Saturday, February 21, 2009

Freeport girls will be challenged in sectional semifinal

Freeport coach Ryan Pierce said that the Hampshire is similar to the Pretzels ... as in their balanced as a team.

Hampshire was, at one point during the season, ranked in Class 3A but dropped off the list pretty quick.

Should be a tough contest, from what Pierce told me.

Then again ... a coach will be always be paranoid, no matter how good or bad the competition.

Congrats to Seth Milks and Mitch Alberstatt

Dakota's Seth Milks and Durand's Mitch Alberstatt each are state champs in their respective weight classes.

Congrats to both. For more, read all about it on The J-S Web site.

5 things I've learned about Freeport's boys b-ball team

1. The Pretzels play behind ... often
I can't remember the last time, against a good NIC-10 team, the Freeport boys basketball team has not had to crawl back into a game.

2. Freeport games always bring excitement
670 The Score's Dan Bernstein would probably call this team "fun-bad." I won't go that far, because this team is really good ... except it has too many lapses to be a top-tier NIC-10 conference team.

Keep in mind, the Pretzels are a Class 3A team, while the best teams in the conference (Hononegah, Boylan) are Class 4A. It's still not clear what happened to them against Guilford, but this team will always give a good effort and provide one heck of a challenge to every team it faces.


3. The Pretzels would be so much better if ...

... the team would just stay within the offense. Too many times, a player or two or even three will not remain patient and jack up a shot.

Granted. there's times for that ... but it seems like they have their own shot clock going on in their heads ... when it's high school ball.

Patience is a virtue. Especially in basketball.

4. Ryan Hickey has had some impressive second-half moments

He's an exciting second-half player. He had an impressive block that reminded Hononegah last night that the Pretzels still had a pulse in the second quarter. It was almost like an Austin Davis block.

5. And speaking of which ...

Davis could be a serious NIC-10 MVP nominee next year if the Pretzels are in a running for a conference crown. Post presence, perimeter jumper and a 3-point shot that is dangerous if left open.

He could be the reason Freeport could actually win a regional, if not a sectional, once the playoffs start.