JimThorpe

BTW is a much better matchup against FF than we are. FF beat BTW by 10 I’m the season opener for each. But that was then. I think that if the Eagles play as well against FF as they did today (and get the same refs they had today: sorry can’t help myself) they can win.

Last year walking to the parking lot in Lufkin I was thrilled for the Tigers but I had a feeling this would be the story in 2023. McDermott, Lewis and Walker would all be back for one thing. And it was Washington’s severe lack up depth that got us to San Antonio last year. That wasn’t the case this year. McDermott wasn’t so desperately missed every nanosecond he wasn’t in the game. Still the Tigers might have won. They had some problems but had a chance to break thru. They just didn’t get the bounces. The Eagles can’t play any better than they did today. Yet it was still competitive. It was great to see Bottley get recognition as all tourney. He played his heart out in both games and was very effective. That pass late in the game last night was something.

If you can beat Furr then you can beat Washington and by the same margin. You know Furr could have and probably should have won their 2nd meeting with BTW in regulation. BTW forced late mistakes that push it to OT. I predicted Furr would win. I miss judged how good HJ and Jacksonville are when playing their best. The game yesterday was much the same as the two previous Silsbee games with the exception that Furr got that late run. Otherwise we were looking at a 12 to 14 point win, just like the others. Furr was just a little bit better than other two, not a lot better. I’m just trying to get that one loss United had this year out of my mind.

We can limit him some but he’s going to get his points. The key for Silsbee will be to not throw possessions away.

And just like that it’s Wash by 6.

Washington does have a bench this year. They’ve brought in several. Even McDermott sat briefly.

Tell me again who it is we want to face?

One observation. I didn’t appreciate how good Hardin Jefferson is. They played us about as tough as Furr did. Jacksonville too for that matter. And lowly Liberty out scored us in one quarter. Conclusion? There’s good 4A basketball in East Texas.

26-24 Tigers at the half. I think the thing that stands out is Miller can’t get much to fall.

I wonder if we’ll see full court pressure and trapping? Furr does that some.

And right before half. Take those out and the Tigers win.

But it would be nice to have another shot at them. The Tigers gave them all they wanted last year coming to within 1 point in the second half and finally losing by 8. FF's last 11 points came from the free throw line.

Center will have it's moments and Washington will have to play but this is a 20 point game.

I've predicted the spreads within a point or two for the first three games. I figured all three Silsbee opponents would play their best game of the season against the Tigers and that's exactly what happened. If you watch the Jacksonville YouTube you'll hear their play by play guys say it right out loud, this game was the best Jacksonville played all year. And we saw for ourselves last night with HJ. It was touch and go against a team Silsbee beat by 21 earlier and who barely got past Chapel Hill. And Liberty? That had to be the best game they played all year, or maybe in several years. And I expect that Furr, like the others, is going to play their best game of the season against Silsbee. Furr will not have a letdown. They will play better than they did in either game against Washington. I feel this is so because they are a very consistent team. Early in the district season they beat Washington by 1 and late in the district season they lost to Washington by 1 in overtime. So far in the playoffs they've won by 37, 31 and 25. As the competition got a little better the spread dropped by exactly 6 points each time. The Tigers on the other hand, have been demonstrating some inconsistency. They play great one moment and sputter the next. Of course their sputtering is better than some teams best. It's like Tigers95 said, if the Tigers win it will be ugly. My heart doesn't like it but my head says Furr by 5. All that said the mathematics favors Washington to win the region. This is true simply because their semi opponent Center, though a good team, is second tier. For all intents and purposes Washington is already there. Silsbee and Furr have to go through each other to get there. Washington needs to avoid a letdown on Friday and play a great game on Saturday. Silsbee and Furr have to play 2 great games.

Washington had a good crowd in Lufkin last year. That might be an indicator.

BHS Main Gym 3450 Campus Dr. Bryan ….is what the ticket site says.

They may (and should) clear but the Friday ticket is for both games. So after the Tigers win a hard fought game we can get our nachos and Cokes and settle back in around the periphery to watch a good game and size up the competition. Silsbee people know the drill.

Silsbee with 6 quick fouls. That’s a huge break for HJ.

Great game. All you could expect.

They’ve thrown away several possessions to start the half.

Striking distance.

Will it be streamed?

I think it will be a good competitive game all the way and the Tigers win 73 to 60.

Probably. It holds around 1400. I wonder when they open the doors.

Pre-district I thought LCM would go 10-2 and only lose to the eventual district winner. Figured the same thing for Hamshire-Fannett and that was true.