by InTheKnow » Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:29 pm
Ok it is time to put up or shut up. I only got one game wrong for region 2 (DP/FLPR) but picked MM correctly to win anyway so lets see what happens.
[font=Times New Roman]1. MM[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]2. Bottineau[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]3. Kindred[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]4. ML[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]5. New Salem[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]6. SD[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]7. Bowman[/font]
[font=Times New Roman]8. New Town[/font]
Here is why I have M-M cutting down the nets.
#1- Experience- Dickson, K Schuster, and Alphson are all 4 year starters and played varsity extensively as 8th graders. Schanilec and S Schuster are three year starters. They know what it takes to get to the title game. They have played the best the state has to offer the entire season. Nothing will be new to them. There isnt one position that gives them problems from opponents. They have faced future UND post players as well as future 3 time all state selections at the point, and forwards. All of that hasnt effected their winning when it counted the most. They have beaten deadly three point shooting teams who have shot 50% for the game, as well as pound it in to the post teams (and that was in regionals alone).
#2- Defense wins championships- Their game is defense and hustle. They create easy points off of turnovers and all run the floor really well in transition. They pressure, pressure, and pressure some more. Inbounding the ball can become a challenge against this team and was an extreme one for teams at regionals as they forced 5 five second calls on inbounds.
#3- Have the ability to play any style of game well- Preferably they like to control the tempo but if someone wants to run they have no problem in doing so as they have the speed and the point guard to do just that. I am comfortable making that statement because i watched a Midway team (before the co-op) with Dickson, Alphson, and Schanilec as Freshman and 8th graders run a JR/SR laden Central Valley team to death by like 45 points. All three teams tried to do that at regionals and got ran out of the gym. If this team had a little more depth you would probably see a change in style as they would probably try and run the whole game.
#4- The trump card, they have Dickson and everybody else doesnt- Her leadership, floor game, defense, court vision, and athletic ability makes her the key to this team. If needed she will go out and score but she usually doesnt have to because she creates so many easy opportunities for her teamates. I guarantee she will do something in this tournament wether it is jumping over press row in one step or diving face first into the bleachers saving a ball that will make every one go wow. She had at least 4 of them in the regionals where you say "how did she do that". She will sacrafice her body for her team, and if anybody is worried about her getting hurt she is tougher then at least 75% of the boys. If you dont believe me watch her block baseballs in the dirt as a catcher on the baseball team.
#5- K Schuster needs .001 seconds to get off a shot- Double team her, triple team her it doesnt matter. She has one of the quickest catch and releases i have ever seen and when she gets rolling is deadly.
Throw out M-M's four losses at this point of the season. The three games they put together in regionals was far and beyond anything they put together at last years state tournament. They are playing the best basketball they have ever played right now. They were one game short last year, avenged that loss early this year and are hungry to take that top spot this time around.
Last edited by
InTheKnow on Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.