Back during football season, there were three district games each week once the teams finished their non-conference slate, so I tried to predict each one of those Friday nights. So since we will essentially have the same situation with three games each of the next Tuesday and Friday nights (more or less) I figured I may as well give basketball a try.
You would think it would be pretty easy to correctly predict just three games on any given night, but if tonight's opening slate is any indication, it will not be that easy. Of the three games tonight, not even one of them is a complete no-brainer and one in particular looks like a real toss-up. So here on my first try, don't be surprised if I go anywhere from 0-3 to 3-0. Here is tonight's schedule.........
Staunton at Fort Defiance: On paper this would appear to be the easiest one to predict, as the Storm "should" be the favorite. But they were demolished by Martinsville over the weekend which could have shaken their confidence a bit. The Indians on the other hand have also taken their lumps but I just cannot completely overlook the fact that they gave a very good Waynesboro team not one, but two, close games. So catching a potentially fragile Staunton team at home may be just what the Indians need to start the season. But still I will go with tradition and say Staunton wins by 12.
Riverheads at Wilson: Last night each team treated its home fan base to a big win. In each case you could argue that the margin of victory (33 for RHS and 19 for Wilson) was larger than anyone might have expected, so the question tonight will be whether either or both teams will still be mentally playing last night's game or will they be able to put that one behind them and re-focus on this one. As a general rule you don't need to say much to fire these two up to go after one another in ANY sport, so the motivation should be there without a doubt. It will therefore come down to stamina and execution. Wilson has had a tendency over the years to get hot from three point range coming down the stretch, especially in the Hive, but RHS is no slouch from behind the arc. If the Gladiators feel like re-living last night's impressive win and choose to roll over the Hornets, I will not argue with them, but I think a more realistic pick is the red team by about 7.
Stuarts Draft at Buffalo Gap: Since they have been at it for at least ten years by now, we all know what you get these days when you take the floor against the Cougars. But as discussed previously, the blowout wins and the nights where they hit 20+ shots from behind the arc are just not happening for SD this season, at least not yet. The Bison on the other hand have exceeded expectations and appear to be a legitimate challenger for the district title this year. Not sure either team will hit the century mark tonight but expect the scoreboard to at least top 80 on one side if not both. This one could go either way but I like the home team by maybe 8.
You would think it would be pretty easy to correctly predict just three games on any given night, but if tonight's opening slate is any indication, it will not be that easy. Of the three games tonight, not even one of them is a complete no-brainer and one in particular looks like a real toss-up. So here on my first try, don't be surprised if I go anywhere from 0-3 to 3-0. Here is tonight's schedule.........
Staunton at Fort Defiance: On paper this would appear to be the easiest one to predict, as the Storm "should" be the favorite. But they were demolished by Martinsville over the weekend which could have shaken their confidence a bit. The Indians on the other hand have also taken their lumps but I just cannot completely overlook the fact that they gave a very good Waynesboro team not one, but two, close games. So catching a potentially fragile Staunton team at home may be just what the Indians need to start the season. But still I will go with tradition and say Staunton wins by 12.
Riverheads at Wilson: Last night each team treated its home fan base to a big win. In each case you could argue that the margin of victory (33 for RHS and 19 for Wilson) was larger than anyone might have expected, so the question tonight will be whether either or both teams will still be mentally playing last night's game or will they be able to put that one behind them and re-focus on this one. As a general rule you don't need to say much to fire these two up to go after one another in ANY sport, so the motivation should be there without a doubt. It will therefore come down to stamina and execution. Wilson has had a tendency over the years to get hot from three point range coming down the stretch, especially in the Hive, but RHS is no slouch from behind the arc. If the Gladiators feel like re-living last night's impressive win and choose to roll over the Hornets, I will not argue with them, but I think a more realistic pick is the red team by about 7.
Stuarts Draft at Buffalo Gap: Since they have been at it for at least ten years by now, we all know what you get these days when you take the floor against the Cougars. But as discussed previously, the blowout wins and the nights where they hit 20+ shots from behind the arc are just not happening for SD this season, at least not yet. The Bison on the other hand have exceeded expectations and appear to be a legitimate challenger for the district title this year. Not sure either team will hit the century mark tonight but expect the scoreboard to at least top 80 on one side if not both. This one could go either way but I like the home team by maybe 8.
