2004 NCHSAA 4A West Sectionals: Sectional Finals

Well, Bigdan it's nice to see some predictions out of you! So now that I have a little insight about these teams I'll pass along mine. By the way Bigdan, ACR defeated West Forsyth earlier this year in a Christmas Tournament 63-48, and were up by more than 20 in the 4th until the subs came in. I am sure West Forsyth is playing better ball now though. Well, here goes:

Northern Durham @ West Forsyth: Not knowing much about either team except the fact that AC Reynolds has already defeated West Forsyth this year by 15, I have to go with Northern Durham. They seem to be playing great ball now, and although it's at West Forsyth, I don't think that will effect Northern Durham all that much...Northern Durham 68 West Forsyth 55

Vance @ East Forsyth: It's crunch time in the playoffs and sorry East Forsyth, one player will not beat a "team". Vance is playing great ball and East is depending on one player to carry them. It's getting too late in the game to depend on one person. Freedom defeated East Forsyth earlier this year, and were the 3rd or 4th best team in the NW4A conference (depending on if Tara Tate is healthy). Bottom line is Vance wins this one as they are the better TEAM. Vance 61 East Forsyth 53

McDowell @ Garinger: People talk about Garinger being #2, and how great they are at pressing, and running. NEWS FLASH....YOU ARE PLAYING MCDOWELL!! That is their bread and butter, they love to be pressed, and love to run, just ask Independence. I see Garinger beat Independence by 5 points (45-40), man are you in for a long night! The only hope I see Garinger has is for McDowell to miss a lot of easy shots, because they will get them if you press them, and for McDowell to make a lot of mental mistakes (not going to happen), but you can always hope I guess. The fans for McDowell will be there in droves, and there is a good chance they will out number Garinger, dispite the Garinger boys playing prior to the girls game. Atkinson, Lovik, and Co. will have a great game and once again the NW4A will come back from Charlotte with another win! McDowell 78 Garinger 59

Butler @ AC Reynolds: Here comes another running and pressing team to AC Reynolds. The Lady Rockets have several girls that can handle the ball, so the pressure will not bother them, although yes there will be some turnovers. Look for Sydney Alexander to have a BIG game as ACR will pound it inside and will pound the glass on the offensive end. These girls will be thrilled not to have to face another front line like South Meck had and will show it by their inside play. The guards won the South Meck game for us, it's time for the inside girls to win this one and I think they will. The students will be wild as ever, and that will get the girls really fired up to play an exceptional game. AC Reynolds 65 Butler 53

 

Don't know any details but Northern Durham won, in a game played tonight (Saturday) against West Forsyth 63-55 to advance to Winston-Salem. Not bad on my part, as I just missed this score by 5 points, and had West Forsyth's point total exactally right! I hope for McDowell and AC Reynolds sake this is a good sign about my predictions!

 

any last thoughts as we go into tonight's games...? How could this three day layoff affect any of the teams? None of the Charlotte teams were allowed to practice, I'm sure the other teams did something extra to prepare?

 

Well, I said before that I thought AC Reynolds and McDowell both had an advantage seeing that they played tougher competition all year long. Now, seeing that the Charlotte teams haven't even gotten to practice the past three days, I say there is an even greater advantage to the Lady Rockets and Lady Titans. I know both of those teams have practiced and went about their business as though it were a regular week. I look for Butler and Garinger to be a little rusty to begin with and maybe even more so for Butler having to travel 2 1/2 hours on a bus, and having limited shooting time in a new gym for them. Also, look for Vance to struggle to begin with which might just change the outcome of that game as well. Vance was on a roll, and the layoff might hurt them, with no practice and having to travel as well. If I were to change a pick, this would be the game, East Forsyth might just be able to get them, should Vance come out rusty.

 

I just hope neither Reynolds nor McDowell are the ones coming out slow. The fast starts has been the advantage for McDowell the last 6 games.

 

McDowell 65...Garinger 64

Actually, McDowell uses a 15-o run in the first quarter, but Garinger survives and manages to play the Lady Titans tough the rest of the way. McDowell despite a career-high 30 points from Anna Atkinson, the Lady T's played a overall sloppy game as they were committed way too many turnovers. But, a win's a win.

Reynolds also goes into the Regionals as they knock off Butler by 9. Hey Reynolds Rocks, whats the story from ACR?

The Great Mountain Ball Express rolls along!!

 

garinger is a scrappy team that's not afraid to run. they came back from 15 down against south meck in the 4th quarter ... they do not give up!

 

Well, our game sounds a lot like yours. ACR jumped out to a 19-3 first quarter lead only to have Butler cut that to a 4 point halftime lead. Butler even tied the game in the 3rd at 42, but ACR kept running their offense and shooting the ball fairly well and took a 3 point lead into the 4th. In the fourth, ACR controlled the boards and got several easy looks and hit all but 3 free throws in the quarter to win going away. Alex Thompson had a career high as well for the Lady Rockets with 28, Katie Rybacki had 13, and Brianna Worley had 10. Katie and Brianna both played well inside as Butler keyed on Sydney Alexander (4 points) and kept her touches to a minimum. Overall the Lady Rockets played a great game and showed a lot of maturity by not quiting when Butler came back and tied it at 42. It looks like a great year for the NW4A regardless of the outcome in Winston-Salem, but good luck to McDowell against East Forsyth, ACR will be cheering you on!

 

Yep, and No Charlotte teams remain!!!!

If we gotta lose, we'd rather lose to you folks than to East Forsyth or Northern Durham. At least the Nw4A would be well represented in Raleigh. If McDowell wins I'll wear my Blue and Silver and if ACR wins I'll wear my Green and Gold!!