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Oh Dicky V. I have no affiliation with Big Sandy whatsoever. However, your darn right their tradition is every bit as good as Ozens. I know you cant and wont recognize that, but simple math proves it. And yes i know Ozen is new school. I, originally wasnt trying to "compare" Big Sandys tradition to anyone. You started that. I was just correcting your misguided opinion of Big Sandy. I wondered how anyone could dispute their success after giving you the facts about their past basketball history. Then i remembered reading your thread on the other site about all time great players, teams, etc. and realized no matter what i tell or prove to you, your not gonna accept it. Fair enough. I know i am right. Big Sandy has a very good basketball history/tradition. Simple as that.

Keeping up the tradition? Having a say in who wins every year? Well, that would eliminate about half of the schools you just listed. Permian hasnt done anything in at least a decade, if not more. Though they are improving. When did WOS last win state? 1987, the year BEFORE Big Sandy lost in the state game. Snook? They got hammered at state in 05 and hadnt been a factor since their 80's title run. I wouldnt say these schools are having much of a say in who wins state each and every year. I think we are arguing Big Sandys basketball tradition. You say they have none, i disagree.

Do you understand what makes tradition and history- things that happen in the PAST. Doesnt matter if it happened ten years ago or fifty, it still counts. If that is not a good basketball history, then please tell me what is by your standards. Not everyone can be a Snook or Nazareth or Canyon(girls).

Have to disagree. I know you like to put down the lower classifications, and thats fine. But at least know of what you speak. Big Sandy might not be a "powerhouse" right now, but they have an EXCELLENT basketball tradition. Thye played in the state title game 5 years in a row from 1951-1955, winning one. This was at the same time when Buna was winning those state titles. They then won State in 57 and lost in the title game in 58. I believe they were regular playoff contenders in the middle 80's and lost in the state title game to Paducah and Will Flemons in 88.. And they have had some really good teams over the last decade( losing to eventuall champ Tenaha in 03 in reg. finals) and been to playoffs i think the last 4 or 5 years. So thats 7 state tournament trips, 2 state titles, and numerous playoffs appearances. Thats pretty good basketball tradition in my book.

How come no mention of Tramain Thomas as the 2A coverboy? Pretty neat and a very nice article. Coach V called him the best defensive back he has ever coached.

I was reading the article without reading the editors note above, thinking something is not right here. Its a good article. Texas has come a long way since 1979. What's sad is, for the most part, Texas universities have not reaped the benefit of the improving basketball talent in the state. I listed below high profile players from Texas that went out of state to play. 90’s Shaquille O’Neal (LSU) Jimmy King (Michigan) Ray Jackson (Michigan) Thomas Hill (Duke) Ansu Seasay (Miss.) Larry Johnson (UNLV) Kenny Thomas (New Mexico) LaBradford Smith (Louisville) Andre Patterson (Indiana) Maceo Batson (Michigan) Kenyon Martin (Cincy) 2000’s Jawan McClellan (Arizona) Ike Diogu (Arizona St.) Emeka Okafor (UCONN) Jake Voskhul (UCONN) Von Wafer (FSU) Chris Bosh (Ga Tech) Jeremis Smith (Ga Tech) Deron Williams (Illinois) Bracey Wright (Indiana) Darell Arthur (Kansas) Daniel Horton (Michigan) Daniel Ewing (Duke) John Lucas III (Okla St.) Glendon Alexander (Okla St.) Jason Maxiell (Cincy) Cartier Martin (K State) Pros Kendrick Perkins (signed with Memphis) C.J. Myles Stephen Jackson Gerald Green Ndubi Ebi (signed with Arizona) Rashard Lewis

Great stuff. Thank you for posting it! I would have never found it.

Congrats to a outstanding athlete and fine young man. 6'9 is getting up there. Is there any chance that basketball is still in his future? Please tell me some have expressed interest in him. What about walking on at A&M?

So this means they dont have a good basketball coach? Your contradicting yourself here.

I sure would like to see him continue playing basketball, but high jumping at the D1 level aint to shabby! What school is interested orangeman? And are there other basketball options for him that he is considering?

BUT...............according to everyone here who is an expert, Letsinger cant play with the big dogs(larger schools, all star games, etc.). I mean after all, he is ONLY a 1A player, right. Congrats to him. I sure hope someone will give him a chance at the next level. Basketball and high jumping!

Maybe not. But you cant make chicken salad out of chicken s***.

Excellent post.

Reality check here! Sutherland could have coached Buna this year and it wouldnt have made a difference. Players win games. Plain and simple.

You cant talk about Texas high school football tradition without including the Brownwood Lions or Plano Wildcats. Both schools have won 7 state championships, most in Texas. SLC might now have 7 as well. Others of note: Permian, Stephenville, LaMarque, Austin Westlake, Temple, Celina, Houston Yates, PNG, Schulenburg, Waco, Abilene, Wichita Falls, Cuero, Refugio, Ennis, Sealy, Dangerfield, Converse Judson, WOS, Pilot Point.

That is sick!

Man you will be cutting it close. Ive made that drive and it isnt short. Lets say you do ten run them, game is over at 11:30 at best. You get out of Sour Lake by 12, at best. Your looking at least 3 1/2 to 4 hours till you walk into the drum. Game is over by then. Dont risk your life driving like a maniac to a basketball game. I know its important to you but it isnt worth your life. Have faith that they will make it to the title game, and then take all the time you need on Sat to drive to Austin.

First of all, most people in Texas have never heard of HJ. And if they have it isnt because of their baseball team. Secondly, quit worrying about what everyone else says on a message board. Just play.

No offense, but you must not know anything about MM. BS will have to play way above their heads to hang in this one. And yes i have seen both teams play, as well as WH. MM is not only the best team at regionals, but the best team in 1A. Doesnt mean they cant be beat, but it would be an uspet.

I think EC goes the deepest. Thomas is the best 2A player in the state and they have talent around him. Just seems like its their year. Same could be said for WH and Letsinger, but Martins Mill stands in their way. MM would be the best team WH faces all year if they meet. HJ has a shot. Ozen? Who knows. Thats a tough bracket.

What about the last 3 years when he was playing in the toughest 2A district in the state and putting up the same stats? Does that count for anything?

That doesnt mean Fuller is not a great coach though. I was just trying to give some love to other coaches who get overshadowed because of lack of talent. Jackson, Henry and English are good examples. There are lots of great coaches in our area. Those who have won state titles and those who havent even won district titles. But year in and year out the team with the most talent usually wins, not the team with the best coach.

I dont disagree with what you are saying. But coaches get to much credit, and too much criticism. Talent wins games, plain and simple. Do you think HI or Evadale or Bridge City would have made the playoffs with Foster, Fuller or Sutherland coaching them this year? No. If WH is not as good next year(which is likely), will it be because of the coach? No. Why didnt Scotty Phillips or Lucky Gamble win while at WH? Both of them are two of the best football coaches in the state, and both have won state championships. I am not trying to argue with you, as we both agree Fuller is an excellent coach and more importantly a good man. I just know there are lots of very good coaches out there that dont get credit because they dont have the same talent at their school as others.

Talent helps. It would be hard not to win with that group. Same for Boutte, Hargrave and Joubert. They are all good coaches, but talent wins MOST games not coaches. Any of those mentioned though would be deserving of Coach of Year.

No problem, apology accepted. Its my fault for responding to ltown and the other guy. I just added fuel to their fire. I was just trying to defend Letsinger. They are just uninformed hs kids running their mouth, though we probably all are guilt doing that in high school. Let this thread die.