I'm really looking forward to that district semi between those two Catholic powers: Mooney and St.Ruthers.

sportsforlife wrote:
Were you at the game Oats? The guys just seemed really out of their game mode - second guessing themselves - turning the ball over - passing up shots normally taken - whether you agree or not with the leadership (and I know you don't) - the guys just didn't play well. A couple in foul trouble didn't help - just seemed a step behind IMO. (I do agree with you on getting the ball inside - we have scorers in there and not just the big guys always - some games we do this well - others - not)... our bigs had more than 7 b/c two had 18 combined - unless we aren't talking about the same players...

Hard to get into game mode with the constant substitutions and the lack of confidence instilled into certain players by their 'coach'. And are we a 'step behind' because we don't run sprints at practice?

The list is endless ................ I was hoping to not have to think about it anymore today.

futbol4ever wrote: I'm really looking forward to that district semi between those two Catholic powers: Mooney and St.Ruthers.

This will probably be the most interesting matchup of the district as long as neither gets upset along the way.

Campbell vs. Salem to end the regular season. Judging from Salem posters.....not sure what to think.

cmhs_pride wrote: Campbell vs. Salem to end the regular season. Judging from Salem posters.....not sure what to think.

Campbell is clicking on all cylinders right now. But Salem usually brings their "A" game when they play the Red Devils. I am looking forward to it.

It is always good to be in Campbell among the finest posters in [any] Huddle history.

Campbell is clicking but not sure howmany cylinders. My experience is you can't win with just shooting from and the outside. The Red devils may need to get a big involved to click on all cyclinders. Although a wiseman told me one time he would rather have a couple good gurds then 1 great big man. Actually i think i said that! The Red Devils have 2 very very nice gurads.

futbol4ever wrote: I'm really looking forward to that district semi between those two Catholic powers: Mooney and St.Ruthers.

cant wait, go Cats.

sports_talk wrote: Campbell is clicking but not sure howmany cylinders. My experience is you can't win with just shooting from and the outside. The Red devils may need to get a big involved to click on all cyclinders. Although a wiseman told me one time he would rather have a couple good gurds then 1 great big man. Actually i think i said that! The Red Devils have 2 very very nice gurads.

Agreed. The bigs Campbell has have been playing better as of late. 11 wins in a row is not too shabby either.

Devils defeat Salem to end the season with 3 losses. Undefeated in the blue tier......and one loss in the AAC!!!!

Its tourney time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poland defeats Hubbard for 9th straight win
Published: Wed, February 24, 2010 @ 12:00 a.m.
Luke Wollet became the Bulldogs’ single-season assist leader in the 92-72 victory.

POLAND — Dave Baker scored 20 points, had 11 rebounds and registered seven blocked shots while Luke Wollet became the Bulldogs’ single-season assist leader as Poland High defeated the Hubbard Eagles, 92-72, in an All American Conference intra-division contest Tuesday at the Poland Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs (18-1) won for the ninth consecutive time and will now host the Canfield Cardinals in the regular season finale Friday night for what they hope will be a share of the league’s Red Tier crown.

Poland’s only loss this season came at the hands of the Cardinals, 96-89 back on January 22.

In a game that featured 60 total turnovers – 34 by the Eagles – it was a 34-point final period orchestrated by the home team that allowed the Bulldogs to pull away for their 18th win in 19 tries this season.

“Hubbard did an excellent job tonight,” said Poland coach Ken Grisdale. “They competed as a team, never backed down and, despite their lack of depth, just kept coming at us.

“I have a lot more respect for them [Hubbard] than I do for my team right now. I was a little angry at my A group so when I went to my B group, they were ready and executed really well.

“Our kids can learn a lot from the Hubbard kids tonight.”

The Eagles (13-7) took an early 8-2 lead on the strength of Tylor Loveless’ five points. But the Bulldogs charged back to score 21 of the next 28 points to forge a 25-17 after the first eight minutes of play.

Loveless, who had a game high 27 points, scored 12 of his team’s 17 first-quarter points while Baker, who fell just three blocks shy of recording a triple-double, had 11 points for Poland.

