Flying Wallenda wrote:Right now - Thompson/HCV/Grafton with Larimore/Cavalier as possible dark horse teams. I felt strongly that HCV was the team to beat before the year started - then they got smoked by Thompson - they then turn around and beat Four Winds. Grafton will defend hard which will always keep them in games. Larimore seems to be a about a guy short to me, had the sudden coaches change, etc....but capable. Cavalier is very young, but very talented. HCV plays Northern Cass this Friday - NC fresh off a win against Thompson - we'll see how they do.
I agree for the most part, but I don't see Larimore in the mix. The team has very little depth. Their starters are pretty solid and I think they are responding pretty well to their new coach, but it's tough to win playing 5-or-6 kids. They are pretty hit-and-miss shooting the ball.
Even though they have struggled during the first half, I think Hatton-Northwood or May-Port CG has a better chance to make noise come tournament time. Both are fairly young, but have playmakers, good defense and supporting cast to be scary in the post season. I am still saying Midway-Minto will be a very difficult matchup. As of right now, they are setting up for a four or five seed. It is a deep region as far as teams that could go to regionals. I still feel only two or three teams have legitimate shots at going to state.