3A Semifinals

[sarcastico]

What are everyone's thoughts on the 3A semi's coming up later today.

First game is Xavier vs Glenwood. Xavier are the favorites for a reason as Mim's looked to be the best player in 3A during their first round win. I think he will need more help from the rest of his team to get the win today though. Glenwood have a lot of offensive weapons which if they can get going will really test this Xavier team. Glenwood was able to pull off an incredible upset without even shooting well from deep which is normally their bread and butter. If they can get their 3's falling today they just might be able to pull off the upset. Xavier is a veteran state team though who just know how to win. I'll take Xavier in a fairly close game.

In the other game we have Oskaloosa and Waverly-Shell Rock. WSR was able to pull off the first round upset with some great defense holding Mt. Pleasant well below their season average. They are one of the few teams at state this year that didn't just throw up a ton of three's shooting just 6 on the day. They did get great penetration and shot a lot of free throws as they grinded out the win. Oskaloosa is known for their size but their guards really came up huge for them in that first round win until the big guys got it going. Xavier Foster is a game changer who will need to make his presence known on both sides of the ball. Kruse had a quiet first game offensively so I look for him to be more aggressive this game looking for his points. He should have a matchup advantage out there with Foster and Henry keeping WSR bigs busy. If Foster stays out of foul trouble and impact's the game defensively in the way he is capable of I look for Oskaloosa to win handily. If not WSR will give them a real fight. I'll still take Oskaloosa to win either way though.

 

[Mr Deeds]

It will be interesting. MP was not blowing out WSR, but when their big man went out, WSR took control. Now WSR has to deal with several bigs. Bigger bigs. Osky started out slow the first game but settled down and got rid of the jitters. WSR is a tough team, but I just think Osky will be too much today. I expect a low scoring game.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

I think the "smart bet" would be on Xaxier, but the "hearts" will be cheering for Glenwood. I think it will be a nail biter, with either team capable of winning. If it's tied with a minute to go, I look for Mims to win it.

I look for Osky to take down Waverly, but here again, it'll be a close match-- maybe.

 

[NeverReadTheTermsOfService]

I think MP's big man going down had a lot to do with the result of that game, but I was still really impressed with Waverly. They had Phyfe do so much last year, I didn't realize how good the rest of the team had gotten. I think Osky is in for a dog fight. I guess I figured every single game in 3A to be close, but I'll take Xavier in a tight one and Osky in one that I think goes down to the wire.

 

[StatewidePundit]

Xavier in close one over Glenwood. Though Glenwood obviously will battle.
Osky over WSR, who played great in 1st round game. Osky basically had a 1st round bye after officials stopped messing with Foster.

 

[sarcastico]

Mohr is doing a fantastic job guarding Mims. He is really struggling to get it going.

 

[Mr Deeds]

I dont care who you are rooting for. This is a great game.

 

[NeverReadTheTermsOfService]

Crazy to think Glenwood was down 20 vs. Norwalk.

 

[Bulldog198240]

Wow...Mims can’t buy a bucket...Xavier going down

If WSR has a game plan similiar to MP game it will be a dog fight

 

[EastIowaHawk]

Great game! Glenwood pulls off the upset. Never realized that Glenwood was anywhere that aggressive or that good. Mims was ice cold, but you have to give credit to the Rams of Glenwood. These guys could win the title!

 

[sarcastico]

That was the game of the tournament so far. From start to finish just a fantastic game. Glenwood never looked intimidated, this was a game they knew they could win. Mohr was just fantastic on both sides of the ball. I kept waiting for Mims to step up and it just never happened. Huge win for a Glenwood program that hasn't had many in the past.

 

[DMhoopfan]

Best game I've seen all week. One of the best HS games I've ever seen. Great intensity from start to finish.

 

[sarcastico]

Waverly gave all they had out there but Oskaloosa's size was just too much. Another great game though.

 

[cidhawkeye]

Glenwood-Osky in the finals? Go figure, thought it was impossible. I certainly hope someone (you know who you are) is doing a deep dive into their rosters and breaking down where they are from, feeder programs, day cares and pre schools and points out any inconsistencies.

 

[NeverReadTheTermsOfService]

Glenwood-Osky in the finals? Go figure, thought it was impossible. I certainly hope someone (you know who you are) is doing a deep dive into their rosters and breaking down where they are from, feeder programs, day cares and pre schools and points out any inconsistencies.

Let it go already

 

[NeverReadTheTermsOfService]

Waverly gave all they had out there but Oskaloosa's size was just too much. Another great game though.

I thought for sure Waverly was going to pull it off when they went up 3, especially with how bad Osky shot free throws. Osky vs. Glenwood will be a crazy matchup between a super big team that is athletic and struggling from the line and a super small and scrappy team that is money from it.

