January 27, 2008                        Check Out previous Blogs

The debate began as soon as the Parkway South Patriots (18-1)were knocked off by the DeSmet Spartans 60-42 in semifinal action of Ameritime Tourney. Is it better for a very good team to experience a loss sometime during season ?  Coaches have different feelings about this idea. I prefer to stay unbeaten! A team has a special "feel" when they haven't tasted defeat. This invincible mystique will offer push athletes to higher levels of performance from my perspective.  The challenge for the coach of this type of team is to continue to push the "must improve" button AND for the players to buy into it. By the way, the Patriots responded the next night as they coasted past Chaminade 60-42. Meanwhile, DeSmet proved that it wasn't a fluke as they walked off with Championship Trophy after beating Hazelwood Central 50-33.

When Trenton Lafoon lofted a shot from beyond the half court line at the buzzer and watched it sail through the nets, his Republic Tiger team recorded its only points of the 4th quarter!  Yet, these 3 points proved the difference in a 48-45
Championship game of the Rogersville tournament.  Why so few points ? Republic held the ball from the 6:12 mark of 4th until 2:04 at mid-court to draw the Rogersville (12-6) team out of their 1-3-1 zone. This is a verrryyyy LONG time to delay. Usually, a team surrenders their aggressiveness in a delay and have a hard time scoring again. It worked splendidly for Republic (14-6) on this night.

Special kudos to Kenny Wyatt of Salisbury(5-10)  as he hung up his 400th win in a 59-46 victory ver Keytesville (9-7). Coach Wyatt is 400-165 in 14 years.

Overtime...more overtime!  This time of year games tighten up. The effects of pre-season have diminished, teams have faced all types of defenses by now, found a rotation of players, adjusted to varsity level speed and play. Here's a look around the state at some of the exciting OT games of this week !

Girls- Carthage 72 Renaissance Academy 67 in 2 OT ! Sarah Tyler's 3-ball sent the Knob Noster girls into OT against Oak Grove(9-8). As often occurs, the momentum of that shot led Knob Noster to a 66-61 win. Carl Junction went on a 13-4 tear in OT as they handled Carthage 63-54 in finals of Nevada Tourney. Yes -- it was the 2nd OT of the week for the Carthage girls !

Boys-Oak Grove beat rival Pleasant Hill Roosters 75-71 in a high scoring affair.

O'Hara (14-4) hits 8 straight from the line as they edge Nixa (12-6) in OT 62-55 to win the Nixa Crown.

Some other "specials" of the week that caught my eye..

Sometimes offense comes in bunches, the Wm Chrisman girls found the bottom of the net for 13 points in the 4th to grab a low scoring 33-30 win over Lee Summit North Lady Broncos.

Speaking of defense-it wasn't a typo.. the Jeff City Jays(11-8) outlasted the SLUH Jr  Bills (9-10) 35-28. SLUH scored 2 points in 2nd quarter and 3 points in 4th but held lead until the Jays converted 5 of 8 shots to take the lead for good.

St James Tigers, after a sluggish start, have piled up some nice wins of late including a 50-48 nail-biter over the Blair Oaks Falcons. Chase Ford drained a 3-

to tie it up with 30 seconds and then banged in the winner with under 10 sec !

Don't think for a second that a trip to Mizzou Arena one year doesn't have an impression on other students. After graduating the two top scorers (his sons) last year Coach David Fouch has LaPlata (15-0) racing along the same lines again this year.. This week LaPlata crunched Bucklin 73-27. Dusty Baker and Jesse Schrader are filling in the scoring shoes of the Fouch boys of last year.

How about these 50+ numbers..no-it's not AARP ?

Gavin Wiss (Ft Zumwalt West) scored 30 points and grabbed 21 rebounds as the Jaguars edged Parkway Central 52-50. That double-double of over 50 (30+21) is really an accomplishment. Another 50+...Corey Ballard (Trinity) hung up 36 points and snatched 16 boards in a losing effort against Orchard Farm 61-54.

Scorers were on a 30+ rampage last week. Josh McCoy (Ft Zumwalt South) had 33 in 68-61 win over McCluer. Kramer Soderberg (St Charles West) hung up 30 in an easy 73-40 win. Drew Hanlen (WG) notched 31 when the Statesman toppled Lafayette 56-50. Craig Bals (Troy) had 31 as Troy beat Parkway North Vikings 64-60. Wendi Zickfield (30 points) when Cape Central raced by Kennett 59-45 in girls action. Keep us posted with the 30+ in your area!

The difference a point makes!  Waynesville Tigers 65-64 slim win over Kickapoo in the Tournament of Champions Championship Game has pushed the Tigers to the #1 spot of rankings. We look forward to an exciting rematch in post-season.

How about this deadeye shooting ?

Marshfield Lady Bluejays (19-0) knocked down 8 of 14 from beyond the arc in the 3rd quarter to blow open the game on the way to a 71-39 win over Waynesville. Marshfield is coming off impressive wins over state ranked teams-- Bolivar Lady Liberators and Republic Tigers.

www.prepcasts.com has some great action this week. On Tuesday, Ft Zumwalt South will buck horns with the St Charles West Warriors. Troy Trojans will tangle with Troy on Friday. Meanwhile from the pool, MICDS girls will square off with the Notre Dame Rebels on Thursday. Prepcasts-MO West covers the best games west of Columbia. Prepcasts-Ste. Genevieve will feature those elite games from the Ste. Genevieve area.  More action continues to be scheduled daily. Check our schedule for the best games in the STATE--right here on Prepcasts!

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