Stuart’s Draft can cause issues for about anybody on a given night. They run, run and run some more. Rotate 5 in at a time, full court press non stop and jack up shots from anywhere/everywhere. They are not terribly talented this year but their style can be overwhelming.
His name is Tyler Nickell. Just turned 15. 6’6, 210 lbs. Has scored 30+ 5 times this year. He’s a matchup nightmare. Can play with his back to the basket but is shooting almost 50% from the three point line. I doubt he plays all 4 years at ER. Probably end up in a private school somewhere. Already getting a lot of attention from multiple colleges. WVU, GMU, URI and JMU were in attendance at the last home game. He didn’t handle the very physical play in Mussleman, WV so well the other night. Seemed a bit surprised at all the contact allowed.
Radford not winning a title would be an absolute shock. They seem so much better than everyone else. I've heard East Rock is good, but we heard the same in football season. I'll have to see it to believe they can compete with big dogs like Radford, Dan River, Martinsville, etc.... QMR and Ervin (and maybe the young kid from ER) are the best in 2A seems like but Radford has way more balanced offense and we know they play defense and win big games.
Dean and Ervin are both outstanding individual talents, Ervin hit some shots that NO one should make, six arms in his face and fading away, etc... but you can slow GC down by throwin everything you can at Ervin while having a long, physical defender attempt to slow down Dean. Not quite a triangle and two, more of an inverted triangle and two with having only one big down low and the other two wings going at Ervin every touch. If GC shows they can move the ball, hit wide open guys near the basket and allow them to score, they could be a tough out. But the junk offense GC ran v. Union won't do it.
another thing is the defense. What happened to the GC pressure? I understand protecting Ervin from foul trouble and Dean is a good individual defender but the press, the aggressive GC defense just isn't there any more. Union had way too many open shots for a great team. McClung sometimes cherry picked and would give way at times to avoid fouls but when he had to, he was a GREAT individual defender. Can Ervin, who is bigger but not quite as quick or athletic, be that guy? McClung had Ervin (and more importantly Dean) covering his defense. GC hasn't replaced that. They're trying to hide Ervin at times but with just Dean being elite defensively and having to avoid fouls, GC allows way too many open shots and offensive rebounds.
The best player from ER is not the freshman. Senior Dalton Jefferson is the man. Both are 6’6 and both can shoot, post and rebound. But Jefferson is the leader. However, they have been lead in scoring by 5 different guys this year. They are good and should make it out of Region B. But being the new kid on the block against the old guard is a distinct disadvantage, see football. I believe they have the talent to make the final four but maybe lack the experience to win it all.
It’s nice to have the approval of a head coach that’s currently 4 - 5 on the season.
Geez Ape...your knowledge is lacking. Here’s a quote you may want to ponder. “It is better to be thought a fool than to open mouth (or type) and prove that you are”.
Bob........when VA High goes to baseball tournaments and plays larger schools..........do they imagine they can win? I sure hope they do. You HAVE to imagine/expect you can win any game. You can't step on the court/field and expect to lose. Well you can, but the results are not encouraging.
You can split the rotten bananas with Ape.
If you bothered to read, I said I’m sure the TEAM expects to win, and they should have that expectation. You FANS, on the other hand, are still living vicariously through the actions of teenagers.
Just more proof of how/why you GC folks killed your “other” forum. RIP🙏
Now on to something with a bit of real substance. I recall a comment the Western Albemarle coach made about GC this past summer. He felt they were one of the better squads his team played on the summer circuit. That is significant and bodes very well for GC. Western plays a ton of summer basketball and Coach Maynard seldom hands out compliments to undeserving players or teams.
Which year? What sport? What part of much larger do you not understand? Do you need me to explain lions share? I knew it wouldn’t take much for someone from GC to make a stupid reply. Congratulations Ape! You win the rotten bananas.
Even a blind hog finds the trough every now and then. Glad GC team expects to win; that is the way teams should think. But the fan base needs to be realistic. The lions share of wins will go to the much larger school.
I guess the GC folks imagined that they could play with DB...but reality is that disparity in size is such an advantage for the bigger school. GC will be more than okay in Virginia v. 2A schools. Just temper the real expectations against the big schools...you'll sleep better!
East Rock defeated Riverheads 28-0 by taking away the run. If the Warriors can do that, I’d give them a good chance of winning. And they are familiar with that quirky offense this time.
I sure hope the warriors take this one. Riverheads fans are annoying to say the least. They are great when they win but after a loss...not so much.
Just got home from the ER/Goochland game...Was a tough one for ER. First trip deep into the playoffs and it showed. Goochland was more prepared and it showed. On the field and the sidelines. Goochland earned/deserves this trip to the finals.
Goochland reminded me of the Salem teams of late. They don't really do one thing that stands out or overwhelms you. They just did everything well. I think if Graham gets out front, Goochland does not have the explosiveness to play catch up. But what the heck do I know? I thought ER would win it all. Ive got one unhappy camper who now has to get ready for the hardcourt.
I have seen East Rock NUMEROUS times this year (and last year and the year before...).
They have one of the most complete high school teams I have seen in 2A in many years. Someone posted about watching them on FB and didn’t think much of them. I hope you get to see them up close.
The early weakness was perceived to be the defense. But that has improved by leaps and bounds each game. But the defense is not equal to that offense! They have put up 40+ points in the first half 6 times! The most impressive win may have been the season opening 34-7 win over 4A Spotswood.
They have seen plenty of speed this year. Central Woodstock is loaded with speed; notably Clanton — the state 100/200/400 champ— and the QB from Madison - sprint/track scholarship to George Mason— and Buffalo Gaps RB Rivenburg— offers from JMU, WM (I hear)
Enough of that stuff. If, if, if it comes down to ER and Graham (which I hope it does) sounds like it will be an athletic showcase! I don’t think speed, or the exposure to each other’s wheels, will be the deciding factor. Neither will size ER is PLENTY big and athletic.
ER is a fairly new school and has a limited post season history. That will be a Graham advantage...if the match up occurs.
If you think GC falls all the way to 8th, then you’re just dreaming.
Gate City pummeled Western Albemarle this summer...and both teams had their studs. WA coach Maynard said GC would win the Jefferson District hands down. 8th? Hardly.
can't see any major upsets. No 8 over 1 or 7 over 2.
I think Union could defeat Grayson in RD2 if they met and it's in BSG, but if it's Graham Bears are done. No one is touching Chilhowie. Possibly Galax but I'd be shocked if it's not Chilhowie v. Riverheads for 1A title and I believe Warriors have a shot. And Graham has a chance v. C winner, even if it's Glenvar. Winner of Region D v. C wins state title IMO in 2A
Have you heard of East Rockingham? That is a complete team. If they can avoid an upset at the hands of Central Woodstock, I would give them a better than 50-50 chance of winning it all.
I do hope my Bearcats get another shot at Graham, just preferably not in the first round lol.
Graham is for sure the measuring stick in 2D this year, I just want us to get another shot, while we’re healthy.
I hope it is not in the first round...
But who knows? The ‘Cats did beat Gretna on the road a few years ago...and if not for a questionable play call, would have gotten Richlands a year or two later.
But beating Graham on the road would be a TALL task this season
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East teams to watch out for
in SWVA Basketball
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They made the final four. I wouldn’t call that a debacle.