[Chuck Taylor]

I agree with what most people on here have said, that Pikeville is definitely good enough to beat Shelby Valley this year. The question is will they be able to close the deal, and I don't know the answer to that.

I was thoroughly impressed with Valley's defense last night. Their ball pressure is just so intense, both in the press and in the halfcourt, that any team without two excellent ballhandlers will have trouble avoiding turnovers. They can even win without much scoring from Elisha Justice, as evidenced by last night's game in which he notched just one point. He still played a great game running the offense and leading the press.

However, the big #44 for Male also showed that Valley is vulnerable to a strong inside presence, which is where Pikeville would have a shot to win. Deven Adams would have to come up big, but if he did they would have an excellent chance to spring an upset. Also, Valley is not a team of great shooters, so if a team limits SV's easy baskets of turnovers they can be held in check offensively.


All in all, it would be hard to beat a team 5 times in one year, especially after having done it all 4 times last year. So I would say Pikeville will get them at least once this year, just hopefully not in region!

Unless Pikeville puts Adams on the block and throws him the ball then the Panthers have no chance.:mad: