Parker: Eagles still have unfinished business

The cogs are in place. Momentum's in their favor. The town's excited.

Despite it all, Shelbyville Central coach Kevin Thomas just won't smile.

Why not?

Matt Johnson (23) will have to defend and score against much-taller athletes if Central hopes to advance. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Well, for starters, he's a coach. They don't tend to smile no matter how good things are going. They're a superstitious type.

Secondly, he knows that District 7-AAA teams like Lebanon, Siegel and Oakland can care less about their 30 wins, the high rankings, a District 8-AAA crown, a pair of district MVPs and a Mr. Basketball finalist.

All the pub in the world won't change the fact that state playoff time means elimination games.

The third-ranked Golden Eagles venture to Winchester this evening to take on Lebanon, arguably their toughest opponent since December.

"It could go either way with Oakland, Siegel, Shelbyville and Lebanon," Cookeville coach Kevin Bray said. "That's four very good teams. Lebanon hasn't gotten a lot of ink and print this year but Shelbyville's got their work cut out for them. Lebanon's very tough."

While honors and accolades won't help them advance to the Region 4-AAA finals, talent, teamwork and hustle will.

Central has owned the second half for much of the season. In their most recent wins over Coffee County and Cookeville, they outscored their opponents by a combined score of 88-35.

"This bunch, and I've said it all year long, they know how to win basketball games," said Thomas after his team's win over 7-AAA's Blackman to round out the regular season.

Simply knowing how to finish ballgames and win is something that's hard to teach or apply. The Eagles have put that ability on display all year as they're still undefeated in the Volunteer state.

The competition within 8-AAA has been downplayed by pollsters as the season progressed. Meanwhile Lebanon and the Rutherford County squads have shot up the rankings.

Blackman coach Kyle Turnham has seen several teams from both districts and likes Shelbyville's chances despite the tough road ahead.

"I don't think there's any doubt that Shelbyville's guards are as good as any guards in the state."

If the Eagles can outscore Lebanon, they'll play the Oakland versus Siegel winner on Friday night at 8.

"Having to matchup with a (Siegel's 6-foot-7 Keith) Ramsey is probably a tough one," Turnham said. "Ramsey's the separator in terms of our district. He's a four-man that nobody else has got.

"That being said, Shelbyville's better coached. They play harder. They play smarter. And, they can make up that difference in other areas. They're just as good, if not better, in transition. On the right night, they can go all the way to the state."

The Stars won the 7-AAA tournament title while Oakland claimed the regular season crown.

"Oakland, they match up with a lot better."

Turnham says the key to Shelbyville maintaining their dream of a trip to Murfreesboro is "consistency with having a post presence, somebody that can get them some baskets down low if you've got somebody that can matchup better and cause issues for Twilley or Stewart.

"They've got to have somebody they can go to inside that can turn and convert from time to time. If they can do that, then they've got a chance."

Sometimes that's all a team needs -- a chance. Stay tuned to see what the Eagles do with it.

Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette.