D2 District Championship Waverly vs Jackson…. updates

[soggybottomtopper]

Long post with a lot of stuff and past history.

First off….the upset Warren fan that said Jackson earned the #12 seed, correct….we are not that team though, might still lose by 25 but we are nicely better than a 12 seed right now.

This is Waverly’s year….every scratch and ounce of pressure is on them. Things happen in these games. Injuries, sickness, foul trouble….all can be MAJOR factors. Every player on the court is susceptible to a bad ankle injury. Jackson was without Miller until a few games left in the regular season….had a bad knee injury. His 2nd game back we lose our top scorer, ball handler and tremendous defender Tristan Prater to a foot injury….he’s unfortunately out, a huge loss and this is they type of game you need your ball handlers and athletes. Prater was both. Evan Spires football injury, out all season and our top returning ball handler from last year. Drew Bragg….kid is a warrior. He’s not out of shape, he’s got an unfortunate disease where his organs aren’t formed correctly or doing their job like our’s do. He didn’t play all season but when Prater went down he wanted to give it a try. He might be able to go 15 minutes but the kid is all guts and honestly it’s scary to watch and has been over the years. He’s a 1st team all-district player and everyone knows it, but his body won’t let him go very long….but when he’s in there he’s going at it, diving on the floor and being a leader on the court. That’s a hell of a lot for a team sitting in the district finals.

Miller 31
Prater 27
Winters 25
Campbell 20
Jarvis 17
Blankenship 17
Bragg 13 (in 2 qtrs)
Woodard 10

Can’t focus on any one player….all have proven completely capable throughout the season, can they throw their best game together? They’ll give it a go.

Keys:

Both teams….avoid significant foul trouble and probably not any room for any lazy or silly or frustration fouls.

Jackson….take care of ball. Do whatever the hell it takes to get the ball across half court and into the offense. Use Miller or Winters if the matchup calls for it. I’d bring in Caleb Wallis and have him hound the guards and getting them ready.

Win the turnover battle and rebounding battle.

Make them finish! Be ready for charge opportunities.

Do not let Wade Futhey get open looks on the perimeter! Similar to Ethan Parry when he gets open looks against us.

Blankenship/Jarvis/Woodard need to be ready for the big shots….might not get many but they’ll be big, sink em. Campbell might be a perimeter wild card for us.

Composure. Keep it, from tip till final buzzer….no excuses. You wanna win, be the more composed team.

Do what you too, play hard as hell.

Waverly….basically just play well. They are the clear favorites. Robertson 23 from 2000? Can’t let that be a focal point but Trey has been so unselfish throughout his career.

Both teams have coaches and staffs that are GREAT at having their teams prepped. Both squads won’t be surprised by much of anything regular.

History? These two senior groups….they’ve met. Crazy though they really haven’t faced each other as a group since 6th grade. Never played in junior high and our matchups with Waverly in recent history was basically just Trey a main varsity player. Waverly still has their main group minus Marquez who will give the state track meet a run in the hurdles….knowing the defense his older brother played…could be a nice add. Trey and Stulley have ALWAYS been the backcourt and in 3rd-5th grade they were unstoppable and if they had a lead to start the 4th…..nothing could be done. They’ve always been insanely conditioned and able athletes. I think they both would dominate XC and be soccer stars, Robertson could do anything. My first meeting with him was the first pitch of a coach pitch travel tournament and this 6 year old looking kid made a full extension dive in the hole as a pitcher to rob us. I was like “holy sh**, what was that?”….then he played a couple tournaments with us in 3rd grade and in a 4th grade tourney at Rio he hit 6 3’s in the first half lol….he was more of a coach on the floor than we were on the sideline and he was 9. Futhey and Futhey….Will has always been a beast. Kid was big with muscle tone in 5th grade. Wade though in junior high developed a nice shot and he’s a weapon on the perimeter and a solid defender.

