Not viewed as a big deal?!? You're kidding, right?

 

Winning the district championship is a huge deal. It automatically guarantees you face a district runner up (likely to be Dixie, Ryle/Conner, or Newcath) and avoid a district champion (Boone and Highlands in particular) until atleast the semi's or potentially finals of region. I'd say Coach Henley and Holmes is taking this game very seriously.

 

I've talked to coahes who think that those are some of the most worthless trophies given

I think Snyder will guard Pittman. Snyder is an athlete with good quickness and hops. Smith will guard J. Johnson and sag in the middle till JJ hits shots and makes Beechwood change strategy. Smith and Snyder have to stay out of foul trouble because Beechwood becomes small with them off the floor.

 

Snyder won't guard Pittman...HUGE mismatch as Pittman has a good 4 inches on him. Smith won't guard JJ because JJ is too quick off the dribble and would get Smith in foul trouble quick.

 

We'll likely see JJ v Snyder and Pittman v Smith. That's the way they matched up in the first game.

A game where Holmes could be looking ahead to the region tournament i think they win but only by 6

 

I think this could be a factor. Holmes has played to the level of their competition some and they have not been focused enough night in and night out. No matter how much Henley preaches, they know this game is not a must win and may not have the edge they need. That could be just enough of an opening for Beechwood.

I've talked to coahes who think that those are some of the most worthless trophies given

 

And I'd assume those coaches either aren't coaching anymore or aren't very successful. Winning district is the first big step to winning the region tournament, as it allows you for a better draw the majority of the time, unless there's one district that has the top two teams in the region, which isn't the case this year.

Snyder won't guard Pittman...HUGE mismatch as Pittman has a good 4 inches on him. Smith won't guard JJ because JJ is too quick of the dribble and would get Smith in foul trouble quick.

 

We'll likely see JJ v Snyder and Pittman v Smith. That's the way they matched up in the first game.

 

You may be right, especially if that is the way they matched up the first game. But if I were Shumate, I wouldn't worry about JJ penetrating with Smith on him because I would tell Smith to play way off and give him the jumper. If JJ comes to Smith inside, then Smith's height advantage becomes too much for JJ. I would make JJ prove he can hit some jumpers. If he is on, then you go to plan B. If he isn't, you disrupt Holmes' offensive flow.

You may be right, especially if that is the way they matched up the first game. But if I were Shumate, I wouldn't worry about JJ penetrating with Smith on him because I would tell Smith to play way off and give him the jumper. If JJ comes to Smith inside, then Smith's height advantage becomes too much for JJ. I would make JJ prove he can hit some jumpers. If he is on, then you go to plan B. If he isn't, you disrupt Holmes' offensive flow.

 

JJ was 7-8 from the field in the first game against Beechwood and had 15 points. He was 2 for 2 tonight against HC from behind the arc. HC let him have two wide open 3's and he knocked both down. After his second trey, Schumate made the comment to Pohlgeers and Hall, "We can't give him open shots like that.."

 

I doubt he'll have anyone sag off of JJ. I feel pretty confident that we'll see Smith v Pittman and Pohlgeers/Snyder v JJ. That's the only way Beechwood can match up with Holmes without getting killed on the boards or giving Holmes a significant height advantage.

JJ was 7-8 from the field in the first game against Beechwood and had 15 points. He was 2 for 2 tonight against HC from behind the arc. HC let him have two wide open 3's and he knocked both down. After his second trey, Schumate made the comment to Pohlgeers and Hall, "We can't give him open shots like that.."

 

I doubt he'll have anyone sag off of JJ. I feel pretty confident that we'll see Smith v Pittman and Pohlgeers/Snyder v JJ. That's the only way Beechwood can match up with Holmes without getting killed on the boards or giving Holmes a significant height advantage.

 

Enough said. I am with you after that post. That being said, Beechwood may go against type and play zone. But I still think they will go man first and see how it goes. That's the way they have played all season and this isn't the time for changes and experiments.

Holmes convincingly. By 15 or so.

 

Beechwood does not have an answer for Pittman down low, and while Beautell and Romes are good, especially Beautell when he is lights out from outside, I don't think that's enough to stop Riley, Johnson Brothers, and Pittman.

Enough said. I am with you after that post. That being said, Beechwood may go against type and play zone. But I still think they will go man first and see how it goes. That's the way they have played all season and this isn't the time for changes and experiments.

 

I agree. From what I remember Beechwood played a lot of man to man, but did mix in some match up zone from time to time in the first meeting. Beechwood likes to get out and run though, so I'm not sure they play much zone in this one.

I've talked to coahes who think that those are some of the most worthless trophies given

 

Sounds like the coaches that made these remarks are not very smart and probably not very good at coaching.

Holmes comes out and get's a sizeable lead in the first half and goes on to win by 16.

I see Beechwood running a lot of man to man defense and trying to play in an uptempo game with Holmes. Beechwood is not a team that I have seen that likes to sit in the half court. I think Holmes will pull away in the end. It was Riley that lit them up during the first game.

If the Beechies shoot lights out, they can keep the game close. I see a 12 point Holmes win. Good luck to both teams.

Holmes by 13

If Buettel has another lights out, can't miss, everything he throws up goes in night, Beechwood may keep it close. Perhaps in the 9-13 point range. If Buettel has a non-Larry Bird evening, Holmes by 20+.