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The Dog Days of the Basketball Season...
In the thick of the conference race...
Districts...visible in the distance...
These days proof unkind for many...
The dog days, huh?
Well this week seemed to belong to the 'Cats
The 4 Corners (rankings through Feb. 3rd)
Same 4 teams, slightly different order. BTW, I'm keeping my eyes on Jasper and Webb City. They have joined Seneca in the "also receiving votes" category. Because of the snow days, there's not a lot we could change. Seneca, Jasper and Webb City played very well Tuesday night, but I can't punish Carthage (or TJ) for having 2 games canceled due to snow.
4. Carthage (12-9): The Tigers lost no games this week, nor did they win any. That's right, snow/ice canceled all their games for the week. The teams right behind them didn't play many games either...Therefore the Tigers stay here. Carthage will play Friday night at Williard.
3. Joplin (15-4): The Eagles went 1-1 in the shortened week with a tough home loss to Parkview on Tuesday. Joplin's got a chance to get back in the hunt with a big Ozark Conference road game Friday at Waynesville who beat the powerful Glendale squad on Monday.
2. Neosho (12-8): The 'Cats got an impressive 57-33 victory over Miami (OK) on Tuesday night. They seem to be hitting on all cylinders right now...and they're gonna have to be with the road schedule they have over the next 2 weeks. First up: at SWMO No.3 Ozark.
1. Thomas Jefferson (12-1): TJ has some games to makeup over the next couple weeks. The Cavs haven't played since last Tuesday's win over Purdy. Starting Friday, they'll play five games in nine days.
College Hopefuls
Bro Mbuthia, 6-3 swingman, College Heights Christian
Strengths: Physical skill set. Bro has the speed, length, quickness and leaping ability for college ball.
Soft touch. His shots always have a chance.
Versatile. He can play inside and out.
Intangibles: He's only been playing ball for a "year and some change". Scary how good he could be. Has a 3.5GPA at College Heights. Plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
Can play every minute of a game without a sub. Best conditioned athlete in The Corner.
The Skinny: Bro Mbuthia (soft M, booth-e-uh...that's all the help I can provide) will garner a lot of looks in the next month due to his tremendous upside and youth. At barely 17 years old, his best basketball will be seen 2 years from now or more. He wants to get better. He wants it.
Next Thursday: Phillip Davis (Joplin)
In the hole: Stryker Harris (Seneca)
Who's Hot
(It's February, so we are trading in the "underclassmen to watch" segment for this)
Class of 2011:
Austin Daniel (Webb City) Yea!!! I've been waiting for him to do it: Tuesday night, Austin scored 33 points on 12 for 14 shooting in a huge win over St. Mary's Colgan. That dude can flat-out shoot the rock.
Keith Lawrie (Carthage) Is truly coming into his own as a "player". Keith is tough to guard with his ability to blow by you. And he has a great shooting touch which means he can knock down mid-range jump shots and free throws. The Tigers will need him to play big down the stretch.
Jake McClarnon (Carl Junction) If I said it once, I've said it a thousand times, I love this kid.He had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists in the tough loss to Joplin on Tuesday. He makes stuff happen on both ends.
Class of 2012:
Breckin Williams (Webb City) Fearless! Doesn't care who he's playing against. Great athlete. He elevates really well on his jump shot. Had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against Colgan.
Jared Huffman (Diamond) Shooter! Has the potential to be a great one. Had 15 points to lead the squad on Tuesday night.
Class of 2013:
Shaw Robertson (McAuley) Shaw got his first varsity start last Tuesday against CHC and made it count with 10 points. He's got real potential.
Short Corner:
Hey Clint Broyles, I haven't forgotten about you. The leader of the East Newton Patriots just shows up and does his job every night. While I've talked about Brett Black and Tucker Anderson, Clint just puts in work everyday. He's the anchor of that squad. Tough and hard-working. Had 19 points to lead the Patriots on Tuesday,
Jasper Eagles are 11-5 after an impressive 59-32 win over Golden City on Monday. I was going to go watch the Corner Rivalry game versus Diamond last Friday before the weather happened. The Eagles are in a CR game against Sarcoxie on Friday night. Oh yeah, that's homecoming night for the Eagles.
Speaking of Sarcoxie, the Bears have all underclassmen (most of them sophomores) in their rotation. No seniors that I could see. They could be a good team down the road.
