These 2 county rivals go at it Monday night at The Fieldhouse with a 10th Region Tournament berth on the line.

 

Bracken won at Augusta on the 13th by 22 points. Will the Panthers get their revenge & build on the postseason success of the recent past, or will the Polar Bears be too strong?

As freshmen, Austin Crawford & Jacob Hamilton carried Bracken into the District finals. I expect them to do the same this year. Polar Bears win a close one, 54-50.

I'll take Bracken by 7, 56-49.

I think Augusta will fare better without Snapp this time around, but Bracken is playing well.

 

Polar Bears win by 9.

While I dont think ethier team showed all its cards the other night at Augusta and coach Hinson will have a couple new looks for the Polar Bears, I believe Bracken will prevail. Mostly due to the rebounding and second chance points. Bracken dominated the boards 44-22 in their last meeting. Ive had the oppertunity to watch this young team grow up before my eyes this season. Ive said it for a while now this team was on the cusp of being a very good team and over the last 2 weeks have turned the corner and learned how to win games.

 

We had our early season struggles and played a very difficult schedule, which at first I was concerned about but now feel that was one of the key reasons of our success of late. Making these kids "battle tested", sometimes a team has to indure tough games like we did early on to get the results at the end of the season. There was a time in early Janurary that these boys could of packed it in and "mailed in" the last part of the season, but the didnt. They perservered and overcame many obstacles to be the team they are right now. And i believe its brought them together and help them play good team basketball at the right time.

 

Only hope all this time off due to weather dose not cause any "gym rust", but there are many teams that share that worry.

 

With all that said i feel my beloved Polar Bears get the W by a score of 69-59 and advance the the district finals for the third straight season. But it wont be easy the Panthers will give it all they got, i think the difference makers will be rebounding and defense especially on Maddox. He was held to 5 pts in their last game, and a repeat effort will be needed in their next meeting.

gotta keep in mind that Maddox shoots about 70% from the perimeter in that building.

Listen at this link for the Bracken County broadcast

 

Bracken County vs. Augusta 39th district tournament (boys) - TEAM 1

Should be a great game... I'll take Augusta by 2 in OT

Coach Hinson definitely learned a few things from the meeting a couple weeks ago. Like his team can't guard them man to man.

I expect coach Hinson to have a few tricks up his sleeve. The score won't be lopsided either way, but Coach Miles and his Polar Bears ride their hot streak in to the finals.

 

Polar Bears 65

Panthers 59

Augusta has become accustomed to being the underdog this time of year. They also always seem to raise their game when playing at the Fieldhouse. If I had to guess I'm taking the Panthers Monday night in a tight one by 3.

Augusta is the back-to-back "defending" 39th District Champs and that means that these young men will come to play and defend their titles. You can be assured that Coaches Hinson, Crawford, White and Snapp will have a winning game plan and although this team is down without Cameron Snapp's services, they're not out yet. I'm hopeful that this "team" will answer the call and execute the plan which will certainly entail defense and rebounding as the primary weapons. If that is the case, they will prevail, in a close one, yet again against all odds.

Augusta by 2 53-51

Take Augusta in a close one.

Who's gonna be there besides ol' papa?

Me and I'm sure RP and Polar Bear 98 although he'll be in the ESPN truck.