REGION 7AAA
CHEROKEE BLUFF (12-8, 3-4) vs. EAST HALL (10-10, 5-3)
This contest is one of two teams that are coming into it searching for consistency. The East Hall Vikings, lead by Head Coach Seth Thompson, started out region play hot and won the 6 contests it played against 7AAA teams (one was against North Hall in Lanierland and doesn't count toward region standings). Since December 28th however, the boys from Valhalla have lost 4 out 5 overall and 3 straight region games from January 4th - 11th. The Vikings did bounce back in a big way with a win over Lumpkin in Dahlonega, but heading into that victory the 3 game skid had dropped East Hall to 4th place in region 7AAA. The team nipping at their heels..... Cherokee Bluff. Benjie Wood's Bears took their lumps early on in region play. They played a lot like you would expect an inexperienced team to play. They got beat by quality opponents like GAC, East Hall, Dawson County, and North Hall and they took advantage of lesser opponents like Lumpkin County (twice) and Fannin County. Luckily the Indians and Rebels have been mixed in between some of those tougher opponents and the Bears are also looking to build off of their latest blowout win vs. Lumpkin on January 11th (the Bears had an open date this past Tuesday). East Hall is looking to get back to the groove they were in during the month of December and Cherokee Bluff is looking to stake their claim in 7AAA and finally produce a win over a playoff caliber type team.
This matchup takes place at East Hall Friday night. It is always an interesting environment when the Vikings play at home. The crowd loves their basketball, but there usually isn't much of a student section like you see most places. So the Purple Reign for Cherokee Bluff could help give their team a boost and neutralize a hostile environment if they'll make the trip over from Spout Springs Road and show up in numbers. Otherwise, expect their to be plenty of excitement generated early by East Hall's Kylan Curry and TJ Campbell. Curry is a bulldog on the court and he likes the ball in his hands in big time moments. The Senior point guard is an explosive athlete and can score in a variety of ways. Campbell is a very steady player that is going to play with great effort and you better not leave him open on the perimeter. Campbell helps the Vikings spread the floor and puts defenders in a bind. The East Hall offense sputtered during their recent 4 game losing streak, averaging only 61 points in those 4 losses and being held under the 60 point mark twice. The Vikings looked more like what most are accustomed to seeing East Hall look like against Lumpkin with 79 points, 32 of which came from Curry and Campbell. The East Hall backcourt will be depended on for points and toughness on the defensive end as they face a talented duo of guards for the Bears.
Griffin Neville and Bosko Norman will look to counter the Vikings aggressive backcourt. Both scored 13 points each in the Bears 76 - 64 loss to East Hall earlier in the year. Their performances were good enough to play neck and neck with East Hall for 3 quarters but the more experienced duo of Vikings got the best of that matchup in the 4th quarter. Neville is capable of heating up at any time and can score in bunches, but the key to this game for Cherokee Bluff will be controlling the pace of the game. Don't get me wrong, I know Coach Wood's teams have historically liked to get out an run over the years and can play up tempo. However, at this point in the young history of basketball at the Bluff, I don't believe they have as much depth as East Hall. Taking care of the ball and getting back on defense are truly the most important things that Neville and Norman can do for their team on Friday. The scoring will come and Norman is particularly adept in the mid range game and slashing to the basket, but to put a landmark win on the board for this young Bears program, Coach Wood's team will have to play it's best game of the year defensively. Forwards like Palmer Weaver and Corey Thompson will need to bring a lot of energy and toughness in order to keep East Hall's X-Factor Jayvion Rucker in check. Rucker scored 18, had 6 blocks and a couple of steals in the first matchup between these two teams. We know that Neville and Norman will show up for the Bluff and Curry and Campbell will get theirs for EHall, but which ever team is able to control the tempo late in this one and get the quality minutes out of their supporting casts will take this one.
PREDICTION:
I believe that this game goes down to the wire. Griffin Neville and Bosko Norman will turn in big performances with fresh legs coming off the open date on Tuesday. Ultimately though, I believe Kylan Curry and Jayvion Rucker will generate transition offense with their defense by way of steals and blocked shots. I can see the Bears getting in foul trouble late in the 4th and depth being an issue. East Hall wins 72 - 65.
Comments