Franklin County HS Boys Basketball Preview-afternoon edition

Steve Dunford-  franklincounty-news.com

West Frankfort and Carmi-White County will be tipping it up around 11:30 down at the Eldorado Holiday Tournament.  Woodlawn will be playing Zeigler-Royalton around 12:30

Carrier Mills and Herrin are playing right now as we speak.  It is happening like I thought it would be.  With the chance of running clock, I better get this going.

Thank you all for your comments that look for what I have to say in the gym.  This is my favorite part of covering HS. Sports

WEST FRANKFORT vs CARMI-WHITE COUNTY

This is an intriguing match-up to me.  I can see where the Redbirds could cause the Bulldogs some match up problems.

I can easily see the defensive battle between John Rice and Noah Allen to be a dandy.  I can also see a battle down low between Jake Simon and Keagan Thrash.

This is not a slam to Thrash.  Simon is one of the better athletes in Southern Illinois.  I believe he was the best QB, hands down, in the Black Diamond last fall.  I give the     

I don’t know why big Jaryd Clark was not in there on Thursday.  Scotty Clinton gave coach Kevin Toney some valuable minutes down low.  I believe we are going to see some more varsity minutes out of C.J. Johnson in.

Austin Glodich can definitely cause the bulldogs problems if he is facing the basket.

The Redbirds are developing a nice bench.  It is a luxury that Coach Toney did not have last year.

You can not compare scores.  You can say that the Bulldogs gave Benton a run for their money for three quarters.  The second quarter the Rangers played against the Redbirds was unreal.

It is going to be a barn burner this afternoon.  I am going with Carmi by one.  I would not be one bit surprised if WF goes right in the bracket.

ZEIGLER ROYALTON vs WOODLAWN

This is not going to be a pushover to the Cardinals.  Z-R plays harder than any team I ever watched.

I think Steven Anderson and Brendan Whiting match up well with Blake Wollernam and Trey Isaac.

I can see Jordan Hoppa causing the Tornadoes some match-up problems in the post.

I am curious whether Matt Morgan might have Z-R come out in a zone.  Woodlawn does not have the shooters like last year.

I am going with the Cardinals by 14.  I can see the Tornadoes giving them a good ball game.