Not sure I'd agree with Boone having better guards. Gordon, Kowolonek, and Grote all three are better defenders and more likely to light you up for 20 than Gabbard or Popp.

 

Also I see Earls struggling against Watson, Grubbs, and Dill. All three will be very physical which will get in his head.

 

Kowolonek is probably the best of the group, then Gabbard and Popp. Grote follows, then Gordon. The Boone guards do much more than score... Earls has been playing very well and pretty physically lateley.

Highlands by 6+

Boone Co's guard play will make the difference Bonne by 7

Not sure I'd agree with Boone having better guards. Gordon, Kowolonek, and Grote all three are better defenders and more likely to light you up for 20 than Gabbard or Popp.

 

Also I see Earls struggling against Watson, Grubbs, and Dill. All three will be very physical which will get in his head.

 

I'm curious, better defenders based on what? Gabbard and Popp are among NKY leaders in steals and regularly guard and limit other teams' top scorers. Grote is also a very good defender. Boone guards will not typically get above 15 in Boone's offense because that's not the system they run.

 

There's no comparision of Earls vs. Grubbs IMO. Earls is much quicker/faster, runs the floor better, is a better shot blocker and has a better shot.

I'm curious, better defenders based on what? Gabbard and Popp are among NKY leaders in steals and regularly guard and limit other teams' top scorers. Grote is also a very good defender. Boone guards will not typically get above 15 in Boone's offense because that's not the system they run.

 

There's no comparision of Earls vs. Grubbs IMO. Earls is much quicker/faster, runs the floor better, is a better shot blocker and has a better shot.

 

I dont want to speak for Eta but I think he meant they are much more physical defenders. Without me seeing Popp and Gabbard I cant make any comments on that. I know they are quick as lightning and create havoc out there.

 

I am looking forward to finally seeing the Boone Co kids play as I have been following them for the past 4 yrs in AAU ball but never had a chance to see them live. Although it will probably only be for the 2nd half as my son has a 7:30 jr high game tonight.

I have seen both teams play on several occasions. I would be suprised to see HHS come away victorious.

Highlands 59-56.

I don't believe that "physical" defense necessarily means that someone is a better defender. Boone's Gabbard and Popp have a combined 49 steals and have done a very good job this year limiting other team's leading scoring guards. Grote and Lother have a combined 39 steals. Certainly, Lother is not physical, but he still has 17 steals. There's much more to defense than physicality, especially in perimeter play.

 

In addition, Boone's guards have each scored over 20 before and have each scored double figures many times. They are capable of being scorers when necessary. Boone's current offensive system does not call for them to lead the team in scoring. Both of Boone's guards have scored more points than Grote, Gordon, or Lother. Kowolonek is the only Highlands guard/forward who has outscored them. Boone's guards have the edge in assists: Boone: Gabbard 50, Popp 18, Schultz 18. Highlands: Lother 33, Gordon 24, Grote 17, while Highlands guards have taken better care of the ball and have fewer turnovers: Boone: Popp 38, Gabbard 31, Schultz 21. Highlands: Lother 31, Grote 29, Gordon 25. Blocks: Highlands guards 3, Boone's 3.

 

I think the inside play will determine this one, not the guard play.

Edited January 12, 200917 yr by wildcatfan

I don't believe that "physical" defense necessarily means that someone is a better defender. Boone's Gabbard and Popp have a combined 49 steals and have done a very good job this year limiting other team's leading scoring guards. Grote and Lother have a combined 39 steals. Certainly, Lother is not physical, but he still has 17 steals. There's much more to defense than physicality, especially in perimeter play.

 

In addition, Boone's guards have each scored over 20 before and have each scored double figures many times. They are capable of being scorers when necessary. Boone's current offensive system does not call for them to lead the team in scoring. Both of Boone's guards have scored more points than Grote, Gordon, or Lother. Kowolonek is the only Highlands guard/forward who has outscored them. Boone's guards have the edge in assists: Boone: Gabbard 50, Popp 18, Schultz 18. Highlands: Lother 33, Gordon 24, Grote 17, while Highlands guards have taken better care of the ball and have fewer turnovers: Boone: Popp 38, Gabbard 31, Schultz 21. Highlands: Lother 31, Grote 29, Gordon 25. Blocks: Highlands guards 3, Boone's 3.

 

I think the inside play will determine this one, not the guard play.

 

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the stats. Boone struggles against good defensive teams which Highlands is. I'd say Kowolonek, Gordon, and Grote are the better guard tandem because they have 3 solid guards right there whereas Boone only has Gabbard and Popp. Kowolonek, as you said, is the best of the group. I wouldn't be too quick to put either Gabbard or Popp in front of Grote. He has had 23 or more 2 of the past 3 games on top of being the best defender on the team.

