DALTON, Ga. – Jeff McKinney has found himself answering the questions more than he would like, but his answers – perhaps a bit generic and definitely politically correct – have quite a bit of truth to them.
Amanda Rector, right, dribbles past Carrolton’s Tatyana Jackson during the Dalton vs. Carrollton High School girl’s basketball tournament at Dalton High School in Dalton, Ga. Dalton beat Carrollton to advance in the tournament.Just how good is this Dalton Lady Catamounts basketball team and could they be the best the area has produced?
At 31-0 entering Friday’s GHSA Class AAA semifinal against Crisp County (4 p.m. at the Macon Centreplex), the debate surrounding Dalton’s credentials has reached a fever pitch on internet message boards. Critics point to a rather weak Region 7, something McKinney doesn’t argue, and only a few quality non-league wins (Chattanooga Baylor and playoff wins over Carrollton and St. Pius X were the best) as reasons to think the Lady Cats are overrated at No. 2.
McKinney smiles at the criticism, then tries to put a different spin on his retort. He has never espoused a belief that this team is the most talented he’s seen, or even coached.
“Every team has its own trademark,” he said. “The thing about this team is that its chemistry is better than any team I’ve ever had. We’ve probably had more talented teams, but I will say this one has more assets than the others. The combination of players we have is unique.”