NCS observations

[ball of fame]

D1
Monte Vista looks like they maybe in trouble. Struggled against Antioch and escapes CV. Berkeley HS will have confidence. A MV lost shakes up Open discussion.

SRV and DLS looks like they are both rolling offensively and defensively. Should be a GREAT GAME.

D2
El Cerrito is rolling now on both sides of the ball. Las Lomas has not seen this type of speed ,size and athleticism.

Monty will have home court and size advantage but Dublin speed and guard play could even out game. I saw in Press Democrat that Northgate guards were some of the best that Monty has seen per Fitchie. Well Dublin guards will impress you too.

D3
Bishop Odowd is clear favorite but Chris Hansen will make a impact on game. The is best BIG MAN matchup of the year in Norcal..Campo has played SAC, EC, and Modesto Ch.. They will not be itmidated.

Moreau and Drake should be a barn burner. Milstead didnt play in 1st matchup. Drake is battled tested.

Side note... I feel bad for those kids that left their HS teams to play for the Bball club in Northbay. Their HS teams are playing in playoffs game trying to win section regional state titles. While they are playing in meaning less game in Siberia.. You know those kids are regretting those decisions that adults made for them. Team success over personal glory.

 

[larry legend33]

Ball of Fame.

Good observations.

D1- I'm like you. I think MV is in trouble. Not sure what "bug" they have but it hasn't been smooth sailing. I like DLS. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they make a deep run in Norcals.

D2. EC is just too athletic. LL will play tough though. Well coached.
Monty is very, very tough at home. That place is crazy. That would be the real advantage at this point. The big guy is averaging 22, 12, and 4 over the last 15 games or so. If they can get him the ball he will eat Dublin alive. Monty needs to control tempo. This game is all about tempo. The guards get going for Dublin and it could be tough for Monty.

D3 - Campo could shock the world but I doubt it. It will be close. How good is the schools sport program? Football team runs the table and wins state. Basketball team is consistently excellent. Baseball team is a D1 factory.

D4- Very exciting match ups tnite.

Salesian plays a very good Marin Catholic team. I'm calling upset with MC advancing. This could be a champ game in most years.
St Mary's and Arcata- Arcata historically is very underrated. But they have to travel and that is a big disadvantage. I think St Mary's wins by double figures. But anything is possible.
Newman Vs Cloverdale- Newman too big and talented. Newman by 15+
St Pats Vs Mckinleyville- I don't know a lot about team from north but I would say St Pats pressure and speed will bother them. I'm going with St Pats by double figures. Plus St Pats has played a much better schedule.


So I see Semi's next week.

CN vs St Mary's (newman has a 1 pt victory of them earlier. should be a great game)
MC vs St Pats I'm at a loss. Too close to pick.

 

[paul_johnson884]

Originally posted by ball of fame:

Side note... I feel bad for those kids that left their HS teams to play for the Bball club in Northbay. Their HS teams are playing in playoffs game trying to win section regional state titles. While they are playing in meaning less game in Siberia.. You know those kids are regretting those decisions that adults made for them. Team success over personal glory.

AMEN

 

[larry legend33]

Marin Catholic with the upset over Salesian 57-55. I had a feeling this was going to happen. MC is very dangerous.
MC and St Pats. Just like I thought it would be.

 

[bearphan]

As I mentioned in another thread, how good is Joey Calcaterra?

http://www.marinij.com/sports/20150228/prep-roundup-marin-catholic-boys-hoops-slip-past-salesian-to-make-section-semifinals

 

[remc]

Wow,MC won that.Nice win for them.A little surprised but not shocked.

 

[remc]

Any score for SMB vs Arcata?

 

[OldEnt59]

Arcata got thumped. Lost by 21. Did not get to see but sounds like St. Mary's quickness got to Arcata. Lots of turnovers.

 

[bones40]

Well now it's tough decision time do I go to the moreau drake semi or go up to the Montgomery
Dublin game.I believe both of these games are going to be something to see Larry you said it best it
will be all about tempo in the Montgomery dublin match up.If they can slow it down and feed the big man edge would go to monty.I am not quite sure that's going to happen Dublin I am sure will press them and try to keep the tempo fast and furious.The guard match up between septimo and falls will be something to see.I think dublin has more offensive fire power then monty gaels win by 8.The drake moreau game is going to be a battle and I know
Moreau defeated them without damari at the tip off classic. Very good players on both teams
and two good coaches I just trust drake to execute a Lil better then moreau and I also believe they will out rebound moreau drake wins by 6.

 

[larry legend33]

Yeah SMB thumped Arcata. Should be a great matchup with Newman. Newman has a 1 pt victory over them in Rose City Champ but this game is a tossup. I will say home team wins again. (Newman). Newman has been playing really well as of late.

MC and St Pats….. I like MC again.

Monty and Dublin could be a tough ticket to get. (I mean crowds) I would personally rather see MC and Drake. That is going to be a great game.


Got to love this time of the year.

 

[remc]

I think SMB goes on the road and avenges the earlier one point loss,though playing at CN is a daunting task.I also feel SPSV will hold off MC,though both gamws could go eithet way.Two pick em games IMO.

 

[CCSman1]

Since Salesian lost does that mean they can not make NorCal?

 

[remc]

Good question.My guess would be where the committee place their emphasis.Either body of work for the entire season,or how teams performed in the section playoffs.My guess would be the more recent performances would be counted slightly higher.

 

[remc]

I do think that the winner of SPSV vs MC will win the section.

 

[larry legend33]

I got Newman winning NCS this year. They will beat St Mary's 50-45 and then sneak by MC by 2. I just think they are really playing well and home court matters down the stretch. BTW, anybody know where the NCS Finals are? St Mary's would be cool.

 

[observer22]

The only way a quarterfinal loser can make NorCal is if one the 4 semi finalists gets pulled up to the Open division. Then I believe the top seeded team that lost in the quarters gets the bid. So, Albany as the NCS D3 #5 seed and quarterfinal loser to Campo can still get a NorCal bid if/when BOD gets placed in the Open. If no NCS D4 teams make the Open field, then Salesian's season is over. They have to wait a week to see how it all transpires.


This post was edited on 3/1 12:03 PM by observer22

 

[larry legend33]

No way is any D4 team (St Pats, Newman, MC, or St Marys) getting pulled up. Salesian its time for baseball or track. Thanks for coming out.
The girls division (D4) could have a couple teams pulled up but not the boys.

 

[remc]

I agree Larry,not this year.

 

[observer22]

I don't think a D4 team is getting into the Open either, but just pointing out that's the only way Salesian gets in, meaning very slim & none.

 

[CCSman1]

only chance is if SHP wins Open and gets the bid from that. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[noknight]

D-I

I think MV uses the last two lackluster games as a wake up call and they take care of Berkeley to set up a showdown with DLS for the open slot. That third DLS/SRV game should be a doozy - can the Spartans beat them 3 times? I think so.

D-II

Since it's boring to predict nothing but chalk, I'm going to predict Dublin to pull of the upset here and make it to the finals against El Cerrito, who I think is destined to make a run in the NorCal open division

D-III

Although Campo is good, they haven't faced a team like Bishop O'Dowd, whose really prepared themselves for an open title run. I think Drake/Moreau will be really close, and Drake knows to expect the pressure since they played earlier, but I think Moreau wins this at home.

D-IV

Don't be shocked if St. Mary's goes on the road and beats Cardinal Newman to set up a final battle vs. SPSV.