreplex)
Randolph-Clay vs. Paideia, 4 p.m.
Sav. Christian vs. Wesleyan, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY’S FINAL SCORES
Girls
• AAAA: SW DeKalb 90, Westlake 63 • Game story • Photos
• AAAA: Fayette Co. 45, Madison Co. 44 • Game story
• A: Terrell Co 56, SACA 49 • Game story • Photos
• A: Calvary 50, Towns Co. 37 • Game story
Boys
• A: Turner Co. 52, Wilkinson Co. 50 • Game story
• A: Hancock Central 87, Portal 84 (OT) • Game story
• AAAA: Fayette Co. 76, MIller Grove 68 • Game Story • Photos
• AAAA: Columbia 68, Westlake 57 • Game story
COMPLETE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Semifinals, championship games
BLOG: MAHONE’S PREDICTIONS
Now’s the time to take a second (or third or 10th or 28th) look at Derrick Mahone’s predictions for which boys and girls teams will win each state title in each class. Then you can wholeheartedly agree with / staunchly disagree with / laugh hysterically at his picks and post YOURS in response.
BRACKETS
Boys: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA• A
Girls: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA • A
Permalink | Comments (53) | Categories: High Schools
Who’s the Falcons QB?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons have released quarterback Joey Harrington after just one season with the team. Reserve QB Byron Leftwich was also released by the Falcons last month.
That leaves only Chris Redman, the injured D.J. Shockley and the suspended Michael Vick as the only signal callers on the Falcons roster.
What do you think of Harrington’s release?
Does it signal to you that Redman, who recently signed a two-year contract, is the starting QB going forward? Will Shockley be his understudy, or compete for the starting job?
Or does this move give conclusive proof that the Falcons will use their third overall pick in April’s NFL draft to select a quarterback?
Sound off here.
Permalink | Comments (190) | Categories: Falcons
Favre says goodbye to NFL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has called it quits after a 17-year career in the NFL - a career that will almost assuredly land him into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (See story).
Favre has flirted with retirement before, but this time it’s serious. And now that one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history appears to be walking away, there’s the burning question for most Falcons fans - what if he had played his entire career in Atlanta?
The 1991 second-round pick out of Southern Miss was traded north after only one season with the Falcons and later blossomed into a three-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion and the owner of several league records, including career TD passes.
What might’ve happened to the Falcons if Favre remained in Atlanta? And what are your thoughts on the career of the player likely headed to the Hall of Fame?
Check out the reaction of Favre’s news in Milwaukee and let us know what you think.
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: NFL
STATE TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, the road to the final four has been navigated.
Most of the big dogs have arrived for the big show. No. 1 Wheeler, two-time defending AAAAA champion Norcross, Chris Singleton and Dunwoody, dunk champion Travis Leslie and Columbia … they’ve all survived and advanced.
Girl powers like Mill Creek, Stephenson and Wesleyan are alive and kicking, as well. So let the fun begin.
Our Derrick Mahone is on board to straighten everything out with his bold PREDICTIONS.
Since Mighty Mahone has offered up his picks, it’s your turn. Tell us who wins and why. Tell us about unheralded players that are getting ready to light up the Gwinnett Arena and Macon Centreplex. We want want to know.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Semifinals, championship games
FOCUS ON AAAAA BOYS
• Savannah:How they got here
• Wheeler: How they got here • Photos
• Hiram: How they got here
• Norcross: How they got here • Photos
BRACKETS
Boys: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA• A
Girls: AAAAA • AAAA • AAA • AA • A
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: High Schools
Your thoughts on Dunn’s release
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The handwriting was on the wall after the Falcons signed free agent Michael Turner, and today the Falcons released veteran running back Warrick Dunn.
Dunn was a huge fan favorite. He rushed for over 1,000 yards three times with the Falcons, and at the same time was the franchise’s most civic-minded player.
What’s your reaction to Dunn’s release?
Worried about Chipper?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How are you reacting to the news that Braves slugger Chipper Jones has injured his hamstring during spring training batting practice?
Does it cause you to worry about his durability heading into the ‘08 season?
And our you worried that the hamstring might be seriously injured enough to hamper his play all season?
If Chipper can’t go, how should Braves manager Bobby Cox rearrange his batting order?
Here’s your place to sound off, Braves fans.
Permalink | Comments (78) | Categories: Braves
Turner a good fit for Falcons?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons are meeting with free agent running back Michael Turner, who backed up LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego.
Would you like to see Atlanta sign Turner? What can he give the Falcons?
If signing Turner meant Warrick Dunn was cut, how do you feel about that?
If signing Turner meant the Falcons would not consider drafting Arkansas star Darren McFadden, how would you feel about that?
Permalink | Comments (39) | Categories: Falcons
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