“It was as if we weren’t focused at the outset of the game, but our B group stepped it up and came up big for us, especially in the fourth period when we needed it most,” Baker said. “I can’t say that we were looking ahead, but Coach [Grisdale] told us at halftime to keep our focus and that is exactly what we did.”

Back-to-back buckets by Hubbard’s Mike Lopuchovsky cut the Poland lead to 30-25 in the second quarter, but three straight empty possessions by the Eagles allowed the Bulldogs to open a 38-32 lead at the intermission.

“I was really proud of our kids and the way they competed the entire game,” said Hubbard coach Rick Fox. “I think we opened some eyes tonight with how hard we played and the overall effort that we put forth.

“I told our team at the half that we had too many empty possessions and against a team the caliber of Poland, you have to value every possession,” Rick Fox said.

Lopuchovsky, who has been averaging nearly a double-double all season long, hauled in a game-high 15 rebounds for the Eagles.

Wollet, who needed nine assists to tie Anthony DeFelice’s single season record of 142 set two seasons ago, had 13 assists in the game.

He also orchestrated a 10-point third period that enabled the Bulldogs to open a 58-50 lead heading to the final quarter.

Poland then used an 11-3 run to start the final frame as they built a 69-53 advantage. Nine points from Ben Donlow and seven more from Drew Wagner increased the margin to 85-58 before settling for the 20-point victory.

The Eagles, who finished as runners-up in the White Tier to Struthers High, lost for just the second time in their last seven outings.

GO CATS!

Looks like the Poland Canfield rematch tomorrow night at Poland might be competing with some tough weather conditions. With the season winding down and the tournament about to start, I wouldn't be surprised if this game was rescheduled for Saturday night if it indeed gets canceled tomorrow.

Those who are following the Salem District III games, I have a question. I know the Red Devils have a bye in the first round. When do they play their second round game......Friday the 5th???

Best of luck to all the local teams in the tournament, particularly Campbell and Poland

cmhs_pride wrote: Those who are following the Salem District III games, I have a question. I know the Red Devils have a bye in the first round. When do they play their second round game......Friday the 5th???

\\

Campbell will play the winner of Rootstown-Canton Central Catholic at 8 PM, Wednesday, March 3rd.

Thanks Bigdean, I will be there. I am almost positive. I am actually going to Salem today for a House of Speed open house at the Salem community center. I hear it is an outstanding facility.

Good Luck to area teams as well. Bulldogs I have to tell ya.....after some of us watched the Poland / Canfield game on TV....we are amazed at how little Darius played. This kid was being looked at in PA. by Tennessee and Florida St. Now it is hard to argue with Coach Gris given the tremendous success not only this season, but for the last few seasons and then some. But how is that kid on the bench playing maybe 3 and a half minutes in the 1st half?? Is it the amount of talent on the team? Is it the way the offense is run...it requires 10 to 12 players fresh at all times? Or it may even be that this squad has been together forever now and Darius is still learning how to gel with them? I am just throwing out reasons that there may be. Looking in from the outside....it's just strange to see him on the bench. Nonetheless....good luck to you guys.

One more thing....I went to the ladies forum and as usual....not a whole lot going on for whatever reason. So I am going on this forum to say congratulations to the Lady Red Devils on an outstanding season that has not yet come to an end after defeating Labrae last night in the tourney.

cmhs_pride wrote: Sports....I am going on record and saying Struthers gives a few teams fits this year.

Who remembers this post back in November...

cmhs_pride wrote:

cmhs_pride wrote: Sports....I am going on record and saying Struthers gives a few teams fits this year.

Who remembers this post back in November...

I do. Let's hope the 'Cats make some noise at Boardman.

cmhs_pride wrote: Thanks Bigdean, I will be there. I am almost positive. I am actually going to Salem today for a House of Speed open house at the Salem community center. I hear it is an outstanding facility.

