There’s one major problem with conversation concerning the best boys’ basketball team in the area this season: Nobody knows who it is.
Parity has taken over the Chattanooga area this season, with as many as seven teams capable of making the claim as being the “best” in the area. The years of one or two teams dominating the area have been replaced with a variety of teams in the four classifications capable of reaching their respective state tournaments.
Could it be Howard? Possibly, but the Hustlin’ Tigers have lost to Red Bank and Baylor. Red Bank’s Lions, tied for seventh in the latest Class AA poll, have fallen to Bradley Central, Tyner and Howard.
Arts & Sciences has a win over McCallie, which has beat Baylor, which defeated Howard but has a loss to Notre Dame. The Irish lost to Bradley, which split with Cleveland, which lost to Rhea County, which lost to Ooltewah.
Confusing? Definitely, but it has made for some quality basketball games with few games having a definite favorite.
“I think there’s parity this season, without a doubt,” Bradley coach Kent Smith said. “From what I’ve seen, kids are going where they can play early, so instead there’s just not that one dominant team.”
A collection of coaches agreed that the desire to play early has led to what is considered a lot of good teams as opposed to one “great” one. They also agree that the number of schools in Hamilton and Bradley counties has contributed.
“It’s watered down the talent,” Smith said. “I know that in Cleveland we have three triple-A high schools, with only three middle schools feeding them. In Chattanooga, you have a ton of double-A high schools and two triple-A high schools.
“You have just as many schools in Memphis, but they have the population for it.”
Added CSAS coach Mark Dragoo: “The kids have a lot of choices now. The talent is so spread out; we have teams going to state, but it’s not the same teams. We’ve had champions, but it’s been a while.”
Tennessee Temple was the last area boys’ team to win a state title, in 2007. Chattanooga had four state champions last decade in Class A, but the area hasn’t had a state champion in a higher classification since Cleveland in 1997. Brainerd was the last team in Hamilton County above single-A to win a title, in 1992.
This season, as many as eight teams could advance to the state tournament.
“The teams are a lot closer this year, so it’s going to make for exciting district tournaments,” Red Bank coach John Cherne said. “There’s a lot more preparation for games this year, because there’s a lot more competition within the area.”
Added Smith: “Teams are going to start looking for that signature win to serve as a confidence builder going into the postseason, so a lot is going to play out in the next couple of weeks.”