Webb City's win over Colgan shows their potential. This is the kind of night you want...82 points for the Cards on Tuesday. 82!!! If this young team starts putting points on the board, their 8th straight state playoff berth will be waiting for them.
I don't care what you say about their record (7-12), I still wouldn't want to play Carl Junction right now. Coach Ryan Odaffer keeps putting these guys in position to win. Joplin barely escaped their jaws on Monday night. I think they're scary come districts.
Speaking of WC and CJ, they play on Friday night at CJ! It's a bigger game that you think. And it's already big, because a little birdie (and a little doggie) told me, Carl and Webb...well they just plain don't like each other...I love rivalries!!!
Neosho's February schedule is murder...But what's new? They've played the toughest schedule in The Corner by far.
I went to watch some games from the 9th grade COC tournament at Webb City. Seriously, Webb City is so deep. Most every kid on their team could start on any 9th grade team in The Corner. It's a good situation to have.
Congrats to Carthage's 7th grade team for shocking the world in taking the COC tournament championship! I'll say it again, our area is as good as any area in the state.
Hey I left out one award the other day: Best School Sports Website: Carl Junction's. I love it! Go check out their site:www.cjbulldogs.com. Phenomenal!!! My prayer is that all 14 schools in The Corner can create something like this. I can go there and get game recaps, scores, stats, schedules...and so much more...amazing. Such a great resource. BTW, if other schools already have this and I don't know about it, please email me at rainmakers21@gmail.com and let me know. Kudos to the Webmaster of the site. It takes some serious work to keep that thing as professional and up-to-date as you have it.
Who's responsible for that site by the way?
Buzzer Beater from The Corner:
The Dog Days of Basketball...
At this point you either love playing ball or you're getting sick of it.
Tired of going to practice...
I reminisce over my playing days.
We would sit in class...all of a sudden I think..."study hall at 3:30PM...practice at 5:30PM"
"Man, I hate going to practice"!
We'd say, "I can't wait til the season's over"
And then it was...
And we'd say, "Man, I can't believe we don't have practice today"...
..."Yeah, I miss it..."
"I can't believe the season's over"
..."Yeah, I miss it..."
Take heed young men and women...
It'll be over before you know it.
Finish strong.
And for you seniors...Take heed.
Your last practice will be...
Your last practice.
Finish strong.
The Dog Days of the Basketball Season...
In the thick of the conference race...
Districts...visible in the distance...
These days proof unkind for many...
The dog days, huh?
Well this week seemed to belong to the 'Cats
The 4 Corners (rankings through Feb. 3rd)
Same 4 teams, slightly different order. BTW, I'm keeping my eyes on Jasper and Webb City. They have joined Seneca in the "also receiving votes" category. Because of the snow days, there's not a lot we could change. Seneca, Jasper and Webb City played very well Tuesday night, but I can't punish Carthage (or TJ) for having 2 games canceled due to snow.
4. Carthage (12-9): The Tigers lost no games this week, nor did they win any. That's right, snow/ice canceled all their games for the week. The teams right behind them didn't play many games either...Therefore the Tigers stay here. Carthage will play Friday night at Williard.
3. Joplin (15-4): The Eagles went 1-1 in the shortened week with a tough home loss to Parkview on Tuesday. Joplin's got a chance to get back in the hunt with a big Ozark Conference road game Friday at Waynesville who beat the powerful Glendale squad on Monday.
2. Neosho (12-8): The 'Cats got an impressive 57-33 victory over Miami (OK) on Tuesday night. They seem to be hitting on all cylinders right now...and they're gonna have to be with the road schedule they have over the next 2 weeks. First up: at SWMO No.3 Ozark.
1. Thomas Jefferson (12-1): TJ has some games to makeup over the next couple weeks. The Cavs haven't played since last Tuesday's win over Purdy. Starting Friday, they'll play five games in nine days.
College Hopefuls
Bro Mbuthia, 6-3 swingman, College Heights Christian
Strengths: Physical skill set. Bro has the speed, length, quickness and leaping ability for college ball.
Soft touch. His shots always have a chance.
Versatile. He can play inside and out.
Intangibles: He's only been playing ball for a "year and some change". Scary how good he could be. Has a 3.5GPA at College Heights. Plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
Can play every minute of a game without a sub. Best conditioned athlete in The Corner.
The Skinny: Bro Mbuthia (soft M, booth-e-uh...that's all the help I can provide) will garner a lot of looks in the next month due to his tremendous upside and youth. At barely 17 years old, his best basketball will be seen 2 years from now or more. He wants to get better. He wants it.
