5A State Championship Preview
February 18th, Wells Fargo Arena-ASU 1 Gilbert and 4 McClintock battled it out in the state semifinals. They game was very close with each team switching the lead. It came down to the final minutes and some free throws. Gilbert…
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Continue ReadingFebruary 18th, Wells Fargo Arena-ASU
1 Gilbert and 4 McClintock battled it out in the state semifinals. They game was very close with each team switching the lead. It came down to the final minutes and some free throws. Gilbert won the close game by 1 point down the stretch, 46-45. While this was a great game, full of competition, I think the bigger statement came from the other game.
6 Millennium took on 2 Apollo in the first game of the day. Apollo has widely been looked at as the favorites throughout the entire year. Millennium made a huge statement by winning the game by 11 points, 72-61.
Just like that, the stage is finally set. All of the hard work and long hours have finally paid off to set up this final game…this final moment.
Key Match Ups
DaRon Holmes (6’9 F Millennium 2021) vs Carson Towt (6’7 F Gilbert 2019)
This game is going to be decided by who wins this match up. These two match up very well against each other and it is going to be a show. Holmes had huge games in the last two rounds, taking advantage of his size advantage. However, Gilbert has someone that can match his size in Carson Towt. Both of these young men gather up a lot of rebounds for their teams and I am very excited to see these two battle it out.
Justus Jackson (6’0 G Millennium 2021) vs Doc Self (5’10 G Gilbert 2019)
The match up in the backcourt is also very intriguing! Doc Self has been playing outstanding this season, showing off his feel for the game and looking like a true senior point guard. However, Justus Jackson has been playing at a whole new level and is playing like a veteran guard. Both of these guys can create a lot of opportunities for their team and I am very excited to see them match up against each other.
So who will win? Youth or Experience? That’s what it looks like what it is coming down to on paper as the Gilbert Tigers are led by their senior leadership and the Millennium Tigers are led by their sophomore dynamic duo. It is note worthy that these teams played each other in the regular season and Gilbert came out on top, winning 64-53.
However, I think I am going to roll with the young guys on this one. Holmes and Jackson are playing too great right now and the entire team is feeding off of that and riding this hot streak. Jalan Early (6’3 F Millennium 2020) and Coleman Fields (6’4 G Millennium 2021) have also improved their play this offseason and will be a huge help come game time.
Prediction: Millennium Tigers 63, Gilbert Tigers 60.