January 14, 2008                        Check Out previous Blogs

A mid-season #1 vs #2 classic game...finding ways to win...schedule making for teams ... some "Big Gamers" ... some more quality teams from across the STATE that you might be missing ... expectations -- good or bad ??? Read some of our views and comment to us about YOUR thoughts on these topics    …

An Athletic Director and Coach usually work out a schedule that satisfies each one of them. Some want travel games, some want Friday home games, some want back-back games, some want the toughest opponents possible,  some want some cupcakes mixed in every couple weeks. It is dependent on the quality of your team and the goals of the program. This week, Incarnate Word Academy took on two of the top teams from St. Louis. Coach Dan Rolfes revenged a loss against St Joseph's Academy from 10 days earlier on Tuesday with a 45-35 win. On Thursday, his Red Knights coasted past Nerinx Hall 59-37. This is very unusual to play back-back games (2 days apart) against your toughest league opponents. If you check out your favorite team's schedule, you'll be able to determine the goals of the coach and AD by a) quality of non-league opponents  b) tournaments   c) how many home games  d) any travel     e)  quality of league opponents

Usually mid-season #1-#2 match ups fizzle. Not so this time at the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament. Two teams with good chances of landing in Mizzou Arena. The Delta Bobcats saw soph. Taylor Smith knock down each end of two one and ones in the final 15 seconds to eek out a 38-35 win over the Kelly Hawks.  This is one our recurring themes...free throws require much individual practice, many players shun these repetitious, yet vital, shots.

High hopes can lead to some very high expectations. Mix in a program that wins "big" annually for a long period of time and the ingredients for extremely high expectations are there constantly. The Kickapoo Chiefs of Roy Green are one of these aforementioned type teams. Always very good, well coached, strongly supported by community. I couldn't help but be somewhat amused when it was felt that they "struggled" in December. What did they do ? They dropped two home games. Fans are sitting back now, smiling, as the Chiefs have rattled off seven consecutive double-digit wins and hold onto 13-2 mark after pounding Lincoln Prep 86-62. Sometimes, I think fans forget that the OTHER teams have talent, coaching and have been practicing just as hard as the home boys or girls.

Somehow, the really good teams find a way to win. This year the Raytown Bluejays (14-0) are on that roll. This week, Park Hill South had the Bluejays throttled offensively and led the #1 ranked team by 13 after 3 quarters. 6-7 Ivo Baltic (game high scorer fouled) out for the Panthers and Dominique Morrison came alive the the Blue Jays in the final stanza as Raytown snatched 51-48 victory from the jaws of defeat.

We really enjoy the power of the "big man" inside but what really seems to light us up are the "little guys" who fly around, penetrate, twist their body all around to bank in shots, knock down 3's, dribble like Marquis Haynes. We love watching those type of guys. Ft Osage Ja'Wan Davis fits the mold perfectly. If your in his area -- check him out !

"Big Gamers" for this week:

Jordan Flora (St Clair) -- 46 points !!

Kramer Soderberg (St Charles West)--37 against McCluer

Newton (Raytown South) 32 against Grandview

Nicole Norberg (Oakville girls) 28 points in losing battle to Farmington

Peter Eggers (Lutheran South) -- 31 points against Vianney

Samantha Heck (N. Calloway) -- 31 points

Caleb Johnson (Scott County) -- 26 points against Charleston

Kendrick Brown (Soldan) -- 32 against V&P Arts

Scott Suggs (Washington) 30 points against Lafayette

Some more QUIET teams who are assembling a strong season without much fanfare:  Branson Pirates (11-2), Willow Springs (12-2),Maplewood (10-3), St Clair Bulldogs (12-4), Crystal City (13-1), Hillsboro Hawks (10-3),Eureka (11-4). Do you have any to add to this list of good teams that are necessarily ranked?

MISSOURI ATHLETIC CLUB

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