Thoughts on Clay 7th & 8th Grade Vs. Green 7th & 8th Grade

[#1clayfan]

Who do you think will win? And why?
Clay 7th or Green 7th?
Clay 8th or Green 8th?


Game will be Thursday, December 17th @ 5pm @ Rubyville.

Girls will play first. , and then the boys 7th grade game should start at 6!

[Ridgerunner1]

Tonight's game should be exciting!! The Clay's 8th grade girls team is tough!! Very strong. They have the height under the basket and the power to drive the ball in. Redding is a powerhouse. Moore shoots the ball well. Freeman does a great job guarding and forcing turnovers.

For the 7th grade boys I think this will be their first real test. The boys played Green in a tournment last year and Clay had a tough time against them. Clay won from what I have heard but never heard by how much.

Talk to a few of the 8th graders. They said they won last year and they feel like they will win again.

All I have to say is GOOD LUCK PANTHERS and beat those BOBCATS!!!

[OUBobcat]

clay never played green in a tournament last year...

clay plays green twice during the season...the current eighth graders won by double digits both times last year

[ManitouDan]

green is pretty green (young) . I'd expect a big win for the girls. St Joe was really good . Very well coached, you can tell they have spent a lot of time learning the game properly.

[Jake Lane]

I should make it to the games tonight, and hope to see . . .

PANTHER VICTORY!

[Ridgerunner1]

clay never played green in a tournament last year...

The current 7th grade boys did meet up with Green last year at West and maybe again at the Green tournament.

[OUBobcat]

...you were talking about biddy ball...omg! would the basketball gods act to eliminate biddy ball from the face of the earth...

[Ridgerunner1]

OMG!! Where do you think future jr. high and high school players come from?? Biddy ball!! They have to start somewhere. When you play kids in biddy ball these are the same kids that continue to play in jr. high and high school.

[#1clayfan]

12/17/09
7th
Clay 22 - Green 16

8th
Clay 45 - Green 23

Way to go boys keep up the good work!!!!!

[TimeToShine]

These Clay boys play so well together. They back each other up and are best friends on and off the court. Hafer had one of his best games last night. 19 points in the first half! He ended up with 23 points in the 8th grade game. I guess he will listen when all the parents, coaches and high school boys tell him to use the back board. This really helped him.

[Jake Lane]

Both teams sizzled last night! 7th grade boys looked so calm without the starting center, but determined to win. Their passing has improved a ton from last year, and they play with their heads up looking for the open man. On the defensive side, they strangled the life out of the boys from Green, this game was never in any real danger.
The 8th grade just keeps looking better, but now they have to wait til January 7th to resume play. It seems like every game has a new leading scorer, Hafer was at his best ever. Shmidt was a beast in the lane on rebounds and posting up. Shaffer, Baldridge and Evans controlled the Bobcat guards, but the highlight for me has to be Bobby Madden. This kid just always seems to get the off side rebound, or loose ball, and up and in it goes.
NEXT UP, NOTRE DAME!

[ManitouDan]

should be a good one . ND 8th grade boys are tough. I don't know that much about other SOC 1 schools at this age group but it appears clay and ND could be dooking it out for some conference titles in 2-3 years ? In both boys and girls maybe . fine with me , seem like good kids out to Rosemount. MD

[Jake Lane]

You are so right ManitouDan. ND is the class of the league, with Clay and Symmes Valley at their heels. I don't know what it may have been if the one boy hadn't been suspended for the opener at Symmes Valley, but from what I've seen since, he is a very important part of the Panther game plan. Could've been 2 unbeaten teams meeting for that first game back. I wish this game was Monday, not 3 weeks from now. I just hope there isn't any rust from the long layoff.

[TimeToShine]

You are so right about Bobby Madden! He has to be so proud of himself. Hes a team favorite.

[Jake Lane]

I hate my job! I just got my schedule changed (again) and looks like I am going to miss all Thursday games, and several Monday games. All I have to say is . . .
GO PANTHERS!

