The R&L Holiday Classic tips off at West Iredell High School on Wednesday, the day after Christmas.
The Classic is one of the few times folks around Iredell County can observe other intriguing county matchups, in addition to watching the team they swear their allegiance to. That is part of the reason why the tournament is one of my favorite things to cover for the newspaper.
In addition, it's often some of the best basketball played here during the course of the season.
Predictions for this year's Classic:
1.) There will be two overtime games, with one outcome being decided at the final buzzer.
2. ) Lake Norman's boys will win the championship for the first time since the program began in 2002.
3. ) Statesville's girls will three-peat as Classic champs for the second time in school history. The Greyhounds, tournament champs in 2005 and '06, won three consecutive titles from 1999-2001.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
ASU a team of destiny?
Appalachian State will play for its third consecutive national championship Friday.
The Mountaineers' final opponent of the 2007 season will be Delaware (11-3).
What a weird coincidence that the Blue Hens sport the same colors and helmet design as the Michigan Wolverines, the team ASU (12-2) upset in Ann Arbor, Mich., to kick off its march to Chattanooga, Tenn.
Maybe that's a sign. I hope so.
The Mountaineers' final opponent of the 2007 season will be Delaware (11-3).
What a weird coincidence that the Blue Hens sport the same colors and helmet design as the Michigan Wolverines, the team ASU (12-2) upset in Ann Arbor, Mich., to kick off its march to Chattanooga, Tenn.
Maybe that's a sign. I hope so.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Reflecting on showdown
Our high school basketball game of the week didn't exactly live up to its billing.
Statesville's girls basketball team prevailed 49-38 over Lake Norman on Tuesday, despite numerous poor decisions with the basketball. The Greyhounds turned the ball over 32 times.
The saving grace for Statesville was its ability to dominate the glass. The Greyhounds' 34 rebounds doubled that of the Wildcats.
Having Keyrra Gillespie didn't hurt either.
Gillespie came off the bench -- she was sick and missed practice the day before -- and provided an instant spark with her presence. Statesville began the second quarter on a 14-2 run to take a 20-15 lead.
Lake Norman had bright spots, too, but I think the Wildcats missed an opportunity in the first quarter. With Gillespie sitting on the bench that period, Statesville turned the ball over nine times. Yet the Wildcats only led 13-6 at the end of the quarter.
Had the Wildcats pressed the Greyhounds' other ballhandlers, Lake Norman may have built an insurmountable lead, even with Gillespie checking back into the game after the first eight minutes were in the books.
On the whole, I think Statesville and Lake Norman will be better the next time they meet. (It was unfortunate that the two top teams in the North Piedmont 3A last year had to play in the league opener).
But Tuesday's game should be encouraging for other conference championship hopefuls, like North Iredell.
I think the door is open for a third team -- maybe even a fourth -- to challenge Lake Norman or Statesville this season in the NPC. I don't believe it will be a two-horse race for the conference title like it was last year, when the Greyhounds went undefeated in conference play, and Lake Norman lost twice (both times to Statesville).
Statesville's girls basketball team prevailed 49-38 over Lake Norman on Tuesday, despite numerous poor decisions with the basketball. The Greyhounds turned the ball over 32 times.
The saving grace for Statesville was its ability to dominate the glass. The Greyhounds' 34 rebounds doubled that of the Wildcats.
Having Keyrra Gillespie didn't hurt either.
Gillespie came off the bench -- she was sick and missed practice the day before -- and provided an instant spark with her presence. Statesville began the second quarter on a 14-2 run to take a 20-15 lead.
Lake Norman had bright spots, too, but I think the Wildcats missed an opportunity in the first quarter. With Gillespie sitting on the bench that period, Statesville turned the ball over nine times. Yet the Wildcats only led 13-6 at the end of the quarter.
Had the Wildcats pressed the Greyhounds' other ballhandlers, Lake Norman may have built an insurmountable lead, even with Gillespie checking back into the game after the first eight minutes were in the books.
On the whole, I think Statesville and Lake Norman will be better the next time they meet. (It was unfortunate that the two top teams in the North Piedmont 3A last year had to play in the league opener).
But Tuesday's game should be encouraging for other conference championship hopefuls, like North Iredell.
I think the door is open for a third team -- maybe even a fourth -- to challenge Lake Norman or Statesville this season in the NPC. I don't believe it will be a two-horse race for the conference title like it was last year, when the Greyhounds went undefeated in conference play, and Lake Norman lost twice (both times to Statesville).
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