Sweet 16: Larry Farmer Region Preview
The season is dwindling as we are already in the Sweet 16. There are some excellent matchups with some pretty balanced teams set to play on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at the regions and a breakdown of each matchup. …
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Continue ReadingThe season is dwindling as we are already in the Sweet 16. There are some excellent matchups with some pretty balanced teams set to play on Wednesday. Let’s take a look at the regions and a breakdown of each matchup.
No.3 Ralston Valley v. No.19 George Washington
This is going to be a very balanced matchup between the two teams that have solid guard play and also size to go with it. For the Patriots, this is a team that has seemed to have hit a switch on their season and are playing their best ball when it matters. George Washington is coming off of a drubbing against Horizon when the Patriots put together four complete quarters. In their win, leading scorer Kendale Johnson had another solid outing as he put up 23 points in the game. He did go 2-3 from beyond the arc, but his willingness to use his size, strength, and athleticism in the paint and at his sweet spot at the mid-range has been one of the biggest differences and reasons that George is now cruising to victories. 6’7 junior big man Fred Edmonds also has been looking more confident and starting to score the basketball more. Edmonds finished with 17 points in the game as he went 6-6 from the field and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Those two will have to have a great game as they are up against a team that gets after it, but the X-factor in the game will be Jarmell Johnson. Johnson has been having decent games as he is a playmaker that can alter games with his athleticism and outside shot. He also defends at a high level. Johnson will have to get going offensively as Ralston Valley provides tough-nosed defending guards that are going to be aggressive with him. If he can score the basketball and be aggressive with both Kendale and Edmonds handling the middle, then this will be a game that the Patriots roll in; if not, expect a dog fight.
For Ralston Valley, pesky defense and following the game-plan has been what has gotten them through. In the Mustangs 63-52 win over Arapahoe, while the Warriors leading scorer erupted for 31 points, Ralston Valley did a great job of limiting the others and also attacking and controlling the paint. That is what will have to happen again as the Patriots play a similar game style. Controlling the paint and getting through the press and traps will be key if they plan on winning. The trio of Caleb Rillos, Caden Gigstad, and Walker Brickle will have to continue to shine. In Ralston Valley’s last win, Rillos led the way as he has done all season long. He finished with 21 points, went 5-5 from the field and also finished with 18 rebounds as well. Gigstad had 16 points and shredded the defense for seven assists, and Brickle does a bit of everything. Brickle had 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. That trio will have to play at their best and get inside and have their way. I expect this game to come down to the final few possessions, so taking care of the ball is critical.
No.6 Valor Christian v. No. 11 Eaglecrest
Valor Christian and Eaglecrest are two of the most balanced teams remaining that have a great group of starters but also X-factors that lead their team in different ways.
For Valor, it is all about size. They have the size that no other team remaining has. They use their size to create an in the paint identity as they get to the rim and out on the break for easy dunks. Rocky Mountain gave Valor all that they could handle in the second round of the playoffs, but the Eagles hot start pushed them through. Junior guard Amondo Miller led the way with 17 points with AJ Kula, also chipping in 12 points. Talin Unruh, Nate Sock, and Roger Rosengarten all had nine points apiece. Rosengarten is the X-factor in the game as he is undoubtedly the biggest player remaining in the playoffs and has the skill to go along with it. His size and physicality will make a difference in this game.
For Eaglecrest, this is a deep team, and they have a nice balance both inside and out. The Raptors can shoot the ball from deep but are best when they are attacking the middle and stepping out and extending the defense. Senior point guard Zion Ruckard has looked like a top-3 guard this season as his game has expanded. Ruckard is averaging 17.4 points and 5.2 assists a game. His quickness can be the difference in the game as Valor Christian has solid perimeter defenders, but none that can keep up with him. If Skylar Wilson and Ty Robinson can provide their inside-out scoring with the size that they have and match Valor Christian’s physicality while being explosive in the open court, this is a game that the Raptors have the advantage in. If they let Valor control the pace and slow it down for interior baskets while just settling for 3-pointers, it is going to be a long night.