Wheatland-Chili, Notre Dame, and Batavia each with a shot
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| BataviasBest.org
Monday, March 2, 2015
Starting tonight with Wheatland-Chili, three local boys basketball teams will compete in their respective Class semifinal games this week – looking for a chance at the Section V Title later this weekend at Blue Cross Arena. Wheatland’s Rodney Roberts, Notre Dame’s Josh Johnson, and Batavia’s Jeff Redband lead the way for their respective teams, as each of them possess a reasonable chance at advancing to the Championship game. Here is a preview for tonight’s game:
Class C3 – #2 Lyons vs #3 Wheatland-Chili – March 2nd, 8:15 pm @ Bloomfield High School
2015 Lyons Lions
Scouting Report – Lyons
Key Players
#32 Damon Hunter – 5’10” Senior
-Lyons’ top player
-Quality scorer – can go off the dribble and shoot it – draws contact often when getting to the rim
-Plays the game with emotion – good leader for his team – makes the Lions go
#25 Adam VanBuskirk – 5’11” Junior
-Seems to be Lyons’ secondary option offensively
-Long and athletic
-Finishes well at the rim but will shoot it from three as well
-Plays the game hard with intensity
#22 Nick Fera – 6’0″ Senior
-Won’t set the world on fire, but is a solid player
-Nice touch around the rim, does the little things
-Smart player, won’t make mistakes
-Strong
#12 Deondre McDonald – 6’0″ Junior
-Possesses as much talent as VanBuskirk, but is far-less aggressive
-Long and athletic, seems to be team’s fourth option offensively
#42 Chris Peay – 6’3″ Senior
-Most-athletic big man on the Lions roster
-May match-up well with Wheatland’s Justin McLendon
#43 Jordan Aumell – 6’7″ Junior
-Tallest player on the Lions’ roster, but doesn’t move all that well
-Is not afraid to shoot the three
-Rebounds the ball very well due to his great size – also pursues the ball well
#30 Daryn Carswell – 5’11” Sophomore
-Didn’t do much in the games that I watched but is a good athlete who plays hard
#4 Josh DeSain – 6’0″ Senior
-Not a huge threat but will shoot it from the outside and goes after rebounds aggressively
Other Notes
-The Lions play a ton of guys and rotate through several different lineups throughout the game from what I can tell. However, they seem to be led primarily by Hunter offensively – who makes most of the plays for his team whether it be scoring the basketball or providing good looks for his teammates.
-Lyons likes to run – even on makes. If they get out in transition, and Wheatland fails to get back on defense, it could be a long night for the Wildcats. However, Wheatland also likes to run and I can see this one turning into a run ‘n gun type game. Look for a shootout here.
-Although Lyons possesses more size than the Wildcats, I believe Wheatland’s Justin McLendon is the most-talented of any forward in this game. He will present a tough matchup for Lyons, in my opinion.
-Also, the Lions struggle to shoot the ball with consistency. I would expect Wheatland to try and go zone at times throughout this game in order to combat their opponents’ size, which will force Lyons to fire up several outside shots. I expect this to play into the Wildcats’ hands.
-On the other hand, W-C shoots the ball very well – which will help them in their efforts tonight.
Game Prediction
Overview
All in all, I see this one coming down to who can win the turnover battle, as well as the battle on the boards.
With each team possessing great speed and athleticism all over the court, I expect both to look to run at all times and whoever turns the ball over the least will likely have the best chance to win (more turnovers/offensive rebounds = more runouts and easy layups for the opponent).
Neither side performs to the best of their ability while in the half court, therefore, broken plays, second shots, and transition scoring will be increasingly important throughout the early portions of the game. Thus, the team that can limit the other’s second-chance opportunities will have a better chance to walk away a winner at game’s end.
Prediction
Although it concerns me that the Lions’ size may become a problem for the Wildcats if this game is to turn into a half-court affair, after going back-and-forth for some time, in the end, I see the Wildcats as the team who will win this game.
I am of the mindset that this one will be close, and in close games you need shooters who can hit big perimeter shots – and that’s something the Wildcats have plenty of. On the other hand, I am not as confident that the Lions possess the same.
Although they have hit some big shots during the games I have watched (primarily Hunter), Lyons just hasn’t shown the ability to knock down contested looks with consistency – as the Wildcats have – and it is my belief this fact will weigh heavily on the outcome of the game.
When the dust clears in a close, high-scoring game, give me the local team making its way to the Big House.
FINAL SCORE: Wheatland 72 Lyons 69
Tune into @BataviasBest on Twitter for LIVE updates from tonight’s game!!!!
Class A2 – #1 Batavia vs #4 College Prep – March 4, 5:45 pm @ Blue Cross Arena
Stay tuned for scouting report and prediction coming soon!!!
Class D1 – #2 Notre Dame vs #3 Mount Morris – March 4, 7:00 pm @ Cal-Mum HS
Stay tuned for scouting report and prediction coming soon!!!
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In addition to our coverage of the Section V Boys Basketball Tournament, we will also be giving away free Suite-Level tickets to each Final game this weekend (March 7 and 8) at Blue Cross Arena. Stay tuned to each of our social media outlets as we will be providing a chance to win very soon. Good luck to all of our teams and good luck to those who choose to participate in our giveaway!! Hopefully one or all of the local teams make the Finals.
Other articles you may like:
Section V Boys Basketball Tournament Headquarters – Everything you need to know, right here
