11/30 #8 Athens vs #2 Gallia Academy

[mattash]

Elite 8 matchup coming up soon. Thoughts?

[Ironman92]

I think Athens all-around game and size across the court will be able to handle Gallia Academy. They’ll need a good game plan but have the pieces to do it.

[HamPorter]

Give me Athens by a handful. I like Athens’ zone to restrict the dribble drive of Gallia and their size to be able to win the battle on the glass.

[93Bulldog]

Lots of unknowns
Hard to get into basketball mode with Trimble in the state championship, but we'll be there to cover Fridays game. You can stream it at 970wath.com

[mattash]

Lots of unknowns
Hard to get into basketball mode with Trimble in the state championship, but we'll be there to cover Fridays game. You can stream it at 970wath.com

I plan on listening

[NoPain23]

Should be a good matchup! Athens will have to slow the game down and not let Gallia get easy points from fast breaks. I could see this one in overtime and take the boys in blue. It’ll be a tough battle for both teams and a good early test!

[Ironman92]

Should be a good matchup! Athens will have to slow the game down and not let Gallia get easy points from fast breaks. I could see this one in overtime and take the boys in blue. It’ll be a tough battle for both teams and a good early test!

Athens can definitely run...but do agree their defense will be much better if they keep GA in a half court offense.

Athens is tough

[pfloyd]

... a really good early season "barometer" type game for Gallia Academy - Athens doesn't have the BIG big man BUT they have 6-4, 6-4. 6-4 strength in the paint ... Chubb, Hynes, Butcher all in the 6-4 range AND strong in the paint, add an aggressive/strong Logan Maxfield to go with the quickness of Elijah Williams - this is a physically strong starting group for the Bulldogs ... Loveday WILL get "physically" challenged imo ... it will be interesting to see how he handles these big bodies for Athens putting bodies on him for 4 quarters ... for GAHS to win Loveday will need to establish himself in the paint, BE that dominating force that he CAN be in the paint at 7-1 if HE IS as dominant as he CAN be - GAHS wins ... IF Loveday ISN'T the dominant force in the paint AND the Blue Devils get the W on the road in Athens it means that the surrounding cast of Caleb Henry, Justin McClelland , Cory Call, Logan Blouir ARE even BETTER than advertised ! LOL ... in my mind because I have Gallia at #2 they have to show me those things : the 7-1 dominant BIG man because no one else has THAT in SEOhio, I want to read that the surrounding cast has improved over last year ... if we get those 2 things from this game along with a GAHS win ... Gallia would have something special going on in the French City ...

[93Bulldog]

... a really good early season "barometer" type game for Gallia Academy - Athens doesn't have the BIG big man BUT they have 6-4, 6-4. 6-4 strength in the paint ... Chubb, Hynes, Butcher all in the 6-4 range AND strong in the paint, add an aggressive/strong Logan Maxfield to go with the quickness of Elijah Williams - this is a physically strong starting group for the Bulldogs ... Loveday WILL get "physically" challenged imo ... it will be interesting to see how he handles these big bodies for Athens putting bodies on him for 4 quarters ... for GAHS to win Loveday will need to establish himself in the paint, BE that dominating force that he CAN be in the paint at 7-1 if HE IS as dominant as he CAN be - GAHS wins ... IF Loveday ISN'T the dominant force in the paint AND the Blue Devils get the W on the road in Athens it means that the surrounding cast of Caleb Henry, Justin McClelland , Cory Call, Logan Blouir ARE even BETTER than advertised ! LOL ... in my mind because I have Gallia at #2 they have to show me those things : the 7-1 dominant BIG man because no one else has THAT in SEOhio, I want to read that the surrounding cast has improved over last year ... if we get those 2 things from this game along with a GAHS win ... Gallia would have something special going on in the French City ...

offense, offense, offense, blah, blah, blah ...

How will Loveday affect the game defensively? Athens loves to work inside out with Hines being option No. 1. Does the 7'1 height dictate how Athens operates offensively? It could be (or won't be) be a huge factor Friday night.

[Ironman92]

I really think I would have Athens as the #2 and Gallia #4 for this early season battle.

[svac83]

I really think this early in the season Blue devils might not even be top 10 yet. They really seem be struggling when they have in anyone but starting 5. Wait struggling not the right word. When they are missing any pieces of starting 5. They seem ordinary. Hopefully that is beginning to come together. I think I know the answer to there problems there but we will see how it plays out.

I think the answer is one or two of starting 5 doesn’t start they have 3 kids that start that have the ability to come right in off bench cold and be a immediate factor in the game. The players that are 6 thru 8 right now. Really seem to need to go up and down the floor several times before they become comfortable.

[Pete_Bell]

I was able to watch both athens and Gallia play last year, and saw Athens a bit this summer, I would venture to say Athens is going to be a favorite in most games they play, not sure anyone can contend with them in the TVC this year. VC will be well coached, just not sure they will have the weapons, Alex could keep it close but I dont see them coming away with a win, Id take athens +11 over Gallia

[NoPain23]

I can’t see Athens winning by 11+ but they do have a good shot at winning this. Do they have any shooter?

[rxburgfan]

I can’t see Athens winning by 11+ but they do have a good shot at winning this. Do they have any shooter?

Every team has shooters but do they have any “makers” is the real question.

[93Bulldog]

Athens has a little of everything.
Do they have a dead eye, three point specialist? Maybe Butcher, but he's 6'4 300lbs.

[SEOAL74]

Should be a good game. I believe either team could win this match up. Athens should be a slight favorite since the game is being played on their home court. Athens has size on inside, but Loveday has improved a lot since last year and could be the difference if Gallia should win. Gallia is got a few players still trying to get rust off from football and I sure Athens probably does too. Both of these teams are going to be really good down the road so if you want to have a chance to beat them you better beat them early in the season. Both teams return a lot of players from last year teams Gallia has 4 of its 5 starters back and I believe Athens returns 3 or 4. Gallia won this contest last year on their home court we will see if Athens can hold serve Friday night.

[Raider6309]

Should be a high pace game and a lot of scoring.

[Geronimo]

GA IN this one !

[Reds Fan]

I am taking the Blue Devils by 5

[GalliaGrad78]

Will there be any local radio coverage in the Gallipolis area?