Final

Very good second half by the Rebs. That seems to be their pattern but it works. Ryle played very well in the first half but could not sustain the play in the second. Congrats to the Rebs. Just another tiny step in achieving the goal. Ryle is a solid team with some nice players - just not quite as athletic as Boone. Gabbard's guard play and a lot of nice interior passes by McFarland aided the cause. Good team effort!

Edited February 28, 200917 yr by StraightShooter

Stauffer came out strong for the Raiders (8 quick points), but once BC clamped him down there wasn't anyone to pick up the scoring inside. McLeish had a solid game (again). Boone just has more people it can turn to to score. Slow down McFarland and Popp hurts you. Stop Popp and Gabbard gets you. Stop Gabbard and Spaulding scores. Or Earls. Or Cotton. Or whomever. Ryle just doesn't have that type of scoring depth.

Stauffer came out strong for the Raiders (8 quick points), but once BC clamped him down there wasn't anyone to pick up the scoring inside. McLeish had a solid game (again). Boone just has more people it can turn to to score. Slow down McFarland and Popp hurts you. Stop Popp and Gabbard gets you. Stop Gabbard and Spaulding scores. Or Earls. Or Cotton. Or whomever. Ryle just doesn't have that type of scoring depth.

 

Good insight. Most of Ryle's scoring came from Stauffer and McLeish and Boone's was spread around pretty well. McFarland didn't even reach doubles but his overall play was very effective. He even got away with a flop and tricked the ref into a charging call, which I thought should have been ignored just like his other flop. Not a big fan of the flop but I like the intensity and leadership that Steven brings to the floor every night.

Hey, at least everyone at Ryle's scorers table behaved tonight! (Sorry, couldn't resist). :lol:

Good win for Boone. I agree with what everyone is saying. Every one of Boone's starters can affectively score the ball. They are going to be a very hard team to beat in the regional tournament.

Good win for Boone. I agree with what everyone is saying. Every one of Boone's starters can affectively score the ball. They are going to be a very hard team to beat in the regional tournament.

 

:thumb: Emphasis on team - I see a very unselfish bunch in Tar Heel Blue or was that Boone County Blue! Keep up the good work Rebs!

Can somebody tell me why Popp's playing time has diminished dramatically?? He was a starter on his State Championship AAU team (Shining Stars), and he started for BC up until the Ballard game. After Ballard, his playing time has disappeared. ???????????????? Insight would be appreciated.:confused:

Not sure, he seemed like one of their better scorers and defenders while he was in last night but this was the first time I have gotten to watch Boone play since Christmas.

Can somebody tell me why Popp's playing time has diminished dramatically?? He was a starter on his State Championship AAU team (Shining Stars), and he started for BC up until the Ballard game. After Ballard, his playing time has disappeared. ???????????????? Insight would be appreciated.:confused:

 

Good questions. But the proof is on the court. Boone is playing better than they have all year. So it looks like Popp playing less is better for THIS team right now based on that. What he may or may not do on an AAU team does not translate directly over to his high school team and playing time. Think about this....Pittman is playing less for Holmes now than he was earlier in the year and Holmes is playing better than they have all year also.

Can somebody tell me why Popp's playing time has diminished dramatically?? He was a starter on his State Championship AAU team (Shining Stars), and he started for BC up until the Ballard game. After Ballard, his playing time has disappeared. ???????????????? Insight would be appreciated.:confused:

 

I've only seen one game this year, but I'm pretty sure Andrew Brown is not starting over him. Brown is a great glue guy. I think it was a really good coaching move.

I've only seen one game this year, but I'm pretty sure Andrew Brown is not starting over him. Brown is a great glue guy. I think it was a really good coaching move.

 

Brown started against Conner.

Brown started against Conner.

 

Oops I meant IS starting over him.

Boone is playing well now, and they have played well all year. McFarland, Gabbard, Earls, Cotton, Popp, and Brown and maybe Spaulding and Lay have all led the team in scoring at least once this year, and all have scored in double figures multiple times. Brown is a strong, smart player who plays hard and rebounds well for his height and adds good senior leadership. Popp is a strong defender and free throw shooter and can be a good scorer. Gabbard is a strong ball handler and passer. Earls has strong offensive skills and shooting touch. Cotton is athletic and can get a lot of easy baskets off dunks, layups, and stickbacks and is an strong shot blocker. McFarland is probably the best all-around player Boone has this year. Spaulding has improved his shooting and decision making this year. That provides a lot of flexibility, depending on what the situation or opponent calls for. All the players are needed for success, and they should continue to be successful if they continue to be unselfish and work together. The coaches seem to have a lot at their disposal if a particular combination is working better than another one. Any of Boone's top 6-7 would start at many other schools IMHO.