January 6, 2008                        Check Out previous Blogs

  Looking at a fading skill in basketball...some "big guns" and "artillery" for the week...teams that are assembling strong seasons quietly...how many times is enough when scheduling ?  This and more...read on....

As the game of basketball continues to change, some skills strengthen and some gradually seem to fade away. Tipping in baskets was once a skill that all post men worked at diligently. Not so any more! But every so often, it pops up! Frederick Franken's tip in at the buzzer was the difference as his Tipton Cardinal team(5-3) topped Stover 44-43.

Over the holidays, I think that some teams just can't seem to find their niche. There are a variety of reasons--radically different routines at basketball and in their life, more travel, more concerns about family, etc.  Two good teams suffered through scoreless quarters recently. Both of these squads are well coached, good teams but for whatever reason (probably strong defense is one reason), nothing could fall. Notre Dame de Sion forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter as the Jeff City Lady Jays saw a 9-0 deficit as the first quarter buzzer sounded. The Lady Storm went on to a 44-41 win as the Lady Jays fought valiantly but couldn't quite overcome the hole that they had dug for themselves. The Lady Helias Crusadors (5-4) pulled off the same trick as they shut out the St Theresa Stars (6-3) in quarter #3.The Crusadors rallied during that quarter to pull out  a 42-34 non conference win. Again, the turnover bug bit the scoreless team as the Stars committed 9 turnovers in the 3rd quarter. I'm confident that in rematches neither of these teams would see a goose-egg for a quarter score.

How many times is enough ? The Ozark Lady Tigers (9-3) have already played Parkview (9-5) three times this season with two games within a 4 day span! Khyrstyn  Brumley's put-back basket was the difference in the 46-44 Ozark win. Ozark won the first game of this series 67-43, Parkview was victorious in the second game 53-50 in Christmas Holiday tournament play and now Ozark regains the edge with this latest win.  A 4th match looms on the horizon in district play between these two strong programs.

Some of the "big guns" this week (High Individual scorers):

Brandon Kunkel (Red Bud) --42 pts ;  Tyler Bower (Valley Park) --32 points; Dominique Morrison (Raytown) -- 29 points; Laura Williams (Monroe City) - 35

Todd Sorenson (Howell) -- 31 points; Jay Simmons (Scott City) --36 points.

Yvonne Anderson (Hickman) 47 points is the leader of the week ! Post your comment with other scorers at/close to 30 point barrier!

Some of the "Big Artillery" -- TEAMS that had huge scoring games!

Crocker Lions rang up  98 points in 98-87 win over Bloomfield.

Berkeley Bulldogs "broke the board" in a 103-98 win over Mills!

Post your comment with other very high scores of the week !

Each week, we'll try to zero in on some of the top rated teams as we take an unofficial look around the state at some teams that could make Mizzou Arena. By no means is this a complete or definitive list but hopefully it'll alert you to pay attention to these teams in the next 6 weeks. . A glimpse at some large schools boys teams--these are listed in no particular order. Send me any others to add to this list (with current record)

Raytown Cardinals (12-0); Kickapoo Chiefs (10-2); McCluer North (7-1 )

Webster Groves (13-1) Branson Pirates (10-1). Glendale Falcons (11-2); St Charles West (13-1) Ft Zumwalt South (12-2) Parkway South (14-0) Rockhurst, Rock Bridge(10-1).

Now....quietly...without hardly anyone noticing them--some other teams racking up wins -- out of the spotlight but clearly worth noting: Francis Howell (7-3), Springfield Central (9-4) ,St Marys (9-4), Lebanon (9-2), Benton (St Joseph,MO),  Howell North (9-3), Eureka (10-4), Lafayette (7-3).

What teams would you add...post your comment!

Follow Up to last week about how would Harrisonville Wildcats Football team get derailed (41 straight wins)?  Well Fred Bouchard (Head Coach) announced that he was leaving to take a job at a new high School-Staley High.

That might throw a wrench on the tracks of the steam rolling Wildcats ! Is it the program or the coach ?  We'll find out.

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