Bracken County v Mason County Predictions 2/23/16

[Polar bear2030]

Both teams are coming in after bad losses. Pig Williams returns from his two-game suspension and the health of Jacob Hamilton is still questionable. These teams met earlier in the season at the Igloo with the Royals coming out with a 5-point victory.

 

(Game will be played at Bracken County High School at 8PM. Overflow parking will be at Taylor Elementary and shuttle busses will transport fans to the gym; $6 Admission)

[Oldercoach]

Pig Williams return will mean more defensively for Mason than offensively. Both of these teams struggle at the line with both teams shooting around 62% and Bracken without Hamilton actually shoots less than 60%. This game could easily be decided by who steps up in the 4th quarter, as I see lots of charity attempts at the end. A. Crawford will get his 25+, but if BC doesn't bang the boards it could be a long night. On the other hand, MC shoots an unimpressive 43% from the floor and 33% from beyond the arc. If MC's bigs don't get lazy and settle out front for 3's, they will be okay with Pig and Garrison slashing and dishing to them. Mason by 7.

[RaginRoyal21]

Before the Brossart game the Royals were firing on all cylinders, I think they continue that and win this one by 10

[LCDAWGS19]

Hamilton is going to doctor today. I hope the kid gets good news, but it's more than just a game for him. He's an outstanding track/CC athlete and has a future to think about there.

Edited February 22, 2016 by LCDAWGS19

[bigblueinsanity]

MC by 6.

[Oldercoach]

Hamilton is going to doctor today. I hope the kid gets good news, but it's more than just a game for him. He's an outstanding track/CC athlete and has a future to think about there.

High ankle sprains are a nasty injury. The degree of complexity has three levels. From experience, one learns out of necessity. A high ankle sprain differs from a normal sprain where the foot rolls inward. The high ankle sprain results when the foot is acutely turned outward separating the two lower leg bones when the tendon connecting them is stretched beyond norm. The bones splay apart and outward creating a great instability. The first degree is the lesser stretching of the tendon and separation of the bones and one might reasonably recover in 2-4 weeks. The 2nd degree of severity is much more severe and will not require surgery, but might take as long as 6 months to recover. The 3rd level results in an actual braking of the tibia (I think) and will require surgery. This level might actually have shorter recovery than the previous.

 

Basketball is a difficult sport after the injury because of the constant torgueing on the injured area with the abrupt lateral movements. If Hamilton is able to participate, he will have an orthopedic ankle brace to immobilize the lateral strain on the injured area. He might be just fine straight ahead, but significantly hampered side-to-side.

 

The pain if strained at all is very severe. Hope his injury was of the less severe type and his doctors were able to do miracles. Hamilton is a warrior. His 4th qtr free throw shooting could be greatly needed.

[mcpapa]

Fascinating matchup. They played at Brooksville early in the season with the Royals squeaking out a close one.

 

Neither team has been at their best lately, with Mason playing a couple of dreadful second halves against Brossart and Pendleton, while the Polar Bears were defeated handily by Augusta and Bourbon.

 

One of the historical recipes to beat Mason is to have a star take control (see Bach, Brent). If Crawford can consistently get to the rim and/or get Pig Williams in foul trouble, Bracken wins. If not, Mason wins.

 

Bracken County 72

Mason County 69

[johnnyappleseed2]

I will take Bracken on their home court by 5.

[UK Fanatic]

Mason by 12.