Next Thursday: Phillip Davis (Joplin)
In the hole: Stryker Harris (Seneca)
Who's Hot
(It's February, so we are trading in the "underclassmen to watch" segment for this)
Class of 2011:
Austin Daniel (Webb City) Yea!!! I've been waiting for him to do it: Tuesday night, Austin scored 33 points on 12 for 14 shooting in a huge win over St. Mary's Colgan. That dude can flat-out shoot the rock.
Keith Lawrie (Carthage) Is truly coming into his own as a "player". Keith is tough to guard with his ability to blow by you. And he has a great shooting touch which means he can knock down mid-range jump shots and free throws. The Tigers will need him to play big down the stretch.
Jake McClarnon (Carl Junction) If I said it once, I've said it a thousand times, I love this kid.He had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists in the tough loss to Joplin on Tuesday. He makes stuff happen on both ends.
Class of 2012:
Breckin Williams (Webb City) Fearless! Doesn't care who he's playing against. Great athlete. He elevates really well on his jump shot. Had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against Colgan.
Jared Huffman (Diamond) Shooter! Has the potential to be a great one. Had 15 points to lead the squad on Tuesday night.
Class of 2013:
Shaw Robertson (McAuley) Shaw got his first varsity start last Tuesday against CHC and made it count with 10 points. He's got real potential.
Short Corner:
Hey Clint Broyles, I haven't forgotten about you. The leader of the East Newton Patriots just shows up and does his job every night. While I've talked about Brett Black and Tucker Anderson, Clint just puts in work everyday. He's the anchor of that squad. Tough and hard-working. Had 19 points to lead the Patriots on Tuesday,
Jasper Eagles are 11-5 after an impressive 59-32 win over Golden City on Monday. I was going to go watch the Corner Rivalry game versus Diamond last Friday before the weather happened. The Eagles are in a CR game against Sarcoxie on Friday night. Oh yeah, that's homecoming night for the Eagles.
Speaking of Sarcoxie, the Bears have all underclassmen (most of them sophomores) in their rotation. No seniors that I could see. They could be a good team down the road.
Webb City's win over Colgan shows their potential. This is the kind of night you want...82 points for the Cards on Tuesday. 82!!! If this young team starts putting points on the board, their 8th straight state playoff berth will be waiting for them.
I don't care what you say about their record (7-12), I still wouldn't want to play Carl Junction right now. Coach Ryan Odaffer keeps putting these guys in position to win. Joplin barely escaped their jaws on Monday night. I think they're scary come districts.
Speaking of WC and CJ, they play on Friday night at CJ! It's a bigger game that you think. And it's already big, because a little birdie (and a little doggie) told me, Carl and Webb...well they just plain don't like each other...I love rivalries!!!
Neosho's February schedule is murder...But what's new? They've played the toughest schedule in The Corner by far.
I went to watch some games from the 9th grade COC tournament at Webb City. Seriously, Webb City is so deep. Most every kid on their team could start on any 9th grade team in The Corner. It's a good situation to have.
Congrats to Carthage's 7th grade team for shocking the world in taking the COC tournament championship! I'll say it again, our area is as good as any area in the state.
Hey I left out one award the other day: Best School Sports Website: Carl Junction's. I love it! Go check out their site:www.cjbulldogs.com. Phenomenal!!! My prayer is that all 14 schools in The Corner can create something like this. I can go there and get game recaps, scores, stats, schedules...and so much more...amazing. Such a great resource. BTW, if other schools already have this and I don't know about it, please email me at rainmakers21@gmail.com and let me know. Kudos to the Webmaster of the site. It takes some serious work to keep that thing as professional and up-to-date as you have it.
Who's responsible for that site by the way?
Buzzer Beater from The Corner:
The Dog Days of Basketball...
At this point you either love playing ball or you're getting sick of it.
Tired of going to practice...
I reminisce over my playing days.
We would sit in class...all of a sudden I think..."study hall at 3:30PM...practice at 5:30PM"
"Man, I hate going to practice"!
We'd say, "I can't wait til the season's over"
And then it was...
And we'd say, "Man, I can't believe we don't have practice today"...
..."Yeah, I miss it..."
"I can't believe the season's over"
..."Yeah, I miss it..."
Take heed young men and women...
It'll be over before you know it.
Finish strong.
And for you seniors...Take heed.
Your last practice will be...
Your last practice.
Finish strong.
