Athens Basketball

[AxGrinder]

Then why would they be ranked 12th if they have such a weak schedule. You can't tell me the AP pollsters around the state aren't looking at schedules. They know who Athens play. But like you said, we will have to wait until the tournaments to see what happens.

Go Dogs!

[93Bulldog]

I'm not sure the Messenger is really 'missing it' when it comes to Athens ...

Read SATURDAY'S MESSENGER (A game IN BELPRE) in which they sent a reporter all the way down their to cover .... which they don't usually do since they cover ALL 5 ATHENS COUNTY TEAMS .. The article was written by an ATHENS ALLUM! WHICH TRIES TO NOT TO BE TOOOO BIAS TOWARD ATHENS WHEN WRITING AN ARTICLE ...

THEN ON MONDAY - ANOTHER article was written on ATHENS versus an 'IN COUNTY' rival NELSONVILLE-YORK (which the Messenger covers too) and again, the article was very PRO-ATHENS and was written by an Athens allum ...

To say THE ATHENS MESSENGER IS 'MISSING IT' when ti comes to the Bulldogs is absurd ... Folks MUST UNDERSTAND there are only 2 full paid sports reporters at the Messenger ... TWO! One is an editor and the other has to cover a Division I university (which the Columbus Dispatch has about 6 that cover Ohio State) ... The Messenger has one guy basically covering Ohio U, with the editor helping out some and 1 full time guy doing 10 teams this winter ... Uh, if you use any kind of math skills, that would tell you there is ONE FULL TIME EMPLOYEE that has to be in control over 10 county basketball teams! ... Oh, BTW, they do pay a different guy a few bucks to cover games - using his own gas - not paid by the hour - and basically does it because he loves Athens County sports and believes people should have the opportunity to read about local events ...

But still, THINK about how in the world all the stuff is supposed to get covered .... One editor, one college reporter and one stringer ... and sometimes Tom Metters will cover a game .... BUT THERE ARE 10 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS!!! 5 BOYS, 5 GIRLS! AND A FREAKIN COLLEGE TO COVER!!!

I am not trying to defend the Messenegr; or actually its the people in another State who own the Messenger; I am simply trying to defend the three guys and Tom Metters for doing everything they can to cover what's going on ...

But please, don't say they are Missing THE ATHENS BULLDOGS & their season ... that is simply not true ... go back and read the articles on Monday and Saturday ... Go ask the Nelsonville-York fans, who had to read an article about their team playing Saturday night and have it be all about Athens, and ask them if they think Athens is getting overlooked.

Do I agree the Messenger does not cover high school stuff more extensively? Sure. Do I understand they do not have the means to do so? Definitley.

Why in the world do you think I have spent so much time, money and effort into creating trivalleyconference.com .... its to fill the gaps, offer direct fast information and have that information be availiable 24 hours a day. I know its only strictly facts right now, but its just starting out - I will continue to build, create and add stuff going forward ... I plan on having "flash video clips/highlights of certain games each week, articles, interviews ...etc....etc.... just allow it to develope and NO SCHOOL IN THE ENTIRE TVC will be 'missed'.

[boilermaker]

BIG FISH.......[size=50]small pond [/size][/size]

[blubomber89]

You guys are so stuck on the size of the school, that is just another excuse. And Athens doesn't look at themselves as underdogs (Daniel Larusso) we expect to win no matter what the school. Like I stated before where was this when the so called small schools were beating Athens (quiet), precisely. NO one had a problem did they? Maybe you need to look at as having better athletes and not the size of the school. Some of you wouldn't know sports if it came up and bit you. I've seen my fair share of talent in this area and it is spread out. Every school has their time at the top. Let the BIG DOGS relish their moment, it is just our time. If we don't have good teams in the next couple of years I guess more things will be said.

[soccerfix]

Don't you play in the TVC? Obviously the state pollsters don't realize how strong that league is.

[Ironman92]

Of all the teams I've seen this season....Athens traveled the classiest program. Well-coached, well-dressed, respectful, team oriented players and properly fitted with great sportsmanship. Give those kids and the coaching staff all the props as they are around 11-1 on the season.

I wish they had already played a Portsmouth or Warren to validate where they are but you can't blame any of those players for that. The AP poll is just idiotic in many instances....really no other way to explain it. IMO they would still not be better than 5th in the SEOAL.....but that just doesn't matter as they are locked into the TVC...and beating everyone in it. I do feel like they are fairly upsetable come tourney time from the sectional championship round and on....but just about everyone in D2 is in the same boat.


