article 6th Region (Regional Final Preview)

[GoHardITP]

DeSales (25-7) vs. Doss (25-6)

 

Doss- 22nd District Champion, defeated DeSales 55-51.

Regional defeated Holy Cross 78-46, defeated Bullitt East 65-61

 

DeSales, 22nd District Runner-up, lost to Doss 51-55

Regional defeated PRP 58-55, defeated Fern Creek 69-49

 

 

Previous Games:

January 16th Doss 57 DeSales 45

January 20th: Doss 75 DeSales 53

February 26th: Doss 55 DeSales 51

 

 

Summary of the DeSales Colts:

 

The Colts are led by Chase Shellman with a 14 PPG and 7.5 rebound average. Chase had a 24 point and 18 rebound performance in his recent semi-final win over Fern Creek. Another key player is Shaun Sullivan who averages 12 PPG, but also goes to the free throw line often with his heady play. In the regional semi-final he only scored 4 points, but had 5 assists to go along with a solid floor game. The Colts start 5 seniors and have been preparing for this moment all season long. Center Willie Schurfranz is averaging close to 10 PPG and 5 rebounds. Dillon Sievert and sophomore Jaxson Burgess are the other 3 point shooting threats on the floor. Coach Tom Crews will have his fourth shot at preparing the Colts to finally get over the hump to beat a Doss team that so far has had DeSales number this season.

 

 

Summary of the Doss Dragons:

 

 

Doss started strong winning their first 5 games before falling to Taylor County in the KOB semi-final and have been steady all year. The losses have came to very good teams in addition to Taylor County. They have lost to Christian County, Ballard (twice), Trinity, and Dunbar. On paper they have the talent to compete for a State title and should defeat DeSales a fourth time. No other team has been as dominant against 6th region teams as Doss who is 15-0 in 6th region play. DeSales is 13-3, with the only 3 losses coming at the hands of Doss.

 

Senior Dujuanta Weaver is the 6th Region POY and has both Tyler Jefferson and Terrell Gray to form the senior trio of leaders. The Dragons are deep with Jaylon Hall, Delvonte McCloud, and Ramon Collins forming a similar trio of sophomores to compliment the 3 seniors. This game comes on the heels of a tough battle against Bullitt East. Can the Dragons fulfill their senior leaders dreams to make it to State for the first time since 1987? Coach Tony Williams played at Doss and later for the University of Louisville. He has survived a disruptive season with player issues, but now is on the verge of leading his team back to Rupp.

 

 

Game #4 :

This will be the 4th meeting of the year for these district opponents. With Doss winning all three, it comes down to whether DeSales believes they can compete and win. There are those in the 6th region who follow both teams that believe DeSales can beat Doss, but does the DeSales locker room believe?

 

I doubt Doss will take this game lightly given the winner punches their ticket to Rupp. The last time they played DeSales was able to close the game to a 4 point margin, the closest they have come in the three meetings they have faced each other this season. But it was for a district championship and sometimes Doss seems to be disinterested, almost unchallenged to the point they lose focus. This time there is too much riding on the line for Doss to ignore the implications or simply be bored.

 

Keys:

 

-3 point shooting: DeSales needed 3 point shooting to stay in their last game with Doss as it was difficult to score in transition or easy baskets in previous games. Doss at times settles for the 3 point shot when they do not need to. This game will come down to whether DeSales can get open looks and make their available 3 points shots or whether Doss shoots for a low percentage of 3 point shots they did not need to take in the first place.

 

-Tempo: Doss is more athletic and has the speed factor working in it's favor. However, DeSales can surprise you with getting the ball out and down the floor. I just do not believe DeSales can get in an up and down pace that results in a victory over Doss. I suspect they will want a half court game and keep the score low. DeSales has scored 45, 53, & 51 in their three losses to Doss. History would suggest that DeSales will need to keep the score in the low to mid fifties to have a chance which means they must slow the game as much as possible.

 

-Seniors vs. Seniors: DeSales starters are all Seniors and their top substitute is a sophomore. Doss has the highly recognized Senior trio of Weaver, Jefferson, & Gray. Doss starts two sophomores along side their trio of leaders with another key sub also from the sophomore class of 2017. The question becomes.....whose senior leadership will win out?

