Bears versus Bobcats

[Fairlawncat 252]

Read this board some over the years when the Bobcats are involved, but first time poster  Wanted to know your thoughts on Union vs Radford in the state semi's?  I think it's going to go right down to the wire with 2 very similar and even matched teams.  No surprise at all if Union wins this game.  Big time surprised if either team (the winner) comes within 6 points of Nickel and that East Rockingham team.  Not wanting to send a negative message to our kids on vapreps, but one poster recently stated he felt East Rock was 10 points better than Radford.  I think it's more like 6 points, but that ain't much in High School and the winner of the Union and Radford has a legitimate shot, although a slight dog, to win the state title.  When watching on NFHS both teams multiple times, I would favor Union by 2 or so points, but the been there and done that thing for Radford leads to believe that is worth 4-6 more points which means it really is anyone's game and a toss up type game.

Also, how about Abingdon in the state semi's in 3A ball.  Radford squashed a solid Northside team and Union and Abingdon traded blows this year.  With several of the 3A teams setting it out like Charlottesville just ending their season due to Covid and several in the Lynchburg area, Abingdon has a real chance just like Union to play for a state title.  With teams in the 2A level setting it out like JM, Dan River, M-Ville, Greensville, and Brunswick, this is a golden opportunity for not just Radford, but also Union.

[BigWinners 1,643]

I'd be shocked if Union won. They weren't crisp against GC and from what I've seen, the Radford defense is smothering.

 

Union has length but not size if that makes sense. Several long kids but no one like Nickel or kid at Abingdon. If Unions outside shots fall, may be they can pull off the upset but I think Radford is gonna make it a slugfest and not allow Union to play with some pace. Union does have five kids that can handle the ball that should help but they have to hit some deep shots early to loosen defense and build confidence.

[Fairlawncat 252]

Radford very similar with some length, but not really true size as in a true power forward or center.  Union will be the best ball handling team (by a lot) that we will have played.  I'm worried that with Union's ball handling skills, the turnovers may not come as easy as our kids are used to and that could cause a big surprise for our defense.  What we do very well is rebound after a miss.  32 minutes ain't much time though, and if Union is on and Radford (who relies perhaps as much or more than Union) on points outside of the paint, it will be interesting.  We get a bunch of points in transition off of steals and from outside the box in our half court sets, but we don't get much from inside the paint within a half court set.  This game, like many teams that are really close in talent may very well come down to the simple old saying of who makes shots wins the game.  A shooting percentage difference within the half court sets carrying a difference of 10 percent either way I think will decide the game.  IF we are on from the outside, we will win.  Same with Union.  It's not going to be a game where we are getting layups off of turnovers from the other teams half court set.  Union handles it to well.

[Burrall’s Pearls 61]

Having seen both play, Radford has the best player and that usually wins.

Union may have more overall talent. I expect a very tight, physical, low scoring game that isn’t decided until late. 

[BigWinners 1,643]

5 hours ago, Fairlawncat said:

Radford very similar with some length, but not really true size as in a true power forward or center.  Union will be the best ball handling team (by a lot) that we will have played.  I'm worried that with Union's ball handling skills, the turnovers may not come as easy as our kids are used to and that could cause a big surprise for our defense.  What we do very well is rebound after a miss.  32 minutes ain't much time though, and if Union is on and Radford (who relies perhaps as much or more than Union) on points outside of the paint, it will be interesting.  We get a bunch of points in transition off of steals and from outside the box in our half court sets, but we don't get much from inside the paint within a half court set.  This game, like many teams that are really close in talent may very well come down to the simple old saying of who makes shots wins the game.  A shooting percentage difference within the half court sets carrying a difference of 10 percent either way I think will decide the game.  IF we are on from the outside, we will win.  Same with Union.  It's not going to be a game where we are getting layups off of turnovers from the other teams half court set.  Union handles it to well.

On the flip side, Union has had to play Abingdon twice and Science Hill twice so they've seen great teams but neither team seems to play much like Radford. Science Hill maybe. 

Cormandy is gonna be the best player on the court but it's possible 2-5 are playing for the Bears.

It could come down to free throw shooting and being smart with the basketball and I can't fathom Radford not excelling in both areas. 