[#1clayfan]

So sorry about that Lane, but we know you'll keep updated on the kids and their scores.

So what are everyone's thoughts on the up coming game for these Clay 8th graders on Jan. 7th VS. N. Dame? This will be at Rubyville I do believe.

Do you feel with the talent and ability that clay has will they be able to pull out another win?

IMO, maybe, if the coach does as he's done in the last few games, leave his starting 4, Shaffer, Evans, Schmidt, and Hafer in and sub the 5th man, he will come out on top. These boys do play well together.
Don't worry about giving them a break, they'll be fine. Much rather see them walk away with another W after the game then walk away with a L and looking rested and refreshed.
And as for the boys, if you get Schmidt and Hafer on the same page the same night they will be unstoppable. These 2 boys have skills that are a great asset to the team, but getting them to utilize it and perfecting it to the extinct that they are able to have great nights instead of OK nights, that would be nice to see.
Evans and Shaffer, well these 2 boys, they play very well together. IMO, the coach needs to never take one of the boys out of the game and leave the other in. They play really well off each other and they know what the other is thinking most of the time. They both can bring the ball down the floor and go either way, and if the evans boy ever grows into his feet he maybe giving Schmidt and Hafer a run for their points under the basket. LOL! These 2 boys are averaging, if I'm not mistaken 6 to 10 points a game each, if their ball handling is on.
Can't wait to see these boys next year after fine tuning their skills this season and this summer.
To me in watching these kids play together, none of these kids are the same as they were last year, They really are a team that Clay H.S. can look forward to in finding the talent that they have been looking for. And also IMO, if King gets ahold of them next year, look out J.V. teams in the area, with his knowledge and their talent, WOW!
Good Luck and bring home another Win for the books!

[Jake Lane]

You are so right #1clayfan! I want to commend the boys, and the coach for the summer they put in! They have to be the most improved bunch of boys I've ever seen in any sport. I will also say that running a not too distant second is the 7th grade boys team. Both teams handle the ball very well, and look for each other every trip down the floor. I just hope there isn't any rust from the layoff.

[Jake Lane]

Watched a little of the Clay practice today, unfortunately they are going backwards. Looks to me that ND may take these games, but I hope I'm wrong.

[#1clayfan]

Have to disagree with you on that one Jake. The only time I've seen the boys have to run or power 40s is when the 7th grade isn't paying attention or goofing off. The 8th grade is very focused and intent on the practices and games. They are determined to win and make a name for themselves at this level. The 7th grade show alot of inexperience in paying attention to what the coaches are wanting, but as we get farther into the season I see that they are starting to get the same determination and want as the 8th grade boys.
I don't think the 7th graders realize that Notre Dame is an great basketball ball school that have a lot of talent. They need to start listening to what the coaches want instead of what the kid beside them is telling them to do.
And the 8th graders seem to have really straightened up and focusing on the season and realizing that winning is the only attention that they want to be known for.
Now are theses boys gonna walk away with another victory over N.D., Yes, but it will not be an easy one. N.D. boys are good and they do have speed height and, but so do our boys, IMO, they are about as evenly matched as any 2 teams can be. It's basically gonna come down to who wants the win more, and IMO, it will be Clay, 100%!
Now will the coaches realize that they need to leave Evans, Shaffer, Schmidt and Hafer all in the game and sub the 5th guy, not to sure about that, but I'm not the coach and I can't read minds, but I'm sure that he'll do what is fair and necessary for the boys to have another win under their belt.
So Good Luck Clay boys, and go out there and have fun this season, You guys are an awesome group of boys that is finally receiving the attention and wins that you deserve.

[Jake Lane]

Don't get me wrong #1clayfan, I want them to be THE TEAM that we are all thinking they can be, but I just don't see the commitment to being a perfect team. No one will ever be perfect, but IMO you have to try to be. As far as only subbing at one spot, what about foul trouble, or face to face coaching? You don't want to waste a time out every time you need to talk to a player.