Round two goes to the Purples.  We're still waiting to see what happens officially with the Greenwood/Warren Central game that was canceled due to Covid, but excepting that, the home team has still defended their home court in all played games among the big three.

I expected Central would get a better game from Bowling Green the second time around, so it was not surprising to see that happen. After Central grabbed an early 2-0 lead, Bowling Green scored seven straight and never trailed again.  Bowling Green took it to them on the boards, particularly in the first half, and played with greater energy and aggression than their first game.  That translated into a 27-12 lead, which proved to be their greatest margin of the game.  They ran into a bit of trouble after that, as Central scored the final six of the first half, and ultimately went on a 20-6 run to close to 33-32 early in the fourth quarter.  But Central could not get over the hump, and a 10-0 Bowling Green run ended any real doubt as to the victor in the game. Deuce Bailey had 11 points in the fourth quarter for the Purples, and the freshman had a strong game all around.  He is going to be a problem in every sport he plays for the next three seasons.  Just an incredible talent.  They definitely lose this game without him.

Each team has things that can be viewed positively in the takeaway.  For Bowling Green, it's obvious.  They needed to respond after the first meeting, defend their home court where they've now won seven of eight against Central, and they did exactly that.  Psychologically, that was big for them, and it showed the freshmen (and eighth grader) who have not experienced this series before that they can play with Central.  For Central, they will comfort themselves that they were without two of their best players due to Covid protocols, were missing another man from their bench for the same reason, and righted the ship after a rough start following two weeks without games or practice.  Scoring 42 points of course... that's not all that positive!

Final verdict? This remains a fun year in the 14th District.  Friday when Bowling Green and Greenwood meet will be another good one.  If Bowling Green wins that, the worst they (realistically) can do will be a tie for the #1 seed.

Great report @DragonFire!

I am impressed with BGs effort in this game.  It was important as you say especially for the young team.

For Central, who was out?

Regardless, I'm equally impressed with them.  They never quit and played hard even when the ball was not going in like it did the first game.  Lot to play for still for the Dragons.

Really looking forward to hearing how the Greenwood game turns out.  I'm not able to watch it tonight, but will surely pay attention afterwards.

Go Purples!

2 hours ago, Purple88 said:

Great report @DragonFire!

I am impressed with BGs effort in this game.  It was important as you say especially for the young team.

For Central, who was out?

Regardless, I'm equally impressed with them.  They never quit and played hard even when the ball was not going in like it did the first game.  Lot to play for still for the Dragons.

Really looking forward to hearing how the Greenwood game turns out.  I'm not able to watch it tonight, but will surely pay attention afterwards.

Go Purples!

Walkup and Jefferson were the two primaries out, with Farley also out. One of the players who did play - Wells - it was literally his first game and he had one practice under his belt. Tough assignment for the first game out!

If Bowling Green wins tonight, they have essentially wrapped up the top seed. I had forgotten that the district changed their two way tiebreak to the winner of the second game. That means Bowling Green has the tiebreaker over Central. They’d have it over Greenwood as well Bowling Green virtue of the sweep. So even if Central gets their games rescheduled and wins out, the best they’d be would be 7-1, as Bowling Green would be unless they were to lose to East for the first time since 1998 or South Warren for the first time ever. In other words - not happening!