GoBearsGo

Great crowd, great atmosphere! Good game overall but I was very suprised by the low score. GC had a couple of the "other" guys hit some big shots early that made the difference. And Ervin was a different player than game 1 when he was sick. Biggest thing that stood out to me was it seemed like Union didn't have any intensity at all in the 4th. Lots of standing around on both ends. I'm anxious to know if anybody else saw that or if it was just me.

Union's Fannon to Concord per Allan Gregory on Twitter

I will agree.. I was a little disappointed in our crowd too. I agree with above post that for some reason a lot of Union fans don't see Battle as a "big" game. It's the same in football. I don't get it. To me any conference game is important.

I don't see the "home court" advantage as being an issue. The way I see it a team has to be able to play on the road or a neutral site to advance past conference play so why not start now. Even though this game is huge for both teams, I'm sure they both have bigger things in mind.

Good decision I think. Should be a great atmosphere! I don't have a clue what an attendance record for basketball is at the Convocation Center but this will push it I'm sure.

UVaWise is loading up from the looks of their Twitter acct.. Jamorya Cousin the latest.. Good pickup there!

I can't imagine they would have "full" scholarships for athletics only. Kids can get everything covered between financial aid, academics and athletics but I don't think you see many if any full athletic scholarships at that level.

I just can't wrap my mind around Lee beating Central. I've only seen Lee play once this year (at Union) and it was rough. I mentioned in another thread that Central had declined more this season than I have ever seen a team decline. They played Union very tough early (at UvaW tourney, then again at Union) but when Union went there and now this one, I'm not sure what's happening. Maybe it's karma.

The gym at Appy is still in very good shape. It's used quite a bit for youth bball, volleyball and several other activities. Its a good resource for the Town all things considered. No doubt it would be a good venue for bigger events.

Tim Hayes from BHC reports via twitter that Abingdon's Sturgill signing with UVAWise tomorrow. Congrats..good choice for him I think. Hope he plays!

I agree but I don't know that those schools recruit very heavy in SWVA. The D1 kid is rare in far SWVA but there are kids that can play at that level. Rasnick is a prime example. Good for him!

And Burton is decent. Not much size but they are scrappy and use what they have very well.

Good info on Union v Burton above. It was obvious Burton REALLY wanted to beat Union tonight and Union played the worst half of basketball I have seen all season. Mitchell took over the 2nd half and Burton kinda folded. Union has to play better defense if they are going to have a chance to advance. And I totally agree with the above comment about using the bench. I have said it all season, we have way to much talent that never takes their warmups off.

I was suprised by Centrals lack of offense against Union tonight. Early on I would have put them as my #3 team in C40 but I just don't see it now. They did not look like a good ball team tonight. They jumped out early but slowed to a crawl after the 1st. Good win for Union. Slagle continues to impress!

I agree. UvaW is trending the right direction and a local kid can't expect to just show up and play. Same for E&H IMO

I'm buying what you're selling above... I expect things to get chippy as usually at Central. Just hope Union can keep healthy and cooler heads prevail. I believe a 3 game week like Union has this week can take toll. Luckily we have some depth that should get some time.

Sorry for the double post there...

Back on topic.. E&H is a little qb heavy this cycle I think, I know they were interested in Sturgill from Abingdon, not sure on Asbury. I heard Sturgill has gotten interest and may be leaning to UVAW. E&H was pretty high on Fannon from Union also.

Kid has to really be committed to be a practice squad/scout team guy. How about Asbury?

I know national signing day is coming up quick. I'm sure there are some local kids that will move on to the next level. Any of you guys know where any of your "hometown" players may or will be headed? I'm interested to see where Fannon and Duncan from Union, Sturgill from Abingdon, and a couple of the Richlands guys might land.

Sounds like you got the true sense of what Wise Central basketball is all about..... Glad Battle came away with a win!

I agree on all comments on McClung.. In my frame of reference, I compared him to Stacy Ervin. Ervin was just a little bit longer but like McClung had it all. I love a kid that takes the ball to the hoop. Just can't be guarded and is going to score 25 at will and can drop 50 in a heartbeat, just like last night. Congrats to GC on a good win, the next matchup should be just as entertaining.

Couple of comments from my seat.. First, McClung couldn't be guarded tonight. Plain and simple. Kid is the real deal, I even like his emotion although most opposing team fans would probably disagree. Second, Ervin obviously wasn't him self. I've watched him play for years and you could tell he was struggling. Other than those 2, GC wasn't very deep at all. Third, I hate to say I was right in my earlier comment but Union's lack of experience coming off the bench cost them a ballgame tonight. We have consistently only played 7 kids, only 2 of those kids seem to be interested in going to the basket and scoring (Slagle and Mitchell). Everybody else just wants to let the 3's fly. When Slagle went out, it was over for Union. I think we scored 4 points after he fouled out. I've said all season we needed to get more kids involved that are scorers, and I think there a couple that never get in most games that could do that and give Slagle and Mitchell a breather or help in foul trouble situations. All in all, a well played game. Oh and for the record, the "drunk Union fan" was about 3 rows behind me and I nor anyone else had any clue who the dude was but it was the best thing to happen all night for him to be escorted out.

I'm going to say GC 78 Union 64.. I think it will be a good game, until late. I worry that Union will be gassed by mid-4th as usual because for whatever reason we don't take advantage of our depth. Union played 7 guys against Battle, I don't think you can compete with a team like GC and not give Mitchell and Slagle a breather. Seems that GC is somewhat of a 4th quarter team and that may not bode well.

Holy cow.. I thought this thread was about R'view/GC.. Please, on behalf of Union fans everywhere, don't associate any of us with BigWinners.. Not sure who the guy is but no Union fan I know acts that way.