I think Union would prefer to play a little faster and more in transition but like you said both teams can handle ball pressure and swing the ball well so we will prob see a half court, grinding defense game. Union can play that way, GC made it that type of game, the second Science Hill game was like that and the second Abingdon game was basically a bar fight so the Bears aren't unfamiliar with a team playing stiff defense and making them earn every bucket but Radford presents a unique challenge bc they have a kid who can get a bucket when you need it. Cormandy isn't quite the Nickel kid for ER but he's gonna score and you know he can get a shot when you need it. Can the young Bears, who have talent don't get me wrong,  make the big play when it's game on the line? Rasnick is a senior but Cusano is a soph, Bunch a junior, they've not played in anywhere near as many high pressure win or go home games like Cormandy and Radford has. 

It'll be fun! Good luck

[Burrall’s Pearls 61]

10 hours ago, BigWinners said:

On the flip side, Union has had to play Abingdon twice and Science Hill twice so they've seen great teams but neither team seems to play much like Radford. Science Hill maybe. 

Cormandy is gonna be the best player on the court but it's possible 2-5 are playing for the Bears.

It could come down to free throw shooting and being smart with the basketball and I can't fathom Radford not excelling in both areas. 

I think Union would prefer to play a little faster and more in transition but like you said both teams can handle ball pressure and swing the ball well so we will prob see a half court, grinding defense game. Union can play that way, GC made it that type of game, the second Science Hill game was like that and the second Abingdon game was basically a bar fight so the Bears aren't unfamiliar with a team playing stiff defense and making them earn every bucket but Radford presents a unique challenge bc they have a kid who can get a bucket when you need it. Cormandy isn't quite the Nickel kid for ER but he's gonna score and you know he can get a shot when you need it. Can the young Bears, who have talent don't get me wrong,  make the big play when it's game on the line? Rasnick is a senior but Cusano is a soph, Bunch a junior, they've not played in anywhere near as many high pressure win or go home games like Cormandy and Radford has. 

It'll be fun! Good luck

For a Union fan, you sure don’t have much confidence. Can Radford win? Sure. 
 

That being said, when the careers of Bunch, Cusano and Rasnick are over they will all be 1,000 point scorers. Has Radford played anyone like that this year? Throw in Jordan who basically made the game winning 3 in the regional final. Union may lose but this group of kids will come to play, they’ve been through too much. It’s a very tight knit group who have played together for years on end. I like our chances when the game starts Wednesday. 

[BigWinners 1,643]

4 hours ago, Burrall’s Pearls said:

For a Union fan, you sure don’t have much confidence. Can Radford win? Sure. 
 

That being said, when the careers of Bunch, Cusano and Rasnick are over they will all be 1,000 point scorers. Has Radford played anyone like that this year? Throw in Jordan who basically made the game winning 3 in the regional final. Union may lose but this group of kids will come to play, they’ve been through too much. It’s a very tight knit group who have played together for years on end. I like our chances when the game starts Wednesday. 

WTF because I don't view Union as the favorite im somehow not confident enough?

I said there's a good chance Union has the 2nd thru 5th best player in the game and they've faced some great teams that played a somewhat similar style.

At the end of the day, Radford has been in these games and these moments for years. None of the kids on Unions team has ever played this meaningful of a game. Cormandy has been coaching for decades, he's not gonna be surprised and his team is gonna be ready and they'll execute well and usually not beat themselves. It ain't gonna be easy, but it is possible Union wins. 

[Burrall’s Pearls 61]

All the pressure is on Radford, none on Union. People expect Radford to win, it’s set up for them to win state. John Marshall opted out, GC knocked out, D1 player that’s a senior as coach’s son. 
 

Union making its first ever final four appearance, nobody takes them seriously in basketball. 
 

Bring em on down to BSG, I like our chances. We may lose but this isn’t some powerhouse team coming to town. This will be a very competitive game from start to finish. 
 

Don’t sell our kids or coaching staff short. We’re not playing against John Wooden who has Mac McClung on the roster. 

[Hokiebird7 1,416]

32 minutes ago, Burrall’s Pearls said:

All the pressure is on Radford, none on Union. People expect Radford to win, it’s set up for them to win state. John Marshall opted out, GC knocked out, D1 player that’s a senior as coach’s son. 
 

Union making its first ever final four appearance, nobody takes them seriously in basketball. 
 

