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A very tough challenge for the Redstreaks coming up this Saturday as Zanesville visits the "Oven" for the first time. The Blue Devils beat Piketon last year at Zanesville 66-54 in a close game up until the final two minutes. The Blue Devils (11-2) knocked off AP #1 DI Massillon Jackson already this season; losing to a very tough Wheeling Park team 52-42 and Newark 48-32. Zanesville will feature one of the top guards in Ohio 6'1 Tanner Gibson with some nice 6'4 bookends at the forward spot. This will be Piketon's third game of the week and probably their biggest challenge of the season to this point. Streaks (12-0) must win the battle of the boards and contain Gibson to win this one. Go Streaks!

Zanesville has point guard Gibson who everyone knows about. They have 6'3 Rian Burrell who transferred in from Beechcroft, one of these best defenders around this year and adds about 12 pts a game. 6'3 Cole Carpenter is very good also. They put a nice shooter in junior Kade Haddox on the floor with them and rotate two or three 6'4 bangers in the fifth spot. They are not deep but he never plays more then 7 anyway. They play halfcourt man and occasionally trap out of it. Offensively they start out in a Flex set but only run a cut or two off of it, its more for show. They then Iso either the point guard (Gibson) or Carpenter/Burrell in the post, spot their two shooters up opposite and the post either hides on the opposite dead spot or elbow and they pick you apart. Their three primary scorers are very skilled individually with the ball in their hands and the others play their role. The two games they lost (Park, who is very good and Newark who is just average but a rival) were both able to force them in to shooting the three. They only have two consistant perimeter threats in Gibson and Haddox, if they are shooting the three a lot you have a chance to be successful against them.

The Chef has a feeling the settings inside the fabled Oven will be special Saturday night and The Chef will do everything to make it that way. The Chef has had this date circled on the calendar since last season knowing the Blue Devils were returning the trip from last season.

I wish I could be there to watch it, but have to work.......but still good luck to Coach Lisath and the Redstreaks.........Zanesville is very good, but bring your A game and you can win it!!

Just to note -- Burrell is a Zanesville native who came back to town from Beechcroft. Tremendous defender, which has helped raise our team defense to a higher level. He's done a great job and is getting more and more into the flow of "Blue Devils basketball."

Should be an excellent match-up Saturday night.

Cant let this thread go to the 2nd page. Has to be 1 of the biggest matchups in SE Ohio Saturday evening!

Lets Go Streaks!

I'll take Piketon---Go D3!

I've seen Zanesville scouts at a couple of games...I'm sure Coach Aronhalt will have his team ready for this one. Interesting fact, both teams will have players on the floor that started on a Final Four Team. Should be a fun game to watch!

The Chef is expecting a massive crowd for this one. Has to be one of the biggest games on the menu for this weekend or maybe even season. Go Streaks!

Can moderator make it stick at top?

As long as people keep posting it will stay near the top. LOL

Sounds like this could be a great game.

We scout just about everybody, without fail. You'd be hard-pressed to find many programs in the state that put more of an emphasis on that than we do. In the end, however, it comes down to the kids executing the game plan.

Im gonna have to take Zanesville in this one. Should be a fairly close game either way though.

Should be a fun ballgame in the Village Saturday night! Hopefully, I'll be able to make it down to see how the Redstreaks match up.

Good luck to Coach Lisath and the Redstreaks!

... saw this matchup last season in the 'ville ... look for a great rematch at the Oven Saturday night - what time does the JV game start?

Imagine the JV game will start at 6pm. eagles73 or Coach Kelley will know for sure. GO STREAKS!!!

6 p.m.

If Piketon stays cold from 3 point land, it could be a tough night! I hope they get the shots to drop and come out with a big win!! Go Streaks!

Pfloyd-

First of all, great seeing you back on here...I've felt lost without your true perspective on Southern Ohio basketball below the line! Good wishes to you, and continue to hope for full, healthy recovery!

The JV game will start at 6pm. Please, if you are able to make the journey to the Oven, stop by the bench and say hello. Would like to say hello and put a face with the name. I will be the one who yells and never sits down lol....

Look for a great matchup tomorrow night, and it will be fun to finally see where we match up to the likes of Zanesville. We like what the Redstreaks bring to the fight; we are continuing to get better, and we have not played our best basketball yet. The positive for the Redstreaks, we've shot around 30% from the floor, a poor 50% from the line, a -20% from the 3 pt line....and we've been able to win, mostly on the road!....Finally we're back at home, we're getting healthier (although Vulgamore will be out for the game for injury)...Hopefully we start knocking down shots.

I will say this in closing...and Zanesville fans know this oh so well...When you are on top, and everyone knows you're on top...you have the bullseye. You will get EVERYONES best effort. So teams with poor records, well they're out to get you because that makes their season. We tell our boys..."you either have the bullseye or you wear the bullseye"...If you have the bullseye, you may not want it; if you wear the bullseye, you welcome someone to try and take it.... We've not peaked yet in the Village!

Good luck and safe travels to everyone. As for always, "GO STREAKS!"

D3 #1 ranked Archbold lost this week, so if the Streaks prevail Friday and Saturday, they could potentially reach the #1 slot...HOWEVER...a lot of basketball to be played to get there...but exciting for the kids and community nevertheless. Proud of our Redstreaks! Beat Adena, then take down Zanesville!...The goal is a State Championship, however!