LongTimeReader

I was able to attend this game. I was intrigued to see what kind of team North Tampa had, as the school is only 5 years old and I saw it being built as I would drive past it many times taking my daughter to her swim team practice. North Tampa was a good team and had some length that caused the Tigers some problems, especially in the 2nd half. North Tampa had a sophomore big man (6'9") that I think the announcer said is a top 40 player in is class who had some really impressive dunks and blocks. They also had a PG who was quick, strong and was able to get into the lane well. Tigers played fast, and where the more physical team. Which caused North Tampa some problems. Tigers shot the ball well. The beginning of the 4th quarter North Tampa was able to create some turnovers for some easy buckets and St. X went a bit cold. But after that St. X was able to turn up the defense to create their own easy buckets and knock down a couple of 3s to create just enough separation. It was a fun environment and I'm sure these three games allowed St. X to see different game situations that will be beneficial for them moving forward. Tigers continue to look like a top team as the calendar flips to 2024.

Are they still going to scrimmage St. X?

I’ll assume both teams played really good defense.

Will have to flip it this year I would guess in that they are losing a lot of guys on defense who played a lot of varsity football so there will be some learning pains on that side I would assume. Offense has a lot of guys returning and will be very good on that side. Would assume they’ll be the team to beat entering the ‘24 season.

St. X is probably better than where they are currently ranked but their early season schedule wasn’t too challenging. We’ll get a better indication of where they are in January as their schedule picks up.

How are the SETH rankings calculated? I’m sure it has been mentioned before; is it just against 6th and 7th region teams? Only KY teams?

Manual has their guy. Jason Frakes is reporting Manual has hired Keith Eckloff, he was the HC at Seneca the last 5 seasons and an assistant at Male before that.

This St. X team is fun to watch.

#1 and #23 for J-town were tough. They started to cool down in the second half and the Tigers were able to increase their lead.

Those are some big-time matchups to kick off the '24 season.

If they can keep the their freshman class together they are in good shape to run off the next 3.

Not a bad two game points per game average.

100 points in a running clock game too. I didn't even know there was a running clock in basketball.

I don’t know if the Tigers are top tier in the 7th region, but they will be fun to watch. Have a group of guards that can fly.

Who ever has the most rushing yards wins this game. Not a crazy hot take, but when push comes to shove both teams want to lean on their run game.

Didn’t realize that. There will be a bunch of younger players for both teams on the field trying to get their team to the championship game next week at Trinity.

Male had a great first offensive drive but then kind of got away from their physical run game after that. Thought FD did a really good job controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball after that first offensive drive by Male. It feels like Wolfe overthinks situations sometimes. Beginning of the 2nd half Male tries an onside kick which sets up FD with a short field and then going for two seems like a move a team who is the underdog would do. Sometimes those gambles pay off like last year year against St. X, sometimes they don’t.

I have seen some great high school atmospheres over the years at Manual Stadium and at Br. Thomas More Stadium for X vs. Manual and X vs. Male games, but I don't think any of those will be able to match the atmosphere tonight at Marshall Stadium. It could be one for the ages in regard to the environment. Go Tigers!

Close for about a quarter and a half and then Male takes over at the end of the second quarter with big play by Gainey. Male - 38 Fern Creek - 13

Tough year for the Baby Bengals, but I think they continued to improve through out the year.

Congrats to Coach Baisch. I see a great playoff run for the Knights.

Frakes going with his alma mater. I think it will come down to which defense can make a couple of stops, both have struggled against top teams on their schedule defensively. Solid way to end the season for both teams as playoffs Rome around.

I think Male ends up winning pretty “easily”. I’ll go with Male winning 28-10.

I guess he’s excited about Manual’s third win over the Tigers since 1993.

Heard ZahRon was at the JV game Monday night and seen throwing the ball around with his teammates on the sidelines and was looking good. I'd expect to see him out there tomorrow night.