First time seeing Dixie since December. WOW are they baby-faced in a lot of positions. Their best b-ball is certainly ahead of them.

 

They just weren't strong enough, quick enough, or tough enough to handle Newport.

 

The one (other than Hatton) that was strong enough and tough enough sat the bench most of the 2nd half. Milligan did a fine job in the middle offensively and defensively in the first, and barely saw the floor in the second half. I thought he and Hatton could've formed a good inside-outside duo in the second half, but it never happened.

Dixie is young, and I believe they will be back. They beat Newport the first time around by 8 or so, so I didn't think it was that easy to "see coming". I thought Snapp did a very nice job of taking what was given to them and the players executed. Commodore was an inside outside threat and that is hard to guard. I felt that the Dixie sophomores were timid and hesitated a lot, and I don't know if that is a team culture thing, or a sophomore thing. Niehaus played pretty well, and Hatton had his usual, but little production from everyone else. Milligan and Hedger, the regular big barely saw the floor in the second half and Dixie was out rebounded all game.

 

Good effort from Snapp and his boys as they were ready to respond after going down 8-10 early. Good experience for Dixie and that young group. If Hatton leaves, it's been a pleasure watching him score the ball at will (most times).

 

A bunch of sophomores in a huge setting with a more athletic team opposing them, in addition to a coaching advantage -- easy enough to see coming.

 

As I said in a different thread over the weekend, Newport was the team outside of the big 4 that I thought had the best chance at making a run.

 

Sometimes having no dog in the fight makes one's view point more clear.

I thought Dixie's guards not named Brandon Hatton really struggled tonight. #3 and #5 seemed like the game was way too fast for them. Too many turnovers and overmatched by the faster guards of Newport IMO. Newport had their fun tonight. I think their run comes to a halt against the Blue Colonels.

Nees1212...i agree with your post and would add Niehaus in there who played a nice game with 14 pts before fouling out. Hobbled entire 2nd half as well as he rolled his ankle late in 2nd quarter.

Chevy doesnt give his bigs much chance to succeed imo.

Dixie didn't play any defense at all tonight. Newports guards beat them off the dribble all night long.

Dixie didn't play any defense at all tonight. Newports guards beat them off the dribble all night long.

 

Dixie's help D was not good either.

A bunch of sophomores in a huge setting with a more athletic team opposing them, in addition to a coaching advantage -- easy enough to see coming.

 

As I said in a different thread over the weekend, Newport was the team outside of the big 4 that I thought had the best chance at making a run.

 

Sometimes having no dog in the fight makes one's view point more clear.

 

I have no dog in the fight. If anything, more "dogs" for Newport. I felt Newport was/is good enough to beat Dixie, but being that Dixie already beat them, and both have been somewhat inconsistent this season, I still don't believe it was "easy" to see. A pick em' game in my opinion. To say it was "easy" to see, to me would mean that it would have been a surprise if Dixie won, and I don't believe that.

 

Agree with the coaching advantage. Just my opinion.

I have no dog in the fight. If anything, more "dogs" for Newport. I felt Newport was/is good enough to beat Dixie, but being that Dixie already beat them, and both have been somewhat inconsistent this season, I still don't believe it was "easy" to see. A pick em' game in my opinion. To say it was "easy" to see, to me would mean that it would have been a surprise if Dixie won, and I don't believe that.

 

Agree with the coaching advantage. Just my opinion.

 

I would have been surprised had Dixie won, and for whatever reason, I had clarity on how this one would turn out. I was clearly in the minority based on the preview thread.

 

I'm with you 100% on another thing, besides coaching, that is Newport's inconsistency this year.

I would have been surprised had Dixie won, and for whatever reason, I had clarity on how this one would turn out. I was clearly in the minority based on the preview thread.

 

I'm with you 100% on another thing, besides coaching, that is Newport's inconsistency this year.

 

Why so inconsistent you think? Team with some upper classmen, no big issues to be reported, not many injuries, and real solid coaching....

Dixie was in control early in the game and Newport came storming back. Tough loss for the Colonels as they got to within 1 and then 2 late in the game but simply couldn't get over the hump. Dixie has nothing to hang their heads about. They are a very young team and played hard all night. Newport was just the better team.

 

Cody Pearson killed DH with back door cuts that led to easy baskets. Him and Commodore were the key players for the Cats in the second half. All 15 of Pearson's points came in the second half. Commodore continues to impress me every time I see him. Kid has a nice stroke from outside for a kid his size.

 

Short Brothers were tough tonight at both ends. Covcath will have their hands full Saturday. Last time these two met in the region tourney, it was the Wildcats who ended up cutting the nets down.

A big thumbs up goes out to Cody Pearson. :thumb: After sitting most of the 1st half with the couple of fouls that he got with his assignment of trying to contain Hatton, he plays a huge roll in Newport's comeback in pouring in ALL of his 15 points in the 2nd half... And... just as it has been all season long... again no one seemed to notice. Honestly, what does the kid have to do to be apart of the discussion? :idunno:

Covcath will have their hands full Saturday.

 

Agree with this 100%.

 

Walter, so much for those personnel changes I guess. Given your statements elsewhere, I assume tonight's outcome surprised you a little.

[video=youtube_share;eMlukysgdVQ]

Agree with this 100%.

 

Walter, so much for those personnel changes I guess. Given your statements elsewhere, I assume tonight's outcome surprised you a little.

 

 

Wasn't really surprised Dixie lost. Newport is a good team.

 

I did think a couple of Dixie's players played better though, compared to earlier in the season.

 

Both Milligan and Niehaus played solid for Dixie tonight.

Agree with this 100%.

 

Walter, so much for those personnel changes I guess. Given your statements elsewhere, I assume tonight's outcome surprised you a little.

 

 

Wasn't really surprised Dixie lost. Newport is a good team.

 

I did think a couple of Dixie's players played better though, compared to earlier in the season.

 

Both Milligan and Niehaus played solid for Dixie tonight.