Portsmouth @ burg 2/5

[AHS08]

Thoughts?

[4thgoal]

Wheelersburg will need to shoot better than they have the past few games to have a shot in this one. Burg does play tough defense and should be able to make it tough for Portsmouth's guards to put up big numbers. This is a game where losing E.Miller will have a big impact for Burg. His size and speed would have been a real asset on the defensive end of the court.

[theburgtheword]

Portsmouth 15
Wheelersburg 14

Half

[bman]

Was the floor covered in ice? :122249

[Fan of The Blue and Gold]

Sounds like Wheelersburg is slowing the game down and it is working. A game in the 30's definitely favors Wheelersburg.

[theburgtheword]

No, a lot of turnovers.

[theburgtheword]

Portsmouth 42
Wheelersburg 38

Final

[Captain Morgan]

Our new coach doesn't seem too good at pulling out close games. We are not a .500 team this is crazy

[4thgoal]

I think Coach Collins summed it up pretty well on the radio after the game. Burg played tough defense and Portsmouth was used to people playing zone on them. Burg did a good job on rebounding and didn't allow Portsmouth to get into the transition game, which was in Burg's favor. Overall, a tough physical game that should benefit both teams going into the tournament. With all of the cancellations in the area, I was just happy to see this game get played before the draw.

[art_vandelay]

burgpirater: it's not like Burg is losing to dud teams. Losing to Portsmouth, Valley twice, Minford and Oak Hill is not unexpected...whether you believe it or not, those teams are better than Burg.

Might be time to dial down expectations for Burg. If Eddie Miller is out, I would be surprised to see Burg get out of Sectionals at Waverly. That being said, they are still a team that none of the top seeds will want to face in a Sectional game as Ater's teams will still play tough defense and rebound despite their limited offense.*

[Crab's Brother]

burgpirater: it's not like Burg is losing to dud teams. Losing to Portsmouth, Valley twice, Minford and Oak Hill is not unexpected...whether you believe it or not, those teams are better than Burg.

Might be time to dial down expectations for Burg. If Eddie Miller is out, I would be surprised to see Burg get out of Sectionals at Waverly. That being said, they are still a team that none of the top seeds will want to face in a Sectional game as Ater's teams will still play tough defense and rebound despite their limited offense.*

I was about to post the same thing.

Considering the late start with football and a schedule that has Valley x2, Minford x 2, and Portsmouth, .500 is not bad.

[4thgoal]

I agree with both posts above. Right now, Burg is 9-7 with 4 games left on the schedule (3 at home) and all are games they can win.
Northwest
@ Alexander
Greenup Co
Waverly
This team can (and probably should) finish at 13-7 for the season and be a threat to knock off about anyone in the tournament. They have already given Valley 2 tough games and hung right with Portsmouth last night and these are the top 2 teams in their sectional.

[trojandave]

The Trojans had to grind out a tough win against a defensive minded Pirate team........and the Burg's tough half court man to man made it tough for PHS to get open looks. The game wasn't that slow, it's just that both teams got in each other's faces on D. Both teams' kids played their guts out, with the Trojans getting enough of a lead at the end to secure the win. I knew from watching WHS early in the year that this would be a tough game for the Trojans. I have full respect for Coach Ater for his defensive game plan vs. PHS, when most teams this year have resorted to a variety of zones.

Portsmouth has won 8 of the last 9 vs. the Pirates, and lead the overall series 20-17. PHS has a 5-4 lead in tournament play.