Good Luck to them! If you asked me the best team I've seen all year......it would take much consideration and probably a little research...but ask me the team and program that impressed my in every aspect.......Athens gets it without thought.

[diamondD1]

One of the greatest compliments a team can receive is to be hated.

In that case our response should be, "Thank you". We welcome the hate. It proves we are doing something well. And it proves we are getting under your skin, aggravating you, and causing you to have to point at whatever you possibly can to find some fault in us. What a great compliment. As long as the insults keep coming in our direction then it is a sign we must be doing something right. Thank you.

[The Gloaming]

You guys are on the right track. One team will dominate their division for 3 or 4 years and then it cycles to the next team who remains atop the division for a few years and then it cycles again. Eastern 1999-2002..Fed Hock 2003-2007....Belpre 1999-2002.....Vinton County 2004-2008... Athens 2009-????
It is sad though...Pretty sure the guys I played sports with took pride in beating down Athens in everything....times are changing. I think kids are more interested in their segas and nintendos then working on their game....Congrats to Athens on a solid season thus far....


I can't believe Athens is 12th in the AP though... didn't the bulldogs get waxed at Jackson?

[Orange and Brown]

PerfectionInPurple, What is the matter? Everyone constantly bags on Athens due to their recent success. Everyone has their turn a the top and now is Athens time. I don't think Hannan wants any part of Athens this year anyway. I think Athens has more than proved that there the best basketball team in this area, despite nonone wanting to give them credit.

Set the hook We have a bite!

You gotta ignore those pesky southern posters. I know it seems like there are a lot of them but it is really 2 guys who live in there moms basement with 25 screen names each.

[Orange and Brown]

Any time a team weakens their schedule and then suddenly has more success there will be doubters. It exacerbates the issue when people from that school come out and proclaim dominance due to that success. Just goes with the territory, so you might as well get use to it.

I don't think any one from Athens has proclaimed that they are dominent in basketball.

[Orange and Brown]

This is exactly why people have been giving Athens a hard time. There are 4 teams in the SEOAL better than Athens right now, but since Athens is having a great season we should all congratulate them. The Athens fans act like they are the underdog, and shouldn't be winning against smaller schools.

No they are just happy to be winning.

[AxGrinder]

Here's some of the logic that the anti-AThens posters use on us but don't want to use on anyone else:
1) Logan Elm shouldn't be in top ten because they stubbed their toe against an average Fairfield Union team. They have lost 2 games in the last 2 weeks, why do they have a lock on the one seed. Are all the teams in the Mid State League D 2?
2) Logan should play in the OCC against schools their own size instead of beating up on teams twice as small as them in the SEOAL.
3) Does Warren schedule county team Waterford when they were good, no way, did not want to take a chance of losing to a D 4 team, but Athens beats D 4 Eastern who may be headed to a final four, and also plays county rival Trimble on the road on a saturday after a tough friday night game, the same Trimble team who has won 9 of 10.
4) Athens takes a big risk by playing those type of games, but they are good for the entire community.
5) If the TVC is such patsies why arent all the big boys lining up to go on the road and play at VC, at Athens, at Alexander, at Eastern, at Southern. Jackson doesnt play Oak Hill do they?

It just enrages me to see this kind of petty logic used by the so called big boys of se ohio. Bring on the hate, we love the compliments. There are no asterisks by our accomplishments. You clowns loved us and talked about how great our effort and kids attitudes were when you were beating us. And if we go on to be 18-2, 17-3, 19-1 and lose in the sectional, you will all talk about how our season was a failure. Dont care anymore , just keep on winning baby.

Go Dogs.

[Orange and Brown]

Then why would they be ranked 12th if they have such a weak schedule. You can't tell me the AP pollsters around the state aren't looking at schedules. They know who Athens play. But like you said, we will have to wait until the tournaments to see what happens.

Go Dogs!

Don't go quoting the AP poll. It is a joke. Athens is having a fine year and should win a couple of games in the tournament

[Orange and Brown]

Don't you play in the TVC? Obviously the state pollsters don't realize how strong that league is.

Get back to your soccer field!

