Cu Chulainn

PNG has the talent to be better than what they are showing. Coach Chris needs to address shot selection, situational awareness & selfishness with his players. I have watched them play including against us and their role players aren't utilized enough. When role players get involved and show they can knock down shots, it will free up the lane and force single coverage for Adams and Eddison. Right now teams aren't worried about going out and guarding any of their role players, because they don't get the ball enough. At the end of the day, Adams & Eddison will be your best players and should have the most shot attempts, but you have to feed the family too! Just my opinion, but we know Langston (Great young man) personally and some of the other kids as well, so I hate to see them not playing to their potential.

If nothing negative was meant, then you have my sincerest apology. I'm sorry I took the post the wrong way. I do personally know some folks who have inside information on things sometimes, but I wouldnt want to lose their trust by sharing anything they tell me in confidence. On this particular "AD/HC Situation" I can just say that I believe it will be filled quickly since there is an immediate need to fill the role.

I see your taking unprovoked shots again, and @BBfan061 your keyboard warrior friend likes that sort of thing. I'll address this topic though by taking the opportunity to brag on our Administration who put out a survey to all of Orangefield requesting the community's thoughts on selection criteria for every potential candidate. The survey was well thought out and showed that they are truly seeking to find the best fit. As a community and parents of young athletes we appreciate that very much! The feel from at least the folks that speak to me on a regular basis, is that no one cares if they are originally from Orangefield or are in Orangefield currently. Most folks with real athletes don't give a dern about the "Good Ol'boy Syndrome" where folks would get placed in a position because of who they know, rather than their own coaching pedigree. We don't want everyone down at the field house with their mud pumps going trying to politic Little Will into a starting skill position. What we want is someone that comes in and makes winning the expectation rather than the goal. With that being said, if that describes a certain and or multiple candidates who happen to originally be from Orangefield, then so be it, bring'em home. Just my thoughts, but we don't need anyone who is committed to just one style of play. A real coach adjusts their game plan to the personnel that he has. IMO, we have struggled with blocking for some of our extremely talented running backs (currently Mason Manning, great young man who is being heavily scouted) through the years, and that has to be addressed in the weight room right now. We also need to be able to throw it and catch it some, so we can take a few shots down field to keep the defense from only keying in to stopping the run. If not, they blitz every down. To address your original comment, I do have friends who are most definitely in the know on the selection process and they tell me the same names you are all hearing as well as some that are out of the area. I have even heard that at least one prominent name put in to scare other applicants off with the intent of slimming down the group for his friend that he wants to land the job. At the end of the day, I believe we have the best Superintendent in Shaun McAlpin and School board Members in the area! I am very confident they will find the right candidate for the job. We should see soon. If I'm not mistaken, the job opening closed on the 31st.

Everyone played a ton with Scales and Wrinkle sitting a lot of the 2nd half. Running clock in the 2nd half doesnt help either.

Thank you for saying that, and I agree. I really wish we could have made Duncanville, but it would have been too tough to pull off this past Summer. We beat a good PNG team the other night by 10 and have Fairview out of Louisiana this coming Thursday. They were a real tough matchup last year, so hopefully they will check our oil a little and give us some good exposure. We also have a Crockett/Grapeland Tournament coming at the end of this month that may help. I honestly don't see any drastic ranking swings coming until us, Kountze, & EC start mixing it up. Should be a real fun season with real good battles. To be the best, you have the beat the best, and I'm sure our guys are up for the challenge.

I'm not paid to be the video guy, no. I film for various reasons, but mostly to help my son and his teammates. I sure wish you would come up to me anywhere you see me, even though everyone on here knew you never would. I'd love to show you my camera setup. Its called Iographer and helps you protect your Ipad and easily edit videos on Imovie. there wont be any yelling involved. I'm a real man and I handle myself accordingly. I definitely don't take cowardly shots at folks under made up usernames. Id rather address issues man to man like we are supposed to. Our role players are doing just fine and are all coming into their own. Its a team game and Coach Whitmire has the whole team going in the right direction and understanding their roles. As far as the ranking goes, we were #15 in the State last week and that was before our most recent two wins against Buna and PNG. Hopefully we gain a little more tomorrow when TABC releases their new numbers. If not, our boys are 15-1 with two back to back tournament wins! Id think the top 10 is inevitable for this season! We do appreciate you following us and having so much concern for us! It always nice to have new fans whether we know them or not.

Lincoln Breaux if you are referring to BC. Good young man and super consistent for them. Plays bigger than he is.

WOS has a real good group of players that never quit! Their press is lethal and they hustle at all times. They have taken some tough losses but they can get in and surprise anybody at any time. Their team is a high revving motor that can turn the game into a race if teams arent careful. To me, all they lack is some consistency shooting the ball from outside to help them spread the floor, and they'd be a REAL problem for everyone. Great group of young men too! Our boys cheered them on against Jasper in our Tournament, so they all stayed for Championship and even joined our student section keeping our Orangefield crowd hype. Great group of young men that we are for sure all fans of! Hats off to all of them for showing us all how sports should be!