Good Luck to area teams as well. Bulldogs I have to tell ya.....after some of us watched the Poland / Canfield game on TV....we are amazed at how little Darius played. This kid was being looked at in PA. by Tennessee and Florida St. Now it is hard to argue with Coach Gris given the tremendous success not only this season, but for the last few seasons and then some. But how is that kid on the bench playing maybe 3 and a half minutes in the 1st half?? Is it the amount of talent on the team? Is it the way the offense is run...it requires 10 to 12 players fresh at all times? Or it may even be that this squad has been together forever now and Darius is still learning how to gel with them? I am just throwing out reasons that there may be. Looking in from the outside....it's just strange to see him on the bench. Nonetheless....good luck to you guys.

Sounds good. I will be waiting for you guys in the foyer as usual. I too am perplexed regarding Darius. Good Luck to all area teams.

cmhs_pride wrote: Thanks Bigdean, I will be there. I am almost positive. I am actually going to Salem today for a House of Speed open house at the Salem community center. I hear it is an outstanding facility.

Good Luck to area teams as well. Bulldogs I have to tell ya.....after some of us watched the Poland / Canfield game on TV....we are amazed at how little Darius played. This kid was being looked at in PA. by Tennessee and Florida St. Now it is hard to argue with Coach Gris given the tremendous success not only this season, but for the last few seasons and then some. But how is that kid on the bench playing maybe 3 and a half minutes in the 1st half?? Is it the amount of talent on the team? Is it the way the offense is run...it requires 10 to 12 players fresh at all times? Or it may even be that this squad has been together forever now and Darius is still learning how to gel with them? I am just throwing out reasons that there may be. Looking in from the outside....it's just strange to see him on the bench. Nonetheless....good luck to you guys.

cmhs.....Your guess is as good as mine. Hearing about Darius' success in PA and then seeing him have some solid games earlier this season really made me think he was going to put up some huge numbers this year. Darius has always been apart of the "2nd line" this season, but this doesn't necessarily mean he is one of the less talented players. Coach Griz likes to mix and match his talent and split them up between the two lines so that he can run and gun as much as possible. It was actually interesting to see him slow things down against Canfield and run a little 1-3-1 zone instead of the full-court press due to Canfield's success getting open layups earlier this season. I think some of the reasons that you mentioned in your post are very legitimate reasons that Darius is not playing as much as we all expected. It was evident vs. Canfield that when he did see the floor, he looked out of sync and really couldnt get in much of a rhythm with the other players. I don't know if this is because he's flanked by several other long-range shooters and isn't on the same line as Baker, Donlow, Wollet, and Fatimus. I was very surprised at the poor shot selection of Darius Friday night and his inability to generate much production on offense. However, he has extremely quick feet and great hands, which makes him a vital contributor on defense - so I think he is still providing valuable minutes. The great depth of this Poland team is probably the reason that Darius has not really shined with huge numbers this year. I would look for him to have a HUGE year next year though. Unfortunately, his supporting cast will not be that great as Poland graduates a large number of seniors.

Once again, best of luck to your red devils in the tournament. Poland will be cheering you on!

Bulldogs thanks for your insight. Good Luck to you guys in the tourney. Should be interesting.

Well, how about the six overtime periods of basketball played at West Branch Friday night --- 2 OT's in JV game, and 4 OT's in varsity game (complete with a Salem half court 3 ball to tie it at the end of the third OT) ............. that's alot of basketball, and it feels like an awful lot when you don't win. Speaking of which, we let a 4 win team dictate the pace of play and allow them to hang around long enough to win (gee, thanks coach). Granted, the officiating was the worst of the year - an NBC crew provided the home cookin', it was sad. Even so, you have to fight through that and win the game.

Oh well, good luck Quakers in the tournament --- let's beat Ravenna tomorrow night!!

PS - Pride, how did you like the Salem community center?

^^^
It definately was an exciting game - agree the NBC officials are true to their own (32 trips to the line vs 12) wonder how long it will take Salem to be "one of their own" once we join the NBC? The three ball was unbelievable and almost repeated again at the end of the fourth OT. I think everyone was holding their breath on that one - on line - just a bit hard.
Does anyone know what radio station broadcast the game?

Good luck to the Quakers tomorrow vs. Ravenna...