Alexander (19-5) vs Valley (19-3) - D3 district semi-final

[spartans_fan]

Alex didn't rebound well at all. It made a difference in the game.
Hats off to Valley!

You couldn't be more right. Indians win the battle on the boards 42-22 and win the game.

Valley did a great job on the two stars of Alexander (Richardson and Chapman). Those two combined to go 5-20. The Indians got a great performance out of Bryce Romanello. He was a man on the glass and lead them in scoring. Blake Howard was absolutely outstanding on both ends of the floor.

All and all a very good win for Valley. Alexander is a very good basketball team.

Indians improve to 20-3 on the year.

I cannot disagree with any of that. It felt like Alexander could not get off the defensive end of the floor at times with their lack of rebounding. Valley's size advantage hurt us at all five spots.

We will miss our 8 seniors and all the contributions they brought to our program. On to the next season.

Go Alex. Go TVC.

[art_vandelay]

Nice win for Valley...rebounding margin surprised me based on what I heard about Alexander. Good luck against Chesapeake...only SOC II school remaining, so gotta root on the Tribe*

[ColonelSanders]

You really have to survive and advance in tournaments. I really think that is all that Valley did. The 1st half they just looked flat to me. A lot of those kids just played as if the game was over before they stepped on the court. Very, very lethargic first half for Valley. 2nd half, they looked completely different. They need to get their heads on straight for 32 minutes, or they will not win a District Title. Valley is a lot bigger across the board than Chesapeake. Peake does have the big boy, though. Valley can definitely beat Peake. But they play a first half like that again, they will lose.

[Crab's Brother]

You really have to survive and advance in tournaments. I really think that is all that Valley did. The 1st half they just looked flat to me. A lot of those kids just played as if the game was over before they stepped on the court. Very, very lethargic first half for Valley. 2nd half, they looked completely different. They need to get their heads on straight for 32 minutes, or they will not win a District Title. Valley is a lot bigger across the board than Chesapeake. Peake does have the big boy, though. Valley can definitely beat Peake. But they play a first half like that again, they will lose.

I am not sure I seen the same game as you.

Valley turned the ball over 9 times in the first half but the effort and energy was there for 32 minutes, in my opinion. There were some nerves, but the pressure brought by the Spartans had a lot to do with that. Valley held a 21-10 rebounding edge at half. To me, that shows the effort was there.

I think if Valley goes into the half down a point to Peake but holding a huge edge on the glass, they will be able to survive it.

[ColonelSanders]

Chesapeake is a lot better than Alexander. They won't be down only 1 point playing the way they did in the first half last night. They will be down more. Rolfe played way to passive in the first half. His aggression in the 2nd half destroyed Alex. Points and assists the whole 2nd half. Rebounds don't really show me effort. Alex took a lot of shots early on. A lot more than Valley it seemed. So there's your rebounds. It's not like Alex crashed the glass that hard. The effort wasn't where it needed to be in the first half. It was exactly where it needed to be in the 2nd half and that's why they won the game. It was obvious that Valley was the much better team than Alex. Alex first 15 points were all 3s. Then Alex couldn't throw it in the ocean 2nd half. (Credit to Valley's effort on defensive end)

[Crab's Brother]

Chesapeake is a lot better than Alexander. They won't be down only 1 point playing the way they did in the first half last night. They will be down more. Rolfe played way to passive in the first half. His aggression in the 2nd half destroyed Alex. Points and assists the whole 2nd half. Rebounds don't really show me effort. Alex took a lot of shots early on. A lot more than Valley it seemed. So there's your rebounds. It's not like Alex crashed the glass that hard. The effort wasn't where it needed to be in the first half. It was exactly where it needed to be in the 2nd half and that's why they won the game. It was obvious that Valley was the much better team than Alex. Alex first 15 points were all 3s. Then Alex couldn't throw it in the ocean 2nd half. (Credit to Valley's effort on defensive end)

We can just agree to disagree.

I do not feel that Chespeake is a lot better than Alexander. Peake did not score the first 7 minutes last night.

I think you are the first person that I think I have ever heard say that Rebounding wasn't tied to effort, but if it isn't for you, it isn't. To me the effort was there for 32 minutes. The execution was there for 16.

[ColonelSanders]

Yea agree to disagree. If you're satisfied with that performance, you won't ever make it where you need to be in tournament. Valley looked mediocre last night. If you're okay with mediocrity, that's your business. But, I know Valley is A LOT better than what they played last night. Maybe they are saving up for D. Final?? lol. Valley is good enough to get back to Regional Final. Yea they didn't score the first 7 minutes, but Valley also gave up a 15-0 run against Alex so I don't really know where you're going with that. They have a lot more talent than Alex. The guard for Peake is pretty good, but the Howard boy can do well on him. If not him, Rolfe could guard him. His length could cause that boy some trouble.

