Waverly Vs Chesapeake

[avalanche]

Please do not lecture me on Chesapeake Basketball. I went there and had the honor of playing for Norm. When Norm left he also graduated a class that had went to three straight regionals and his best player coming back (Tyler Shoemaker) transfered to Ironton because the superintendent decided to hire someone who ran the program into the ground.

This coach has been here for three years. The body of work over those three years is how I am basing my judgement. I want the guy to succeed but so far I am not overly excited at this point. Last seasons team was far better then a district semi-final team. I think the guy can coach and is a good coach, but Chesapeake needs great.

[sportsfan_1959]

Saw Waverly play Friday night against Valley. Impressed by their athletism and ability to counter Valley's offensive and defensive strategies. Kretzer is a nightmare matchup for any team. Based on scores and results so far this season, I think Waverly would be the team to beat for the Championship. Granted, it is early and there is alot of ball to play, but it will take a big game to beat them. Good luck to all teams.

[beaverlover]

I heard the halftime score was 37-21 Waverly. Everyone knew Chesapeake would make a run but in the end Waverly persevered. Jake also contributed 24. Kevin Malone once again comes in and plays hard nosed aggressive defense. It seems everyone on this team understands their role. Enjoy the wins!

The road doesn't get any easier for the Tigers. Wheelersburg comes to town next Friday and if Waverly gets by Western a rematch with Piketon looms in the Holiday Classic.

I believe Piketon would also have to win there game against Eastern

[Jump23]

Eastern has a good chance against piketon. piketon better not underestimate the eagles.

[slick]

Chesapeake has had a good basketball program in the past under Persin but he never got them out of the regionals. Who do you think would make an acceptable coach at Chesapeake Coach K or Bobby Knight.

[avalanche]

Are you implying that going to the regionals on a regular basis is not a big accomplishment? Chesapeake was regularly in the state top 10 and winning 18, 19, 20 games a year in the regular season. I am not going to apologize for having high expectations.

Persin took over a program that was awful and in his first season they went to the regionals. I have watched him take average teams (in terms of talent) and turn them into one of the better teams in the state.

I do not think any Chesapeake fan wants pretty good, we want excellence.

[3musketeers]

Avalanche, like you said--Norm left. New coach, new era. As for the coach running off a majority of the junior class, a coach chooses players whom he thinks will help build a team year to year. Not only good players, but good kids. Good coaches fill their teams with kids who not only want to play but have the potential to work hard on and off the court. Not every kid is willing to do this. I appreciate a coach who tells a kid what he thinks that kid's role can be during the season and how he can improve and change that role. Kids have bad games and we have seen two games where they were out of sync and just couldn't get it going. The mark of a good coach is to show these kids how to make the necessary adjustments and turn things around. These are good kids and a good coaches who have the heart and ability to win. They just have to put it all together and have better, consistent execution.

[shaynew]

I saw persin take good teams and lose the first game of the tourney also.Being the power house the ovc is in sports who couldnt win 18 or 19 games a year.Wasnt there a couple of years where Chesapeake was ranked #1 in the state and lost the opening tourny game.

[dimedrop4]

Congrats Tigers! Can't wait til they match up with Burg...Gonna be a good one!

[avalanche]

Like I said, I am not going to apologize for having high expectations. The bar was set high before Persin came, and now it has been set even higher. Chesapeake has always been a quality basketball program.

Chesapeake lost one year after going 20-0 and being ranked #1. I believe they lost to Belpre who was 10-10 at the time and then went to the state (could be wrong). The next year they went 20-0 and were #1 again and lost in the regional finals. That is the only year I am aware of that Chesapeake lost in the first round. My senior year our only loss was to Reedsville Eastern by 1 at their place. They went on to go to the state semi-finals. We lost to Sugarcreek Garaway in the Reginall Semi-finals that year. Sugarcreek was the #2 team in the state and we were #3. We also beat nationally ranked Runne Meade (Ontario) that year.

I am going to call it like I see it. I am not going after this coach because I want to, but rather I am being objective and telling you how I see it. I was open arms after the Burg win, though I still do not think the burg is that good, but these last two games I watched Chesapeake battle against Ironton and I was proud, then just come out and get put on their can. The Waverly game was the game you bounce back, not take a step back. Just my opinion.

[shaynew]

Where are the 3 you mentioned starring at now.The kids that got ran off
couldnt come to practice on time or thought they were above playing team ball(shoemaker).Only time will tell if this coach is as good as or better than Norm but you wont be able to use records you will have to go by state tournament and regional finishes as Norm would never play the schedule Chesapeake plays now he played all the Cupcakes.

