"How good is St. Joe Ogden, I know they are undefeated..."
That was the question posed to me on a sports message board today. I'm went with the most politically correct answer I could think of which is they are alright... at the moment.
You see, the right answer to that question is we'll see in 12 days after they get through the State Farm Classic. The tournament is stacked this year and SJO is a sixth or seventh seed if I heard correctly. Yeah, they are 8-0 after cruising through pool play at their hosted Leader Classic basketball tournament, but we need to take their temperature when the competition is stronger than what this area code has to offer.
Head coach Brian Brooks would say that his team is alright, too. And as he has in nearly interview I've done with him since he started coaching at St. Joseph-Ogden, would most likely answer the question by saying, "We're alright. We have a lot of things we need work on. There is a lot of season left."
In 12 days, the question will be answered like this: If the Spartans win two games at the State Farm Holiday Classic, they'll cruise to the regional title. If they win three contests, they'll play for the sectional title. If they win four, they are likely sectional champs and if they win five (and still be undefeated) .... Until the 30th of December, it is just too hard to say how good they really are right now.
Why, you might ask. After all, they are undefeated.
Unity and PBL are the best two teams they've played so far. Unity showed SJO isn't overly physical when they need to be, especially in the paint. There really needs to be more of presences, a sense of domination under the basket. If they are facing a loose perimeter defense, they will they will light up the board with treys (6 in this game) or get the ball to post for easy shots when players come to put a little pressure on them as the Rockets found out. Granted Unity was missing three starters due to injuries and the game would have been closer, SJO's bench and free throw shooting would have still pulled them through as I will detail why below.
PBL's high tempo play, hard driving penetration play and fearless shooters was effective in their first meeting this season. However, I don't think the Panthers aren't deep enough to run and gun all out for a full 32 minutes. They don't have the depth SJO is hoggin' up right now. The Panthers looked great against Olympia and if they bring that game Wednesday against SJO in the Leader Classic title game, it could be entertaining as all get out. It will be up to Jordan Glad to get PBL out to an early 10 or 12 point lead and nurse it long enough to get SJO to panic, they might have a chance at the title.
In SJO's favor is they are deep with ballers, almost down to the last chair. They can sub two or three guys ~ for whatever reason ~ at a time you will not notice a real big change in their defense, shooting, tempo or ball handling. On average so far this season, eight guys are scoring four or more points/game and the team is shooting well above 70% from the free throw line ~ so overly aggressive defense or touch sensitive officiating is an advantage for SJO. They were 22 for 25 from the line against Unity. I believe their worst free throw outing of the season so far ~ an anomaly compared to the rest of the season ~ was against Tindley from Indy in their border war shootout where they were 11 for 20.
Among seven or eight players, they take turns scoring double digits. One night, Chase Patton could have 21 points. Another night, Corbin Hesterberg, Brent Schluter or Dalton Walsh could finish 18 points. Nate Michael, Aaron Woller and Louis Acklin are all due for a 20-point night. Stealth shooters Dylan Troyer and Blake Hoveln could easily sneak into double figure territory.
The State Farm tourney is going to be the measuring stick. Until then, despite the talent and given the deficiencies, SJO is probably just alright...for the moment.
That was the question posed to me on a sports message board today. I'm went with the most politically correct answer I could think of which is they are alright... at the moment.
You see, the right answer to that question is we'll see in 12 days after they get through the State Farm Classic. The tournament is stacked this year and SJO is a sixth or seventh seed if I heard correctly. Yeah, they are 8-0 after cruising through pool play at their hosted Leader Classic basketball tournament, but we need to take their temperature when the competition is stronger than what this area code has to offer.
Head coach Brian Brooks would say that his team is alright, too. And as he has in nearly interview I've done with him since he started coaching at St. Joseph-Ogden, would most likely answer the question by saying, "We're alright. We have a lot of things we need work on. There is a lot of season left."
In 12 days, the question will be answered like this: If the Spartans win two games at the State Farm Holiday Classic, they'll cruise to the regional title. If they win three contests, they'll play for the sectional title. If they win four, they are likely sectional champs and if they win five (and still be undefeated) .... Until the 30th of December, it is just too hard to say how good they really are right now.
Why, you might ask. After all, they are undefeated.
Unity and PBL are the best two teams they've played so far. Unity showed SJO isn't overly physical when they need to be, especially in the paint. There really needs to be more of presences, a sense of domination under the basket. If they are facing a loose perimeter defense, they will they will light up the board with treys (6 in this game) or get the ball to post for easy shots when players come to put a little pressure on them as the Rockets found out. Granted Unity was missing three starters due to injuries and the game would have been closer, SJO's bench and free throw shooting would have still pulled them through as I will detail why below.
PBL's high tempo play, hard driving penetration play and fearless shooters was effective in their first meeting this season. However, I don't think the Panthers aren't deep enough to run and gun all out for a full 32 minutes. They don't have the depth SJO is hoggin' up right now. The Panthers looked great against Olympia and if they bring that game Wednesday against SJO in the Leader Classic title game, it could be entertaining as all get out. It will be up to Jordan Glad to get PBL out to an early 10 or 12 point lead and nurse it long enough to get SJO to panic, they might have a chance at the title.
In SJO's favor is they are deep with ballers, almost down to the last chair. They can sub two or three guys ~ for whatever reason ~ at a time you will not notice a real big change in their defense, shooting, tempo or ball handling. On average so far this season, eight guys are scoring four or more points/game and the team is shooting well above 70% from the free throw line ~ so overly aggressive defense or touch sensitive officiating is an advantage for SJO. They were 22 for 25 from the line against Unity. I believe their worst free throw outing of the season so far ~ an anomaly compared to the rest of the season ~ was against Tindley from Indy in their border war shootout where they were 11 for 20.
Among seven or eight players, they take turns scoring double digits. One night, Chase Patton could have 21 points. Another night, Corbin Hesterberg, Brent Schluter or Dalton Walsh could finish 18 points. Nate Michael, Aaron Woller and Louis Acklin are all due for a 20-point night. Stealth shooters Dylan Troyer and Blake Hoveln could easily sneak into double figure territory.
The State Farm tourney is going to be the measuring stick. Until then, despite the talent and given the deficiencies, SJO is probably just alright...for the moment.
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