Walton-Verona vs. Williamstown Predictions/Updates

[ColonelMike]

All-A region 8 matchup from Carrollton tonight.   8 pm.

This is a really interesting early season (Day 1) matchup in the 8th.    These two teams both figure to be in the mix for a Region 8 tournament berth, and how well they match up with each other will be a key determinant to who comes out of the 32nd district.

Both are energetic, get-up-and-go, FUN teams to watch.   

Both teams feature 2nd year coaches; both Mike Hester (13-18 in his first year) and Jacob Cheesman (14-17 in his first season) made some noise in their first seasons at the helm.   

Hester inherited the defending 8th Region champs - but almost no experienced players last year, and made them competitive.   Walton-Verona was sitting at 12-12 on February 7th after beating Trimble County, but the inexperienced Bearcats dropped 6 of their last 7 to finish 13-18.

Cheesman took on a team that hadn't been to the region since 2017, and had gone just 2-29 and 9-22 in the two seasons since.   The Demons improved their record by five games in 2019-20, and - like W-V - they return almost everyone for this season.

Walton-Verona won the matchup on 2/4/2020, 70-52, in Williamstown.   The Bearcats shot 60% from the floor and their top three scorers from that game return (Brant Smithers 28, Conner Davis 15, and Carter Krohman 14).    The Cats hit an impressive 13 of 19 three pointers (68.4%) in that contest.

Williamstown also retains their leading scorers from that contest.   Cole Kightlinger (16 points), Joel McCain (12), and Caleb Tritschler (10 points 7 rebounds) are all back in 2021.

Who wins?

I'm going to try to get up to Carroll County tonight to see what should be a really fun game.  I'll post updates here if at all possible.

CM

 

[nkucardsfan]

Will there be an audio or video stream for the game?

[ColonelMike]

None that I'm aware of, however, I intend to be posting updates to this thread if I'm able to go, and my jetpack has good coverage.

 

[ColonelMike]

just got here.   317 left first. wv 17 wtiwn 4

[ColonelMike]

jalen dixon at line for demons.  213 left 1q

makes 1 of 2.   17 to 5

[ColonelMike]

correction 19 to 5

[ColonelMike]

wtiwn beating press but throwing ball away in halfcourt

[ColonelMike]

both teams struggling from outside.  walton getting paint looks

[ColonelMike]

conner davis layup. 21 to 5

[ColonelMike]

for game one impressed with pace.   both pushing it hard

[ColonelMike]

Brant Smithers with a 3 right before the hirn from straightaway.   24 to 5 walton after one quarter

Williamstown will be in bonus with next Bearcat foul. .....Demons with only 2 fouls

[ColonelMike]

Dixon Mcclelland Mccain Feagan and Kightlinger start 2Q for Demons

[ColonelMike]

Mccaun misses front end of 1 and 1 after 7th foul on wv

[ColonelMike]

wtown misses layup after steal

[ColonelMike]

foul on julian dixon of wv.....thats their 8th.  kightlingrr at line.   another missdd front end