My take on Silsbee/HJ

[Guest DickVitale]

I had the opportunity to watch the last game between these two teams and I must admit, it was one of the most entertaining HS games I have watched this season..Unfortunately for the fans, I don't think that game 3 will live up to the hype and this is why...

This game, although it has meaning, does not carry nearly as much as the first two games did...Silsbee has some KEY injuries and I just do not think that Travis will even allow #32 to play in this game in an effort to get him 100% for the playoffs, which ultimately are the more important games...Heck he didn't even want his team to PLAY this game so I doubt he would risk another injury...Don't get me wrong, I am certain that these two teams will compete hard, but the intensity and focus in the game at Silsbee will be hard to match....With that said, if they happen to meet again in regionals, you will have another instant classic on your hands!

If #21 from HJ could shoot, he would be DANGEROUS...He single handedly wore Silsbee down on BOTH ends...Defensively he was a constant thorn and he attacked the basket with athleticism unmatched in that game...Burrell (#42) is key for HJ, and must stay out of foul trouble, because HJ needs him on the floor to win...Somebody PLEASE settle Bernard (#3) down for HJ! He does so many things well, but he was out of control a lot during key moments..However, he did make his FT's down the stretch and took care of the ball when they needed it at the end...As for Silsbee, if they are going to make a deep run in the playoffs, they MUST use their posts more...They are living and although they hit a lot of threes against HJ, they ultimately DIED by the three...They will not always hit that many threes and in the playoffs the teams that are more than one dimensional, will advance..And Silsbee HAS really good 3A bigs! They can score around the basket and are very capable of dominating a game if you let them...Inside-out games make your team MORE dangerous...(See KENNEDALE, last years 3A champion)...

Good luck to BOTH teams and hopefully they will meet in the regional finals!

[jmspears3]

Good stuff.

[Lazeek]

Pretty fair assessment DV.  Although I would disagree of the importance of tomorrow nights game.  You tell me....would you rather be the #2 seed and play Liberty, Navasota and possibly Cleveland to get to Regionals or would you rather be the #1 seed and play Cameron Yoe, WOS, OF or Coldspring to get to Regionals?

Both paths will be tough but one is decisively tougher than the other.  Anything can happen and anyone can beat anyone on any given night, but I would much rather take my chances as the #1 seed.

[PoppaBearstarr]

Was that you at the game Dicky, I think you had a yellow shirt on...If I knew it was you I would have introduced myself. If that was you then I did speak after the game in passing. I said that was one heck of a game.

Oh and on a side note 21 can shoot just fine, he has hit a lot of threes for us this year.

[Guest DickVitale]

Was that you at the game Dicky, I think you had a yellow shirt on...If I knew it was you I would have introduced myself. If that was you then I did speak after the game in passing. I said that was one heck of a game.

Oh and on a side note 21 can shoot just fine, he has hit a lot of threes for us this year.

No, that was not me...I had on a navy golf shirt and slacks...I stood near the locker room entrance with the officers.

I only watched him that one time, but my assesment was that his mechanics were not very good although he may make some from time to time...The kid can play though..ATHLETIC!

Pretty fair assessment DV.  Although I would disagree of the importance of tomorrow nights game.  You tell me....would you rather be the #2 seed and play Liberty, Navasota and possibly Cleveland to get to Regionals or would you rather be the #1 seed and play Cameron Yoe, WOS, OF or Coldspring to get to Regionals?

Both paths will be tough but one is decisively tougher than the other.  Anything can happen and anyone can beat anyone on any given night, but I would much rather take my chances as the #1 seed.

Do you REALLY think those kids care about Navasota or Cleveland?? I know the coaches do, but those kids, from both teams, feel they are the best in the region, especially Silsbee...I just think that them meeting in the regional final will have much more meaning and be a better game...You think Duke and UNC would be a better game in the ACC tourney semi finals or in the NCAA Regional Final? Same principle on a smaller level, but you get my point.

[Lazeek]

Oh I definatly agree that if they meet in the Regional Finals that it is more important than tomorrow night.

I just know as a player that you have to win the game whoever is in front of you.......however I would rather have it a little easier.  If that was not the case then both coaches would have agreed to flip as they would not have cared who the had to face.

I know that both teams are either sick or injured right now and it would have been nice to flip to allow both teams to recover. 

[Guest DickVitale]

Got that right! 

