Ballard (18-2) vs. Manual (11-7) on Saturday 3/27 at Valley H.S. at 3:00.

How did they get here:

Ballard:

Beat KCD 87-38 28th District

Beat Eastern 68-63 28th District

Beat Central 80-47 7th Region quarterfinals

Beat Trinity 79-57 7th Region semifinals

Manual:

Beat Shawnee 73-29 25th District

Beat Central 59-47 25th District

Beat Eastern 64-57 7th Region quarterfinals

Beat Male 68-62 7th Region semifinals

Previous meeting:

They did not play each other this season.

Top players:

Ballard:

1. Sophomore Gabe Sisk (18.8/4.9)

2. Junior Maker Bar (15.9/10.4)

3. Junior Kennedy Hayden (12.2/3.1)

4. Junior Derrick Tilford (8.2/3.0)

5. Senior Chaunte Marrero (7.9/3.5)

Manual:

1. Senior Brendan Shene (11.3/9.0)

2. Junior Koji Anderson (10.3/2.9)

3. Freshman Damone King (9.6/2.2)

4. Junior JaWaun Northington (7.3/6.6)

5.  Senior Aaron Smith (8.1/1.7)

   Manual has made a surprising run to the championship game through stellar defense as have held opponents to an average of 55 points including holding Male to 62 points last game. They have also got increased production from freshman Damone King who scored some key baskets down the stretch against Male, and be on the lookout for this kid the next 3 years. Ballard arrives to the championship as no stranger as they have been a 7th Region power as long as I can remember. They have a strong defense at 59 points a game and a strong offense at 76 points a game. Ballard played in the championship last year and having lost to Male, will not want to come up empty two years in a row. I think Manual has the defense to stay in striking distance, but probably doesn't have the offense to match Ballard. With Manual beating Male, they have proven they can hang with the big dogs but now they have to hang with a big bear. Does Ballard roll into the Sweet 16 or does Manual continue the Cinderella run avoiding the midnight clock?

Any team good enough to beat Male is good enough to beat Ballard.  But I would be surprised if it happens. I look for the Bruins to prevail 70-56.

Manual’s Aaron Smith is a senior. I accidentally left his class year off under top players.

Would love to see Manual win this and get to the Sweet 16 for the first time in almost fifty years. But it seems like Ballard will be too much. I'll pick Ballard by ten.

4 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Manual’s Aaron Smith is a senior. I accidentally left his class year off under top players.

Gotcha. 

 

 

 

 

 

Ballard rolling!