Bring em on down to BSG, I like our chances. We may lose but this isn’t some powerhouse team coming to town. This will be a very competitive game from start to finish. 
 

Don’t sell our kids or coaching staff short. We’re not playing against John Wooden who has Mac McClung on the roster. 

Sorry but radford in basketball is a powerhouse...look at their state titles

[cityofRaven 2,443]

Maybe make Radford play Union at Clinchco Elem. It worked out well for Twin Valley years ago.

[Burrall’s Pearls 61]

Powerhouse program? Yes, does this team compare with either of the last five AA state champions? No. 

[Hokiebird7 1,416]

Lol

[Weatherman 135]

2 hours ago, Burrall’s Pearls said:

All the pressure is on Radford, none on Union. People expect Radford to win, it’s set up for them to win state. John Marshall opted out, GC knocked out, D1 player that’s a senior as coach’s son. 
 

Union making its first ever final four appearance, nobody takes them seriously in basketball. 
 

Bring em on down to BSG, I like our chances. We may lose but this isn’t some powerhouse team coming to town. This will be a very competitive game from start to finish. 
 

Don’t sell our kids or coaching staff short. We’re not playing against John Wooden who has Mac McClung on the roster. 

I can't see any pressure being on Radford, it's just another day at the office for them.  Not saying they will win, but feeling pressure won't be an issue in my opinion.

[Burrall’s Pearls 61]

When your coaching your son and he’s a senior, there’s pressure. That’s not another day at the office, careers are on the line. 

[jarhead24219 440]

This Union team has the same kind of kids that PV once took to state, no real superstars , The Big Stone Bombers, Burrell Pearls , Hamler the super sol. Catbird Jackson, Denis Davis , Jerry Myers, and big nasty Jimmy Mitchell( James Mitchell’s dad)!...just a bunch of average players that won state, just like these kids working hard everyday and loving the game, they  may loose but they will not be out worked , I expect full court pressure and some bodies up against the other kid to try to get him into foul trouble Goid luck Bears

[Deleted Account 5,203]

Would be a major surprise if this weren’t a double-digit win for Radford.

[BigWinners 1,643]

1 hour ago, jarhead24219 said:

This Union team has the same kind of kids that PV once took to state, no real superstars , The Big Stone Bombers, Burrell Pearls , Hamler the super sol. Catbird Jackson, Denis Davis , Jerry Myers, and big nasty Jimmy Mitchell( James Mitchell’s dad)!...just a bunch of average players that won state, just like these kids working hard everyday and loving the game, they  may loose but they will not be out worked , I expect full court pressure and some bodies up against the other kid to try to get him into foul trouble Goid luck Bears

Hamler was a legit superstar. 

[BigWinners 1,643]

6 hours ago, Burrall’s Pearls said:

All the pressure is on Radford, none on Union. People expect Radford to win, it’s set up for them to win state. John Marshall opted out, GC knocked out, D1 player that’s a senior as coach’s son. 
 

Union making its first ever final four appearance, nobody takes them seriously in basketball. 
 

Bring em on down to BSG, I like our chances. We may lose but this isn’t some powerhouse team coming to town. This will be a very competitive game from start to finish. 
 

Don’t sell our kids or coaching staff short. We’re not playing against John Wooden who has Mac McClung on the roster. 

Who have I sold short? Because I said Radford is extremely well coached and won't be overwhelmed by the moment? That's the truth. This isn't a foreign affair for Radford, they practically live in state semis. That doesn't mean they'll def win, it just means they won't beat themselves and you'll have to earn it. 

They're playing against Rick Cormandy who has won state titles and his son Cam is the second best player in 2A. They aren't unbeatable but it sure as shit won't be easy. 

[jarhead24219 440]

22 minutes ago, BigWinners said:

Hamler was a legit superstar. 

