Steve Dunford-franklincouny-news.com
February Fever will be turning into March Madness soon as Class 1A and 2A boys basketball teams tonight start on the Road to Peoria.
Three teams that I cover will be starting their post season journey tonight. It is ironic that in the three games tonight, they are all first time opponents too each other.
WEST FRANKFORT (9-16) vs JOHNSTON CITY (15-15) at the ELDORADO CLASS 2A REGIONAL 7:00 P.M.
The Indians rotation consists of Wyatt Rix, a 6′ 1″ senior, 6′ 2″ E.J. Thompson a 5’9″senior, Chase Selby a 5’9″ sophomore, Gage Hall a 6′ 0″ senior, and Huston Hall a 5’9″ sophomore. All in this group can shoot the lights out.
The two others are superstars on the gridiron and are two pretty decent basketball players in 6′ 3″ Luca Galdoni and 6′ 6″ Max Edwards, who will be playing linebacker for Nick Hill’s SIU Salukis the next four seasons. In my opinion JC does not get Edwards involved in the offense as much as they should.
The Indians are 2-4 against common opponents. They beat Anna-Jonesboro and Goreville at the Goreville Invitaional. Lost to Carmi-White County twice, and were blown out twice by Eldorado.
West Frankfort is 2-2 against common opponents. They lost two heart-breakers to A-J and Eldorado and won two barn-burners against Carmi and Goreville.
The keys to tonight are; which team can control the tempo and who is hot. Johnston City lives and dies by the three. They like to run.
The Redbirds have a size advantage down low with Austin Glodich and Keagan Thrash. If Noah Allen is hot, the Redbirds will most likely move on and face the Eldorado Eagles.
If Johnston City is shooting the lights out and running and gunning, they will be playing Eldorado.
The first one to 50 points wins.
HAMILTON COUNT Y (6-21) vs FLORA (13-16) at the FLORA CLASS 2A REGIONAL 7:00 P.M.
Most of the Wolves offense goes trough Trevin Smith and Jeffery Gaither two 5′ 11″ senior guards.
Flora is 2-1 against common opponents losing to Edwards County and narrowly defeating Christopher in OT and Fairfield.
The Foxes are 1-4 against common opponents losing to Edwards County twice, Christopher and splitting with Fairfield, the last an overtime win at the Mule Barn.
The Wolves even though they are not big point producers have a little size inside. They held Christopher’s Bradley Young to eight points when they played back in December.
The Foxes are not the same team as the start of the year. Oakley Dial does not have to carry the bulk of the offensive load. Matt Rubenacker and Jake Whipple have become scoring threats for Hamco as the season progressed.
I think it will be a close tight ball game tonight.
THOMPSONVILLE (7-17) vs WOODLAWN, (12-13) 7:30 P.M. at the WAYNE CITY CLASS 1A REGIONAL
The Woodlwan Cardinals are led by 5′ 8″ Blake Wollerman and 6″3 Jordan Hoppa. The others in the rotation for the Cardinals are 5′ 10″ Senior Zack Ashby, 6 0″ Junior Trey Issac, 5′ 11″ Sophomore Jackson Bennett, 6′ 1″ freshman Blake McKay, and 6’0″ junior Kaden Devore.
Woodlawn is 1-1 against common opponents. They lost to Webber Township by one at home and was nearly upset by Zeigler-Royalton in the first round of the Sesser-Valier-Holiday-Tournament.
Thompsonville is 1-2. They lost to Webber Township twice, once narrowly in the opening game of the Christopher Turkey Tournament, and was blown out at Bluford. They beat Z-R in the consolation championship of the Turkey Tournament.
The Tigers match up well at the guard position. The match-up to watch is down low with Jordan Hoppa. He can also step out and hit the three. For T’ville to stay in the game Anthoney Darge and Jake Dixon have to stay out of foul trouble.
T’ville has been playing much better of late. You have to say Woodlawn is the favorite. This is one of those games that Woodlawn can either win by 20 or Thompsonville could upset them.
It is the post season. Everyone is 0-0 coming into tonight in reality. Let it all begin.
Speak Your Mind
You must be logged in to post a comment.