[BlackcatAlum]

March 18 -- 1:30 PM

Thoughts/Predictions?

[PC_You_Know]

It's gonna be a good one, but I'm saying Valley wins by 7.

[RavenBoy]

Gotta go with PT, SV OVERRATED!

[BlackcatAlum]

This is most certainly a game that SV can lose. PT is a very athletic team and they have a really underrated player in Josh Forrest who averages 14 points and 9 rebounds a game. They also have Cole, who shoots 40% from 3 and makes 2.2 a game.

So SV better on their game, because it would be a disappointment to see them lose in an opening round game when most are going to expect to see them in the state finals.

Best of luck to the Wildcats... I'll be there supporting you guys!

[100%SUCCESS]

I'll say Valley by single digits in this one. SV - 73 PT - 65

[DortonWildcat5]

This is most certainly a game that SV can lose. PT is a very athletic team and they have a really underrated player in Josh Forrest who averages 14 points and 9 rebounds a game. They also have Cole, who shoots 40% from 3 and makes 2.2 a game.

So SV better on their game, because it would be a disappointment to see them lose in an opening round game when most are going to expect to see them in the state finals.

Best of luck to the Wildcats... I'll be there supporting you guys!

Many people expect to see them in the state finals, but that is going to be a tough feat. Although none of the teams in the bottom bracket are traditional powers, all are capable of beating SV on a given night. If tonight's game was played next Thursday, SV would be going home. Foul trouble could really hurt SV's chances of doing well. Poor shooting could be a major factor as well. Most people are expecting to see them in the semis or finals because the bottom of the bracket is the weaker part, but almost everyone down there has as good a shot as SV to be playing Saturday.

[BlackcatAlum]

Many people expect to see them in the state finals, but that is going to be a tough feat. Although none of the teams in the bottom bracket are traditional powers, all are capable of beating SV on a given night. If tonight's game was played next Thursday, SV would be going home. Foul trouble could really hurt SV's chances of doing well. Poor shooting could be a major factor as well. Most people are expecting to see them in the semis or finals because the bottom of the bracket is the weaker part, but almost everyone down there has as good a shot as SV to be playing Saturday.

I very much agree with you.

Last season at the state tournament, poor shooting and poor free throw shooting killed SV. Seemed like the whole team wanted to give the ball to EJ and watch him do his thing, but that got them beat last season and if others aren't aggressive besides EJ, then SV will be heading home very early.

[DortonWildcat5]

I very much agree with you.

Last season at the state tournament, poor shooting and poor free throw shooting killed SV. Seemed like the whole team wanted to give the ball to EJ and watch him do his thing, but that got them beat last season and if others aren't aggressive besides EJ, then SV will be heading home very early.

Your assessment of last season's loss vs Elliott County is exactly as I saw it. It seemed that everyone tightened up and kept handing the ball back to Elisha for him to do something. If that happens this year, their stay in Lexington will be shortlived. Hopefully they can play with the confidence that we are used to seeing from them.

[Alpha_Male]

PT by 13.

[pumatime]

i'm going to say valley on this one. this is a special group and the seniors know its all or nothing now. SV by 9

[vundy33]

I think Valley will make a statement in this game...

Valley 70
Tilghman 56

[justabballfan]

This should be a very good game SV will have to be on their game, If I'm not mistaken PT has only lost two games to in state competition( I think) Christian CO by 2 and I think the other was Marshall Co. also it doesn't look as if PT is a real good 3 point shooting team and a poor free throw shooting team from looking at some of their past game stats. I'll say SV's experience will make the difference and say SV by 4. GO Cats.

[Scotty doesn't know]

I will take Valley in a really good game. I will say that PT will make it a barn-burner and Valley CANNOT come out flat or they will get beat. No games like the Betsy Layne game in the region final. PT is long and athletic, and they seem to have a little bit of experience down at the tourney. I will still say Valley by 5.

[Stardust]

PT has only lost two games this year to in-state teams. One is when they were missing players versus District Rival Marshall Co. They avenged that loss in the Regional tournament. Their only other legit loss was to Christian Co. by 2 points early in the season. That is the same Christian Co. that beat SV back in January.

[Tica]

PT is a lot like their football team, fast and athletic. In fact, many of the BB players also played football. They have been hurt by poor outside and free throw shooting. Forrest is not much of a threat beyond 12-15 feet but is tough inside.

[LCDawg]

Should be a great game and much closer than some might think IMO.

[More Cowbell]

Most people are expecting to see them in the semis or finals because the bottom of the bracket is the weaker part, but almost everyone down there has as good a shot as SV to be playing Saturday.

I very much agree with you.

Last season at the state tournament, poor shooting and poor free throw shooting killed SV. Seemed like the whole team wanted to give the ball to EJ and watch him do his thing, but that got them beat last season and if others aren't aggressive besides EJ, then SV will be heading home very early.

Your assessment of last season's loss vs Elliott County is exactly as I saw it. It seemed that everyone tightened up and kept handing the ball back to Elisha for him to do something. If that happens this year, their stay in Lexington will be shortlived. Hopefully they can play with the confidence that we are used to seeing from them.

I agree with both you guys, there will be no easy games for Shelby Valley down at state. Some overzealous SV fans might be already chalking up an appearance in the finals, but most of the more level-headed fans know better. They could just as easily get knocked out in the first round as they could make it to Saturday night.