In 3rd through 5th grade we never beat them or were real close, but we had 2 travel teams and in 6th grade added Blankenship and Tristan Prater….mixed with Bragg, Miller, Woodard….with my son back then and a couple others we had the length and size and we knocked them off 3x that season in 2 nail biting games and our final win by 7 if I recall. Bragg and Miller grabbed every rebound and we had the quick athletes to contest the perimeter….those days were wild. Now multiply it by 10 and watch the seniors go at it…both teams have big underclassmen that have gotten it done, but this game is on the seniors for each squad.

Should be a lot of fun. Hoping for a great great game.

Keep it coming Iroman92. Enjoyed it.

[soggybottomtopper]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

You make it sound pretty simple. But, it isn't simple. Robertson is going to be a problem whether you face guard him or double him. The bigger problem is going to be the ball pressure that Waverly will apply. If Jackson can limit turnovers and transition points off of turnovers, that will give them the punchers chance, but if they get into that 20 turnover range, it gets ugly. Good luck to both teams. It is an honor to be a district finalist!

[Ironman92]

Long post with a lot of stuff and past history.

First off….the upset Warren fan that said Jackson earned the #12 seed, correct….we are not that team though, might still lose by 25 but we are nicely better than a 12 seed right now.

This is Waverly’s year….every scratch and ounce of pressure is on them. Things happen in these games. Injuries, sickness, foul trouble….all can be MAJOR factors. Every player on the court is susceptible to a bad ankle injury. Jackson was without Miller until a few games left in the regular season….had a bad knee injury. His 2nd game back we lose our top scorer, ball handler and tremendous defender Tristan Prater to a foot injury….he’s unfortunately out, a huge loss and this is they type of game you need your ball handlers and athletes. Prater was both. Evan Spires football injury, out all season and our top returning ball handler from last year. Drew Bragg….kid is a warrior. He’s not out of shape, he’s got an unfortunate disease where his organs aren’t formed correctly or doing their job like our’s do. He didn’t play all season but when Prater went down he wanted to give it a try. He might be able to go 15 minutes but the kid is all guts and honestly it’s scary to watch and has been over the years. He’s a 1st team all-district player and everyone knows it, but his body won’t let him go very long….but when he’s in there he’s going at it, diving on the floor and being a leader on the court. That’s a hell of a lot for a team sitting in the district finals.

Miller 31
Prater 27
Winters 25
Campbell 20
Jarvis 17
Blankenship 17
Bragg 13 (in 2 qtrs)
Woodard 10

Can’t focus on any one player….all have proven completely capable throughout the season, can they throw their best game together? They’ll give it a go.

Keys:

Both teams….avoid significant foul trouble and probably not any room for any lazy or silly or frustration fouls.

Jackson….take care of ball. Do whatever the hell it takes to get the ball across half court and into the offense. Use Miller or Winters if the matchup calls for it. I’d bring in Caleb Wallis and have him hound the guards and getting them ready.

Win the turnover battle and rebounding battle.

Make them finish! Be ready for charge opportunities.

Do not let Wade Futhey get open looks on the perimeter! Similar to Ethan Parry when he gets open looks against us.

Blankenship/Jarvis/Woodard need to be ready for the big shots….might not get many but they’ll be big, sink em. Campbell might be a perimeter wild card for us.

Composure. Keep it, from tip till final buzzer….no excuses. You wanna win, be the more composed team.

Do what you too, play hard as hell.

Waverly….basically just play well. They are the clear favorites. Robertson 23 from 2000? Can’t let that be a focal point but Trey has been so unselfish throughout his career.

Both teams have coaches and staffs that are GREAT at having their teams prepped. Both squads won’t be surprised by much of anything regular.

