2A East Thoughts & Final Four Predictions (Girls)

[Keith_Stone33]

**These predictions are based on Bruton being the #1 seed as the bracket currently has them or Maggie Walker in that spot

I've got East Rock winning 2A East and beating everyone by double digits in at least the first 3 match-ups. They are the only team I feel like is a lock for the final four. George Mason is a pretty underrated team, and having home court advantage will be big for them. I don't think Lee has the offensive firepower to upset them this year, and I think Greensville (most likely) will struggle on the road at GM, even though they are a solid team. Nottoway has a very impressive record, but I'm not sure how good their competition has been, so this pod is up in the air for me, but I'll take another top seed to advance, just to be on the safe side, but it would not be a surprise to see any other team out of this pod. I like the winner of the Stuarts Draft/Clarke game out of the top left bracket. I'm leaning with Draft in that match-up at the moment, due to their guard/wing play. I think their coach recognizes their weakness and will be able to cover it up for the first couple rounds.

The 2vs3 games in the top half of the bracket (Stuarts Draft vs Clarke & Central vs Wilson) are probably the two best first round games to watch. Stuarts Draft is the better team and should pull off the "upset" but if Clarke slows the game down, pounds the post and attacks the basket, they could come away victorious. Draft really only has 1 true low post defender so they need to make this a matchup of the wings/guards as much as possible, so getting out in the open court and having Brenneman driving to the hoop will be big for them. The Wilson/Central game has the potential to be a battle too. Wilson is not what they were the past few years but they are still a competitive team.

 

[leemen]

I agree on East Rock. Thing is you only need two wins to clinch a state bid. I could see East Rock, Wilson, and Draft all getting bids....should be interesting.

 

[Keith_Stone33]

I agree on East Rock. Thing is you only need two wins to clinch a state bid. I could see East Rock, Wilson, and Draft all getting bids....should be interesting.

It would be awesome if all four conference 36 teams made it the the 2a east final four. I understand it is highly unlikely on paper, but thats why we play the games

 

[Keith_Stone33]

I guessed the final four correctly.... Now what happens from here? I'm thinking East Rock and Mason in the 2A East Championship. Stuarts Draft had one of their players go down tonight and it sounds like she will miss Thursday's game unfortunately. All things considered, East Rock and Stuarts Draft are pretty even across the board with one exception, Lexi Dean. I think Draft needs Ayers to be more physical with her as that is her advantage. Lexi will likely be the difference here, because if Draft can get her out of her game or possibly get her in foul trouble (although unlikely as the refs in that area call the game a little differently than they do in Augusta Co), their guard play is about even and they have a chance. But getting Lexi out of her game is going to be a very very difficult task. With all that said, I'll go with East Rock by 12, although I'm rooting for the Cougars.

Nottoway is the team left that I know the least about, so by default I'm giving the edge to Mason, as Nottoway is going to their house, and the Mason gym provides a good home court advantage. I will say this, I can see this game being within about 5-6 points, based on some of the scores I've compared.

From there, I have East Rock winning the East over Mason.