Can HJ Repeat?

[Guest Wildcat 08]

I know they can but the big question is will HJ repeat as District and State Champs?

[Guest DickVitale]

It is extremely difficult to repeat as state champion, especially if the primary players have graduated.  In class 3A and below, however, a powerhouse program has a tendency to stay on top longer due to lack of parity at those levels.  HJ will probably win district again, but without a marquee player, I dont see them going back to Austin, let alone winning it all again in 08.  Being HJ will get them about "10 points" of respect for the next 2-3 years at the 3A level.  Meaning, by the time teams realize they actually have a shot against them, it will be a little too late in most cases.  Southerland will have that program at an elite level in this area for a while.  They WILL get back to Austin under his watch, but the question is when.

[whsalum]

Lots of things have to go your way in the playoffs to even get to Austin.It's easier to win it once you get there than it is to get there.While Ryan was the main cog overall they will still be very good.Ryan just took games over last year when he had to,this year they will have to spread it around to be successful.Defensively I think they will actually be better with Burrell,Jarvis,Fontenot,Stevie,Weldon and Payne all being outstanding in the press.The key on the offensive end will be to share the ball.Mix this with the best coaching staff in the area and the title is theirs until someone takes it.I like there chances.

[Guest DickVitale]

Yeah, Southerland is ONE of the area's top coaches, no doubt, but area's BEST STAFF?  I would have to research that one. ???  You have to have good quality assistant coaches in order to help build top programs and HJ has some capable guys as assistants from what I have seen.  How would you gage it as THE best, though? Just curious....

[BIGDADDYDAVEHJ]

I think that we can do it again or at least im hopeing that we can cus the road trip up there was preety fun!

[whsalum]

Yeah, Southerland is ONE of the area's top coaches, no doubt, but area's BEST STAFF?  I would have to research that one. ???  You have to have good quality assistant coaches in order to help build top programs and HJ has some capable guys as assistants from what I have seen.  How would you gage it as THE best, though? Just curious....

If there is a better staff from top to bottom than HJ I haven't seen it.Todd,Clay and Jamie have all been successful on there own.When you put them together they don't miss much.I'm not from HJ so I guess thats just an opinion but I have watched a lot of basketball in this area over the past 50 years and I haven't seen a better staff.Maybe your research will prove me wrong.

[hj_hawk_60]

Jamie???

head coach: Todd Southerland

Assistants: Clay Davis and Jeff Lee

who is Jamie???

[Guest DickVitale]

Thera are lots of staffs with former head coaches on them.  I am trying to figure out what makes THAT staff the best? Not being cruel, just curious to know.  I guess playing a little "devil's advocate".  By the way, as I said earler, HJ will be a force, but I think they have lost too much to repeat. They will be competitive because Todd Southerland has laid a solid foundation for that program..But they won't repeat.  They could even make it back to Austin...maybe.  But they wont repeat as champion.

[KFDM COOP]

Oh come on Mr. Vitale  ;D if they make it back to Austin they'll win it!

[Guest DickVitale]

Well, I said a huge MAYBE   That depends on how strong region 3 is next year.  Like I said, it is hard to repeat, especially losing key guys as they did.  I expect HJ to be a force, no question about it, but if teams get over their "defending state champ" fear, then they become a target.  If you don't have the experience to play being targets, it can turn into a long season..That's where the "maybe" comes in.

[KFDM COOP]

8)

[Guest AISD]

8)

They got to get pass Tyler Chapel Hill whose returning 4 Starters and 2 back up guys

[jmspears3]

If HJ can handle their district, which is one of the toughest districts in the state.

They would certainly be favored for a return trip to Austin. I would add that if anyone else were to win that district you could not overlook them as well for a trip to the capital.

[Guest DickVitale]

And that's all part of my "maybe" factor ...Man, I can't wait for basketball season to start up again!! ;D...Hurry up and get pecan ball started and over with!

[Guest spinks]

Yeah, Southerland is ONE of the area's top coaches, no doubt, but area's BEST STAFF?  I would have to research that one. ???  You have to have good quality assistant coaches in order to help build top programs and HJ has some capable guys as assistants from what I have seen.  How would you gage it as THE best, though? Just curious....

Of course I am biased but HJ has the best coaching staff by far.  Jeff Lee who is the freshman coach has been a head coach at East Chambers and Mesquite.  Clay Davis was the head coach at Tatum where he turned a program that has never won and had won 3 games in the 2 years prior to him getting there in to district champion each of his yearsthere and a 3A state Finalist 3 years later and now is a top 10 team in the state every year. Not to mention he was the coach of the year in the district each year he was there. From there he moved on to Jasper to win 2 district titles where he had to step down as head coach because of a life threatening illness to his son and moved home closer to family.  This staff has 2 SUCCESFUL former head coaches and one of if not the best coach in southeast texas in Todd Sutherland.  That is how we come to that conclusion.

[Guest DickVitale]

OK, I will buy that for a buck...

[whsalum]

Jamie???

head coach: Todd Southerland

Assistants: Clay Davis and Jeff Lee

who is Jamie???

My bad ,I keep wanting to call Jeff , Jamie.Anyway the big guy next to Clay.I have watched all 3 HJ coaches in the past and they would definitely get my vote as the best staff.I'm telling ya from watching Fontenot and Stevie this summer playing with several of the returners they are gonna be pretty dang good.State Champs??? who knows, but the title is theirs until someone takes it.I still like there chances.I'm with DickieV, LETS GET IT STARTED.

[baller001]

i have to agree with the best coaching staff. Coach Sutherland doesnt even need anything to be said everyone knows what he can do.. Coach Davis knows how to win plain and simple.. and Coach Lee is a quite man but when he talks everyone is listening to him because what he says helps out especially if you are a big man

[PoppaBearstarr]

Don't forget that the Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, & Assistant coach were all on the 1991 state championship team, they have a lot of experience, not to mention all of the State Championships that Todd has.

[Guest DickVitale]

Yeah, all 2 of them.....

[Guest totalsportsprogram]

How many do you have as a head coach?

[Guest DickVitale]

None as a head coach (been close though, and I am still young) 1 as an assistant, and 2 appearances....why do you ask? I was being sarcastic earlier, I know, but no knock on Todd...Just answering the guy who said, "all those championships"..Thought it was kinda funny...How many do you have, since we are inquiring??

[Guest totalsportsprogram]

two more than you.  Many would love to have two state championships.  Where do you coach that you have come so close?

The guy has been to the state tournament like 6 times now.  I'd say that is pretty impressive.

[Guest DickVitale]

I told you I was not knocking him or his titles...Now back to my question...How many do YOU have? 

[Guest totalsportsprogram]

I answered your question.  Why would you knock someone who has two state championships?  Can the word "all" not refer to more than one?  He has gone to the tournament 6 times and at three different schools.  I am trying to think of another coach in this area that has done that.