History? These two senior groups….they’ve met. Crazy though they really haven’t faced each other as a group since 6th grade. Never played in junior high and our matchups with Waverly in recent history was basically just Trey a main varsity player. Waverly still has their main group minus Marquez who will give the state track meet a run in the hurdles….knowing the defense his older brother played…could be a nice add. Trey and Stulley have ALWAYS been the backcourt and in 3rd-5th grade they were unstoppable and if they had a lead to start the 4th…..nothing could be done. They’ve always been insanely conditioned and able athletes. I think they both would dominate XC and be soccer stars, Robertson could do anything. My first meeting with him was the first pitch of a coach pitch travel tournament and this 6 year old looking kid made a full extension dive in the hole as a pitcher to rob us. I was like “holy sh**, what was that?”….then he played a couple tournaments with us in 3rd grade and in a 4th grade tourney at Rio he hit 6 3’s in the first half lol….he was more of a coach on the floor than we were on the sideline and he was 9. Futhey and Futhey….Will has always been a beast. Kid was big with muscle tone in 5th grade. Wade though in junior high developed a nice shot and he’s a weapon on the perimeter and a solid defender.

In 3rd through 5th grade we never beat them or were real close, but we had 2 travel teams and in 6th grade added Blankenship and Tristan Prater….mixed with Bragg, Miller, Woodard….with my son back then and a couple others we had the length and size and we knocked them off 3x that season in 2 nail biting games and our final win by 7 if I recall. Bragg and Miller grabbed every rebound and we had the quick athletes to contest the perimeter….those days were wild. Now multiply it by 10 and watch the seniors go at it…both teams have big underclassmen that have gotten it done, but this game is on the seniors for each squad.

Should be a lot of fun. Hoping for a great great game.

Keep it coming Iroman92. Enjoyed it.

Thanks….6 years ago everyone predicted these two teams playing for a district championship…the rosters are a bit different. Same can be said for Valley and Fairland back then.

This Jackson team is only the 5th JHS team to reach the district finals….and some similarities to the 2003 team that was under .500 in regular season and made it to the district finals under big time coach Dustin Ford….and his go to player on that team….Max Morrow

[Ironman92]

5th grade Championship Game Tip….you see Robertson and Stulley awaiting the tip, Will Futhey jumping and Logan Miller awaiting tip

[VetteMan]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

You make it sound pretty simple. But, it isn't simple. Robertson is going to be a problem whether you face guard him or double him. The bigger problem is going to be the ball pressure that Waverly will apply. If Jackson can limit turnovers and transition points off of turnovers, that will give them the punchers chance, but if they get into that 20 turnover range, it gets ugly. Good luck to both teams. It is an honor to be a district finalist!

Agree with what you're saying, especially the pressure that the Tigers will apply. Robertson will get his points, as it seems as if he can get to the foul line just about anytime that he decides to do so. He must have shot at least 14-16 free throws against Warren. Let's hope for an injury free game for both teams.

[bbjunky81]

Jackson can win this game if they limit turnovers. They have the athletes to make Trey's night difficult. The more this game stays in the half court the more it favors Jackson. I think it's a toss up. I could see Waverly winning by 10+ or I could see Jackson sneaking out a close win. Should be an absolute slug fest in Southeastern this weekend!

[vcgrad]

WAVERLY by 6-- should be a good game-Jackson has no one to slow down Waverlys offense. Jackson makes to many turnovers.

[Ironman92]

WAVERLY by 6-- should be a good game-Jackson has no one to slow down Waverlys offense. Jackson makes to many turnovers.

That sounds like more than 6 lol

[smurray]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

You make it sound pretty simple. But, it isn't simple. Robertson is going to be a problem whether you face guard him or double him. The bigger problem is going to be the ball pressure that Waverly will apply. If Jackson can limit turnovers and transition points off of turnovers, that will give them the punchers chance, but if they get into that 20 turnover range, it gets ugly. Good luck to both teams. It is an honor to be a district finalist!

Agree with what you're saying, especially the pressure that the Tigers will apply. Robertson will get his points, as it seems as if he can get to the foul line just about anytime that he decides to do so. He must have shot at least 14-16 free throws against Warren. Let's hope for an injury free game for both teams.

