COSBY-The start of the high school basketball season is just a few short weeks away, and the just-released schedule for Cosby High School is a dandy.

Beginning its' third season in District 2A, Cosby will face their District foes, Hancock County, Clinch, Washburn and J. Frank White, home and away, as usual, but it's the out-of-District part of the schedule that's interesting.

"It's a good schedule," said Eagles' head coach Brad Flatford," a challenging schedule. We tried to mix it up a bit this season."

Back on the schedule this season is former District 3A foe Greenback for a home-and-away series.

"My coaching roots are there," said coach Flatford, "and I still have friends there. Greenback always puts tough teams on the court. So it will be a good test for us."

Also back on the schedule this season are home-and-away series' with Berean Christian, Maryville Christian, Unaka, Pigeon Forge, and one that has everyone buzzing, Gatlinburg-Pittman.

The Highlanders landed five Division I prospects through transfer in the off season, and are everyone's pick for a state tournament berth even before the new season begins.

"I've had folks ask me why I didn't drop those games from the schedule," said coach Flatford. "I'm not going to do that. We committed to them so we're keeping them on the schedule. Besides, we're actually looking forward to playing them."

Also new to the schedule is a holiday tournament that will be played at the Eagle's Nest.

"We've been on the road for a lot of holiday tournaments in past years," said coach Flatford. "So, we decided that it would be nice to stay home this year. And it's going to be a fun tournament too."

The Cosby Christmas Classic is slated for December 28 and 29 and will feature Cosby, Copper Basin, Washburn and the Knoxville Ambassadors. The Classic will have two girl's and two boy's games each day.

Earlier in December, both the Eagles and Lady Eagles will play at the Grace Christian Tournament in Knoxville.

"It'll be a tough tournament," said coach Flatford. "Grace has been tough for the past few seasons, plus there will be Knox Webb, Union County and some other teams, including Grace Chapel out of Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Grace Christian Tournament runs December 10, 11 and 12.

Cosby's season begins on Monday, November 23, at home against Berean Christian, and finishes on Tuesday, February 16, at Unaka. In fact, Cosby finishes out the regular season with three straight road games at Pigeon Forge, J. Frank White and Unaka.

The District 2A Tournament is slated for February 18-23 with the Region 1A Tournament set for February 27-March 4. Sites for both tournaments have yet to be determined.

2009-10 Cosby Basketball Schedule:

Monday, November 23-Berean Christian (GV, BV)

Tuesday, November 24 @ Maryville Christian (BJV, GV, BV)

Friday, December 4 @ Gatlinburg-Pittman (BGJV, GV, BV)

Monday, December 7-Greenback (BJV, GV, BV)

Thursday, December 10 @ Grace Christian Tournament (GV, BV)(TBA)

Friday, December 11 @ Grace Christian Tournament (GV, BV)(TBA)

Saturday, December 12 @ Grace Christian Tournament (GV, BV)(TBA)

Thursday, December 17-Clinch* (BJV, GV, BV)

Friday, December 18 @ Hancock County* (GJV, GV, BV)

Monday, December 28-Cosby Christmas Classic (GV, BV):

   3:30 p.m.-Knoxville Ambassadors vs. Washburn (Girls)

   5 p.m.-Knoxville Ambassadors vs. Washburn (Boys)

   6:30 p.m.-Copper Basin vs. Cosby (Girls)

   8 p.m.-Copper Basin vs. Cosby (Boys)

Tuesday, December 29-Cosby Christmas Classic (GV, BV):

   3:30 p.m.-Copper Basin vs. Washburn (Girls)

   5 p.m.-Copper Basin vs. Washburn (Boys)

   6:30 p.m.-Knoxville Ambassadors vs. Cosby (Girls)

   8 p.m.-Knoxville Ambassadors vs. Cosby (Boys)

Friday, January 8-J. Frank White* (BJV, GV, BV)

Saturday, January 9 @ Greenback (BGJV, GV, BV)

Tuesday, January 12-Gatlinburg-Pittman (BJV, GV, BV)

Friday, January 15 @ Washburn* (BJV, GV, BV)

Tuesday, January 19-Maryville Christian (BJV, GV, BV)

Friday, January 22-Hancock County* (BJV, GV, BV)

Monday, January 25-Pigeon Forge (GJV, GV, BV)

Tuesday, January 26 @ Berean Christian (GV, BV)

Friday, January 29 @ Clinch* (BJV, GV, BV)

Tuesday, February 2-Unaka (GV, BV)

Friday, February 5-Washburn* (GJV, GV, BV)

Tuesday, February 9 @ Pigeon Forge (BJV, GV, BV)

Friday, February 12 @ J. Frank White* (BJV, GV, BV)

Tuesday, February 16 @ Unaka (GV, BV)

February 18-23 @ District 2A Tournament (TBA)

February 27-March 4 @ Region 1A Tournament (TBA)

*Denotes District Game

Tip Times: JV (5 p.m.), GV (6:30 p.m.), BV (8 p.m.) unless otherwise noted.