Thompsonville vs. Zeigler-Royalton Preview

Thompsonville vs. Zeigler-Royalton Preview

By Steve Dunford

Franklin County Hoops and Gridiron

The cross-county rivals will meet at 4:30pm today in the consolation bracket at the Christopher Thanksgiving tournament.  As always, I will make my prediction first in case you want to scroll down.  I am going with the Tigers by 12 this afternoon.

T’ville’s road to this afternoon was a 78-75 thriller over Norris City-Omaha-Enfield Wednesday night.  Z-R beat Hamilton County’s JV team 73-63 last night.

One of the greatest HS games I ever witnessed was quoting Shooter Flach in Hoosiers was “That purgatory of a gym” we had at Thompsonville at the time.  On February 7, 1984 Sean Conner scored 61 in a 97-89 victory for the Tornadoes.  According to the IHSA website he was 27-35 from the field and 7-10 from the field.  This is before the days of the three point line.  He would have had 75-80 today.  He was bombing from the center circle or the second 10 second line on the wing a lot in the old T’ville gym.  Lost in the shuffle was a 42 point performance from long time Lady Redbird coach Matt Hampleman for the Tigers, and Greg Clark chipped in 31.  Jerry Rea had 25 for the Tornadoes that night.

I shared a little history, now on to the keys to today’s game.

1. Both Z-R coach Matt Morgan and Thompsonville coach Pete Gordon have a lot of mutual respect for each other. I talk to both of them frequently.  This old geezer behind a computer monitor has a lot of respect for them both.

2. The last time both squads met was in a consolation semi-final game where the Tigers were victorious with a 49-21 victory. I remember Jared Payne shutting down Brendan Whiting who exploded for 42 right before the tournament against Galatia.  It was the best defensive performance for the years.

3. Both teams basically have everyone back from last year, except 6’ 6” center Jesse Darnell for Thompsonville.  For Z-R, Whiting is a shooter.  All conference RB Steven Anderson is one heck of an athlete he is Whiting’s  running mate and can drop some threes too.  Cam Newton (yes he was C-Z-R’s QB) plays the three.  Nolan Domineck started down low for the Tornadoes.  The whole Tiger back court is back in Payne, Cory Wilce and Tyson Kessler, who has had a great tournament.  Tiger Center Anthoney Darge made some starts last year.

4. In the starting lineup has been Jakob Baxter down low for the Tornadoes. Reed Raubach has grown to 6’ 4” over the summer and has been starting for the Tigers.  Corbin Fitch a 6’ 1” freshman started Wednesday night and scored 21 points for the Tigers.

5. I have not watched the Tornadoes this year but I am going off blind speculation. I just think the Tigers size and the athleticism that Fitch brings to the floor will cause the Tornadoes match up problems.  Jacob Dixon a 6 4” junior did not play against NCOE Wednesday night.  It would not surprise me if he sees a lot of time this afternoon or even gets the start.  Not very many 1A schools this year have the probable combination of putting kids 6’ 7” and a pair of guys that are 6’ 4”.  The Tigers are big.

6. For Thompsonville to win this afternoon they have to show up to play. It is easy to have a let down after a huge win   I am not disrespecting the Tornadoes at all; I just see the Tigers matching up better with them.

I will say this at the end of every preview.  I analyze in advance.  Games are played on the hardwood.  Being an alumnus, I have a tendency to see things through blue colored glasses.