Most of his FT’s were in the 4th down the stretch. Naturally the ball will be in his hands at crunch time.

[countywide35]

Jackson can does this.

Here for a reason.

Continue to prove.


Good Luck

[Harambe]

Waverly by 11

[greygoose]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

If Jackson does this they'll get ran out of the building, it's just that simple Woodard "might" give him the most trouble but he's not going to give Jackson enough offense to justify keeping him out there. With Campbell just being a sophomore from what I seen against LE he's simply not up to that task then he's going to have to turn around and be pressed the entire game by Stulley and Robertson simply asking to much of the young man. Trey has been playing AAU since he was a kid he's already faced some of the best defensive players he's going to face, he's just simply one of the best scorers in SEO. Games I've seen of Waverly anyone that wanted to go man to man was doing nothing but making it easy on Waverly, Waverly's toughest struggles are when a team can run and be very effective in the zone. I've got Waverly by 12 because I thought Jackson done a really nice job against LE in getting down and dirty and just scrapping. If Jackson plays as you mentioned I'll have to say Waverly by 25, Waverly's up and down style and the guards ability to distribute and Will inside is just to much for teams to go man to man unless you've got the athletes and depth to pull it off.

[Ironman92]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

If Jackson does this they'll get ran out of the building, it's just that simple Woodard "might" give him the most trouble but he's not going to give Jackson enough offense to justify keeping him out there. With Campbell just being a sophomore from what I seen against LE he's simply not up to that task then he's going to have to turn around and be pressed the entire game by Stulley and Robertson simply asking to much of the young man. Trey has been playing AAU since he was a kid he's already faced some of the best defensive players he's going to face, he's just simply one of the best scorers in SEO. Games I've seen of Waverly anyone that wanted to go man to man was doing nothing but making it easy on Waverly, Waverly's toughest struggles are when a team can run and be very effective in the zone. I've got Waverly by 12 because I thought Jackson done a really nice job against LE in getting down and dirty and just scrapping. If Jackson plays as you mentioned I'll have to say Waverly by 25, Waverly's up and down style and the guards ability to distribute and Will inside is just to much for teams to go man to man unless you've got the athletes and depth to pull it off.

3-2 zone…..Woodard up top with Campbell and Blankenship…Jarvis

down low Bragg/Miller/Winters….if all 3 in move Bragg/Miller up top…..Jarvis can be mixed in high or low

Thoughts?

[greygoose]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

If Jackson does this they'll get ran out of the building, it's just that simple Woodard "might" give him the most trouble but he's not going to give Jackson enough offense to justify keeping him out there. With Campbell just being a sophomore from what I seen against LE he's simply not up to that task then he's going to have to turn around and be pressed the entire game by Stulley and Robertson simply asking to much of the young man. Trey has been playing AAU since he was a kid he's already faced some of the best defensive players he's going to face, he's just simply one of the best scorers in SEO. Games I've seen of Waverly anyone that wanted to go man to man was doing nothing but making it easy on Waverly, Waverly's toughest struggles are when a team can run and be very effective in the zone. I've got Waverly by 12 because I thought Jackson done a really nice job against LE in getting down and dirty and just scrapping. If Jackson plays as you mentioned I'll have to say Waverly by 25, Waverly's up and down style and the guards ability to distribute and Will inside is just to much for teams to go man to man unless you've got the athletes and depth to pull it off.

3-2 zone…..Woodard up top with Campbell and Blankenship…Jarvis

down low Bragg/Miller/Winters….if all 3 in move Bragg/Miller up top…..Jarvis can be mixed in high or low

Thoughts?

