SoutheasternOhioPreps.com

I like Athens in this one. Zane Trace struggled with Hillsboro. SVC is not very strong this year and it shows with only 2 teams advancing. Zane Trace will play hard but think Athens will prevail 51-47.

Should be a a dandy

Yeah, I think Athens is the favorite here.

Zane Trace has trouble with zone defenses. Even with that said, I think they got their close game in the tournament out of the way. They win by about 10 points.

Without looking it up, when is the last time that either Athens or Zane Trace made it to the Convo ?

My memory says Athens was there in 2017 losing in District Semi.

ZT is tougher off memory. Guessing 2012. They’ve done a good job this year with the programs and history of teams competing. So the info is not only online but probably 10 feet from me.

LucasDavenport wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:33 am My memory says Athens was there in 2017 losing in District Semi.

ZT is tougher off memory. Guessing 2012. They’ve done a good job this year with the programs and history of teams competing. So the info is not only online but probably 10 feet from me.

Thanks Lucas. Also, I won't be betting you the Title to my car as to whether you are right or not. Lol

LucasDavenport wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:33 am My memory says Athens was there in 2017 losing in District Semi.

ZT is tougher off memory. Guessing 2012. They’ve done a good job this year with the programs and history of teams competing. So the info is not only online but probably 10 feet from me.

They were there in 2012, but also in 2013, which was also the last tournament win that they had before last night. They won 88 regular season games in the 6 years between tournament wins, which I would guess would be in the top 20 amount of wins in those years.

Athens needs to contain Zane Trace’s PG. Evans can score 30.

Just taking a quick glance, it appears the D2 coaches did a pretty god job with seeding.

Chalk across the board in top bracket ... 1, 2, 3 and 4 advanced
Almost the same on bottom ... 1, 2, 3 and 5.

VetteMan wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:52 am

LucasDavenport wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 11:33 am My memory says Athens was there in 2017 losing in District Semi.

ZT is tougher off memory. Guessing 2012. They’ve done a good job this year with the programs and history of teams competing. So the info is not only online but probably 10 feet from me.

Thanks Lucas. Also, I won't be betting you the Title to my car as to whether you are right or not. Lol

You remember how your mother said nothing good happens after midnight? Perhaps your parents were more open-minded and said 2am? That’s what waking up at 3am and coming on here can be like.

Athens is a strange matchup the first time you see them. I think Athens seniors take this one.

Athens 55
Zane Trace 45

First ZT tournament win in 6 years last night. Also, they have not won a District title in Boys Basketball since 1970. Sooner or later, they have to break that drought.

Going with ZT. Coaching will solve this one.

I have Athens going to the regionals so not picking Trace here. Williams will do as he pleases I feel and the big long zone will shut down Zane Trace and Mr. Evans.

Athens 51-39

Going with Coach K in this one.

Gary does an excellent job scheduling a hard non-conf.
Cam Evans is legit

I'm not sure what to expect from ZT, haven't seen them play in a few years.

A far as Athens goes, I've been saying for awhile now I feel like this team is built for tournament basketball. They don't run you off the floor, they play possession basketball with an emphasis put on defense. They don't blow many teams out - and they don't get blown out very often. More than half of their games have been decided by 10 points or less. I'm a little concerned over the big Convo floor and how it will affect Isaiah Butcher, who is pushing 300lbs. But for a big guy, he is actually in pretty good shape. The 'Dogs, however, have the necessary bench pieces to sub. The big floor could favor Elijah Williams though. His speed, quickness in the open court will be tough to contain - and the kid never gets fatigued. Good things happen for Athens when (a) they find Hines with one-on-one match-ups in the post and (b) make that one extra pass ... When Athens is operating in the +1 mode on the offensive end, they are a pretty good basketball team.

93Bulldog wrote: ↑Sun Feb 24, 2019 12:41 pm Just taking a quick glance, it appears the D2 coaches did a pretty god job with seeding.

Chalk across the board in top bracket ... 1, 2, 3 and 4 advanced
Almost the same on bottom ... 1, 2, 3 and 5.

That's about as accurate and objective as the coaches could possibly be.

ZT does not shoot many 3 pointers per game 5-7 pg ... they work hard on getting inside ... Evans is as strong a guard as I have seen ... ZT looks to get 4-6 fgs pg in the transition game ... this one will be a battle in the paint as BOTH teams want to establish themselves as strong in the paint... Nesser/Davidson are strong AND athletic imo more Athletic than AHS down low ... going to be a war lol

Very low scoring game. First team to 40 points win.