The Raiders (17-6) travel to Whitley County (7-14) Friday to play the neighbor-region rival, Whitley County Colonels. What are your ideas on this game?

 

I'll go with McCreary, in a game closer than stats would say.

 

Raiders 78-65.

If the Raiders can handle the tough man to man defense and physical play of the Colonels then they will win the game. If the Colonels get inside their heads and can contain Watts it will be a tough contest. Whitley although not a huge team is very hard nosed and will take many teams out of their offense with some good pressure defense. LeBanion will have to be contained by the Raiders and kept out of the lane. Rebounding decides this game. I will take the Raiders to win 68- 55

If the Raiders can handle the tough man to man defense and physical play of the Colonels then they will win the game. If the Colonels get inside their heads and can contain Watts it will be a tough contest. Whitley although not a huge team is very hard nosed and will take many teams out of their offense with some good pressure defense. LeBanion will have to be contained by the Raiders and kept out of the lane. Rebounding decides this game. I will take the Raiders to win 68- 55

 

The Raiders play a lot of zone, but they can play a stiff man-to-man. The Raiders are also very physical, and I think they match the Colonels in that. LeBanion is a very nice ball player. If he attended a school like McCreary, he would be an instant starter and could help this team to the region championship. I would assume McCreary will probably play 6'2 junior Josh Phillips, who averages nearly 20 points per game, or 6'2 senior Corey Waters on LeBanion. Waters isn't a scorer, but he is capable of being a lockdown defender, as shown in the performance against John Perkins of Pulaski. McCreary's rebounded has been pretty sketchy, but they're ball movement and shot selection can be some of the best in the area. Whitley will need to guard the three, which McCreary shoots extremely well, and cut off the driving lanes. Phillips and Watts are the best players that can drive the lane for McCreary. I think if McCreary jumps out to a big lead early (12-15pts), then I expect a big, big McCreary win.

Imo the Raiders are the better team and should win by 10 or more, but the game being at Whitley they better keep the margin above that 10 point margin or MC could be in trouble at the end.

I think McCreary wins this one. They usually start playing better this time of year.But Whitley must be playing better because they have a quality win over a pretty good Knox team. I say MC 68 WC 59

McCreary Central 73-58.

The Raiders should win by 12 but the young colonels are athletic enough to pull the upset. I'm looking forward to watching Watts and Lebanion.

McCreary Central 62 - Whitley County 53 final score