North Oldham vs. Shelby County in Shelbyville tomorrow night.

 

North is 10-5 after blowing a late 10 point lead at Anderson County on Tuesday. Still, looked pretty good overall vs. the 8th Region favorites and would have won had they hit their FTs late. North is the #1 scoring team in the region (#2 in KY, I believe) at 81 ppg.

 

Shelby has a rare losing record at this point in time (7-11), but is incredibly athletic and young (no seniors on the squad). Mike Clark is building this team for tournament time and they'll be ready for North on their home court. When the Rockets' underclassmen jell, they'll be a nightmare for opposing teams. They've played a brutal schedule this year, and been competitive throughout.

 

Both teams can put a sizeable frontcourt on the court - North's 6'5" Dale Tingle, 6'6" Devon Rowan, and 6'5" Kyle Feuquay vs. Shelby's 6'6" Donovan Johnson, 6'6" Eric Standefur, and 6'4" Nigel Beach.

 

Two of the better penetrators will be playing: North's Tyler St. Julien (16.5 ppg) and Shelby's Boomer Beckley (12 ppg). And two of the region's best outside shooters (North's Alex Foley 18 ppg, and Shelby's Cache Tomlinson, who had 7 threes vs. South this past Saturday).

 

All-time series is tied at 2-2.

 

Look for an uptempo game...wouldn't need a shot clock for these two!

OOPS! Meant to put a poll up. Can I get a moderator to give me a poll? (Sorry)

Will North press and force tempo or get back and play half court like they did against Anderson? This will be a good game I think Shelby will bring their game at home and win by 5.

Will North press and force tempo or get back and play half court like they did against Anderson? This will be a good game I think Shelby will bring their game at home and win by 5.

 

Agreed:thumb:

There's your poll.

I like North by 5-10 points. I really like the way they play.

I agree... They showed they can play both fast and slow against Anderscon. I just think Shelby will bring their A game and win. Although it would not shock me to see NO win.

There's your poll.

 

Thanks, Ram!

 

I think North prefers to keep it uptempo...but they are definitely flexible enough to play either way. I like their ability to play hard-nosed half-court offense with their bigs, or go quick and fast and hit perimeter shots.

 

Hard to pick your poison with North. Better be ready to score some points.

 

Shelby's hard to figure, but I think it's because they are relatively young, with no seniors. If/when they "jell", they will be formidable, indeed. I think a lot of people are seeing their sub-par record and failing to realize that they've been playing one of the state's toughest schedules toe-to-toe. Had something like a 15-16 point second half lead on GRC in that game... lost to Anderson at Anderson by just 4...etc., etc. Consistency has been Shelby's achilles heel to date.

 

Pressed to pick, I'd take North by 10, but an upset would hardly be a shock. Shelby's definitely capable.

Correction - Shelby leads the series, 3-2. My bad. Didn't notice the 8th Region tournament game in 2006.

 

2004-5 North Oldham 55, Shelby Co. 52

2005-6 Shelby Co. 78, North Oldham 59

Shelby Co. 70, North Oldham 57 (8th Region SF)

2006-7 Shelby Co. 62, North Oldahm 54

2007-8 North Oldham 63, Shelby Co. 61 (OT)

Surprised at the few votes... :idunno: