NW4A games this week (1-20-04, 1-23-04)

This week, we will be finishing up the first rotation of conference games. This week will be highlighted by the matchup tuesday night between McDowell and AC Reynolds. The game will be played at Reynolds and is for first place in the conference. Here is a list of key games for this week:

Tuesday Jan 20:

McDowell @ AC Reynolds
East Burke @ Freedom


Friday Jan 23:

AC Reynolds @ East Burke
McDowell @ Alex. Central
South Caldwell @ Watauga

 

yes, it should be a great week... after tuesday, we will have to recap the conf. standings and start making some end of season predictions... i still believe the top four will be mcdowell, ac reynolds, freedom, and south... then east burke, watauga, and alexander central...

i feel like watauga might steal a game or two... they may upset south or east burke once... i don't think they can pull it off with the top 3...

and south definitely has the potential to beat one of the top 3 on the second time around... especially at home...

at the beginning of the season, i felt like mcdowell would not repeat the undefeated season, but after last night, who knows... acr probably does have the best chance to knock them off unless freedom shapes up... but, it will take a well played game... should be interesting...

good luck to all this week... can't wait to see what happens...

 

Personally I feel like the only chance McDowell has of losing a game in conference is at ACR on Tuesday. That being said I think ACR will have to play a near flawless game to do so, shooting well from beyond the arc especially. It should be fun this week, can't wait to see what develops. Good luck to all and stay healthy! :xyzwave:

 

The matchup between McDowell and AC Reynolds is going to be interesting. One would think that McDowell, with all their athletes, could run away with this game. But AC Reynolds has always been the type of team that is real pesky and always hangs around until the end. I look for them to attack the inside on McDowell, and try to expose McDowell's weakness. Freedom tried the same thing last friday night and the Lady Titans played their best game of the year down inside friday night.

The key for this game, is to see if McDowell can force Reynolds into a fast paced game. Reynolds used a slower tempo to beat Freedom a couple weeks ago, they will have to do the same again tomorrow to have a chance against the Lady Titans. If the score is in the 70's and 80's, then it likely will be McDowell's favor. But if we get a game in the 50's or low 60's, Reynolds would have to feel good about their chances. Plus, playing at home is going to be another advantage for the Lady Rockets.

 

I will really be suprised if ACR tries to run with McDowell Tuesday night, if they do GAME OVER! ACR needs to control the tempo, or at least make sure they get a good look at the hoop each time down the floor and run only when the opportunity is there. ACR can play the inside game, however, if McDowell stops that, the 3 point shot is a very possible weapon for Reynolds as well, just ask South Caldwell where 6 different players for ACR hit a 3. Now that doesn't happen every game but it just shows that ACR can play inside or outside, and with different players. I am a diehard ACR fan but I will be stunned if we are able to pull off the upset. Yes, it is possible, but McDowell seems to be getting it together and will be totally focused Tusday night. If ACR shoots well, and rebounds well, we have a shot, but if McDowell gets off quick and dominates the first quarter like they did at Freedom, it could be over in a hurry! :xyzwave:

 

in all honesty, that pretty much summed up the game Friday Night. McDowell started the game on a 16-2 run, which ended up 24-8 after one period. That took any momentium away that Freedom had going into the game, and it took the crowd away too.

 

Yeah, keeping McDowell from getting off to a hot start will be a huge key for Reynolds. They need to keep it close going into the second half, so they can keep our fans involved in it. Our girls have won several games in the fourth quarter, so they know they can do it. It will be important to keep themselves in it until then, and see what happens in the fourth. Just give themselves a chance, that is all they need to do, put the pressure on McDowell to come through in the 4th. Not that McDowell can't, because they can, but in a close game on the road, it might be tougher.

 

McDowell-Reynolds

I believe this will be The lady titans toughest game this year but when it's all said and done I pick McDowell 80 Reynolds 78.The boys should easier for the titans Mcdowell 90 Reynolds 66

 

I agree with the boys score, however, if the girls score is that high, McDowell will win by more than two points. If McDowell scores 80 they should win by at least 12-15 points. ACR needs to keep the game in the 60's to have a chance. In the three games ACR has lost Asheville scored 77 and 74 points, and Thomasville score 64. The 64 isn't a lot of points but ACR was in the game until the 4th quarter when they fell apart, so they need to keep it low scoring. In contrast in the 14 games that ACR has won the MOST any opponent has scored is 58 both by Freedom and South Caldwell, and only 5 teams in our 14 wins has even scored more than 50 points. So keeping it a low scoring game is VERY important to ACR. Now talking about it and doing it might be two very different stories! Either way should be a fun night tonight! :xyzwave:

 

Six hours away from game time...here is my prediction:

McDowell 74
Reynolds 62