A Modest Proposal....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lpd_observer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Ladies and Gentleman, I am going to make an argument of which many of you will disagree. Suffice it to say that there has recently been a power shift in Group A football as a result of schools in the east and north east whose student populations are growing and growing. These numbers will eventually make it impossible for us (Smaller swva schools) to compete with on a regular basis, and so I think that we need to commit more resources, more money, and our better athletes toward the development of more competitive basketball programs.

Gate City's debacle at the state title this year reinforces the idea that we can play relatively good football all year only to run into schools at the state level whose athletics programs have more money and more depth in terms of student athletes. Whereas football require 22 skilled players and a host of additional substitutes, it is becoming more and more difficult for us to field competitive teams against powerhouse institutions. Since basketball only requires 5 to 7 (minimum) good players to win, it seems that we should retool our student bodies towards winning state championships in basketball which I think is still a realistic goal. If we can reestablish good feeder programs which seek to develop basketball players on a year round basis, then I believe that the LPD and Region D will ultimately be in the business of winning championships again. </div></div>

I feel we compete prety well in basketball already. Recently GC, TV, and TS have had very successful seasons losing close games in the championship and Council winning. If not for Fisher getting hurt CW may have won it last season. In FB GC just ran up against a much better team much like GC had in 03. So I must say I can't really agree with your comments as I feel Region D competes pretty well for what we have.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PVFAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I disagree, I think GC in basketball, Clintwood in football, JJ Kelly in baseball, and Twin Valley in basketball all have state chances in the next 2-3 seasons. TV is really young and with the split in basketball divisions they have a legit shot. </div></div>

in football there is a shot. now in basketball too. my 4-5 classifications is what you get when divisional play is put in. technically there is 6 divisions in those 2 sports. inflated enrollment disparity is the problem and the reason we won't win a state title. clintwood played a school almost double in size this fall for the title.

Randy White Va. High (UNC)

Forgot about him.

I'll be the first to agree that the two-division setup either needs to be scrapped or at the very least tweaked to prevent the large schools from playing in Division 1. But Gretna routing Gate City in the finals had nothing to do with money, school size, or population shifts--they just had better athletes.

Pittsylvania County, where Gretna is located, has been hit HARD by plant closings and jobs getting moved overseas. Most of the remaining tax base is rural and they don't have a ton of money floating around. Three of the four schools in that county used to be AA and are now A.

The problem doesn't lie in Division 2. SWVA schools should be able to compete there.