That actually doesn't sound to bad, between those 3 I think they can give Fuethy enough trouble inside because against Warren I believe he had double digit rebounds in the 2nd half alone. I like the idea of taking some of the pressure off Campbell as well, he's going to expend a lot of energy on offense just with Waverly's constant pressure. For Jackson to pull it off they have to keep Trey from getting to the rim he's to good of a finisher and if the defense collapses he finds the open guy. I think over the years I've seen teams have success with 3-2 and 2-3 zones also seen couple teams run a box and 1 if they had a strong defensive player and that actually worked really well especially if Waverly's other players were unable to hit from outside.

[soggybottomtopper]

Face guard Robertson full court the entire game. Rotate Woodard, Miller, and Campbell on him. Play Waverly 4 on 4 and you have a chance to win the ball game. People forget that Waverly bleeds the same, puts there pants on the same, and they are not robots. Jackson is playing its best all season and you are crazy to think they are gonna lay down and let some arrogant coach run all over them. Jackson wins in OT in a low scoring affair.

If Jackson does this they'll get ran out of the building, it's just that simple Woodard "might" give him the most trouble but he's not going to give Jackson enough offense to justify keeping him out there. With Campbell just being a sophomore from what I seen against LE he's simply not up to that task then he's going to have to turn around and be pressed the entire game by Stulley and Robertson simply asking to much of the young man. Trey has been playing AAU since he was a kid he's already faced some of the best defensive players he's going to face, he's just simply one of the best scorers in SEO. Games I've seen of Waverly anyone that wanted to go man to man was doing nothing but making it easy on Waverly, Waverly's toughest struggles are when a team can run and be very effective in the zone. I've got Waverly by 12 because I thought Jackson done a really nice job against LE in getting down and dirty and just scrapping. If Jackson plays as you mentioned I'll have to say Waverly by 25, Waverly's up and down style and the guards ability to distribute and Will inside is just to much for teams to go man to man unless you've got the athletes and depth to pull it off.

3-2 zone…..Woodard up top with Campbell and Blankenship…Jarvis

down low Bragg/Miller/Winters….if all 3 in move Bragg/Miller up top…..Jarvis can be mixed in high or low

Thoughts?

It is only my opinion, but I have never liked a zone against great guard play. As most zones go, it is too easy to find the opening for penetration or gaps to find open looks. I also believe that it opens up rebounding opportunities against it. Since you don't actually have a man, most kids are not great at finding a body in a scramble. In this case, I think Stulley and Robertson would be hard to keep out of the paint and or in shooting gaps and Futhey could have a field day on the offensive glass. I believe that Jackson just needs to be as physical as possible with Robertson and make him work for everything he gets. Wear on him, so to speak. If it was easy, Robertson wouldn't be the player that he is. But, if you can limit him and force the others to have to be the ones to try to beat you, Jackson puts themselves in their best position. All of it is easier said than done. Best of luck to both teams!

[Ironman92]

If Jackson does this they'll get ran out of the building, it's just that simple Woodard "might" give him the most trouble but he's not going to give Jackson enough offense to justify keeping him out there. With Campbell just being a sophomore from what I seen against LE he's simply not up to that task then he's going to have to turn around and be pressed the entire game by Stulley and Robertson simply asking to much of the young man. Trey has been playing AAU since he was a kid he's already faced some of the best defensive players he's going to face, he's just simply one of the best scorers in SEO. Games I've seen of Waverly anyone that wanted to go man to man was doing nothing but making it easy on Waverly, Waverly's toughest struggles are when a team can run and be very effective in the zone. I've got Waverly by 12 because I thought Jackson done a really nice job against LE in getting down and dirty and just scrapping. If Jackson plays as you mentioned I'll have to say Waverly by 25, Waverly's up and down style and the guards ability to distribute and Will inside is just to much for teams to go man to man unless you've got the athletes and depth to pull it off.

3-2 zone…..Woodard up top with Campbell and Blankenship…Jarvis

down low Bragg/Miller/Winters….if all 3 in move Bragg/Miller up top…..Jarvis can be mixed in high or low

Thoughts?