Correction to my earlier post: I was informed that we did pick up another game at Mcneese next Thursday the 21st at 10:30am against Fairview. No worries on our end though, a week should be plenty for the boys to be rested up and the game will help keep the rust off before the tournament.

The boys started off slow but then loosened up in the first half and at one point got up by 20. They went into the locker room for halftime and came back looking sluggish and not real enthused, just my opinion on that part though. 2nd half looked pretty sloppy and as if they believed they already had the game won. Not making excuses, just never really felt like we couldn't just hit the switch and take back over if we needed to (no disrespect to Buna, I have just seen our firepower and know what we are capable of). Game got a little chippy with a lot of questionable and confusing calls in the second half. It was just a recipe that screwed up the original game plan. On the ride home, I was told everyone was still banged up and sore from the two previous tournaments and tough games in them. The players all thought they'd try to coast and just maintain their lead in the 2nd half, which didnt go as planned. It was like we were missing a gear in the 2nd half. Hats off to Buna for making a game of it and competing. Most of that group are good kids and we wish them the best! Looking forward to their 13 day holiday healing period after they play PNG Friday. They will be able rest a little and get their legs back before the Crockett/Grapeland Tournament on 12/28 - 12/30.

I didn't take it that way at all, but I do appreciate you saying so. I just try to clear things up when I see them before folks on these blogs run with it. Yes, I agree Coach Whitmire is great and understands how to Coach to his players strengths. It has been a for sure a blessing to go from a great guy like McDonald to another great one in Whitmire. Whitmire is continuing the focus on helping to make great young men out of them as well as great athletes. Super good dude with a great family!

I know we messaged separately and I told you my side, but I am pretty sure the math can be done on why some folks in the know at LC-M's story may vary slightly. Corey Guilbeaux (Kelly's Assistant Coach Now) had been their JH Coach the previous year on a part time stipend, so it wasnt an unheard of thing to do over there. I was most of the incoming 7th Grade JH Team's AAU Coach as well as Jonah Fuller on their incoming 8th grade Group, so it was an opportunity to see them through JH Basketball, so it made sense. Was told it was a done deal and I even said Id just donate the stipend back to the school. Covid, blah blah blah and whatever, it didnt happen. No problem, Ghost was already there, had made friends and we really like Coach Hunter Gonzales and still do. No big deal, but I promise that is how it all happened.

The director and I cleared it up separately. I even sent photos to prove everything I say just like I have videos in the past. He and I are at least on the same page and I am confident we'll have more clarity moving forward.

I think we all open district tonight, the caliber of every team should start showing through real soon. I dont think they would have ever talked with me about it, if they themselves were going to say something. It isnt anonymous and folks wouldn't wan their name attached. We were told that Hitchcock had 4 ineligible players when they beat us in the third round and went on to win State by 30 last year, even had videos and documentation sent by folks outside of the District, but no one ever ran with that. I'd bet Kountze wont have any trouble.

Didn't yall have the MVP of the District and Newcomer Of The Year when we came into yalls house and beat the breaks off of yall last year? Ragusa had 41 & Ghost had 16 as a freshmen on 7 shots. Kountze has always been known for basketball and that is awesome, but just so you know none of me or my sons Orangefield Teams have ever lost to Kountze, EVER! I am super proud of yalls basketball history, but we have kids that have been working hard since they were small as well. I cannot speak for what Orangefield was known for in the past, I can only say that our kids have the right to make history too! They went to the 3rd Round last year and we want to continue the success. We are a real good team as are yall, and we both have more talent coming. Im sure our entire district will be tough, it is what 409 basketball is. Ghost has been a home grown killer since he was young, his record should speak for itself. He has never lost to yall and is even 3/1 lifetime vs. Silsbee which 3/4 those were epic battles! Nothing but respect for Silsbee, Kountze, EC, Buna, etc.... for that matter. Putting quality teams on the floor year after year speaks to the culture of what you have built. Basketball is a team game and has to be played together, so it won't come down to 1 or 2 star players for anybody. It will come down to how they all pull together and support each other on any team! Maybe we do finish 2nd or 3rd in district every year, but maybe we wont! Thats what makes it a sport and fun to watch! I can guarantee our boys will always give all they got! This group is real special and we'll be proud of them no matter what!

I would never turn in my former players. My own son was a freshmen on Varsity last year and his best friend is a sophomore on Varsity this year. Sells, Smart, Donald, and Coffey (3 sophomores and a freshmen) all played for me. They are great kids and I wish the best for them. I understand that these younger classes coming up are loaded with talent. I'm proud of that for the 409. It wont be me, but if all is legit than there wouldn't be anything to worry about even if someone else did decide to move forward.