[Burg_Grad_77]

avalanche, I believe you are thinking of the Burg team who beat Chesapeake in the opening game of the sectionals at Rock Hill one year when the Panthers were ranked #1 in the state and 20-0. The Burg was 9-11 I believe coming into the tourney because of injuries and they made it to the regional finals before losing to Sparta Highland and their 7 foot center.

As for this years Burg team, they will be just fine. They always start out slow in basketball because of going into the playoffs in football.

[hardwoodhero]

Avalanche, you keep saying how much you love 'Peake basketball, and reassuring everyone that this is "just your opinion", but it sounds to me like you have some sort of axe to grind...

[avalanche]

I have no ax to grind. I love Chesapeake Basketball, but no person, player, or coach is above the program.

I think Coach Davis is a good coach, but I am a little concerned that we are 1-2 at the moment. I have a lot of respect for Coach Lafon at Ironton, but the team they have now is not a great team in terms of talent. They are well coached no doubt, but they are very young at this point. Let me take that back, they are talented, but young talent. I do not care where you play, you have to win games like the Ironton game. In front of a big tough crowd, on the road, against a good team. Those are the games that help you later in the year. I was at the Waverly game, Chesapeake was really never in that game.

Chesapeake has played Ironton for as long as I can remember, so your Norm would never play this type of schedule is rediculous. Chesapeake beat Ironton something like 11 straight time until the year that Ironton went to state. That year Chesapeake was #2 and Ironton #3 when they met. Chesapeake always played very good Gallipolis teams, played in the Coax Classic in Columbus, and went on the road to play teams like Reedsville Eastern and triple A schools in WV. You obviously do not know what you are talking about, despite the fact that Norm just won a state championship. I know they were not at Chesapeake, but it is not like he just discovered the secret of coaching when he went to Oak Hill.

Those kids were good kids. One had family problems that caused him to be late and was ran off because he could not get to practice on time. Part of coaching is compassion, especially in poor school districts like Chesapeake. Phillip Mandt is a heck of a baseball player and good golfer as well. Baise is at Fairland last I heard. Tyler Shoemaker could not play team basketball? Seriously? The only team on this schedule that was not when Norm was here is Wheelersburg. Tell me the next time Davis plays against Scott County, KY or Runne Meade (Ontario), or St. Francis, NJ.

I won't be able to use records? I will have to use state and regional appearences? Has a Davis coached team ever made it further then the districts? I know he coached Peebles and got beat by Norm in the District semi-finals one year.

[hardwoodhero]

With no axe to grind you sure do have a lot to say...if all that was in response to my simple question--you are a little defensive as you seem a little closer to the situation or maybe a little removed. And I think your Coach Davis has had several district appearances (almost every year he's coached in Ohio) and I believe an Indiana state basketball tournament appearance. BTW get a grip, Chessy is 1-2 with 17 to go and is a very solid team that like all Davis teams will play hard nose defense and play with passion. Remember these are high school kids, a lot of basketball left.

[smurray]

Maybe Chesapeake got beat by two teams better than them. Waverly got beat by a better Logan Elm team. No shame in getting beat by a better team.

[hardwoodhero]

There's a thought.

[avalanche]

I back up my points, the key to good debates.

I appreciate everyones insight. I will draw my own conclusion. I am a supporter of Chesapeake Basketball and always will be. I will be objective in my observations and give praise when deserved and criticism when called for.

The thing I understand as a fan and former player of a pretty good basketball program is that you do not settle.

I watched Chesapeake go on the road and not finish then follow it up with a big let down. I am a little concerned with the effort. I am not going to apologize or fold to someone elses opinions. I am not the only one who thinks the same way, most just do not say it on here.

[3musketeers]

Avalanche--we have all heard your opinion over and over and its obvious from this thread that few agree with you. The kids that are playing now for the panthers are the kids that CHOSE to work hard and stay with this program. The kids that left CHOSE to leave for other pursuits. Best of luck to them. But wishing about what could have been has nothing to do with the reality of today. We all have high expectations for these kids and hope they achieve them as I am sure the coaching staff hopes as well. As for insinuating that Coach Davis doesn't have compassion for his players then you don't know much about the things he does for these kids outside of basketball and the things he does with these kids for the community. Sorry for you that you don't or choose not to acknowledge if it doesn't suit your agenda. GO PANTHERS!

[independent2012]

I agree 3M. coach Davis is a fine coach,doing a fine job and has a good team that will improve during the course of the season,I have observed avalanhes comments about coach Davis and how negative they have been and believe me it has to be personnel.