bbfan1982

The same ole' recruiting talk begins. "The new Insell"...Do you really think Cory Barrett has to do any recruiting? He is coaching a program the has won 3 out of the last 4 and 4 out of the last 8. The program's success is the recruiter. Parents and players are the ones seeking out successful programs for their Daughters to play for. Is he supposed to turn players away? He took a team whose only successful outcome is a gold ball and went undefeated. Were they more talented than everyone? Absolutely, but I get so tired of the implications of recruiting that any successful program gets. It is a prime example of "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" It is how it's always been and how it will always be.

The NCS vs. Cascade game surprised me a bit. NCS struggled to make a shot early but were able to hang around long enough to make a run. Their physicality really bothered Cascade. I would say they out rebounded them by a significant margin. Cascade who usually is an above average offensive team struggled to score most of the night. Overall a very good performance by NCS. I thought Forrest battled really hard the entire night but just weren't able to string together multiple buckets to put any real pressure on Moore County down the stretch. It is nice to have a player like Raby who you can go to when you really need a score. I do think it's very interesting that in late game stretches Raby becomes their primary ball handler. Maybe a little doubt in their guards' ability? As for the championship game, if NCS can maintain their physical play and have a performance on the boards like they did against Cascade I think it will be a battle. I do think they have the ability to force Raby to actually have to defend. And I think their guard play is equal if not better. If they can get Raby in a little foul trouble Moore County is a lot less formidable. With that being said Moore County girls typically (Raby and Garland to name couple) seem to be able to play physical while avoiding foul trouble. I'm going to say Moore County in a close one. May reach into double digits if NCS has to play the foul game late. Good luck to both teams.

9A almost got the sweep. I figured Community would give NCS all they wanted. I'm going to predict round four of Cascade vs. Moore County in the region championship. Having to travel to Eagleville hurts the lone 10A survivor. I think too much Raby spells doom for Forrest. Hopefully we will see 2 more close games. Good luck to all teams involved.

You are correct. I think there is a significant gap between MC and WHH. Forrest is a little scary depending on how they shoot the ball. They play a very up tempo game and have 5 girls on the floor at any given time that can knock down the 3. They don't have a true post presence so if the big girl from HC can get herself established she could be a difference maker.Overall I expect there to be very good games during the satellite round of the tournament. Community was a minute away from knocking off Moore County and that was without their best offensive threat for the final 3 quarters. They lost to Forrest in the consolation game in overtime without the same player. I do not think they are your typical 4 seed. I do think they are susceptible of coming out flat on the road as they play a ton of young girls. At this point in the year I just hope all teams come to play and represent their district well.

I think Houston County will have a very difficult time knocking off Moore County. With that being said, if Raby were to pick up some early foul trouble it could be a completely different ballgame. To have a chance you have to turn MC over and get some easy buckets from those turnovers. In a half court setting they are as good as anyone you will see defensively and offensively. I watched the district championship game between MC and Cascade and I would say that MC had at most 7 or 8 turnovers. That is against a team that tends to throw the kitchen sink at you defensively. In a half court, grind it out type of game they are going to run their stuff and take the shots that they want. Raby is very good back to basket but she has gotten to the point where they use her a primary ball handler if she has a good match-up. She is very capable of stepping out to 18-20 feet and knocking down a jump shot. I would say she is the best player you will see until the state tournament. When it's all said and done most teams that are playing in a region semi final game are very good and on any given night the team who shows up most prepared will win the ballgame. I don't want to discount anything Houston County has accomplished this year, I just think Moore County is the better team. In all honesty it wouldn't hurt my feelings if Houston County proves me wrong.