Final from Walton. Braves' only lead in game was first basket of the game. Walton controlled from that Point forward. Again, another horrible game by the officials, but at least terrible on both sides so there was consistentcy I guess... But Walton did play a very good game. Good defense, good perimeter shooting. Hailey Ison another nice game, 21 pts; found out after the game that she is 4 pts away from 1000. Would have loved to witness it. Good player, shows class on the court. Mills and Simpson also had nice games. Dark horse in game IMO was Dezarn. Seen her play quite a few times, this was best game I've seen her play. Don't have stats on Walton, but for GC Wright with 14 and Harmeyer with 12.

Is it just me or is Walton a little hard to figure out? They beat W-Town by 30 and then only beat them by 10. They lose to Trimble and then beat them by 20. They lose to SK by 5 and then by 25. They beat Beechwood by 2 but then lose to Highlands by 3. They seem a little hard to figure out.

I've seen both of these teams quite a bit this season and was at the game last night. IMO Grant is not getting enough out of Wright. I think she is only averaging something like 10 a game. That isn't enough for them to win. She should be a 20+ scorer. Anyone can see how good she is with the ball. She is quick, has good size, can shoot off the move. She could take anyone Walton had off the dribble last night. She has another gear when she chooses to use it. Outside of her and Harmeyer, Grant is limited offensively.

 

Walton is sound fundamentally...all their kids know how to play the game (all have good basketball IQ's) but they are limited athletically. Not a lot of team quickness out there. I can see why they have had an up and down year so far. They struggle defending.

 

FWIW, just my observations.

As per wcpo.com........

 

 

WALTON-VERONA 61, GRANT COUNTY 40 –

 

Junior forward Hailey Ison scored 21 points, hitting three 3-pointers, to pace the Bearcats. Junior forward Morgan Simpson tacked on 16 points and nine rebounds for Walton-Verona.

 

GRANT CO. 11- 9-14- 6—40

at WALTON 20-11-13-17—61

 

GRANT COUNTY (7-13): Cummins 1 0 2, Wright 5 2 15, Harmeyer 5 1 12, Kearns 1 0 3, Chaidez 2 0 4, Ruebusch 0 2 2, McCoy 1 0 2. Totals 15 5 40.

 

WALTON-VERONA (12-10): Luebbe 1 0 2, DeZarn 3 1 7, Mills 4 1 12, Ison 6 6 21, Simpson 5 4 16, Anderson 1 0 2, Lehkamp 0 1 1. Totals 20 13 61.

 

3-pointers: WV—Mills 3, Ison 3, Simpson 2. GC—Wright 3, Harmeyer, Kearns. JV: Walton-Verona, 39-36.

I've seen both of these teams quite a bit this season and was at the game last night. IMO Grant is not getting enough out of Wright. I think she is only averaging something like 10 a game. That isn't enough for them to win. She should be a 20+ scorer. Anyone can see how good she is with the ball. She is quick, has good size, can shoot off the move. She could take anyone Walton had off the dribble last night. She has another gear when she chooses to use it. Outside of her and Harmeyer, Grant is limited offensively.

 

Walton is sound fundamentally...all their kids know how to play the game (all have good basketball IQ's) but they are limited athletically. Not a lot of team quickness out there. I can see why they have had an up and down year so far. They struggle defending.

 

FWIW, just my observations.

 

Are these genuine observations or pot shots? Wondering simply because I can think of several quality reasons for the up and down, but honestly, none of these would be near the top of the list.

Final from Walton. Braves' only lead in game was first basket of the game. Walton controlled from that Point forward. Again, another horrible game by the officials, but at least terrible on both sides so there was consistentcy I guess... But Walton did play a very good game. Good defense, good perimeter shooting. Hailey Ison another nice game, 21 pts; found out after the game that she is 4 pts away from 1000. Would have loved to witness it. Good player, shows class on the court. Mills and Simpson also had nice games. Dark horse in game IMO was Dezarn. Seen her play quite a few times, this was best game I've seen her play. Don't have stats on Walton, but for GC Wright with 14 and Harmeyer with 12.

 

Agreed! DeZarn is playing very well right now. She has always been a very good defender, however here lately she is emerging as a more consistent contributor within the offense. That is very good news for the Bearcats.

Are these genuine observations or pot shots? Wondering simply because I can think of several quality reasons for the up and down, but honestly, none of these would be near the top of the list.

 

I have nothing invested in their success or failure. No reason for pot shots. It is not a criticism to say they are not athletic. Not their fault either. God either blesses you with speed or he doesn't.

 

They have a nice team. They play hard. Played a tough schedule. Look at their losses. IMO they have lost against teams with more athleticism. Simon Kenton is a good example.

 

If you have a different view for their ups and downs that's great. You probably have a connection to their team and know more of what is going on internally. I don't. I only comment on what I see on the floor. Not apologizing for that.

IMO Grant's biggest problem is WAY TOO MANY TURNOVERS- ESPECIALLY UNFORCED TURNOVERS. Game after game a player will make a "highlight reel" play and they or another player will then turn right around and do something- travel, lose the ball, throw it away etc... this team with the exception of roughly 4 games where they weren't in the game and were blown out, could easily be 17-4. Many of the games that were lost (at least 5) they had a lead in the 4th Qtr. and some they led most if not all the way till the end. And the reason is IMO all the turnovers. I would say it's because of the youthfulness of the team, but the stats show otherwise.

IMO Grant's biggest problem is WAY TOO MANY TURNOVERS- ESPECIALLY UNFORCED TURNOVERS. Game after game a player will make a "highlight reel" play and they or another player will then turn right around and do something- travel, lose the ball, throw it away etc... this team with the exception of roughly 4 games where they weren't in the game and were blown out, could easily be 17-4. Many of the games that were lost (at least 5) they had a lead in the 4th Qtr. and some they led most if not all the way till the end. And the reason is IMO all the turnovers. I would say it's because of the youthfulness of the team, but the stats show otherwise.

 

I can understand your frustration. Most kids don't understand the importance of valuing the basketball and playing within yourself. The successful teams do.

I have nothing invested in their success or failure. No reason for pot shots. It is not a criticism to say they are not athletic. Not their fault either. God either blesses you with speed or he doesn't.

 

They have a nice team. They play hard. Played a tough schedule. Look at their losses. IMO they have lost against teams with more athleticism. Simon Kenton is a good example.

 

If you have a different view for their ups and downs that's great. You probably have a connection to their team and know more of what is going on internally. I don't. I only comment on what I see on the floor. Not apologizing for that.

 

 

No apologies are needed or expected for having an opinion. I just thought it would be proper to ask first before I jumped to any conclusion. Since your observation is not fully accurate, it caused me to wonder about your intentions.

Appreciate that. Would love to hear your opinion on the causes of their ups and downs since my observation is not fully accurate.

Edited February 4, 201511 yr by outofbounds

Appreciate that. Would love to hear your opinion on the causes of their ups and downs since my observation is not fully accurate.

 

I guess I don't see it too much of ups and downs as I do learning curves. Learning to play with new point guards after losing a 4 year starter at point. Learning to play on the road with sufficient and consistent energy (last night was only their 3rd road game). Two major players learning invaluable experience after missing an entire season. Learning to play with a certain line up due to injuries. Relearning to play when players are back available from injuries. Learning who works best where. And just for you...learning how to look quicker for those observing. There is a lot to learn before districts and I think that the schedule they played has given them a lot of valuable lessons. Walton could have easily played a much softer schedule, and "appeared" to have more ups, however, they would not have had the lessons to get better like they have had. Some may call those downs, and some where, but many were just learning experiences.

I guess I don't see it too much of ups and downs as I do learning curves. Learning to play with new point guards after losing a 4 year starter at point. Learning to play on the road with sufficient and consistent energy (last night was only their 3rd road game). Two major players learning invaluable experience after missing an entire season. Learning to play with a certain line up due to injuries. Relearning to play when players are back available from injuries. Learning who works best where. And just for you...learning how to look quicker for those observing. There is a lot to learn before districts and I think that the schedule they played has given them a lot of valuable lessons. Walton could have easily played a much softer schedule, and "appeared" to have more ups, however, they would not have had the lessons to get better like they have had. Some may call those downs, and some where, but many were just learning experiences.

 

Everything you say is valid and I'm sure accurately describes their season to this point. Every team out there goes through some combination of learning curves/ups and downs (whatever you want to call them), personnel changes, and injuries. But athleticism, the ability to make plays, usually wins out. Walton has a nice team (will probably make the regional) but has a ceiling for how good they can be due to the lack of athleticism. I'll grant it may not be the cause for the learning curves as you call them but it will be what keeps them from advancing in the post season.

Everything you say is valid and I'm sure accurately describes their season to this point. Every team out there goes through some combination of learning curves/ups and downs (whatever you want to call them), personnel changes, and injuries. But athleticism, the ability to make plays, usually wins out. Walton has a nice team (will probably make the regional) but has a ceiling for how good they can be due to the lack of athleticism. I'll grant it may not be the cause for the learning curves as you call them but it will be what keeps them from advancing in the post season.

 

Well now your changing gears...we were not talking about ability to advance in the post season. We were talking about reasons for the "ups" and "downs".

 

I think I'm catching on though...Let me review...

 

Your reason for ups and downs - no athleticism.

Next. Your reason for not advancing in post season - no athleticism.

 

Are you trying to say Walton doesn't have any athletes that can make plays and defend? :idunno:

IMO Grant's biggest problem is WAY TOO MANY TURNOVERS- ESPECIALLY UNFORCED TURNOVERS. Game after game a player will make a "highlight reel" play and they or another player will then turn right around and do something- travel, lose the ball, throw it away etc... this team with the exception of roughly 4 games where they weren't in the game and were blown out, could easily be 17-4. Many of the games that were lost (at least 5) they had a lead in the 4th Qtr. and some they led most if not all the way till the end. And the reason is IMO all the turnovers. I would say it's because of the youthfulness of the team, but the stats show otherwise.

 

Could possibly be to conditioning, if they are getting sloppy late in game and losing leads that would seem like lack of discipline or conditioning.