http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/
FROM KEITH GROLLER
In case you haven't noticed, winter is back this week. Bitingly cold temperatures, harsh wind, threat of another storm approaching. You know the nauseating drill by now.
But in boys basketball, several teams have become hot at just the right time and many of them will be in action tonight.
At Whitehall in 2A semis, both Notre Dame and Catasauqua are in action for the first time since their classic Colonial League championship game on Feb. 15.
Before that game, the Crusaders and Rough Riders were as hot as any teams in the area not named Central Catholic.
And, in the 4A semis at Allen, we'll see who stays hot. Parkland has been playing outstanding basketball ever since those back-to-back losses to CCHS and Becahi on Jan.28-29.
Yes, I know the Trojans lost the LVC title game to CCHS, but they led for a good portion of that game and lost by only four. Considering the Vikings' dominance, that CCHS game almost felt like a win for Parkland.
And then there's Liberty, which got help from Spring-Ford and Phoenixville just to get in the game needed to qualify for the District 11 tournament.
Since then the Hurricanes have blown out Whitehall and eliminated No. 1 seed Pocono Mountain West.
It might be only a three-game win streak, but Liberty, too, is hot and playing the way we thought it could play back at the start of the season.
So, here we go with tonight's predictions. And remember, in 2A, the losers are done for the season. In 4A, there will be a consolation game, probably Saturday afternoon at Freedom:
CLASS 2A
Notre Dame 64, Minersville 54 -- Expect the Battlin' Miners to hang around for awhile. Schuylkill League teams love to control tempo, play tough defense, hit the boards and emphasize the fundamentals. Minersville is a young team with just two seniors on the roster and no one taller than 6-foot-3. So you expect Vincent Eze to have another big night with rebounds and blocked shots.
Catasauqua 59, North Schuylkill 56-- Tough, tough draw for the Roughies. Much tougher than last year, when they breezed past Williams Valley in the semis. North Schuylkill is one of three teams to have defeated Mahanoy Area, the top seed in Class A. The Roughies are going to need to control, execute their offense and then hit the boards on defense. Even if it ends tonight, it has been quite a season for Catty since it didn't get its football players untl just before the season opener.
CLASS 4A
Parkland 71, Stroudsburg 59 -- These two met in December and it went to overtime before the Trojans prevailed 59-56. Parkland is playing more consistent basketball at the moment and has its rotation settled. Justin Zajko had 17 in the first meeting against Stroudsburg and I expect him to have another big night. But beware of Stroudsburg's Jacob Battle. He had 27 in the first meeting and is capable of carrying his team again.
Liberty 73, Emmaus 69 -- Before the season began, Liberty's Deshawn Oyeniyi ranked in the top five of area players. For various reasons, he didn't dominate as expected, but he is dominating now and figures to be a handful for Emmaus, which is known to get in foul trouble. I can't explain chemistry or unity or any of that subjective stuff, but it does seem like Liberty has come together since the departure of K.J. Williams. I expect the Hornets to move the ball and hit some big shots. Emmaus was a young team at the start of the season, but head coach Steve Yoder is no longer use the youth as an excuse and neither should anyone else. Should be the best game of the night and might be one of the best of the tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment