WARREN vs ATHENS

[Orange and Brown]

If Warren dislikes and disrespects the TVC so much as evidenced by most posters knocking the league, Athens, Meigs Eastern and VC, then why did they again try to join it not too long ago? Maybe comments from guys like Popcorn Phil and The Wizard leave a bad impression on voting ADs' and administrators' minds when it came time to say yea or nay to their rejoining. They can continue to bash and make long bus trips costing the taxpayers more money to drive to Chillicothe, Jackson, Logan, Gallipolis and Portsmouth if they want, I guess that is a choice they made and if that is their choice, I respect it. However, economics may force Warren to change leagues again sometime in the future. Derogatory comments about another team or teams (that may control your fate someday) and about another league certainly do not help in any way, shape or form help to keep your future options open about joining that league in the future should you be forced to do so.

I personally think that Athens did the right thing for their students, school and taxpayers by leaving the SEOAL as pointed out by Mister B on another thread. Say what you want, they looked out for their students and the taxpayers of their district in making that decision.

It's not Warren who doesn't like the TVC. It's the SEOAL who doesn't like Athens. Some people can't seem to grow up and move on.

[javon white]

O & B- the last I checked Warren is part of the SEOAL. Btw, I have absolutely nothing against Warren as it is a great school with quality people, coaches and student-athletes. However, some of their fans, or people who purport to be their fans on here don't make a very good impression continually dogging the TVC, Athens (in particular), Meigs Eastern and VC.

[Ironman92]

This SHOULD be a VERY good game....both teams are very prepared.

I will guess Warren by 9

Athens can win this game.

[Dundas]

Your right O&B...Athens could win the state and still wouldnt be any good, just because they are in the TVC. I am not in any way basing my opinion on the foundation game..Just saying that neither team looked dominate. VC is 14-5 with losses all 5 losses by a combined total of19 points..NO ONE has dominated VC this season in any way shape or form and to say Warren is better than VC 'no contest' is idiotic. VC has heard all the talk of being inferior to Warren before..How did that work for the Warriors? I believe it was a 70-65 Sectional Championship win for the Vikings. A 14-7 VC beat the 19-4 SEOAL Champion Warren Warriors back in 04-05...Maybe your still angry over the fact Warren hasnt gotten past the Vikings over the last few years..thus the original comment twords VC. None of this had to happen had you kept your ignorant comments to yourself. There is no way to say Warren is better than VC unless they play and decide it on the court. I am mearly defending my alma mater...This is about Athens and Warren...lets keep it that way.

Exactly when was the last time VC played Warren?? Was it the sectional final game a couple of years ago 06/07?? You said VC dominated them recently, even in that game Warren let a late lead slip away. VC benefitted the last few years by avoiding Logan Elm and Chilli which Warren didn't but like they say "you can hide forever". Fact is your best VC team could not have won the SEOAL that year.

Recently as in the last few times they have played.

Will this be the type of excuse we can expect if Warren loses to Athens Friday?

VC has been in the same Logan Sectional for years. I dont really think the schools get to pick where they go or who they play either...so to try and make it out as if VC had some sort of control over not playing those teams is just crazy talk.

Warren won the Seoal that year (04-05)...VC who finished the year at 14-7 overall BEAT Warren...so im not sure where your getting your facts...But the FACT is VC had a mediocre season and STILL beat Warren...THATS THE FACT! Im not saying and never did say they couldve won the Seoal that year...but to say that its a fact they couldnt is just simply stupid...If they beat the Champs, they would have a shot!! It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure that one out...

[JChipwood]

Officiating will determine the outcome in this one. Not intentionally but by the way they call the game. Both teams are physical but Warren has played in more highly physical games this year with quality competition than has Athens. Athens plays pretty physical too but not like Warren and if the officials let them play (as they should) then Warren should win if they hit their jumpers. Difference in the two is Warren's offense seems to respond better with players into them than does Athens and AHS will not get as many open looks as they are used to getting. Last night after Warren switched to the trapping d late in the first qtr, FU scored very little if any until the very end of the half. Warren just out muscled FU and looked like men playing with boys after the first. Either team could win but I am like most in that Warren's schedule has them much better prepared.

[javon white]

Great post Dundas. It does appear that LE is able to choose which sectional to play in however as they were at Southeastern before and now are at Logan which according to I92 in a separate thread did not go over very well with the Ironmen. However, they are at Logan and the road runs through them as the deserved number 1 seed.

[Diehard Fan]

For Athens to come out with the win against Warren they will to first stop warrens penetration and drive to the basket. They really need to use good fundamentals on defense such as staying low and in front of driver and really use help defense to draw some charges. Also they need to watch for the ball to go inside and then kicked back to Cunningham on the perimiter or reverse side. Also a crucial element will to box out and beat Warren on the boards and out hustle them for every loose ball. Also Athens needs to get to the foul more and be able to sink the free throws or they will be in trouble. Also they need to play under control and not take bad shots because this will be how Warren will score in transition off of long rebounds. Also no turnovers or dumb mistakes such as getting Big TECH. fouls on them
If Athens does these things well they will beat Warren.

[Cap'n Scoop]

Athens and Warren need to compete in every sport every year no matter what league they are in. The schools are of similar size and very close geographically. Not to mention there is a good rivalry between them.

Do I think Athens would have only lost 1 game in the SEOAL...no. Do I think Warren would have lost 4 games in the TVC...no. NONE of this matters. This will be a great game between 2 very good high school teams. I'm sure the players have great respect for one another....too bad the fans don't.

[93Bulldog]

cap'n-scoop ... they are scheduled to play each other in football next season and I believe they play each other in baseball too ... if they would just hook up during hoops season they would have everything covered.

BTW ... to all the TVC haters ... 8-of-the-13 teams in the Tri-Valley Conference will be playing for Sectional titles ... But its still a weak conference in basketball, right?

[91blue14]

i like this match up

[Daniel Larusso]

Athens and Warren need to compete in every sport every year no matter what league they are in. The schools are of similar size and very close geographically. Not to mention there is a good rivalry between them.

Do I think Athens would have only lost 1 game in the SEOAL...no. Do I think Warren would have lost 4 games in the TVC...no. NONE of this matters. This will be a great game between 2 very good high school teams. I'm sure the players have great respect for one another....too bad the fans don't.

They did once upon a time.

[Dundas]

93...TWO of those teams met in a semi final matchup..NY and Meigs...so that took one away right off the bat.

[GalliaGrad78]

Should be an outstanding contest..... I've been big on Warren since day one but I've watched Athens a bunch this year I still feel Warren has the team to go to the sweet 16 & I'm picking them to upset the Dogs by 4 points

Warren wins easily, and it WONT be an upset. Sorry

[Diehard Fan]

I hope Skinner and Athens takes account of what I posted earlier because if u take my points that i made away from the Warren squad then athens will win this ballgame.... They got to play smart defense and they need to take the game to Warren and not back down......... Athens CANNOT RUN WITH wARREN THEY JUST NEED TO BE CALM, PLAY SMART, DONT LET wARREN DRIVE AND PUT SOMEONE ALLOVER Cunningham.

[Warrior C C]

Warriors could have some trouble with the zone defense. Warren doesnt move the ball at all extremely well and could make this alot closer than it should be. Warriors have the better athletes and will probably pull it out but expect a closer game than people think. Zone is what teams should of been playing the entire year against the Warriors, I dont understand the scouts that come to watch, if any do, because Warren is pretty predictable. Shutting down Venham with a double team and putting an aggresive defender on the Cunningham boy would make things really interesting because not sure if the rest of the team thats out there can pick up the scoring slack, which I've said all year. Make the other boys beat ya. Guarantee you would have a better chance than strictly playing man to man. Still strongly feel that Warriors do not use enough of a rotation to make it deep into the districts. Without this the warriors will show fatigue late in the games and could lose the close one.
So Good Luck Warriors and sure you will make it to the Convo, but past the Convo will take alot more than you boys are showing! The sun comes out tmrw!

[Raiderball]

Good luck to Coach Skinner and the Bulldogs.

[hardrock21]

i see more unwarranted, unprovoked rambling about the TVC by TVC fans than i can shake a stick at. I havent seen one Warren fan call Athens or their leauge inferior or any other SEOAL fan for that matter. A few frustrated TVC fans have been wanting to vent and we get this? I see outsiders calling it the way they see it, Warren has played a better schedule and is better prepared and thats their opinion, of course it gets spinned into VC beating Warren in a scrimmage..oh and 5 years ago in sectionals.. wake up these kids werent even in high school when that game was played

[Dundas]

Hardrock...you must be new here. Each and every thread about the TVC there are posters on here dogging Athens or our league in general. Just because a few TVC posters are taking up for their schools and their league, doesnt mean they are the ones provoking anthing..If you actually read back through the thread you will see all of the bickering started when a pro Warren poster basically downed VC and Eastern Meigs...so read the thread before you start blaming it all on the TVC posters...

The game is going to be great no matter what...I dont think anyone on either side is predicting a blowout...Lets enjoy it. The 4 best teams are playing for Sectional Championships @ Logan Friday and Saturday night. I dont think anyone can deny that. The Logan Sectional has produced two games that I think everyone wanted when the seedings were announced..Athens/Warren and VC/Logan Elm...It doesnt get any better than that!! Congrats to Warren and Athens..Whichever team wins, i will be rooting for in the first round of the districts.

[mkhhg20]

I predict that it will be hard fought, close game. Anyone who thinks it will be a Warren blowout is thinking wrong. Anytime you have a 4 year varsity point guard, a great guard in Butcher, a possible league POY in Valentour, you have good chance to win against any team in SE Ohio. I have seen Warren play a few times this year and they are a resilient group of kids. Cunningham was out for a few games and Warren still kept it together and beat a tough Chillicothe team. In years past Coach Maddox has gone as deep as 9-10 players. This year Warren has only gone 7-8 deep. I kind've like that concept because the kids can get into the rhythm of the game a little more and record wise it has payed off (16-4). I think the key for the Warriors is how good Fivecoat plays. He is kinda like the jack of all trades for Warren; he rebounds, scores, defends, and handles the ball well. Venham can be an offensive force for Warren, but sometimes isn't assertive enough. I would like to see him more assertive on the offensive end because of his great skill set. Venham vs. Valentour is going to be a great matchup; one great athlete vs. another. Cunningham vs. Pfaff is also going to be an interesting matchup. They both have a crowd pleasing aura about them with their nifty passes and "hot sauce" moves. Last but not least, the most interesting matchup of all: TVC vs. SEOAL. I know that some of the bloggers don't like viewing this game as a TVC vs. SEOAL thing, but in all reality it is. Bragging rights are definitely at stake. I would encourage fans to attend this highly hyped game on friday. I have a feeling that this will be a classic.

[The Wizard]

BTW ... to all the TVC haters ... 8-of-the-13 teams in the Tri-Valley Conference will be playing for Sectional titles ... But its still a weak conference in basketball, right?

How many of those are D1 and D2 compared to the SEOAL.

In the D3 and D4 sectionals how many league team played, are you beating the same teams you played all year?? Fact is D3 get what 3 to district and 2 or 3 to regional, odds are stacked for a D3 or D4 team to go farther then a D1 or D2.