And I agree about the standing around and watching Elisha part. That will almost certainly get them beat, as that's almost what happened last night. The first half against Betsy Layne, Valley played good team ball, working the ball around to find the best shot. But once foul trouble sent Ashley and Taylor to the bench, SV spent the entire third quarter just sitting back and letting Elisha do his thing. Sometimes that might work, but when he has an off-night shooting like he did last night, it's a recipe for disaster.

[More Cowbell]

Should be a great game and much closer than some might think IMO.

I agree it should be a good game, although I'm not sure what you mean by "closer than some might think".

Of all the people predicting a SV win on this thread, all have said a margin in the single digits, except for one member who is not even an SV fan. I have also seen some predictions for a Tilghman win. So, if you think that everyone is viewing this as an easy win for SV, they're not.

[EKY]

IMO, PT has to shoot the ball well, something that they have a problem with, to win this game. If SV plays like they are capable of, this game could be over by half time. A lot of "ifs" in this game, PT's strength is getting the ball inside, SV's strength is not letting the other team get the ball down the floor. The blowout favors SV, a close game favors PT. I am taking Valley by double figures.

[The Icon]

Sounds like Shelby Valley's pressure could hurt them. I know everyone says they are big but out of those big players do they have any ball handlers. Shelby Valley will have to play tough D in the half court I believe to come away with a win. I am going to say SV by 9.

[More Cowbell]

As for how I see this game going down, I don't know much about Tilghman other than the scores for their games this year. It's hard to get a read on them since most of their games were against other teams from far western KY or out-of-state.

I see that Tilghman and Shelby Valley only have two common opponents, Christian Co. and Ballard Memorial. Both teams lost close games to Christian Co., Tilghman by 2 on the road and Valley by 3 at home. Both teams crushed Ballard Memorial, Tilghman by 18 on the road, and Valley by 39 on a neutral court. So comparing scores is a wash.

I really don't have much of anything to base a prediction on, so I'll just go out on a limb and say Valley by 5. Go Wildcats!

[rojas]

SV by 14.

[More Cowbell]

SV by 14.

First off, let me say I'm not trying to be smart or anything, I just genuinely want to know. What are basing your prediction of Valley winning by such a margin? Have you see both teams play this year?

I ask because I've noticed that you post in threads about teams from other areas of the state, so I'm assuming you're not from EKY. I thought you maybe you had a better read on Tilghman's team and why you thought SV would handle them so easily.

Please elaborate, I'm pretty much in the dark on Tilghman.

[LCDawg]

I agree it should be a good game, although I'm not sure what you mean by "closer than some might think".

Of all the people predicting a SV win on this thread, all have said a margin in the single digits, except for one member who is not even an SV fan. I have also seen some predictions for a Tilghman win. So, if you think that everyone is viewing this as an easy win for SV, they're not.

Didn't mean a thing by it, was just stating my opinion.

[NYY10]

This game kinda scares me for Valley. If they play like they did againts BL in Region, then this game will be over quickly, im sure. Any team that makes it to State is gonna be a good team.

Im with Cowbell on this one, I really dont know much about PT, but would like to see some film or some details on there players and style of play. So if, anybody has anything, please do share..

Hopefully Valley plays to their fullest capability, full of confidence and sets the tone in this one.

So if I had to go with someone, I would go with Valley, and that only being im a SV fan and know nothing about Paducah!!
GO VALLEY!!

[rojas]

First off, let me say I'm not trying to be smart or anything, I just genuinely want to know. What are basing your prediction of Valley winning by such a margin? Have you see both teams play this year?

I ask because I've noticed that you post in threads about teams from other areas of the state, so I'm assuming you're not from EKY. I thought you maybe you had a better read on Tilghman's team and why you thought SV would handle them so easily.

Please elaborate, I'm pretty much in the dark on Tilghman.

Mostly is just a hunch. I haven't seen PT play this year. Actually I am from about as far back in eastern Kentucky as you can get but I like watching teams from all over KY play. You can't read much from looking at SV or PT schedule this year. Other than Christian County neither team played a real challenging schedule. (I'm not talking about Perry Central or in PT's case Graves Co. I am talking about top 20 teams in the state). I know you can't put a huge amount of stock in summer ball but I was impressed with SV in the AAU. They also played well in the Sweet 16 last year. But, as I stated before, its mostly just a hunch. Also, I really don't consider a 14 point win a blow-out.

[BCF4L]

PT wins going away. SV is good for Eastern KY, not so much when you meet teams in the Central and Western part of the state. Another one and done for the 15th region.

[trufan]

PT wins going away. SV is good for Eastern KY, not so much when you meet teams in the Central and Western part of the state. Another one and done for the 15th region.

Have you watched PT play? I have only seen them on ihigh.com play Lone Oak and they looked pretty athletic to me, they weem to attack the goal alot and try to pressure the ball in the half court. They kind of play like SV but they didn't look very tall or seem to shoot the ball very well.

[Cardinalfootballguy]

Ok Valley Fans here is a game i found its Lone Oak vs. PT

http://www.ihigh.com/school7204/broadcast_108738.html

[LeeCoUKFan]

Elisha Justice is not gonna let Shelby Valley lose in the 1st Round! I look for SV to win this one by 10