It is only my opinion, but I have never liked a zone against great guard play. As most zones go, it is too easy to find the opening for penetration or gaps to find open looks. I also believe that it opens up rebounding opportunities against it. Since you don't actually have a man, most kids are not great at finding a body in a scramble. In this case, I think Stulley and Robertson would be hard to keep out of the paint and or in shooting gaps and Futhey could have a field day on the offensive glass. I believe that Jackson just needs to be as physical as possible with Robertson and make him work for everything he gets. Wear on him, so to speak. If it was easy, Robertson wouldn't be the player that he is. But, if you can limit him and force the others to have to be the ones to try to beat you, Jackson puts themselves in their best position. All of it is easier said than done. Best of luck to both teams!

How about a 2-1-2-2 zone?

[smurray]

3-2 zone…..Woodard up top with Campbell and Blankenship…Jarvis

down low Bragg/Miller/Winters….if all 3 in move Bragg/Miller up top…..Jarvis can be mixed in high or low

Thoughts?

It is only my opinion, but I have never liked a zone against great guard play. As most zones go, it is too easy to find the opening for penetration or gaps to find open looks. I also believe that it opens up rebounding opportunities against it. Since you don't actually have a man, most kids are not great at finding a body in a scramble. In this case, I think Stulley and Robertson would be hard to keep out of the paint and or in shooting gaps and Futhey could have a field day on the offensive glass. I believe that Jackson just needs to be as physical as possible with Robertson and make him work for everything he gets. Wear on him, so to speak. If it was easy, Robertson wouldn't be the player that he is. But, if you can limit him and force the others to have to be the ones to try to beat you, Jackson puts themselves in their best position. All of it is easier said than done. Best of luck to both teams!

How about a 2-1-2-2 zone?

That may work, depends on who the 1 is.

[TrueFan]

3-2 zone…..Woodard up top with Campbell and Blankenship…Jarvis

down low Bragg/Miller/Winters….if all 3 in move Bragg/Miller up top…..Jarvis can be mixed in high or low

Thoughts?

It is only my opinion, but I have never liked a zone against great guard play. As most zones go, it is too easy to find the opening for penetration or gaps to find open looks. I also believe that it opens up rebounding opportunities against it. Since you don't actually have a man, most kids are not great at finding a body in a scramble. In this case, I think Stulley and Robertson would be hard to keep out of the paint and or in shooting gaps and Futhey could have a field day on the offensive glass. I believe that Jackson just needs to be as physical as possible with Robertson and make him work for everything he gets. Wear on him, so to speak. If it was easy, Robertson wouldn't be the player that he is. But, if you can limit him and force the others to have to be the ones to try to beat you, Jackson puts themselves in their best position. All of it is easier said than done. Best of luck to both teams!

How about a 2-1-2-2 zone?

I don't think you're allowed to have that many players on the court. However, that probably is the best way to stop them!

[MasterOfNone]

If you don’t have the athletes to matchup against Waverly (which most local teams don’t) I think zone is honestly your best chance. Im probably even throwing multiple different zones at them just to try and throw them off for a possession or two. And hope that they aren’t hitting from the outside and eating up offensive boards. I am doing everything I can to make them beat me from the 3 point line. It is an area where at times they have struggled in. Waverly has gotten better as the season went on at figuring out how to get open looks against a zone, they really struggled early in the year with it. You could see things start to click the more they saw it, they started taking more of those inside the free throw floaters or dumping it down to the bigs when teams starting stepping up to contest those mid rangers.

Now obviously like everyone has said, easier said than done. Either way, Jackson has somehow found a way to make to this point so they deserve to be here just as much as Waverly. What makes basketball so great is it only takes one off night for an upset.

I still think Waverly gets it done by 15+, because I think they are on a mission and have came ready to play both tourney games so far. Just can’t overlook anyone or they will be sitting at home next week.

[vcgrad]

Jackson can not get behind-- if so-- go over--They will have to "SLOW IT DOWN"-- sounds easy but Waverly loves to run and gun.