[kywldcat01]

This is a hard match up to call. I know Christian County is very good and I expect it to be a battle. The advantage I see SV having is that teams rarely press them because it usually has no effect on them. In the past 4 years they may have been pressed 3 or 4 times (and at least 2 were with Elisha out with an injury). I don't look for Christian County's press to be the difference in the game. Having seen them play, what would you say would be another factor in their favor?

Christian Co's physical style of "in your face" defeense could be another factor in their favor. I know they play some hard nosed basketball in the mountains but CC is in your face the whole game. I could see this frustrating players like the Newsome boys/Varney/Hatfield.

Justice will have to be the team leader and keep his team from playing with too much emotion.

I also think CC's athleticism will be a HUGE factor in this game. Very rarely do they get out-rebounded and I'm pretty sure they won the battle on the boards against both Holmes and Bowling Green.....two teams who have better inside players than SV.

CC is very tough inside with Malcolm McDuffen who is one of the best athletes in the state. Not only does he excell on the court but he's also an all state linebacker and one tough kid. He'll be tough to "bang" with down low.

I honestly don't see the CC press being very effective versus Valley. This team plays about as good a team ball as anyone. They've been playing with one another since middle school and know each others in-and-outs. Plus having a point guard as quick with the ball as Elisha Justice certainly helps. He torched Mason County's press at the sweet 16 last season.

Now if Elisha were to get in foul trouble a lot of things could play into CC's favor, but like someone else mentioned it will more than likely be 15th region officials that will call in Valley's favor.

I have thought the same thing the past two years about CC against Holmes, but you can't simulate their quickness and won't understand how good their press is until you see it in person. This will be one of the quickest teams that Valley has ever played and that's no exaggeration.

I'd honestly say their press is much better than Lexcath's for the simple fact that they have the quickness and athleticism to make up for mistakes.

Being pressed by Mason Co last year and Christian Co this year are two completely different animals.

Valley will be able to break the pressure, but you'll see them struggle throughout the game. Anthony Hickey is quick enough to keep up with Justice if he tries to break the press by himself.