Pioneer Valley Conference-Early thoughts and predictions

[EasternDspy]

Post some results FF plays New Lex this season.

[redskinwitness]

Caldwell vs. New Lex was split three quarters each. Caldwell didn't play all that well. Beat New Lex the first few quarters they played man defense. After that New Lex packed in a zone and let the Caldwell boys shoot open jumper after open jumper and we couldn't hit much. Each quarter was close, ended 3-3 with Caldwell winning the first two and the 5th. New Lex is not as good as Crooksville, they have one really good athletic player who did a little bit of everything. They have some other good athletes but they basically play 1 on 1 on offense. Most of their points came on put backs or on the break.

[EasternDspy]

Well Fort Frye plays them at Route 44 Classic

[EasternDspy]

Fort Frye won @ Waterford tonight in the preview 35-20.They caused a lot of turnovers but also was in foul trouble a lot.Its hard to press and be that agressive if your that thin.Good Win

[Route40Classic]

It's Route 40.... not sure where route 44 is located. Ha ha.

Caldwell won their preview against Shenandoah tonight by a score of 39-29. House was packed in Caldwell as I expect will happen the whole year.

[PvcBball]

Monroe Central won its preview against Bridgeport 43-15. They played real uptempo and caused a lot of turnovers.

[Jakefromstatefarm]

Wasn't able to attend, but heard that Caldwell played really well in their preview. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

[3 for me]

I was in attendance for the preview and was I saw wasn't surprising at all. Caldwell has a great coach in Crane and they have gotten better every year they take the court. Hopefully the bigs can get a little more aggressive. They have A LOT of potential! Shenandoah looked shaky, not much after Hurst and Neuhart.

[redskinwitness]

Boys played well, the potential is there for sure. Man are we young, when they are calling out the line ups and our varsity team was younger than the Zeps JV team it really hit home. Future looks bright though, ready for some hoops. Been watching this group for years growing up with my son playing and man have they improved a lot.

[Route40Classic]

Got to see Caldwell up close last night. They came to West M for a 4 quarter scrimmage.

Caldwell- 1st: 11 2nd: 8 3rd: 14 4th: 9 Final: 42 6/11 f.t. 4 three pointers made
Weichman led Caldwell with 10 points on 4 of 5 free throw shooting.

West M - 1st: 5 2nd: 15 3rd: 18 4th: 16 Final: 54 11/16 f.t. 1 three point made
Huey led West M with 20 points


It was a very good competitive scrimmage. My boys played very good on the defensive end following the first quarter. Caldwell missed their big kid due to injury.
Caldwell will win a lot of games this year.

[redskinwitness]

I thought West looked a lot better than they did this summer when we saw them. Caldwell had moments where they looked really good early but forced a lot. They missed Baker, he has to be on the court. Wiechman didn't play very well last night, forced a lot if you ask me. We had our shooters where we needed but he was in attack mode and wasn't finding people. Caldwell looks really good when they let it happen, they are young though and sometimes they force things they shouldn't. Some of the younger ones played really well last night. Was sitting near the bench and coach spent the whole scrimmage harping on leadership and mental toughness. I heard him tell them until you guys get tougher mentally he can't help them. I agree, they have to get it all together. I guess that's part of being young though.

[PVC MAN]

I don't think Caldwell will have enough speed to keep up with the Noles. The Noles are very fast and athletic and with Caldwell losing most of there better players from last year it might be over early Friday night.

[EasternDspy]

I always thought Caldwells younger players were better the Srs they lost.Croucher,Hesson,and Sevecek,and the big boy were holding them back.I'm not sold on this improved MC team.

[Jakefromstatefarm]

Everyone keeps talking about how much Caldwell lost, but what did they really lose? Croucher and Hesson were decent defenders but struggled offensively. Svercek was a streaky shooter and weak of defense. Sawyer was decent on both sides but didn't have much athleticism. In terms of pure basketball talent I would take the younger players everytime. This may be one of the most athletic teams Caldwell has seen it quite a while. Carpenter, Harding, Clark, Figel, Baker, Leasure, etc are all decent athletes. Not to mention you won't find to many other players in the area with weichman's blend of speed, agility, and body control.

[PVC MAN]

I keep hearing how great Caldwells young kids are,but I think they are a little overated.All they have is one kid that can shoot,that's all that I see they have.

[Jakefromstatefarm]

And how many times have you seen them? I've seen these kids play for years. Talent wise they are much better than what Caldwell had last year. The only thing they lack is experience.

[PVC MAN]

Trust me I've seen them enough through the years.OVERATED......just wait and see you're going be disappointed.Caldwell is not very good.

[Jakefromstatefarm]

So in one thread you say you've never heard of half of them, yet you've seen them enough over the years? Makes sense. Central may very well win this game, but by the end if the year, this team will be better than last years.

[redskinwitness]

They are young and inexperienced and will have growing pains. Fact of the matter is they have skill and athleticism that last years team simply lacked. Baker is way better than Sawyer was. Harding is a better offensive player than Svercek and well beyond him defensively. Hesson held this team back last year, he killed them on both ends of the floor. The combination of Clark/Carpenter are both an upgrade their without question on both ends of the floor. The one that would be missed is Croucher, he was a leader and a scrapper who was tough. Figel is much more skilled but is like everyone else on the team, young. This team is going to be much better by the end of the year than last years team.

As for this game, Central has the advantage playing at home in what will be a great environment the first night out in their new gym. They also have older, more experienced players. I think it will be a good game that could go either way. If it is close one I'm not sure who I like, Caldwell is so young and inexperienced that you would think Central would have that edge. Coaching wise Caldwell has the advantage. Crane had Tolzda's number when he was at Beallsville with superior talent, knocking him off in the tournament last year.

As for Brown, very quick and strong athlete, you will see that Wiechman is quicker, half a foot or more taller and waaaaaaay more skilled. Central will need to help on him, which I assume they will, if not it will be a long night for Brown.

[EasternDspy]

Belpre 47 Fort Frye 50,, Caldwell 59 MC 64,Trail 77 Barnesville 51