Fairfield (8-9) #5 vs. Clay (11-8) #4 @ Valley HS 3/1

[rockyraccoon]

If Porter and Valentine have a bad game, Graham and Delotell can pick up the slack, if Graham and Delotell have a bad game, Burchett and Bussler can pick up the slack, if Burchett and Bussler have a bad game, Porter and Valentine can pick up the slack. That's what Clay brings to the table, 6 players deep, plus a couple of nice bench players to boot.

[NormanDale]

Ifs ands or buts.....fairfield by 12

[jeremyghs05]

im not a clay fan at all but i will take clay by 7! and im a green graduate..GO S.O.C

[sinjinian]

I'm hearing Fairfield's point guard, Quentin Williams, broke his nose against Hillsboro and may be out for the rest of the year. The Lions may lose a step if he's not playing.

[Ironman92]

If Clay has 6 players that could pick up what Cox and Rolark could do there wouldn't even be a discussion on this game.

[jimmy chipwood]

I'm hearing Fairfield's point guard, Quentin Williams, broke his nose against Hillsboro and may be out for the rest of the year. The Lions may lose a step if he's not playing.

With today's mask technology I would hope a kid could play 2 weeks after breaking a nose.

[rockyraccoon]

I believe these two teams played preseason and played pretty even. Both teams were missing a starter at the time.

[rockyraccoon]

On a side note, the girls teams from these two schools play at 1:00 pm at Northwest Highchool.

[claypantherfan]

i know alot of people are counting clay out but they shouldnt because they are one of the more balanced teams in the soc when it comes to scoring not just one person does it every night it splits up from game to game and that is what will help them over come fairfield

[rockyraccoon]

I don't know who is counting Clay out. If the Clay that shoots 70%+ from the field shows up, no one can beat them, and they have done that at least twice this year. From what I have heard, Fairfield has two go to players. Clay's defense, can shut down two players, can Fairfield shut down five? That is what balanced scoring brings to the table.

[jimmy chipwood]

I don't know who is counting Clay out. If the Clay that shoots 70%+ from the field shows up, no one can beat them, and they have done that at least twice this year. From what I have heard, Fairfield has two go to players. Clay's defense, can shut down two players, can Fairfield shut down five? That is what balanced scoring brings to the table.

Sorry Rocky, but if the Clay that I watched at Notre Dame shows up they will get beat 15 pts. The Ferrell boy from Fairfield is a nice player also. I think what your going to see is Clay playing a lot of zone defense and Fairfield applying some pressure on defense. I think Clay would rather have this game in the 40's.

[halftime]

If it's a fast game up and down, up and down Clay will come out on top that's what Clay enjoys the most getting out and runnin the opponent.

[arrowman]

From what I have seen, if Clay wants to run, they will be running back to get the ball out of the net, then attempt to break the press again. Not a good cycle to be in.

[rockyraccoon]

I don't know who is counting Clay out. If the Clay that shoots 70%+ from the field shows up, no one can beat them, and they have done that at least twice this year. From what I have heard, Fairfield has two go to players. Clay's defense, can shut down two players, can Fairfield shut down five? That is what balanced scoring brings to the table.

Sorry Rocky, but if the Clay that I watched at Notre Dame shows up they will get beat 15 pts. The Ferrell boy from Fairfield is a nice player also. I think what your going to see is Clay playing a lot of zone defense and Fairfield applying some pressure on defense. I think Clay would rather have this game in the 40's.

In the first quarter of that game I would have to agree, in the last quarter, big difference. Clay averages over 60 ppg, so I look for a high scoring game. They can't seem to hold onto the ball long enough for a slow down, low scoring contest.

[Downtown]

Fairfield by 20, 65-45.

[halftime]

Tournament time is ten times different then regular season play. Clay will be ready to play they haven't won a tourney for about 3-4 years so they will be looking for there first win in awhile and they have one of the best teams they have had in awhile. There record may not show it but they lost to some tough teams by under 10 points and lost some games they shouldn't have because they weren't ready to play. Clay better come out ready for Fairfield's defense but Fairfield better be ready for Clay to shoot lights out like they usually do!

[art_vandelay]

Good luck to Clay in this one. South Webster saw first-hand what Clay is capable of if they are hitting shots. But we also have seen what Clay is capable of by getting beat at home by New Boston. I think the big boy for Fairfield in the middle will give them fits and ultimately be the difference, though.*

[live4sport]

If the "good" Clay team shows up it will be close and could go either way----if the "other" Clay team shows up then they could be in for a long night. Either way---play hard Panthers and get another win for the SOC.

[rockyraccoon]

Clay seems to play their best when they are even or down a few points. It't when they get up 8 points or so in the 3rd and 4th quarters that they seem to lose focus. So the closer the game, the better I like their chances of making it to the convo.

[halftime]

We are one day away from this great match up.