|
|
||
|
|
February 15, 2010
District play looms just a week away now. Coaches are trying to "prime their teams" for this do-or-die games. It's such a fine line...are they peaking or are they just beating inferior talent? Are they tired ? fresh ? Will the Seniors be the leaders or should I go with the up and coming under-classman ? Is this really the year or is it next year ? Questions flood coaches brains from now until their team is eliminated. Let's take a look around the state at what's been shaking this week...
One key area in post-season play is free throws. We all know the story but not many of you know the feeling with the success or failure of a season riding on YOUR free throws. Some games this week where free throws down the stretch made the difference...
Lee Summit went to Liberty and knocked off the Bluejays when not one, but two players each hit a pair of charity tosses in the waning seconds of the game as the Tigers (15-7) won 45-44. Sean Green and Sam Sealer both canned the pair of free throws to enable the Tigers to knock off LIberty for the 2nd time this year.
Another key factor is the resiliency of each team-- can they bounce back. I'm a believer that every state winning team has at least one game that they have to claw, fight, rally to win. This week, Truman (18-5) outscored Oak Park 18-12 to win a hard fought 56-50 over the Northmen. Doing this on the road, leaves a very positive impression for the Patriots as they look now to doing something similar in District or beyond.
Some teams that expect to go deep in the post-season, have tried raising the strength of their schedule. They'll play the toughest teams that they can schedule. The idea is that you'll a) expose your weaknesses and correct them; b) see adjustments by high level coaches similar to what you'll see at STATE; c) playing the best every game prepares you for the best. Several teams are taking this approach- both girls and boys teams. By the way, it is rather amazing at how many good (not great but good) teams can't seem to find a way to schedule these elite teams. Wouldn't they benefit from competing against the best ? Does a loss in December, January or February hurt you in Districts ? Some coaches do arrange schedules to have a glossy record at District time. There may be times when that approach is necessary but, in my mind, when you want to jump into the "elite" waters- you'd better swim with them a bit.
One team that is following this policy is the Webb City Lady Cardinals (21-1) under coach Brad Shorter. This week, the #1 ranked Class 4 team (#29 nationally) traveled to NIxa and walked away with a 61-46 victory over the talented Eagles (19-3) team. Jumping ahead, then withstanding a charge by the home team, the Lady Cardinals forced a couple early 4th quarter turnovers to turn the tide. Look for this team in the final Four at Mizzou Arena. Also, look for them in the 2011 Prepcasts Elite Girls Shootout III next year against Incarnate Word !
Good teams make long runs that lead to wins. Check out the Kickapoo 18-2 run over Joplin in the last 4 minutes of the fi as they raced to 73-56 win. Joplin rallied but could not overcome that huge run by Kickapoo. The Chiefs, who are now 15-9, and Joplin 16-6 take strong records into district play.
Don't think that the favorites will coast...take a look at Cape Central. The Tigers fell behind 9-0 to the high flying Sikeston Bulldogs (16-3) but stunned many with their 57-50 home win. Central (14-7) was 14 of 17 from the line down the stretch! By the way, home court does make a difference !
But home court isn't an automatic, Poplar Bluff halted the Notre Dame- Cape 10 game win streak as Eljie Johnson kissed a shot in off the glass at the 1.2 second mark to give the Mules a 57-55 win at Cape. This great game saw the lead see-saw back and forth repeatedly in the final quarter. The foul line was the difference here too...ND-Cape was just 6 of 16 from the line in the 2nd half ! As one would expect, Coach Roberts (ND) promised lots of FT practice this week for his team!
1000 point barrier broken again Ryan Pierson (CBC) jumped into the 1000 point club during CBC's 59-43 win over DeSmet (13-10) last week. Pierson, 6-10, has signed to play at Northeastern next year. Meanwhile, CBC (17-8) hopes to face Chaminade for a third time in a District Championship at CBC.
After opening the season 2-6 against much larger schools, Maplewood Richmond-Hts has gained from that experience. The Blue Devils are now 15-7 (yes..that's 13 wins in the last 14 games), perched atop the conference standings at 8-0 and anxiously awaiting their first post- season play in 4 years without Bryant Allen, who has moved on to the University of Minnesota. Bryton Hobbs has led the scoring at a 18ppg clip for the Blue Devils who will be facing Scott County Central on www.prepcasts.com this Saturday !! What a game !
Another team streaking is the MICDS Rams. Splitting their first 6 games, the Rams are now 18-5 and looking forward to their District games (and beyond) at Clayton. McPherson Moore and Michael Scott are the 1-2 punch for the Rams Offense.
In the MIneral Area, Arcadia Valley (23-0) is ranked #1 class 3 school in the State. This talented team will face several challenges in post-season as their unbeaten record may put a target on their uniforms.
Prepcasts has another busy week (aren't they all ?) for you to enjoy. We have plenty of high school action including big games involving Parkway South, Hazelwood Central, Maplewood, St James girls...check our great schedule on our schedule page !! Remember for high school sports is Prepcasts for college sports -- go to PrepcastU !
|
NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION&COLLEGE
|