[Orange and Brown]

Here's some of the logic that the anti-AThens posters use on us but don't want to use on anyone else:
1) Logan Elm shouldn't be in top ten because they stubbed their toe against an average Fairfield Union team. They have lost 2 games in the last 2 weeks, why do they have a lock on the one seed. Are all the teams in the Mid State League D 2?
2) Logan should play in the OCC against schools their own size instead of beating up on teams twice as small as them in the SEOAL.
3) Does Warren schedule county team Waterford when they were good, no way, did not want to take a chance of losing to a D 4 team, but Athens beats D 4 Eastern who may be headed to a final four, and also plays county rival Trimble on the road on a saturday after a tough friday night game, the same Trimble team who has won 9 of 10.
4) Athens takes a big risk by playing those type of games, but they are good for the entire community.
5) If the TVC is such patsies why arent all the big boys lining up to go on the road and play at VC, at Athens, at Alexander, at Eastern, at Southern. Jackson doesnt play Oak Hill do they?

It just enrages me to see this kind of petty logic used by the so called big boys of se ohio. Bring on the hate, we love the compliments. There are no asterisks by our accomplishments. You clowns loved us and talked about how great our effort and kids attitudes were when you were beating us. And if we go on to be 18-2, 17-3, 19-1 and lose in the sectional, you will all talk about how our season was a failure. Dont care anymore , just keep on winning baby.

Go Dogs.

Well said!!!!!!

[bman]

Ax, Fairfield Union is a legitmate point. Losing to an undefeated Division I Westerville South is not a bad loss. The AP poll rewards teams for playing tough opponents. Look at Akron SVSM at 7-4, among others. And on the MSL, it features Canal Winchester and Bloom-Carroll, two programs that have made the state tournament, won Central District championships and are well respected for being consistently good.

Athens is having a good season and deserve props for it. But some people are going to throw the schedule argument out there, as they have with Vinton County. It probably does have some merit, but at the end of the day Athens basketball has improved, no matter what league it is in.

[popcorn phil]

why do you people worry so much about what people say? just go out and win the conference and get to the district championship and you wont hear from them again.

[M0TIVAT0R]

One of the greatest compliments a team can receive is to be hated.

In that case our response should be, "Thank you". We welcome the hate. It proves we are doing something well. And it proves we are getting under your skin, aggravating you, and causing you to have to point at whatever you possibly can to find some fault in us. What a great compliment. As long as the insults keep coming in our direction then it is a sign we must be doing something right. Thank you.

I don't hate Athens. I am just pointing out the truth. When I do, or someone else does you people cry and complain that we are insulting kids. So it must be your skin that has been invaded, not mine. If anyone can show me proof that Athens is playing the same strength of schedule that they were when they were in the SEOAL I would welcome that. Fact is they are not. They are playing a weaker schedule. They have only one loss, so great for them. As for better talent, I don't know if they have that or not. Better coaching, again can't say. The only things that are certain about this team are that they have a better record than they have had since probably Fred Gibson was the coach. And that they are playing a weaker schedule. I have yet to see one person from the Athens badnwagon get on here and admit to the weaker schedule. So that brings more ridicule, not to the players but to the blindfolded fans.

As for Logan being a big fish, I have seen many on here say that, especially Athens fans. So that argument does not hold water. Also if you want to thank me for this post you are welcome. If you think the truth that I am posting is an insult then blame your AD not me. I did not set up the weaker schedule that you feel is so insulting.

[Tyler_Durden]

i think it's going to be hilarious when athens gets really pissed off and beats the crap out of everyone year in and year out, taking first place in every sport from fall to spring. probably one reason you aren't seeing anyone submit to your demands of admitting to having a weak schedule is because they don't give a rat's behind what anyone thinks. the only thing they care about is winning and buying more thread for all the extra embroidery they will be doing on the banners hanging in their gym. if i were athens i wouldn't concern myself one bit with what you losers think.

[Heavy D]

i think it's going to be hilarious when athens gets really pissed off and beats the crap out of everyone year in and year out, taking first place in every sport from fall to spring. probably one reason you aren't seeing anyone submit to your demands of admitting to having a weak schedule is because they don't give a rat's behind what anyone thinks. the only thing they care about is winning and buying more thread for all the extra embroidery they will be doing on the banners hanging in their gym. if i were athens i wouldn't concern myself one bit with what you losers think.

Yes I agree. That is why they pulled up stakes from the SEOAL. They will win in most sports. Football wont be one of them. They never have beaten the TVC teams consistantly in football.