I'm not going to predict scores...our program is too process-driven for that.
But for what it's worth, two of our top three forwards were out for most of the game yesterday against Blackman; one with an injury sustained early in the third quarter and one with foul trouble. Given that Blackman basically played their normal lineup the entire game, I believe this to be a testament to the Bruins' depth and senior leadership.
Anyways, I will give you some raw data on Brentwood's four losses this season:
1) Lost@ likely AA champ CPA by five (and led at the half) in the second game of the season. Jalen Lindsey and Braxton Blackwell, two national blue-chip players, went off in the second half and they still didn't win it until the final 20 seconds.
2) Lost@Blackman handily on Blackman's best shooting night in years: they made 16 treys, which is like a mutated version of what we had done to teams at that point. The game before that, we lost our defensive ace and starting center Will Jones for the season to a broken foot. Also, during the third quarter, we lost our then-incumbent star forward Cody Shelton for an indefinite period of time due to a leg injury. They had their best offensive night of the year, and it was one of those nights where our shots just weren't falling and things got out of control.
3) Sitting at 25-2 and riding a 17-game winning streak into the district tourney (when we were already eligible for region before it started), Hillsboro took advantage of another uncommon occasion where our shots were just somehow rimming out all night, tying us at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. We had already swept them in the season. But in part because Hillsboro was hosting the region tourney, the crowd helped will them to a win in OT.
4) The previous night's district tourney opener started at 8:30 pm. In the consolation game at 5:30, it was the one game this season where our players looked noticeably tired, listless, and unmotivated. Since only a third or fourth region seed was at stake, a Ravenwood team we had also swept in the regular season (which almost beat Hillsboro in the region semis) took this an opportunity for avenge their pride against us while we just couldn't muster the will to execute properly or play with intensity.
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Now I just named four pretty solid teams there, reflecting the downside of a 30-4 record against a Top 5 overall strength-of-schedule. Clearly our experience in winning close games paid off some in our re-match with Blackman, did it not? Blackman was not used to fighting out in some close games (save Siegel) and our poise and experience in close-game situations ultimately gave us the edge over Blackman as the clock ticked down.
Today and last night we have studied Southwind extensively and they are a great team, especially for the postseason once you start shortening the rotation. They have the utter physical and skilled capability to blow just about any team out if that team isn't being physical and going to war on the boards.
That said, my ultimate point is not to underestimate Brentwood. Ask around the state and you will not find many coaches eager to play us.
#bump