Wish I didn't already have plans tomorrow or I would be dragging my wife up to Winchester with me to watch this game. Couple of thoughts on this.
-Glass has played the tougher schedule. Spotswood 2x, Northside, Albemarle, Fleming 2x, plus the Seminole District as opposed to a weaker Northwestern District. Will be curious to see how it plays out, it was great that Handley had that overtime game against Spring Mills last week because otherwise, they do not have a ton of close game experience (this year) where Glass has been in plenty of nailbiters.
-How will Handley's guards handle Glass's pressure? Judges have very good guard play, Braun-Duin is going to light it up and can they execute with all of the relentless trapping? Glass is one of the best teams in the state defensively regardless of class from what I have seen, but the Judges have plenty of offensive firepower. If Handley is struggling to put the ball in the basket and it becomes a low scoring slugfest like the Glass/GW game, I can see Hilltoppers pulling it off, but I think Handley is much less likely to allow themselves to be dragged into that, as opposed to GW last night.
-Can Glass score? Not sure what I think of Handley's defense...they are going to be very well coached and have an awesome game plan, but again, a lot of empty calorie performances against teams like Brentsville and Manassas Park. Glass can struggle, especially in the half-court, and if they go through scoring droughts here and there it will cost them against a team of Handley's caliber. Judges can easily turn three empty Glass possessions into Braun-Duin bombs in transition before they can set their D, not to mention the other guys that can make a play.
-Rebound battle will be huge. Both teams get after it, will be interesting to see who wins that. I'd give the slight edge to Glass there but Handley is not going to back down.
-How the refs call this game will be a factor. Glass is deep, but if the refs call it tight, can see foul trouble being more of an issue for Glass than Handley.
I think Handley will pull this out in a close game. If they can get to 60 first I have a hard time seeing them lose (if either team gets to 60 at all). Give me 65-57 Judges, though I admit I am rooting for EC Glass.
-Glass has played the tougher schedule. Spotswood 2x, Northside, Albemarle, Fleming 2x, plus the Seminole District as opposed to a weaker Northwestern District. Will be curious to see how it plays out, it was great that Handley had that overtime game against Spring Mills last week because otherwise, they do not have a ton of close game experience (this year) where Glass has been in plenty of nailbiters.
-How will Handley's guards handle Glass's pressure? Judges have very good guard play, Braun-Duin is going to light it up and can they execute with all of the relentless trapping? Glass is one of the best teams in the state defensively regardless of class from what I have seen, but the Judges have plenty of offensive firepower. If Handley is struggling to put the ball in the basket and it becomes a low scoring slugfest like the Glass/GW game, I can see Hilltoppers pulling it off, but I think Handley is much less likely to allow themselves to be dragged into that, as opposed to GW last night.
-Can Glass score? Not sure what I think of Handley's defense...they are going to be very well coached and have an awesome game plan, but again, a lot of empty calorie performances against teams like Brentsville and Manassas Park. Glass can struggle, especially in the half-court, and if they go through scoring droughts here and there it will cost them against a team of Handley's caliber. Judges can easily turn three empty Glass possessions into Braun-Duin bombs in transition before they can set their D, not to mention the other guys that can make a play.
-Rebound battle will be huge. Both teams get after it, will be interesting to see who wins that. I'd give the slight edge to Glass there but Handley is not going to back down.
-How the refs call this game will be a factor. Glass is deep, but if the refs call it tight, can see foul trouble being more of an issue for Glass than Handley.
I think Handley will pull this out in a close game. If they can get to 60 first I have a hard time seeing them lose (if either team gets to 60 at all). Give me 65-57 Judges, though I admit I am rooting for EC Glass.
