Final from The Fieldhouse.

This is not a bad loss against the Evil Empire. Kept it close enough the Panthers know they can play with the Royals. Neutral floor and a better job shutting off middle will make the District that much more interesting. Both Bracken and Augusta close enough to Mason to make Biggs sleepless in Feb./March.

Pig had it going tonight on both ends and looks like the best player in the region I've seen play. However, and not to take anything away from Mason, but Augusta's " "Matador Defense" and unforced turnovers was the difference tonight. We've got a lot of work to do if we want to have a chance to win this Region. I have faith that we will make the mental and team adjustments to be there.

Nice to meet @Oldercoach tonight.

 

As for the game went about as I expected it to go. Mason Co had several opportunities to blow this out but credit Augusta for not giving up and fighting till the end.

I've seen two Augusta teams so far, the one that played Pendleton and Mason, and the one that played Bracken and Campbell.

Game was never really in doubt. I think Augusta may have closed to within 5 or 6 points in the 2nd half, but never any closer.

 

Pig Williams was terrific, and I believe he finished with a game-high 26.

 

Connor Maddox, I believe, had 23 to lead Augusta.

I think I heard Danny Weddle say as I was driving home that Maddox had 23 tonight.

 

As always great chatting with you RP

Augusta only had 1 lead and it was right at the beginning of the game by a point I believe. Mason Co was just too deep and athletic for the Panthers tonight.

 

Other than Augusta getting behind the defense tonight I thought the Royals did a solid job defending tonight. Pugh got behind the press several times for easy lay ups but that's all I could see.

Credit to the Royals tonight, they played well. Seemed like whoever they threw it to could hit. Panthers were really lacking on defense. The paint was open for business down the middle or along the baseline. They did do a decent job of boxing out and getting their hands on loose balls in transition. The good news is the problems they had can be corrected and if these two meet again it will be on a neutral floor and I imagine a much better game.

As bad as I thought Augusta played and how well Mason shot the ball this was still a 6pt game with about 5 minutes to play.

I go believe the Dawg will attend the evening games tonight.

As bad as I thought Augusta played and how well Mason shot the ball this was still a 6pt game with about 5 minutes to play.

 

This!

All you guys watched the game, right? The only thing that kept Augusta in the game was Free Throw shooting. Mason made 7-7 and Augusta shot 24-28. My math says that is a 17 point difference. Mason never made it into the bonus either half and Augusta trotted to the line often. Big factor in the game.

All you guys watched the game, right? The only thing that kept Augusta in the game was Free Throw shooting. Mason made 7-7 and Augusta shot 24-28. My math says that is a 17 point difference. Mason never made it into the bonus either half and Augusta trotted to the line often. Big factor in the game.

 

This ^^^^^^

 

At one point in the 4th quarter I looked at the scored board, Augusta was in the double bonus while only committing 2 team fouls. Mason never got to shoot foul shots even after Augusta started to save the clock.

Both Bracken and Augusta believe they can play with Mason. Bracken has shown they are there in the friendly confines of the Igloo. Hinson's challenge from the start was to find dependable production from players not named Crawford. Hinson is starting to get the Bears to believe and the support players are gaining confidence in their roles. The Bears can be there at the end, but could be prematurely be undone by the silly reluctance of non-seeding in the 39th.

 

Kirk's challenge at Augusta is pretty obvious. Offensively the team has five starting guards all 6'1" and shorter that play maturely and cohesively as a team. The only shortcomings I see (first is easily corrected), is that we have the habit of watching our threes rather then fighting for position, which leads to entirely too many breakouts and easy transition buckets. The second is the above referenced "matador defense" where we NEVER take a charge to stop penetration. Crawford from Bracken got a zillion uncontested points, as Mason did last night. IMO this can and will be corrected by Kirk. The Panthers are close, but have to have their best game every time out there to be competitive come tournament time.