The Final Horne: Poythress makes it looks easy, Clarksville High Lady Wildcats try to keep it interesting, Tim Tebow almost makes you believe and playoff picks

By James D. Horne | January 13, 2012 |

Having seen Alex Poythress a few times, it’s easy to see why he was so coveted by every major college basketball program in the country. He’s big, athletic, can shoot the 3-pointer and is a monster dunker. With that said, the funny thing about watching Poythress is in real time it doesn’t look like he’s really getting anything done.

Don’t get me wrong, because I know he is. I saw him score the 37 points he had against Dickson and the 39 he had against West Creek and he was amazing in both. But you watch him play, you wouldn’t think he’s so dominating, because he does everything so effortlessly and quietly. It’s like he just picks up his hard hat and lunch pail and goes to work. He’s never overtly flashy, even though he could be and honestly has every right to be. He’s not a ball-hogger, although again he could be and no one would fault him if he did. And definitely not a prima donna, and you know where I’m going with this, he could be and has every right to be, but just isn’t.

Nope, Alex Poythress is a team player and his main concern is that his Eagles make it to and hopefully win the Class AAA State Championship. Sure, there’s plenty of obstacles in the way. Being one of the top four teams at the end of the District 10-AAA Tournament is almost assured and you’d like to think they’ll be one of the top two teams out of Region 5-AAA. But then it’s the sectional round that could be trouble, especially if they run into Brentwood again, a rematch I would love to see and one I’m sure the Eagles hope happens, too. I know whatever gym that game would be in, it would be packed and standing room only.

The thing about Alex is you hope he achieves his dream and the Eagles find away to win a state championship. We all know his future is bright, because he’s headed to the University of Kentucky and with John Calipari as his coach it means, if everything goes right, that Poythress’ ticket to the NBA is punched.

But those high school dreams are oh so special and ones that for many are the ones that are remembered more fondly as we move into adulthood. But I hope he wins it, because he’s such a good kid, remember he also plays on the Northeast tennis team and has a 3.95 GPA, and good kids should have good things happen to them.

Clarksville Lady Wildcats find ways to stay interested

You have to wonder how the No. 5 (by state AP poll) Clarksville High Lady Wildcats — who are also ranked No. 9 by the ESPN Fab 50 poll and No. 14 by the USA Today — find ways to keep interested in games. Friday night they won their 54th straight game with their 70-31 victory over Kenwood in a District 10-AAA match up. Clarksville High jumped out to a 19-2 lead, saw Kenwood cut it to 24-13 and then responded and exploded with a 19-0 run to take control of the game.The Lady Wildcats led 46-14 at halftime and were never in danger in the second half. And in blowouts like that it’s hard to keep your focus, but they do and it’s because their goal is to shut teams down and not let them score. So in all actuality, the more an opponent fights, the more into the game Clarksville High is going to be and the more the Lady Wildcats are going to respond in kind.

So really it’s almost a no-win situation when you’re a team that just not as talented as the Lady Wildcats are with their five Division I signees. But that’s also the reason CHS is so concerned with their defense, because eventually they are going to play a team that is almost as good as they are and in a moment of adversity, knowing they can fall back on their defense will be a comforting feeling. It’s also the reason they just might reach their goal of winning the Class AAA state title.

Down to the Final Four in AFC and NFC and playoff picks

So we’re down to the final four in both the AFC and NFC with the divisional playoffs starting this weekend. On Saturday, it’s the New Orleans Saints heading west to face the San Francisco 49ers and the Tim Tebow-blessed Denver Broncos will meet the Tom Brady-infused New England Patriots. Then on Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens host the Houston Texans while the New York Football Giants step onto the frozen tundra that is Lambeau field to meet the defending champion Green Bay Packers.

I expect all four games to be entertaining and don’t expect to move from in front of the TV for either one of them. I could see any of the four NFC teams in the Super Bowl and would say they would have an equal chance to win it.

But it’s a different story for the AFC. There’s no doubt the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens are Super Bowl material. The Houston Texans would be if they had Matt Schaub at quarterback, but admittedly their defense makes a case to keep them in the category.

And then there’s the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. They are the team that shouldn’t be here. They are the team with the quarterback that half the nation feels is a waste of talent and has no business being in the NFL, while the other half hangs on his every word and thinks he’s the superstar of the next millennium. Really, I don’t care which side of the coin you’re on. All I know the Broncos have been counted out ever since they put No. 15 in the shotgun, and he’s exceeded expectations. And while no one really considers the Broncos to be a Super Bowl team, it’s that doubt that almost makes me believe they just might make it there.

The picks: New Orleans over 49ers, Patriots over Broncos, Ravens over Texans and Giants over Packers.

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