NBC over Central by double digits...

[CanUBelieveIt]

By all accounts, the scrimmage between Shade and NB was an even matchup, but scrimmages are such a hard thing to judge. Players, who normally won't get alot of V-start time get rotated in, so the game picture isn't all that clear. It will be an interesting Jan as the teams progress through their schedules. I believe that the players on the Shade team realize that again this year they have a target on their backs. The Shade boys have been in this position before, so they understand the pressure and expectations, as do other teams with those same expectations. This will be an interesting month, and I'm sure opposing teams will show up to watch their competition on their game nights off.

Altoona Chapter, Senior Citizens Division

Shade is everyone's favorite to win it....but NB did play them, from what I'm told, pretty evenly in a scrimmage back in Nov.

Shade will have a target on their back and an NB, SF,TM or F-M could catch them on the right night. It's hard to talk 'matchups' just yet until we see how things play out in Jan/Feb.

The ICC South is very intriguing, besides the four aforementioned you have F.Road as being very capable and "AA" Everett. I don't know if anyone will rise above the rest or not but it will be a very interesting race and 5-A is shaping up to be very interesting as well...there could be some terrific Quarterfinal games when there are normally some yawners in that first round.

[pebbleriver09]

Shade IS NOT everyone's favorite to win it!

[LionDad77]

And being that you are obviously a player not on the Shade team, your pick would be?

[Eaglealum]

Usually if you beat a team by double digits, it's hard to blame the referees. I wasn't at the game, but I can't imagine bad officiating would lead to a win of 10+.

I'd have agreed before watching us play at Pleasant Valley gym in last years' Shootout. Catich was in foul trouble less than 1:30 into the game, played sparingly, still left the court at halftime with a bruise, 2 scratches,and was bleeding,....team fouls at halftime us 11, BG 0........Guess what starts Monday?..yep, any Jim Rome fans out there will understand our "BOHICA " cries on Monday.

[deliverance]

Eagle, you do bring up a good point. If your best player does get in foul trouble because of bad officiating, then it can lead to a major problem for your team.

[muckitup]

Who's your favorite Dad?

[LionDad77]

I don't follow basketball that close, but from what I've read in the pre season and so far it is possible that they are the team to beat. What I was mainly trying to find out was if this was just another KID trying to talk about something he knows nothing about & just wanted to post something or if he really had an opinion as to who might be better? It is a long season after all and anything could happen ( injuries, grades, etc. ) but at the begining as with any sport there is a favorite and Shade seems to be it.

[CanUBelieveIt]

On the Shade website, the 4 starting seniors are listed as members of the National Honor Society, so from that info, I'm ruling out grades. Let me leap to the assumption that you are a CR follower, but here's the word up where the air is thinner. Shanksville is always good competition for Shade. It is an interesting matchup since Shanksville kids play football for Shade, but somehow that connection is left on the turf during basketball season and it is probably the biggest rivalry around. Jan 5, Shanksville travels to Shade for their first matchup of the season and that will be a good game. Berlin is a tough place to play, so there will be a game there, as well as the Rockwood matchup. The game with NS will also be another one for the radar, but no one discounts any team, at any time, on any night. I am showing my ignorance, but I don't know anything about the teams to the south, except for a scrimmage between NB and Shade. Scrimmage and game comparison is like the apple and orange comparison. As you said, injuries are the unknown factor. I Hope that EVERY TEAM avoids that unknown. I'm an adult many years out and hope that the pebble-guy either provides valuable input or skips along to another message board.

I don't follow basketball that close, but from what I've read in the pre season and so far it is possible that they are the team to beat. What I was mainly trying to find out was if this was just another KID trying to talk about something he knows nothing about & just wanted to post something or if he really had an opinion as to who might be better? It is a long season after all and anything could happen ( injuries, grades, etc. ) but at the begining as with any sport there is a favorite and Shade seems to be it.

[LionDad77]

Good post. This is the stuff that I think should be on this board. Yes, I'm a CR follower but enjoy all sports (track is favorite) and know many athletes from different schools and follow their progress at their different sports. Also like you are many years removed.

[DrJerkyllMrHide]

It's nice to see the D5-A schools that can't compete in football excel in basketball, in a large part due to an excellent coaching staff and athletes who are committed to winning and improving. Amazing how respect, when given, is returned 10-fold.