 

And the only person I'd give the edge to down low over a Highlands inside player is Mcfarland. Grubbs will keep Earls off the block and force him to play around 10 feet and out. Boone's lack of depth will hurt them tonight. Highlands will press and press and continue to throw waves of players at them. (Sound familiar....?)

I agree. Highlands is a very tough place to pull out a W and "make a statement".

 

Just ask Holmes who trailed by as many as 13 and needed OT last year to beat Highlands at Highlands.

 

Didn't McGraw have a huge game against Holmes?

Didn't McGraw have a huge game against Holmes?

 

Over 30 I think

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the stats. Boone struggles against good defensive teams which Highlands is. I'd say Kowolonek, Gordon, and Grote are the better guard tandem because they have 3 solid guards right there whereas Boone only has Gabbard and Popp. Kowolonek, as you said, is the best of the group. I wouldn't be too quick to put either Gabbard or Popp in front of Grote. He has had 23 or more 2 of the past 3 games on top of being the best defender on the team.

 

And the only person I'd give the edge to down low over a Highlands inside player is Mcfarland. Grubbs will keep Earls off the block and force him to play around 10 feet and out. Boone's lack of depth will hurt them tonight. Highlands will press and press and continue to throw waves of players at them. (Sound familiar....?)

 

Stats don't tell the whole story but are the least subjective way to evaluate and compare players if interpretted correctly and apples to apples are compared.

 

If you are going to categorize Kowolonek as a guard, McFarland can also fit that category, and he handles the ball well. I will respectfully disagree with you on Grote being better than Gabbard and Popp, but all three are good players. I have seen him play many times. Also, I think Earls can use his quickness to beat Grubbs down the floor for easy buckets if Boone pushes the ball. Earls has been playing strong lately. McFarland, Popp, and Gabbard can all break the press well, but if they get tired, I don't know about the other guards. Popp may be Boone's best defender.

 

Boone is also a good defensive team so far this year. They have struggled somewhat with turnovers but have also caused a bunch of them.

 

Does what sound familiar?

 

Should be a good game.

Didn't McGraw have a huge game against Holmes?

 

Over 30 I think

 

34 to be exact. :thumb:

Stats don't tell the whole story but are the least subjective way to evaluate and compare players if interpretted correctly and apples to apples are compared.

 

If you are going to categorize Kowolonek as a guard, McFarland can also fit that category, and he handles the ball well. I will respectfully disagree with you on Grote being better than Gabbard and Popp, but all three are good players. I have seen him play many times. Also, I think Earls can use his quickness to beat Grubbs down the floor for easy buckets if Boone pushes the ball. Earls has been playing strong lately. McFarland, Popp, and Gabbard can all break the press well, but if they get tired, I don't know about the other guards. Popp may be Boone's best defender.

 

Boone is also a good defensive team so far this year. They have struggled somewhat with turnovers but have also caused a bunch of them.

 

Does what sound familiar?

 

Should be a good game.

 

I agree it should be a good game. I was just trying to say don't get wrapped up in the stats because honestly they mean nothing if the two haven't played yet.

 

The only way Earls beats Grubbs, Watson, or Dill down the court is if Boone plays an uptempo style, which you've already said they won't, so the point that Earls will get easy buckets seems kind of irrelevant now.

 

If Highlands is smart they, they'll attack the rim early to get Boone in foul trouble. I have a feeling Willie will do this which will lead to one of Boone's "big 3" sitting a lot. Boone hasa solid starting 5 but really no depth after that which will lead to a lot of turnovers caused by Highlands pressure.

 

But I could be way off base and eating crow tonight. Only time will tell. I agree it should be a good game though.

I agree it should be a good game. I was just trying to say don't get wrapped up in the stats because honestly they mean nothing if the two haven't played yet.

 

The only way Earls beats Grubbs, Watson, or Dill down the court is if Boone plays an uptempo style, which you've already said they won't, so the point that Earls will get easy buckets seems kind of irrelevant now.

 

If Highlands is smart they, they'll attack the rim early to get Boone in foul trouble. I have a feeling Willie will do this which will lead to one of Boone's "big 3" sitting a lot. Boone hasa solid starting 5 but really no depth after that which will lead to a lot of turnovers caused by Highlands pressure.

 

But I could be way off base and eating crow tonight. Only time will tell. I agree it should be a good game though.

 

 

If Boone's coach lets the guards loose, I think they can cause a lot of trouble in the open floor. If they slow it down and look to pound it inside all night to McFarland and Earls, I think you negate Gabbard and Popp's effectiveness and Eta may be correct!