 

[Bulldog198240]

Glenwood by 5

 

[Saywhat2]

Glenwood-Osky in the finals? Go figure, thought it was impossible. I certainly hope someone (you know who you are) is doing a deep dive into their rosters and breaking down where they are from, feeder programs, day cares and pre schools and points out any inconsistencies.

Hahaha. Haven’t you heard. Private schools have an advantage. Even if they lose. It never goes away.

 

[cidhawkeye]

Let it go already

Lol... not a strong suit of mine. I have had to read the garbage for too long, from too many people who 'know how it works'. Who diminish the hard work of championship teams with their opinions. So when the impossible occurs and the all star transfer squads don't even make the finals I am going to point it out. Another blow to the 'since Wahlert and Xavier joined' fact that wasn't even accurate but was rolled out consistently. So leave it alone? Maybe, maybe not. And yes I see the hypocrisy in what I am doing. The good news is I know some of the families and kids of one of the teams so I have a rooting interest in what should be a great game.

 

[NeverReadTheTermsOfService]

Lol... not a strong suit of mine. I have had to read the garbage for too long, from too many people who 'know how it works'. Who diminish the hard work of championship teams with their opinions. So when the impossible occurs and the all star transfer squads don't even make the finals I am going to point it out. Another blow to the 'since Wahlert and Xavier joined' fact that wasn't even accurate but was rolled out consistently. So leave it alone? Maybe, maybe not. And yes I see the hypocrisy in what I am doing. The good news is I know some of the families and kids of one of the teams so I have a rooting interest in what should be a great game.

I too am excited for a good game! The two towns in the final have a population difference of about 6,000, a little less than the 127,000 difference in last year's final by the way, so that is refreshing!


By the way, I'm going Glenwood by 8, assuming the officials are calling it reasonably tight, as they have been so far in 3A tourney. If they let a lot go and don't call a lot of fouls, Osky will pull it out.

 

[Pinehawk]

I never care much for the population argument. Especially in basketball. 7 kids typically play. From an available pool of 4 grade levels. And, it usually takes 1-2 stars which can come from anywhere.

 

[NeverReadTheTermsOfService]

I never care much for the population argument. Especially in basketball. 7 kids typically play. From an available pool of 4 grade levels. And, it usually takes 1-2 stars which can come from anywhere.

Yeah, 7 kids out of the population you pull from. Using that logic, we should just have 1 big class with all the schools. I mean, afterall, every school has at least 7 kids, right?

 

[Pinehawk]

Yeah, 7 kids out of the population you pull from. Using that logic, we should just have 1 big class with all the schools. I mean, afterall, every school has at least 7 kids, right?

Yes, certainly in basketball many of the top teams could more closely compete across all classes. There are posts on this forum saying N. Linn could (or did) beat Cascade, the potential 2A Champ.
But, of course many of the best players do migrate (transfer, move) to the top schools, the biggest schools, where they will get the most exposure and opportunity for a scholarship. So, the top end (4A) will almost always be out front of 1A-3A.

 

[sarcastico]

Wait, are NeverRead and Pinehawk actually arguing with each other over the same issue at the same time in two separate threads? Neither of which were about that topic in the first place. This place gets nuts with the public vs private debates but this might be a new low.

 

[Pinehawk]

Wait, are NeverRead and Pinehawk actually arguing with each other over the same issue at the same time in two separate threads? Neither of which were about that topic in the first place. This place gets nuts with the public vs private debates but this might be a new low.

Yes, and agreed. I had to respond to those ridiculous claims. Sorry.

 

[sarcastico]

Yes, and agreed. I had to respond to those ridiculous claims. Sorry.

No worries. I thought it was funny more than anything.

 

[EHS1505]

I'd like to see an all class champion crowned in basically every sport except football. Not some 1-350+ seeded debacle, just something simple like the 4 champions entering an "elite" bracket after the final regular championship game. Still trophies/medals for each class, but then some ludicrously lavish trophy for the all-class state champ. I suppose that could potentially take away from the experience if you just won a state title and then get beat by 50 the next game (not every year, but some years would be brutal) but the ONE team that won it all would have a very special experience and some great bragging rights.

 

[cidhawkeye]

I too am excited for a good game! The two towns in the final have a population difference of about 6,000, a little less than the 127,000 difference in last year's final by the way, so that is refreshing!


By the way, I'm going Glenwood by 8, assuming the officials are calling it reasonably tight, as they have been so far in 3A tourney. If they let a lot go and don't call a lot of fouls, Osky will pull it out.

And I was told 'to let it go' holy crap you got what you wanted (doesn't fit your narrative so maybe that is the issue) and you still run your keyboard. I feel like every time I try to go away some jackwagon(you) pulls me back in. Oh well let's keep debating, you seem to enjoy being proven wrong.