Yes but he was like 15 then, a rebounding machine, the next 2 years he became the superstar, the games against Steve Marcee was legendary Myers and Davis would shoot just as they crossed half court, Buck Van Huss said it was the best Team he had ever seen no matter class

[Tigerman10 222]

1 hour ago, jarhead24219 said:

This Union team has the same kind of kids that PV once took to state, no real superstars , The Big Stone Bombers, Burrell Pearls , Hamler the super sol. Catbird Jackson, Denis Davis , Jerry Myers, and big nasty Jimmy Mitchell( James Mitchell’s dad)!...just a bunch of average players that won state, just like these kids working hard everyday and loving the game, they  may loose but they will not be out worked , I expect full court pressure and some bodies up against the other kid to try to get him into foul trouble Goid luck Bears

I would consider Bunch and Cusano to be a lot better than average players.  Rasnick is a really really good high school player.  
 

I do think the coaching matchup/game within the game is a legit concern for Union fans.  It’s meaningless once the ball is tipped, as coaches from Mercer and Lehigh once took down Coach K...but you’d feel a lot better about Coach K on paper beforehand.  Same deal with Cormany.  

[Burrall’s Pearls 61]

1 hour ago, Tigerman10 said:

I would consider Bunch and Cusano to be a lot better than average players.  Rasnick is a really really good high school player.  
 

I do think the coaching matchup/game within the game is a legit concern for Union fans.  It’s meaningless once the ball is tipped, as coaches from Mercer and Lehigh once took down Coach K...but you’d feel a lot better about Coach K on paper beforehand.  Same deal with Cormany.  

Didn’t he have two D1 players, one of which went to WVU and lose badly to Council? 
 

Nichols scored as many points at WVU as Nuckles did at ETSU. 
 

Union may get its ass kicked, Wednesday will tell the tale. You guys act like they’re playing a team with John Marshall’s talent and the late Husky Hall is coaching them. 
 

i expect a tight game that comes down to the end. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong and will say as much. 

[BigWinners 1,643]

2 hours ago, jarhead24219 said:

Yes but he was like 15 then, a rebounding machine, the next 2 years he became the superstar, the games against Steve Marcee was legendary Myers and Davis would shoot just as they crossed half court, Buck Van Huss said it was the best Team he had ever seen no matter class

He was just a sophomore you're right but he's also the best basketball player to ever come from BSG. Even at 15, he was getting 20/20 in state semis and finals. The entire team was very good but Hamler was incredible and I think even at 15 you could call him a superstar. If he played 30 years later, he's being talked about on forums like this as one of the best of the best. 

[BigWinners 1,643]

48 minutes ago, Burrall’s Pearls said:

Didn’t he have two D1 players, one of which went to WVU and lose badly to Council? 
 

Nichols scored as many points at WVU as Nuckles did at ETSU. 
 

Union may get its ass kicked, Wednesday will tell the tale. You guys act like they’re playing a team with John Marshall’s talent and the late Husky Hall is coaching them. 
 

i expect a tight game that comes down to the end. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong and will say as much. 

Who has said that? UVAO, but he hasn't quite been accurate in his predictions when it comes to the M7 this year. I expect a back and forth dogfight but if Radford comes out and executes more and doesn't wilt at all and wins by 8-9 I wouldn't be surprised. We know what to expect from Radford in a state semis game, we can't say the same about Union. That's absolutely no slight at all, Union has a chance to show they belong and they are to be reckoned with on the state level. But they gotta do it first and Radford won't make it easy on them. 

[Tigerman10 222]

7 hours ago, Burrall’s Pearls said:

Didn’t he have two D1 players, one of which went to WVU and lose badly to Council? 
 

Nichols scored as many points at WVU as Nuckles did at ETSU. 
 

Union may get its ass kicked, Wednesday will tell the tale. You guys act like they’re playing a team with John Marshall’s talent and the late Husky Hall is coaching them. 
 

i expect a tight game that comes down to the end. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong and will say as much. 

No one said the game wouldn’t be tight-you are railing against a windmill that doesn’t exist.

 

What I said is that it is legitimate to favor Radford to come out of a tight game because of their experience and Cormany’s numerous appearances.  You put up Council as an example of Cormany failure, but there’s no shame in losing to a team with a 1,000 point scoring D1 player-especially one that played a great zone (which is tough to play against anyway much less on a short turnaround).   But slight favorites don’t always win, and in a tight game Union could come out on top just as easily. 

[redtiger 1,740]

16 hours ago, cityofRaven said:

Maybe make Radford play Union at Clinchco Elem. It worked out well for Twin Valley years ago.

They tore Clinchco Elementary down several years ago. It did have a nice gym though