I was offered (would have never moved my son mid year 6th grade if that hadn't have been the plan all along), even interviewed with Coach Crouch at the time. I ran a very winning/UA sponsored organization for 5 years. Texas A.T.T.A.C.K. Squad Basketball - A.T.T.A.C.K. - Athletic Training That Amplifies Christ's Kingdom, in case you didnt know. I am a real coach who develops players and helps them realize their potential. I am sorry that it makes folks mad that I trained my own son and have been able to put real goods teams on the floor over the years, but it is what it is. I am not a keyboard warrior or made up sports pro who takes shots at folks online under made up names. Not my style, and I try to spread positivity, not hate! A lot of the players these blogs talk about, came through our program and were like family, but no one wants to speak of that. Since you set directly across from me at this last tournament most games, why dont you look at all the hugs and handshakes I get from the players from opposing teams? That's called respect and I didnt get that from taking shots at folks on a sports blog. I got that from loving kids and trying to be who they needed me to be over the years. Some of yall should try it some time, its a real rewarding experience to see that kids know you care about them. Deep down, all my former players know where they got their start and what Coach really cares about them and their futures. In the end, it was real tough to keep our team together and have enough players to go live at practice from such a small area and for everyone to commit to such busy and extensive travel schedule. There are definitely levels to this, and flights, hotels, and travel isn't doable for everyone, which is totally understandable. Consequently, we ended up having to pursue other opportunities with bigger city teams @AggiesAreWe you seem to like taking shots at me and my family even though I always take the high road. I'm not sure why, because I have never done anything to you or your family but its getting old. I welcome you to contact me or speak to me in person, instead of taking shots at me on a sports blog. I am not a liar and never have been. I hate liars and fake people, which is something I pray to the Good Lord to help me with daily.

For sure, and as long as it is done before HS, then UIL doesnt have a rule against it. If it is done during HS then there is a hold on Varsity eligibility if it was done for athletic purposes. It is pretty complicated but tough athletic decisions have to be made before HS begins for eligibility not to come into question. I actually think the kid from Warren is 100% within the guidelines of UIL and we wish nothing but the best for him.

Scales lived and went to Orangefield since he was born. Transferred to LCM for JH because it was open enrollment in a bigger school classification and I was offered to coach his team through JH on a stipend. Had a home there so it wasn't a big deal. Covid happened and teachers weren't leaving their respective roles for other opportunities because schools were shut down, so the opening to coach his school team didnt become a reality, which was fine and understandable due to Covid. He had been moved there md year in 6th grade, made friends, and the team had played for me all Summer so it was a good fit. However, when it came down to it in the 8th grade, he wanted to be home in Orangefield with the kids he had grown up with his whole life and play with them. As parents we wanted that too, and supported his decision.

Yes, had a house in LCM (same house I grew up in) which is open enrollment, but sold it last year. Have had our family homes in Orangefield (Granger Ln, Bobcat Trails, now Langham) for the last 26 years. When it came down to it, Ghost wanted to be home with the kids he had grown up with and we wanted him home as well, so we decided to not to build a new family home in LCM afterall.

Ply in game to miss the playoffs, all the way top predicted 1st Place. Makes you think a little .........

We appreciate the kind words about our team this year. In regards to the Lamarque Game, the pressure of the game and big moments exposes weaknesses and forces mistakes. That same pressure, also creates opportunity for those that are ready for it. Great win and we are super proud of our boys! Thank you for reporting the scores. I agree, Kountze games should be good if their "move - ins" stay eligible. I have personally been contacted by two coaches in our district asking me to type a letter and file a formal complaint, since the letter cannot be anonymous and I assume they don't want their names attached, but I wont be attaching my name to anything like that either since; Sells, Donald, Smart & Coffey are all my former Texas A.T.T.A.C.K. Squad players. With that being said, I don't have to agree with decisions that are made for me to always care about my players and want what is best for them. There is just a lot of talk going on about a team that didn't even make the playoffs last year and their newfound success. I am not sure one of the on the cusp playoff teams would be willing to miss the playoffs due to a situation like this. I have faith in our young men and coaches. The wins will be that much more knowing we are doing it the right way!

Orangefield is being underestimated. Kountze will be tough with their "Open Enrollment Policy" this year.

Whitmire is a great coach and we are very glad to have him and his family who by the way are all at every game. Maybe he has done more with less in the past, but he has real talent here in Orangefield right now and there is more on the way coming from the JH groups. Our big 4 (Scales, Wrinkle, Smith, & Thomas) are shooting the ball 38.8% on the season as a team from three and are over. 50% from two, which is a testament to their level of talent as players. Scales is being face-guarded and the others are making the opposition pay for their gamble by knocking down open looks and capitalizing on their own mismatches. That should always be the plan, but can only be done when you have the talent to do so. Bobcat basketball has for sure been battle tested in these last two tournaments this weekend and last, and Whitmire's knowledge for the game and motivational skills have no doubt been on display! Even though they are back to back Tournament Champions and (Big Sandy, & Bill Tennison), and have beaten several good teams, their most impressive victory probably comes in their overcoming a 10 point deficit with about 1:20 left on the clock in the fourth vs. Lamarque in the Semi this past weekend. That takes both excellent coaching strategy and talented execution. I hope to see you at some games this year. I'm biased, but they are a real fun group to watch and I know you don't mind stating the truth in what you see.

Coach, you are a class act and have a real good group of young men! They believe in you because you believe in them and it shows. Your program is definitely on the rise! Good luck to you guys this season!