A D6 Boys Basketball Playoff Preview & Thread
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Crimson's Ghost
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A D6 Boys Basketball Playoff Preview & Thread
The Favorite - Saltsburg 22-1
After a few seasons of waiting their turn, it is Saltsburg's time to shine. This senior class have won a lot of games in their careers, and a district six title is the one thing that seems to eluding them. The Trojans are two points away from a perfect 23-0, but they avenged their lone loss, by beating Ligonier twice down the stretch. The senior guard trio of Nick Porter (21 PPG), Frankie Plowman (14 PPG), and Dan Shirley (12 PPG) lead one of the top scoring teams in all of Pennsylvania.
The Challenger - Ferndale 19-4
Many thought with Ray Hinton moving on that Ferndale would take a step back this season, but that has not been the case. The Yellow Jackets responded with a 19 win regular season, and hope to push through and have some success in the postseason. Ryan Durham's squad has a strong inside presence with 6'4" senior Bruce Shaffer and 6'2" sophomore DJ Chatman. If anyone is going to stop Saltsburg, it's Ferndale.
The Sleeper - Bishop Carroll 7-15
Bishop Carroll does not have a senior on their roster, and it has shown at times this season. The Huskies have taken some serious lumps this season, but playing some Class A competition might help this team out. Nobody in this field has played as tough of a schedule as Bishop Carroll has. For instance, the Huskies hung with AAAAA Hollidaysburg on Friday, their last tuneup for the playoffs. Cosie Aliquo is one of the most accomplished coaches in District VI, never count out one of his teams in the postseason.
The Three Ball - Williamsburg 13-9
Williamsburg features three players that all average 11 or 12 points. On any given night, one of these guys can take control. They also like to take their three's. The Blue Pirates have attempted over 500 of them as a team this season. Juniors Rashadd Knorr and Nick Michelone along with seniors Austin Fay and Andrew Rhoads have all made at least 20 on the year. If their shots are falling, they can win some games.
The Underdog - Blacklick Valley 8-14
Blacklick Valley will enter the season as an underdog, but don't count them out just yet. Sophomore Jude Gdula and senior Anthony Cornetti have been a very good guard duo this season. They can be a dangerous team in the postseason, and could give Williamsburg some problems in the first round.
The Improvement - St. Joseph's Catholic Academy 10-11
After a tough 1-6 start, St. Joe's played better down the stretch. The Wolves played a pretty daring schedule that featured St. John Neumann, the second ranked team in the state in Class A currently, and third-ranked AAA team Camp Hill Trinity. Could the tough games early on help them in the postseason? We'll see. This is a young team that improved throughout the year.
The Tough Luck - Juniata Valley 9-13
Juniata Valley is 2-5 this season in games decided by 5 points or less. They play in a lot of tight games, and their 9-13 record very easily could be 13-9. The Hornets have some quality wins this season, holding victories over 5A Bellefonte and a good Bellwood-Antis team. If they can reverse their fortunes in close games, they should be able to cause some damage in the District VI playoffs. Sophomore guard Cameron Collins is a quality player, and has been their go-to-guy all season long. He's the player to watch for this team.
The Picks
(4) Juniata Valley over (5) St. Joseph's
(2) Ferndale over (7) Bishop Carroll
(3) Williamsburg over (6) Blacklick Valley
(1) Saltsburg over (4) Juniata Valley
(2) Ferndale over (3) Williamsburg
(4) Juniata Valley over (3) Williamsburg (Consolation)
(1) Saltsburg over (2) Ferndale
After a few seasons of waiting their turn, it is Saltsburg's time to shine. This senior class have won a lot of games in their careers, and a district six title is the one thing that seems to eluding them. The Trojans are two points away from a perfect 23-0, but they avenged their lone loss, by beating Ligonier twice down the stretch. The senior guard trio of Nick Porter (21 PPG), Frankie Plowman (14 PPG), and Dan Shirley (12 PPG) lead one of the top scoring teams in all of Pennsylvania.
The Challenger - Ferndale 19-4
Many thought with Ray Hinton moving on that Ferndale would take a step back this season, but that has not been the case. The Yellow Jackets responded with a 19 win regular season, and hope to push through and have some success in the postseason. Ryan Durham's squad has a strong inside presence with 6'4" senior Bruce Shaffer and 6'2" sophomore DJ Chatman. If anyone is going to stop Saltsburg, it's Ferndale.
The Sleeper - Bishop Carroll 7-15
Bishop Carroll does not have a senior on their roster, and it has shown at times this season. The Huskies have taken some serious lumps this season, but playing some Class A competition might help this team out. Nobody in this field has played as tough of a schedule as Bishop Carroll has. For instance, the Huskies hung with AAAAA Hollidaysburg on Friday, their last tuneup for the playoffs. Cosie Aliquo is one of the most accomplished coaches in District VI, never count out one of his teams in the postseason.
The Three Ball - Williamsburg 13-9
Williamsburg features three players that all average 11 or 12 points. On any given night, one of these guys can take control. They also like to take their three's. The Blue Pirates have attempted over 500 of them as a team this season. Juniors Rashadd Knorr and Nick Michelone along with seniors Austin Fay and Andrew Rhoads have all made at least 20 on the year. If their shots are falling, they can win some games.
The Underdog - Blacklick Valley 8-14
Blacklick Valley will enter the season as an underdog, but don't count them out just yet. Sophomore Jude Gdula and senior Anthony Cornetti have been a very good guard duo this season. They can be a dangerous team in the postseason, and could give Williamsburg some problems in the first round.
The Improvement - St. Joseph's Catholic Academy 10-11
After a tough 1-6 start, St. Joe's played better down the stretch. The Wolves played a pretty daring schedule that featured St. John Neumann, the second ranked team in the state in Class A currently, and third-ranked AAA team Camp Hill Trinity. Could the tough games early on help them in the postseason? We'll see. This is a young team that improved throughout the year.
The Tough Luck - Juniata Valley 9-13
Juniata Valley is 2-5 this season in games decided by 5 points or less. They play in a lot of tight games, and their 9-13 record very easily could be 13-9. The Hornets have some quality wins this season, holding victories over 5A Bellefonte and a good Bellwood-Antis team. If they can reverse their fortunes in close games, they should be able to cause some damage in the District VI playoffs. Sophomore guard Cameron Collins is a quality player, and has been their go-to-guy all season long. He's the player to watch for this team.
The Picks
(4) Juniata Valley over (5) St. Joseph's
(2) Ferndale over (7) Bishop Carroll
(3) Williamsburg over (6) Blacklick Valley
(1) Saltsburg over (4) Juniata Valley
(2) Ferndale over (3) Williamsburg
(4) Juniata Valley over (3) Williamsburg (Consolation)
(1) Saltsburg over (2) Ferndale
Re: A D6 Boys Basketball Playoff Preview & Thread
When will you be releasing your AA preview?
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Crimson's Ghost
- Moderator Team
- Posts: 11116
- Joined: June 24th, 2011, 10:43 am
Re: A D6 Boys Basketball Playoff Preview & Thread
Just posted it, was waiting on the ICC Championship game.