[ST413]

I have to say great post Dicky.  I wish the Tigers would work the ball inside more. I also hope the defense gets back more to where it was the first game between these two.  They definately need to limit the penetrations and keep the big guys out of foul trouble.  It will be tough tomorrow without DC but if they can have a big game from the big guys they can pull it out.

[Gabe]

These games matter to the kids just as much as the first two.

I watched HJ-OF all three times and the third was played just as hard as the first two. No matter if district title is on the line or simply a seeding game, Silsbee/HJ is going to be a hard fought game where every point is contested and the winner will have just as many bumps and bruises as the losers.

[ST413]

That is true.  I just hope they aren't any more than minor bumps an bruises...

[Gabe]

So true. Injuries are unfortunately a part of sports in every game and practice. I hate seeing youngsters get hurt. I have seen kids blow out there knees 5 feet away from me while at the scorers table twice. Both seniors too! I hate it.

[ST413]

Yes it is sad most of them never get the chance to play games in a higher level.  It hurts to see their careers end that way.  Silsbee lost one starter a couple of weeks ago in warm-ups.  That is almost even harder to see. Although he will be back next year.

[Guest DickVitale]

These games matter to the kids just as much as the first two.

I watched HJ-OF all three times and the third was played just as hard as the first two. No matter if district title is on the line or simply a seeding game, Silsbee/HJ is going to be a hard fought game where every point is contested and the winner will have just as many bumps and bruises as the losers.

Oh, I DID say that both teams would compete hard, no question, but there is NO WAY that the intensity of games 1 and 2 will be matched until a little more is on the line, such as a trip to the STATE TOURNEY! 

[Lazeek]

Dicky,

Turner is a 37% 3 point shooter.  Watch the release, rotation, arch, and touch.

Jarvis has "looked out of control" for 3 years.  He just plays that hard.  He is not necessarily smooth, like Robinson, but he is rarely out of control.

[Guest DickVitale]

Turner's MECHANICS are BAD...You can have bad mechanics and make SOME shots, but when I saw him play they were NOT falling AND his mechanics were awful, which leads me to conclude that HE CAN'T SHOOT.  He may hit some tonight, but to be a consistent shooter, your mechanics must be in order..Its about muscle memory when it comes to shooting. The kid is a HELL of an athlete and I don't think HJ wins on Tuesday vs. Silsbee without him, but he is NOT a shooter.

I have seen LOTS of basketball and Jarvis Bernard WAS out of control in the Silsbee game during CERTAIN stretches, and it was driving Todd NUTS during the game...Yes he does play hard from what I saw, AND he played well down the stretch, but all the spinning while turning the ball over (which happenend more than once, and one time during a crucial Silsbee run) leads me to conclude that he has a tendancy to be wild....BOTH reasonable assessments.

Come on Lazeek, I do this for a living, man!

[Lazeek]

DickVitale or Todd Sutherland????

I rest my case!!!! ;D ;D ;D

[Guest baseball25]

lazeek remember your talking to calvin murphy......DickV thinks he knows everything and thinks he's the greatteeesst of all timeeee....he's going to blabber 24/7

[Guest DickVitale]

They both help Todd's team win....Thats the main issue...You just refuse to accept the fact that I KNOW what I am talking about, and that my assessment, whether you accept it or not is accurate...and you don't have to, it's MY TAKE...I just happen to do this for PAY as well as the love of the game, thats all... :

lazeek remember your talking to calvin murphy......DickV thinks he knows everything and thinks he's the greatteeesst of all timeeee....he's going to blabber 24/7

No, don't want to be him either, but I know more than most.....especially the basketball novices on THIS site...Some of your comments on here are flat out funny! How many of you ACTUALLY even PLAYED? Not many..... : But you guys HATE it when I talk about the game that I have known and been around MY ENTIRE LIFE....get outta here!

[Lazeek]

I never question your knowledge DV!!!!!!

Only your opinions sometime!!! :D

[AggiesAreWe]

I hope I know what I am talking about. Otherwise I have been sounding pretty foolish all this time doing these broadcasts. ;D

[Guest DickVitale]

8)

[Lazeek]

You do a good job as far as you know!!!! :D

[AggiesAreWe]

You do a good job as far as you know!!!! :D

I'll accept that. I am a legend in my own mind! ;D

[Lazeek]

You will prove tonight that you are better than most.

[Guest DickVitale]

AAW gets it done, now! I actually want to be the co-anchor during the playoffs! How bout it big guy? Wanna share a mic with Dickie V?