Well my prediction earlier this week of a 7-game sweep by visiting teams bit the dust, as I only went 3-4. But why stop now?
So once again this weekend, we have the usual four-game slate plus a make-up, and one in particular will be an absolute toss-up. The teams will then wrap up the regular season on Monday and Tuesday before playoffs start next weekend. So let's get cracking:
Thursday: Stonewall at Luray- I don't have any inside scoop on why this one is being played tonight as opposed to tomorrow, but it shouldn't make any difference. The Dogs should be able to handle this one by 20 give or take.
Friday: Buffalo Gap at East Rockingham- The Bison should be sky-high on confidence after knocking off Stuarts Draft last night, but this one should bring them crashing back down to earth. The Eagles have clearly stamped themselves as the class of the league and are up to something like a 13-game win streak. They should win this one by 20-25.
Friday: Riverheads at Stuarts Draft- Stuarts Draft's style of play has worked better some nights than others this year and it usually comes down to how hot they are from behind the arc and on whether anyone else besides Simpson is hitting. Every other team in the district, with the exception of Stonewall, has beaten them this year, which proves that their offense and the way to combat it, is becoming more evident. Riverheads got the job done the first time and in fact they held the Cougars to 73 points, one of their lowest scores of the season. However, since Draft went to this style four seasons ago, the Gladiators have not beaten them on their own floor. I think it is time for that to change and that the Gladiators will get the season sweep. RHS by 6. Let Simpson get his 40 or more and just stop everybody else.
Friday: Wilson at Page County- This one is an absolutely certifiable toss-up. One team could get hot and win it by 20 or they could go five overtimes. I think Page won the first time, which might give them the advantage, but Wilson has been improving the last few weeks. I will still go with Page, but mainly on the home court advantage. The Panthers will win by two on a last-second three-pointer that bounces all over the rim before it drops, a shot that would have given Wilson a one-point win if it had fallen out. I expect this one to be THAT close!
Saturday Afternoon: Stonewall at Wilson- No matter how the Wilson/Page game turns out, the Hornets will have a quick turn-around whereas Stonewall will have had a day of rest. That might have the impact of making this one close in the early going. But once Wilson comes around, the talent difference will take over and they will win by 14.
So once again this weekend, we have the usual four-game slate plus a make-up, and one in particular will be an absolute toss-up. The teams will then wrap up the regular season on Monday and Tuesday before playoffs start next weekend. So let's get cracking:
Thursday: Stonewall at Luray- I don't have any inside scoop on why this one is being played tonight as opposed to tomorrow, but it shouldn't make any difference. The Dogs should be able to handle this one by 20 give or take.
Friday: Buffalo Gap at East Rockingham- The Bison should be sky-high on confidence after knocking off Stuarts Draft last night, but this one should bring them crashing back down to earth. The Eagles have clearly stamped themselves as the class of the league and are up to something like a 13-game win streak. They should win this one by 20-25.
Friday: Riverheads at Stuarts Draft- Stuarts Draft's style of play has worked better some nights than others this year and it usually comes down to how hot they are from behind the arc and on whether anyone else besides Simpson is hitting. Every other team in the district, with the exception of Stonewall, has beaten them this year, which proves that their offense and the way to combat it, is becoming more evident. Riverheads got the job done the first time and in fact they held the Cougars to 73 points, one of their lowest scores of the season. However, since Draft went to this style four seasons ago, the Gladiators have not beaten them on their own floor. I think it is time for that to change and that the Gladiators will get the season sweep. RHS by 6. Let Simpson get his 40 or more and just stop everybody else.
Friday: Wilson at Page County- This one is an absolutely certifiable toss-up. One team could get hot and win it by 20 or they could go five overtimes. I think Page won the first time, which might give them the advantage, but Wilson has been improving the last few weeks. I will still go with Page, but mainly on the home court advantage. The Panthers will win by two on a last-second three-pointer that bounces all over the rim before it drops, a shot that would have given Wilson a one-point win if it had fallen out. I expect this one to be THAT close!
Saturday Afternoon: Stonewall at Wilson- No matter how the Wilson/Page game turns out, the Hornets will have a quick turn-around whereas Stonewall will have had a day of rest. That might have the impact of making this one close in the early going. But once Wilson comes around, the talent difference will take over and they will win by 14.