[spartans_fan]

Chesapeake is a lot better than Alexander. They won't be down only 1 point playing the way they did in the first half last night. They will be down more. Rolfe played way to passive in the first half. His aggression in the 2nd half destroyed Alex. Points and assists the whole 2nd half. Rebounds don't really show me effort. Alex took a lot of shots early on. A lot more than Valley it seemed. So there's your rebounds. It's not like Alex crashed the glass that hard. The effort wasn't where it needed to be in the first half. It was exactly where it needed to be in the 2nd half and that's why they won the game. It was obvious that Valley was the much better team than Alex. Alex first 15 points were all 3s. Then Alex couldn't throw it in the ocean 2nd half. (Credit to Valley's effort on defensive end)

We can just agree to disagree.

I do not feel that Chespeake is a lot better than Alexander. Peake did not score the first 7 minutes last night.

I think you are the first person that I think I have ever heard say that Rebounding wasn't tied to effort, but if it isn't for you, it isn't. To me the effort was there for 32 minutes. The execution was there for 16.

Alexander was tied with Chesapeake after three quarters in January. Ended up losing by 12. Very similar games where we struggled to score when it counted. The opponents defense have everything to do with that. I think Valley vs Peake will be a good game.

[Crab's Brother]

Yea agree to disagree. If you're satisfied with that performance, you won't ever make it where you need to be in tournament. Valley looked mediocre last night. If you're okay with mediocrity, that's your business. But, I know Valley is A LOT better than what they played last night. Maybe they are saving up for D. Final?? lol. Valley is good enough to get back to Regional Final. Yea they didn't score the first 7 minutes, but Valley also gave up a 15-0 run against Alex so I don't really know where you're going with that. They have a lot more talent than Alex. The guard for Peake is pretty good, but the Howard boy can do well on him. If not him, Rolfe could guard him. His length could cause that boy some trouble.

Who said anything about Valley playing up to their potential? I did not. I know we can play better than we did last night. You questioned our effort. I thought the effort was more than enough but the defensive intensity of Alexander made us turn it over and not finish shots. To me, playing well and playing hard are not the same thing. I think Valley played hard for 32 minutes. I don't remember a 15-0 either.

I guess after seeing Peake now 4 times, and Alexander 3 times I don't see how Peake has more talent. They seem pretty even to me. Both have 2 very good players and a group of role guys that play together. But that is what this board is for. Opinions. You and I don't agree, but we both have points and I respect that. Solid post.

[ColonelSanders]

You were up 7-0. Then you went down 15-7. Idk if my math is right on that or not, but that is 15-0 run. So we might have been watching two different games. Effort was a lot better 2nd half. I thought the Howard boy gave effort for 32 on both ends. Romanello was doing fine, minus his usual complaining to refs about calls and flopping around like a soccer player. He could tear up anybody though. I was the one that said anything about Valley's potential. Since I posted it beforehand. If you take how Valley played yesterday, how far do you think you will make it in the tourney? You think you could make a Regional Final playing that? I'm asking you. And yes I'm talking about their potential.

I couldn't tell you who Alex's best players are and I"ve seen them 3 times this year. Last night it was the red headed #5 that made shots. I thought they were all fairly solid, but nothing special. The guard for Peake is a player. That was obvious.

[coop]

Actually, Valley led 5-0, Alexander hit a 3 to make it 5-3, and continued to a 15-7 lead. Valley had 4-5 turnovers in that stretch, but battled right back and was down 1 at half. So, Are you looking at the first half as a whole or?

Alexander beat Minford TWICE during the year, and had a solid season.

Valley has seen Chesapeake, so they know the challenge ahead, and I'm sure they will be ready.

[ColonelSanders]

I just thought it was an ugly game. First half was bad. Alex shot it well. 2nd half, Valley dominated. The first half is important in my eyes bc if I'm a Valley fan with any knowledge, that first half worries me a little bit. We all can agree that it has to be better IF Valley can get to Regional Final. Yea beat Minford twice, but Minford only showed up to play Valley this year. It was like there were two different Minford teams that played this year

I thought this game was really physical, too. Thoughts on how refs call the ticky, tacky stuff in season, but swallow the whistle for tourney? Like it? Hate it?

[93Bulldog]

Alexander, Valley, Eastern Brown and Chesapeake all looked like they were cut from the same cloth to me - with none appearing to be 'way' better than the other.