Semi-Final round game of the Murphy Classic taking place tomorrow night in The Fieldhouse. Suffice it to say, this is a huge early season matchup.

 

Who wins, by how much do they win, & why?

Although Mason County is playing with a chip on their shoulder, I think Augusta wins in a close one. I watched Mason play Scott this year and absolutely nobody could keep Blake Schneider from getting to the front of the rim. Schneider is similar to Bach, but only Bach can pull up from 30ft. Out. With the way games have been called this year, I expect Bach to shoot a lot of FT's. I predict Bach gets 35 and Augusta wins by 7.

Although Mason County is playing with a chip on their shoulder, I think Augusta wins in a close one. I watched Mason play Scott this year and absolutely nobody could keep Blake Schneider from getting to the front of the rim. Schneider is similar to Bach, but only Bach can pull up from 30ft. Out. With the way games have been called this year, I expect Bach to shoot a lot of FT's. I predict Bach gets 35 and Augusta wins by 7.

 

Mason County counters with a stronger front court. If I'm the Royals, I feed Johnson, Henry, & O'Mara all night long.

 

If I'm Augusta I push tempo as much as possible & do what I can to make the Mason County guards beat me, although they do have to keep close tabs on Greenhill.

 

I expect a good one, but I don't have a prediction quite yet.

I've gone back and forth 156 times on this....still not sure. I do know I'll be there!

^ Agree on both statements.

^ Agree on both statements.

 

I'll be on "away" side of gym...prolly upstairs.

I'll be on "away" side of gym...prolly upstairs.

 

You, the whole city of Augusta and then some. :lol2:

I'll be on "away" side of gym...prolly upstairs.

 

 

You boys enjoy. As usual, my in-laws made plans for me that keep me away from an important Royal game! Sheesh!

Mason County counters with a stronger front court. If I'm the Royals, I feed Johnson, Henry, & O'Mara all night long.

 

If I'm Augusta I push tempo as much as possible & do what I can to make the Mason County guards beat me, although they do have to keep close tabs on Greenhill.

 

I expect a good one, but I don't have a prediction quite yet.

 

With the lack of depth of Augusta this could also be their demise. They have put a lot of points on the board so far this season. This will be their first matchup against a team with some size. Trying to push around a big man, than running the court takes a lot more energy than just running the court. Should be a close one. Augusta wants to prove how good they are and Coach Hinson has them believing they are good. Mason remembers what happened to Goliath last year and will want revenge. I'm going with Mason by 5.

You boys enjoy. As usual, my in-laws made plans for me that keep me away from an important Royal game! Sheesh!

 

Newlywed? Where is your man card!

Newlywed? Where is your man card!

 

Ha! It's Christmas. A difficult time to do things when family lives out of town...

 

 

By the way. I think Mason comes in focused and sharp. I'd say they control Bach, but do a better job than last year of shutting down the supporting cast, and win by 10.

Well, I have to make up my mind sometime.

 

Somebody has scored 72 points the last two times these teams have met. With that in mind:

 

Mason County 72

Augusta 68

Talking to an Augusta fan and his concern is depth or lack of. I'll take

the Royals by 8, if it's close down the stretch in the 4th the Augusta crowd (town for that

matter) could be a factor.

Talking to an Augusta fan and his concern is depth or lack of. I'll take

the Royals by 8, if it's close down the stretch in the 4th the Augusta crowd (town for that

matter) could be a factor.

 

Support on top of the hill has dwindled the past few years, but I would be mildly surprised (not shocked) if both sides weren't equally boisterous. I'd say there's more interest around Maysville than the past few years have seen and both sides will be rocking.

 

That said, maybe all of Augusta is more powerful a force than the Fraction of Maysville in attendance.

Ha! It's Christmas. A difficult time to do things when family lives out of town...

 

 

By the way. I think Mason comes in focused and sharp. I'd say they control Bach, but do a better job than last year of shutting down the supporting cast, and win by 10.

 

Easier said than done. If not, we'd all write "Control Bach" on the chalk board and be done with it.

 

Two years ago in the 10th "A" Finals Bach got our attention by scoring 32 on us (Brossart). We took due note, focused our attentions on him at practice last year and vowed that it wouldn't happen again. Despite our preps, focus, and resolve to limit him, he lit us up for 39. Pretty impressive, especially against a team that prides itself on defending in the half court.

 

This year we will once again make him the center of our defensive efforts, fully realizing that he is probably going to get his 30. The kid is really good.