These two teams are the lowest rated teams in the tournament and one will advance to the Semifinals.

 

Lloyd is a hot team right now with the big win over Dixie (Defending Champs) in the District Finals. Highlands played one of their best games of the season on Saturday night only to come up short. Patrick Towles likely had his best game of the season and played with a ton of confidence.

 

In their first meeting at Highlands the Birds lost by 10 but had cut the lead to 3 at one point late in the 4th qtr. Lloyd was very hot from behind the arc in that game hitting on 8/16 for 24 points. Most of those came in the first half when they jumped out to a 29-15 lead. The Birds settled down and won the 2nd half outscoring the Juggs 34-30.

 

Keys to the game for Lloyd.

-cut down on touches Towles gets in the paint.

-start out hot and shoot well

-shoot better from the FT line - They were 14-28 in the first meeting.

-Bray has to play better..in the first meeting he was 2-10 from the field but had 10 rebounds.

-get solid play from their bench. Mckay, Brown and Krebs combined for 5/7 FG's and 2/2 from FT line for 14 points.

 

Keys to the game for Highlands

-Convert in transition off Lloyd press

-get Towles involved early and often

-get strong PG play and eliminate turnovers

-somebody else has to step up beside Towles...will it be Turner, Witte, Lewis. All three have had big games this year.

-Coach Flynn has to keep the shorter leash on the bench and play a 7 man rotation IMO unless there is foul trouble.

 

Lloyd likely is the favorite coming in winning 6 of their last 7 and their only loss during that span being a 1pt defeat to Brossart. Highlands has to play with the same intensity they brough against NCC on Sat night.

 

Good Luck to both teams.

I added a poll.

Lloyd by 9

I look for this to be a pretty good game. I will go with Lloyd by 6.

I look for Lloyd to make between 6-9 three pointers in this game and if they do, they win:

 

Lloyd 61

Highlands 55

Best possible draw that Highlands could get in what has been a very tough year. If they play with the intensity and focus that they displayed on Saturday night, they have a chance in this game. Key is to corral Lloyd's three point game and to knock down shots on offense. Cannot have 4 to 6 minutes spells where you do not score.

Guard Carter New was missing the 1st time these 2 teams met and Lloyd forced countless turnovers. Having him back for the rematch should help some as he is likely the best HHS has for a ball handler. Looking for a closer game in the rematch.

 

Bray swatted 2 shots in the early minutes of the 1st game. The kid can really sky... although he seemed to be injured on again off again that night too. I've only seen him the 1 time but he plays with a lot of passion.

 

Unless Lloyd is making 3s like the 1st meeting, I think the 1st team to 50 wins the rematch.

 

Highlands 51

Lloyd 47

Guard Carter New was missing the 1st time these 2 teams met and Lloyd forced countless turnovers. Having him back for the rematch should help some as he is likely the best HHS has for a ball handler. Looking for a closer game in the rematch.

 

Bray swatted 2 shots in the early minutes of the 1st game. The kid can really sky... although he seemed to be injured on again off again that night too. I've only seen him the 1 time but he plays with a lot of passion.

 

Unless Lloyd is making 3s like the 1st meeting, I think the 1st team to 50 wins the rematch.

 

Highlands 51

Lloyd 47

 

Dont forget Towles was saddled with 3 first half fouls and sat the majority of the game. I didnt realize this actually until today talking to a couple kids on the team. It was a miserable SR night for Patrick and I am sure he is looking forward to displaying his talents on Thursday.

 

Lloyd's lack of size may be their undoing especially if they are not hitting treys.

What would a strategy like the HHS girls game tonight against NDA do for the HHS boys team? Would that even be a consideration?

What would a strategy like the HHS girls game tonight against NDA do for the HHS boys team? Would that even be a consideration?

 

Nah...they can win straight up. Its not like they are playing Trinity. Last game Towles hardly played due to foul trouble and Carter New DNP. Lloyd converted 8/16 treys and I dont expect them to match that in the big BOK Arena.

 

My concern is the press and how the Birds decide they plan to break it. It seems like they only have one press break and never change it.

Nah...they can win straight up. Its not like they are playing Trinity. Last game Towles hardly played due to foul trouble and Carter New DNP. Lloyd converted 8/16 treys and I dont expect them to match that in the big BOK Arena.

 

My concern is the press and how the Birds decide they plan to break it. It seems like they only have one press break and never change it.

 

Sounds good, then maybe they can rattle them Bulldogs with something special!!!

What would a strategy like the HHS girls game tonight against NDA do for the HHS boys team? Would that even be a consideration?

 

No way, if they get hot you never know. Every team in the region can lay a clunker out there because they have. The disparity is just not as wide in the boys region this year.

Any final thoughts on this game tonight.

 

Day 1 was pretty exciting. Cooper pulling the upset and NCC playing exceptionally well involving their bigs finally.

 

With the big court I think it will work to the advantage of Highlands when they break the Lloyd press. There is so much more space out there to get over the press. You saw it last night with CovCath's swarming trap just getting busted like it was nothing with cross court passes.

 

Lloyd shooters are very very good though so I am wondering how they will do in the big gym and if they will live and die with it.

 

I expect Niko Carter to have another nice game but he will have Carter New guarding him tonight more than likely and Carter is a tough defender.

I like Highlands big in this game.

 

Big stage, big court, big players..... Towles will dominate inside for the Birds.

 

HHS - 58

Lloyd - 42

 

I just don't think you can count on hitting three's consistently when you are playing in a big arena.

I like Highlands big in this game.

 

Big stage, big court, big players..... Towles will dominate inside for the Birds.

 

HHS - 58

Lloyd - 42

 

I just don't think you can count on hitting three's consistently when you are playing in a big arena.

 

Awful gracious of you but the Birds struggle hitting shots as well and will need to have Pat score around the rim. I do think they will be ready to avenge the Sr. Night loss the Juggs gave them 2 weeks ago.