 

 

Prediction: If it can become a grind it out game in the 40s, then DeSales wins. If it is in the 50s, then it could go either way, but likely Doss. If Doss scores 60 points or more, book their ticket to Rupp.

[TheVille30]

Not sure how officiating has been for the region tournament but I believe that will dictate the play some. Doss is deep but Desales plays a smart game. If the officials allows Doss to play their game and Doss plays like they want it, they win running away. Something different happens, Doss still wins a close one.

 

Doss by 10.

[Griffster]

Not sure how officiating has been for the region tournament but I believe that will dictate the play some. Doss is deep but Desales plays a smart game. If the officials allows Doss to play their game and Doss plays like they want it, they win running away. Something different happens, Doss still wins a close one.

 

Doss by 10.

 

I just read on twitter that all five starters for Desales are CSAA kids. If true- unbelievable and bravo! I just became a huge fan of the colts.

[GoHardITP]

I am not as shocked or find that unbelievable. I guess the Trinity model of pulling in a few non-catholic school athletes has given a perception you must do that in order to succeed if you are a parochial school. I bet DeSales through the years where they have been very good at times has always had that make-up of players. Just curious, but what makes that so unbelievable and special? I am not trying to be a wise guy, just I do not see it that noteworthy where it makes me a huge fan just because of that.

[Cameron Crazie]

GHITP--Great Preview of the 6th Region Final!!

 

I agree with you in your predictions:

 

Doss Wins going away if refs allow game to be physical and Doss is allowed to press and use their athleticism to get Desales in an Up/Down game. I just don't think Desales has depth & overall talent to compete in that type of game.

 

BUT--5th Region Refs don't typically allow that type of game to occur during Regional Tourney/Championships

 

SO with that being said I think Desales has the advantage in a close game--They have a coach who has been in a Regional Championship multiple times and I feel they have better overall TEAM chemistry. However Doss does have 2 players in Weaver and TO who can create a game winning shot and a great athlete in Jefferson to go to glass on misses.

 

Final Prediction: Desales 55-52 Hope to see a great game tonight of contrasting styles!!! Best of luck to both teams

[Griffster]

I am not as shocked or find that unbelievable. I guess the Trinity model of pulling in a few non-catholic school athletes has given a perception you must do that in order to succeed if you are a parochial school. I bet DeSales through the years where they have been very good at times has always had that make-up of players. Just curious, but what makes that so unbelievable and special? I am not trying to be a wise guy, just I do not see it that noteworthy where it makes me a huge fan just because of that.

Your reviews are the best- undoubtedly. It seems to me that Trinity now relies on these kids who didn't go to CSAA schools in order to succeed. St Xavier recently has done the same. Both more so in football - but basketball too. How good would they be without Spalding, West, And X without Shanklin? The list is much much longer... It's obvious that DeSales can't use the same model. Their alumni pockets don't run as deep. Very fan worthy I think.

[GoHardITP]

Your reviews are the best- undoubtedly. It seems to me that Trinity now relies on these kids who didn't go to CSAA schools in order to succeed. St Xavier recently has done the same. Both more so in football - but basketball too. How good would they be without Spalding, West, And X without Shanklin? The list is much much longer... It's obvious that DeSales can't use the same model. Their alumni pockets don't run as deep. Very fan worthy I think.

 

I thought that was the hint at your post, and I agree that DeSales being able to do it differently is unique to the Big 2 of Catholic HS's. It is much easier in BB when your roster is so much smaller. What I found a bit interesting is the big kid at DeSales comes from a family that seems to do well financially (Doctor and Bellarmine grads) and even a father as a Trinity Alum, yet ended up at DeSales. I think his brother also went there. That was interesting they did not follow in Dad's footsteps given the pedigree.

[dawgs83]

Desales former coach Mingus made the statement to me that they were benefitting from Trinity. They are getting kids from CSAA that they could not get before. It has also benefitted them in Football. Kids are choosing Desales as opposed to getting past over at X and T. Desales has won back to back in Football.