AAA Boys Playoffs Open Thread.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Somerset vs. Mars Friday 8:00 @ Central Cambria.


Somerset is the only local team, but Indiana is certainly a regional team of interest. Clearfield is already knocked out actually, they played Pittsburgh City League rep, Obama Academy, and they lost last night.


Any talk, predictions, or chatter.. Have it

[Crimson's Ghost]

Looking at Mars, Somerset's first round opponent.

Mars is 25-2. They were originally the number one seed in the WPIAL PLayoffs, but they were upset in the quarterfinals.

Their only losses were to Ambridge in the playoffs, and to Rock Canyon High School of Colorado. Maxpreps ranks Rock Canyon as the 12th best team in Colorado. Mars beat three teams from the West in the same event as they played a four game tournament or set of games in Las Vegas.

[BasketballFan1214]

Haven't seen Somerset play, but if they don't have size it will be hard to stop Mars.

Not shocked at all Clearfield lost with their record they played a pretty soft schedule .

Indiana is the real deal, they are a really fun team to watch, they really work as a team and have 3 or 4 dunks a game. Their starting five are all between 6-3/6-5. They can all shoot and handle the ball, and most nights all of them are in double figures. The WPIAL title game against Beaver Falls was one of the best games I have seen in a long time. Sadly for them Archbishop Carroll is in the West side of the bracket. I see them playing Neumann-Goretti again in the finals. I won't get into another public vs private debate.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Somerset is basically a 5 guard lineup, and size is probably their big problem. I like their two main guards, Heiple and Barnes, a whole lot.

I don't think they are completely over-matched but they would need to play very well to win.

[west33]

Mars doesn't have a size advantage over somerset either. They don't have the 6-7 guy that hollisdaysburg did. I thought size wise they both are about the same.

[BasketballFan1214]

Steel High over Tamaqua
Archbishop Carroll over Octorara
New Castle over Strong Vincent
Indiana over South Fayette
Beaver Falls over Meadville
Mars over Somerset
Ambridge over Obama Academy
Cathedral Prep over Hampton

Archbishop Carroll over Steel High
Indiana over New Castle
Beaver Falls over Mars
Cathedral Prep over Ambridge

Archbishop Carroll Over Indiana
Beaver Falls over Cathedral Prep

Archbishop Carroll over Beaver Falls

Championship

Archbishop Carroll vs. Neumann-Goretti (Whatever teams recruited the best players will win)

[Crimson's Ghost]

Archbishop Carroll has a McDonald All-American committed to UNLV, ranked the 27the best player in the country.

[BasketballFan1214]

Mars doesn't have a size advantage over somerset either. They don't have the 6-7 guy that hollisdaysburg did. I thought size wise they both are about the same.

Seeing both teams play, the Mars bigs can score that 6-7 player from Hollidaysburg doesn't do much. I wasn't shocked Mars won easily.

[west33]

Yah #3 was 6-3 and the rest were all smaller. Still no size advantage like I said. There freshman is d-1 basketball player. Awesome. Well coached team with a deep bench. Won't go anywhere in the playoffs vs a taller team. They have no height. Somerset clearly outcoached and barnes in early foul trouble didn't help. That team is quick as heck and well coached. Good luck to mars in their next game.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Second Round pairings.

Neumann-Goretti (25-2) vs. Manheim Central (24-4)
Bishop McDevitt (21-5) vs. Allentown CC (15-10)
Scranton Prep (24-3) vs. Imhotep Charter (20-9)
Susquehanna Township (21-6) vs. Pottsville (28-0)


Steel High (23-5) vs. Octorara OR Archbishop Carroll (Game is today, postponed last night)
New Castle (21-5) vs. Indiana (25-2)
Beaver Falls (23-2) vs. Mars (25-2)
Ambridge (17-8) vs. Erie Cathedral Prep (20-6)


I don't think much has changed since last night's games. I think looking at the Eastern half of the bracket, it is Neumann-Goretti's to lose, but Imhotep Charter and Susquehanna Township can likely challenge them. Not sure if Pottsville is legit, but they are 28-0.

In the West, Steel High and I'm thinking Archbishop Carroll will win today, and those two will have to play each other on Tuesday. Should be a good game. And with the six schools actually from the West, I would say it's anyone's game. New Castle, Indiana, Beaver Falls, Mars, Ambridge, and Cathedral Prep all have a chance to get hot.