KLEOFAN Posted March 4, 2009 Report Posted March 4, 2009 THE HUNTSVILLE ITEM NEWSPAPER Published: March 04, 2009 12:48 am A lot’s at stake Dogs face Lions with regional tournament berth on the line By Gene Schallenberg Sports NEW WAVERLY — The last few times the Bulldogs squared off with Kountze, they have had the Lions’ number. The latest meeting between the two teams will mean so much more as a berth in the Region III semifinals will be on the line tonight in the region quarterfinal playoff game at 7 at Crosby High School. “We’re real familiar with them,†Bulldogs junior guard Tyren Watts said. “It’s almost like a rivalry. Our style of play is so similar, which makes it less complicated because you know what they’re going to do. We already know what we have to do to win.†In the most recent meeting between the two teams, the top-ranked Bulldogs pulled out a close 65-57 victory in the Big Sandy tournament in early December. It’s been a while since that game and both teams have made great strides from that point on, considering the Lions (22-11) and the Dogs are alive and still playing. “I think the biggest thing is from the first time we played them is the conditioning,†New Waverly head coach Bill Goffney said. “We were kind of lucky to hang on and beat them last time. I think they had three weeks to a month head start. I thought we shot the ball pretty well against them last time. “They’ve got two (state championship) rings the last three years and that speaks for itself. Anytime you can beat them, that’s a good win. To come back and do it twice in the same season is tough. We played them three times over the past two years, so we’re real familiar with them. We’ve played them and know what to expect.†While it can be easy to look past the Lions because New Waverly defeated them earlier this season, the Bulldogs (28-3) know they can’t afford to start making weekend plans. “We can’t take them lightly because they have nothing to lose,†Dogs junior X’Zavious Harrison said. “It’s just another team we have to put away.†“They know they’re going to have to come out and play,†Goffney said. “They can’t take anything for granted. A turnover here and a turnover there could get you sent home. They know they have to come out with that same intensity. We’re taking it one game at a time.†“It’s hard not to be overconfident,†Watts said. “It’s hard not to think that because we beat them the last three times that we won’t beat them this time. We both have a lot on the line. They’re not just going to lay down. Just because we beat them before doesn’t mean we’ll beat them again. It’s like a rivalry game. They’re going to give it their all. They don’t have anything to lose. We don’t have anything to lose. If we lose this one, there’s no more games for us.†Like New Waverly, Kountze, the district champ out of 23-2A, plays a fast-paced style offense and pressuring defense. “They really haven’t changed much since the last time we played them,†Goffney added. “They’re going to do what they do. They’re going to press you the whole game. There’s not going to be a lot of new wrinkles from when we see them this time. They’re going to try to out-athlete you and outrun you and wear you down. “Luckily, that’s how we play too. I’m not worried about wearing down. I don’t want to get in a situation where we’re trading buckets. I think we’re better than that. I want to be able to get buckets and force stops. We just got to go out and take care of business. We just need to make some stops when it counts. I feel like we can get down the floor and play solid defense, then we’re going to make it tough.â€
MPH01 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Posted March 4, 2009 A must see basketball game!!! Wish I can be there. Good luck to both teams!!! I will pray for the safety of all throughout this game and may the best team this night win (because we all know anybody on anyday can get lose or win). Whoever wins, please represent Region 3 with class and come home with that trophy. I would definitely like to see one of these teams bring home the trophy. Glad to hear that the coach from NW is doing better. One thing for sure.....someone is going home tonight not happy, but know that you lost to a quality team!
24 over par Posted March 4, 2009 Report Posted March 4, 2009 A must see basketball game!!! Wish I can be there. Good luck to both teams!!! I will pray for the safety of all throughout this game and may the best team this night win (because we all know anybody on anyday can get lose or win). Whoever wins, please represent Region 3 with class and come home with that trophy. I would definitely like to see one of these teams bring home the trophy. Glad to hear that the coach from NW is doing better. One thing for sure.....someone is going home tonight not happy, but know that you lost to a quality team! good post
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