Coach Moore is yet to have a losing season either at PV or Union, routinely makes the regional tournament, has made the state tournament and was one game away from the state tournament last year after losing his best player to injury. I’m not sure what you expect? Outside of GC, can you show me a more consistent AA Region D boys program over the last 10-12 years better than PV/Union?
Yeah, you can. You can run a more modern offense, with using the three and trying to score in transition, with four guards and one big. You can't press on defense too, that will wear them out, but you can play an up tempo offense with eight players.
I think we are saying the same thing. To me, up tempo includes some full or at least half court pressure. It’s not just run and gun and sit back on D and let opponents determine the flow. And we are assuming there’s 8 solid offensive players, realistically there’s 4 with the 5th being a stretch.
Again, I can’t speak to the girls program but I know for the boys there’s definitely talent that has played for years that don’t finish their career. The senior class this year alone has 2-3 kids not playing that would have contributed. It’s been that way for years. Union’s boys youth, middle school and jv teams are always solid. The kids just don’t stick around.
Depth is an obvious issue with both Union programs. I don’t follow the girls very much but it seems to be similar situations. Regardless of how much talent there is it’s hard to win consistently without a bench. For the boys, the starting 5 is really good but after that there’s not much. BigWinner said in a different post that an up tempo game suits them but you can’t play that style with 5 guys.
I’m buying what you’re selling. Can’t disagree with anything. I have my faults with Coach and his system but he seems to figure things out at the right time.
I'm not, and he's not 100% wrong. Giza is all effort and will give his all and is a good defender but he isn't a reliable scorer at all.
Falin has been in Moore's doghouse for a while, I won't pretend to know why, but he is a good shooter and does his best offensive work facing the basket. I agree with you on Falin, but Giza is a glue guy, not a scorer. Which is totally fine, offense isn't a problem for Union even without Wes honestly. Jones, Rasnick and Garrison can all three score from the wing. Get a little three happy at times but all three can get to the rack and make plays or draw fouls so Giza being a great hustle defender and rebounder is desperately needed without Wes. Wes was such a complete player, it takes two or three kids to make up his absence, and part of that is Giza and Falin defending bigs and Jones taking more shots. Garrison and Rasnick were always good scorers and Noah has became a very good athlete with his length, but Jones will have to carry more of the load now offensively without Wes.
I never said he was wrong and I agree with you almost to the letter. I’m not new either. It’s seemed like the last two seasons without Wes our staff can’t or won’t get the right combination of guys on the floor.
I’m not sure I would label them as solid post players. Falin is an athlete and has the ability to step out and make a jumper, Giza is a big body that can rebound and score in close. If you’re expecting either one of those to score double digits nightly, you’re going to be disappointed.
Union is totally dependent on the 3 point shot. We got that way after Wes went out, given our depth we are going to struggle on weeks when we play more than two games.
Giza and Falin especially are solid post players, Unions offense just takes that away. Several times against Abingdon those 2 had a guy on their back and we never even looked at them.
GC boys run ZERO offense. Its run around and chuck a shot up.
That must be the new fad in high school basketball and it pains me to watch. Union falls into that far to often to be successful. They struggled shooting in the first half against Abingdon and it almost cost them the game. I’m not a fan of the 4 man weave, chuck up a 3 offense and hope it goes in. Finally in the 2nd half they had success in the paint and it opened up a few 3’s. I’m a firm believer in working inside out, it just seems like a lost art.
One of the best kids to ever put on a uniform of any type for the Bears. Tough blow but this young man has a very bright future whatever path he takes. Tough blow for the Bears also. They were already going to struggle with depth, with Wes out it’s going to be an even bigger problem.
I think most of it comes down to coaches “promoting” a player. I know for the VHSCA game, a coach completes a nomination form weeks in advance for a player to be considered. It not only includes football but academics, extra curriculars etc. For the FCA game, I’m not 100% but I believe players are selected by the organizers of the game and I’m not sure if there’s a nomination process.
Any idea why he wouldn’t have been on varsity last year? I didn’t see JV games so I wasn’t even aware he played but I remember Ridgeview struggling on varsity and I would think an athlete like that would help. Not knocking anybody by any means, just curious.
I’m right with you on Central. Without McAmis I could see them dropping to 4 possibly. Hated that for the kid, he really can play. I’m not sure what Abingdon has returning but they were competive with Union and Central both last season. Slagle will for sure be a big part of Union’s success. He’s a knock down shooter that the Bears need, the injury could possibly affect the post game but only time will tell. Depth could come into play, the starting 5 plus 1-2 will be about it but I guess that holds true for most teams.
I guess I am officially over football season. Let’s talk M7 boys basketball. Everyone knows GC will be the lead dog but what’s everybody else looking like? Union should be experienced and solid across the board. I’m anxious to see how Slagle performs coming back from injury last season. Good team size but depth may be an issue. Garrison and Falin both played well last season and should be big factors. Couple of young guys in Rasnick and Jones that can really play too. Not sure they compete with GC but 2nd in the district wouldn’t surprise me.
Gotta love “grown ups” hiding behind a keyboard calling kids out by name for as a “joke”being recognized for a good season. If there are kids from “your” team that you have a problem with take it up with your HC. I strongly doubt any kid on this list was missing practice every week.
All District teams have become a joke, a participation trophy for everyone.
I'd much rather see a state champion, or even a regional champion.
All district teams may be a joke to armchair qb’s but to the kids on this list it means something I promise. Sure there are always a few political picks and there definitely are on this list but it’s always been that way and always will.
I was really disappointed with the attendance at the Battle at Union playoff game. What has happened?
The Battle game last week was the worst Union crowd I’ve seen in 8 years. This week was better but still not the norm. It all started after the Abington loss. A lot of fair weather fans and honestly a lot of fans that come to games to be social rather than be fans.
Question for the Union folks. What is the view from the scenic overlook? Last time I was down there it was dark and obviously didn't see it. All I can say is...Wow! I guess that would be Rt. 58.
The view you see is “Powell Valley”. Definitely one of the most scenic places around, we locals take it for granted but it’s beautiful.
Agree with above, this game summed up the Bears season. To many mistakes and way to one dimensional on offense. IMO the difference was Graham up front on D. They pretty much dominated our O line. On the rare occasions we did try to pass Turner wouldn’t turn it lose quick enough and they got good pressure. Other than Jenkins’ big run I bet Union didn’t have 100 yds of offense. It’s hard to watch when the offensive play calling is so predictable at this point in the season. I think this team overachieved a little this season and that’s a testament to the kids. This senior class has won a lot of games and are a good bunch of kids. Another season that a lot of teams would give anything for but it always feels a little disappointing.
The kicking game has been good for Union all season. I agree that coverage on kickoffs has been weak lately, I think Falin getting a high % of touchbacks has kept that from being a problem. He’s punted really well too. I’d love to see Jenkins more confident in fair catching punts to help field position. If we are just going to let every punt bounce I’d love to see Union bring more pressure. There’s been several poor snaps that punters have had time to gather up and kick because there’s no rush on the punter.
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Central 54 Union 48. Pretty well played, clean game. Union couldn’t get shots to fall late and only playing 5 guys was a big factor.