2004 NCHSAA 4A West Sectionals: Sectional Finals

Well, these eight teams are one win away from the regionals. Here are the 4 sectional finals in the 4A west bracket...


Northern Durham @ West Forsyth

Vance @ East Forsyth

McDowell @ Garinger

Butler @ AC Reynolds

okay, thoughts, opinions on these games...?

 

BigDan: With all McDowell's weapons, they should have no problem with Garinger. Look for their PG #1 to drive and penetrate a lot. South was able to draw several charges against them in this game. Garinger's gym is horrible though, it's about the size of a middle school gym. To coin one of your phrases, that was a very "hostile" environment. The #1 seed from the NW4A is definitely a lot stronger team the #1 SW4A and it will show at the end of this game. I don't think the Garinger fans will be taunting at the end of this game. Prediction: McDowell 82 Garinger 66

 

:gaga:

 

BigDan, tell me a little about Butler. I know you know all about them, seeing you seem to know about all these teams. I can't give you a fair assessment of the games until I know a little about them. So help a guy out!

 

well, I don't know the individual players names and their numbers, but I will say that Butler is a small team that likes to run. Their height is one similar to South Caldwell or Freedom. Not much post play from what I have seen of them this year. IMO, I think Syndey Alexander could have a huge game against them. I think Reynolds should be able to get a lot of boards on them because they like to shoot from the perimeter, but they will try to drive to the basket if given the open lane. Just play strong defense, and being at home Reynolds should be able to win.

 

if i were a betting man...

i would take any of the NW4A against any charlotte team this year

good luck to all

 

Well, it's nice to know that Sydney isn't going to have to face another 6'4'' gal. Man that was an adventure last night! But to her credit she battled the best she could and did come away with several rebounds, scored 8 points, and drew at least 3 over the back calls that I know of! Now, about Butler, with ACR playing at home I have to give us the advantage, although Butler did just win at West Charlotte, traveling up here on a bus for 2 1/2 hours is a totally different story. Not to mention the crazy fans we will have in attendence. ACR is smart enough to take advantage of the size they will have on Butler, and should pound it inside. I know Butler probably presses the whole game and ACR will have some turnovers, but for the most part ACR has a lot of people that can handle the ball and pressure never really has bothered us. ACR plays several people and easily goes nine deep (eight girls scored last night against South Meck) so depth isn't a problem as someone has said. Look for AC Reynolds to come out really fired up and play an inspired game in front of their fans, and when the final horn sounds i'm saying ACR 65 Butler 53

 

McDowell over Garinger by 10+(McDowells guard play is too good and smart for Garingers. They also have more depth)
AC Reynolds over Butler13+(Dont know too much about AC Reynolds except the fact that they beat McDowell once, Butler doesnt have depth but have heart. I expect it to be a good game)
Northern Durham over West Forsyth???( Dont know too much about either team except N.Durham lost to Vance in Regional semi-finals last year)
Vance over East Forsyth 8+(Even though E.Forsyth has 6-5 Black, East's guard play isnt nearly as good as Vance's. Vance has more speed, and talent, plus they beat them in the Dell Curry in December by 12 and it was a pretty good game)

 

McDowell will win easily over Garinger. I will be conservative and say 70-50. McDowell just has too many weapons and way more experience. Garinger does like to press, but they will allow open shots from the baseline if you push the ball up the floor (Lovik for 3 in the corner). I would allow them to shoot from outside ALL night long. If Hailey penetrates, she can finish. The Wildcats will hit the boards hard; somewhat like Reynolds does. Boxing out will be key(especially Hollis). Another McDowell plus is being a good free throw shooting team. Garinger will foul because they really want the ball back so they can play offense again. They will pressure hard on the wings and try to force the offense to start from half court. South Caldwell had the right gameplan, but couldn't throw it in the ocean and didn't box out. Even missing 22 free throws didn't take them completely out of the game. Good luck Titans!

 

Okay here are my predictions for what now is "Big Monday" in the west region...

Northern Durham @ West Forsyth: Once again the Ladies of Northern Durham is quietly making a run at a 3rd straight regional appearance. Their best player, Nicole Allison has made the transition from shooting guard to point guard. So far this season, she has been more of a distrubuter of the ball, but in the big games, she may have to produce more on her own. West Forsyth, the best that the Central Piedmont 4A offers, will be hosting this game. I know absolutely nothing about West Forsyth other than the fact that they play in an overall weak conference. I think we'll find out just how good they are. I won't make a prediction, but don't be suprised if Northern Durham wins.

Vance @ East Forsyth: Chante Black is the leader for East Forsyth, she'll get her points and boards, but she needs help from the outside. A D1 player on an overall bad team. Meanwhile, Vance may well be the hottest team in the state at this time. Looks like this team has gotten over any problems from earlier in the season and is playing the best ball of the year. Coach Richmond is not that bad a coach either. I know quite a few in Charlotte were critical of him, but those same people seem to be backtracking...funny how winning solves all problems? Monique Dawson seems to be playing her best ball of the season. She scored 34 in the first round against Greensboro Page. Stywalt and Coote also playing their best ball of the season. I look for Vance to really force the tempo and pull out the win, 69-60. Just don't let East Forsyth play that slow style and pound the ball inside all night long.

McDowell @ Garinger: There is something about these brackets that just don't make sense, we have here a matchup between the #2 ranked Lady Wildcats and the #3 ranked Lady Titans. Hard to believe this is a sectional final, and not a regional final? Anyways, this should be a good game. You know Garinger wants to run most of the game, problem is that fits right into the McDowell game plan. Independence tried the same thing against McDowell, and the Lady Titans put 101 on them. For McDowell, they need to stop LaVonna Hailey, or at least slow her down. For Garinger, let's see if they can keep McDowell from having a strong first period. The last few games, McDowell has came out very strong in the first eight minutes. In the end, this game is going to come down to which team is more discplined and which team plays with a team concept. For Garinger, this BY FAR will be their toughest opponent of the season. For McDowell, playing the NW4A schedule prepares the Lady Titans for a game like this. I'll also give a little advantage to the Lady Titans because they will bring a big crowd. Word is, Garinger has a really small gym, so my advise would be to get there early. I'm picking the Lady Titans to win in a close game, 82-74.

Butler @ AC Reynolds: AC Reynolds playing the best ball of the season, and has proven to everyone that they are no fluke. Reynolds can beat with many different players. They are their most dangerous, because they have, likely, the 2nd best post player in the west region, Sydney Alexander. I think if Reynolds will get the ball to her, she could have a HUGE game for the Lady Rockets. But it dosen't stop there, they have numerous people who can hit the outside shot, including Rybacki, McGalliard, Worley and Alex Thompson. Reynolds can produce a lot of points. For Butler, they like to press and run. They don't have much at all inside, a lot of their points are in transition. I think Reynolds being the most patient team, they will slow Butler down greatly. All Reynolds needs to do is keep from getting into a really erratic pace, and they will be getting ready for a regional appearance. My prediction is Reynolds by 15, 72-57.