Athens (13-3) at Warren (13-3) - CANCELLED

[93Bulldog]

Can't believe we haven't got one of these started yet ...

The Bulldogs lost 60-57 last year at home to the Warriors during the regular season.
The Bulldogs lost 74-69 in overtime to the Warriors in a regional semi-final as well.

Does anyone know the last time Athens has even beat Warren?

Gonna be a fun night in Vincent.

The game will be covered by Power 105.5FM and wxtq.com
We will probably go live from Warren High School at 6:06-7:00 on 970WATH and 970wath.com

[Whs95fan]

I too would like to know when Athens last beat Warren, if I were to guess maybe 2008-2009??? Regardless the game Tuesday should be a great one. Triple header with the freshmen tipping off at 5:00 and doors opening at 4:15 but won't be allowed into the actual gym until 4:30 do to a practice already scheduled.

[93Bulldog]

I too would like to know when Athens last beat Warren, if I were to guess maybe 2008-2009??? Regardless the game Tuesday should be a great one. Triple header with the freshmen tipping off at 5:00 and doors opening at 4:15 but won't be allowed into the actual gym until 4:30 do to a practice already scheduled.

As long as we're able to get in by 5:30 to set up our radio equip I'm good.

Maybe I can get WarriorBlue to come on the sportsfan live at 6:06 ... lol ... I love picking on him on air.

[WarriorBlue]

I too would like to know when Athens last beat Warren, if I were to guess maybe 2008-2009??? Regardless the game Tuesday should be a great one. Triple header with the freshmen tipping off at 5:00 and doors opening at 4:15 but won't be allowed into the actual gym until 4:30 do to a practice already scheduled.

As long as we're able to get in by 5:30 to set up our radio equip I'm good.

Maybe I can get WarriorBlue to come on the sportsfan live at 6:06 ... lol ... I love picking on him on air.

Love to come on and verbally spar with you 93Dog!

[93Bulldog]

Spar?

I was thinking of throwing a couple of jabs, a left hook - and then delivering a knock out blow!

lol

[Raider6309]

Athens beat warren 75-66 and 61-50 back in 2003-2004. Ik Athens lost in 2008-2009

[93Bulldog]

Athens beat warren 75-66 and 61-50 back in 2003-2004. Ik Athens lost in 2008-2009

HA!

Nothing like a little '10-year' anniversary win for the 'Dogs ... lol

[Raider6309]

Grant beat them so burrow needs a win

[here4fun]

I have seen both of these teams play against Valley and I am going with Athens on this one.....

[WarriorBlue]

I have seen both of these teams play against Valley and I am going with Athens on this one.....

Let's see Warren beat Valley by double digits going away. Warren played JV kids the last 3 min. Athens needs a controversial call to beat Valley in 2OT. That makes perfect sense to pick Athens. Must be the way they wear those green and gold unis.

Warren has quietly getting better every game. Everybody knows about the big guns but the Warren coaching staff has steadily integrated the 6 new kids from last years 21-0 JV squad. If anyone thought with the schedule the Warriors play there weren't gonna be a few bumps in the road, you were mistaken. Losses in December can help turn teams into champions come March. Aaron Mazurkiwitz and Andrew Drayer have done a steady job starting for the Warriors. Andrew Henthorn - Instant Defense and Blake Kidder - Instant Offense have both contributed solid min the last 5-6 games. I'm almost sure Henthorn has drawn a charge every game. Kidder can hit the open trey but can and will attack the glass with authority. Marshal Church the big strong 6'5" Sr and 5'8" Fr Kyler Dennis give the Warriors insurance in case of foul trouble somewhere. Church can bang and play good defense in the post. Dennis can come in and knock down shots(ask Valley) if the occasion arises.
Since Athens plays 6 kids they don't have the same margin of error. This will be a heavyweight championship fight. Both teams are gonna throw haymakers. Both teams are gonna land a few. Which team can best limit turnovers and limit the damage inflicted by runs will win this game. Who can get up off the mat and throw a haymaker of their own?
Lot of eye candy on the floor(French-Hall-Patton, Watson-Borrows) but I think the role players and the coaching staffs are the difference in this one.


GO BIG BAD BLUE!

[93Bulldog]

I like the idea of roll players making a difference WarriorBlue. The 'Dogs have been playing a lot better lately as a team and I like what they've been doing. 6'5 Ryan Luehrman had 14 points last night in the first half alone. Griffin Lutz scored 13 on Tuesday. Ryan Luehrman had 15 versus Valley and Saltzmen scored 10. versus the 'big dogs' at ASVSM, Burrow, Saltzmen, Lutz and Watson all four hit double figures. 6'5 Adam Luehrman was the 3rd leading scorer versus NY scoring 10.

The more they play as a team - the better they get.

Mixing in 1 freshmen, 2 sophomores and 3 juniors has been a work in progress (especially after getting a late start) - but Athens is starting to come around and look like a well rounded 'team'. Whether it's enough to win in the 'WARRIOR DOME' remains to be seen however.

ROLL A-TRAIN ROLL

[93Bulldog]

Warren - 12 votes
Athens - 6 votes

2-to-1 so far ... not much faith in the 'Dogs - especially since 2 of those votes are mine (my user name vote - and I voted under my moderator name) ... lol

I'M DYING TO KNOW WHAT THE OUIJA BOARD SAYS, FLOYD????

[Raider6309]

Comes down to, fast pace Athens wins, slow pace warren wins. Every year Athens gets a big led and Warren somehow comes back and wins. Been exciting to watch

[danicalifornia]

This a huge game, with a lot of athleticism, length, and just flat out good basketball. If this is on a neutral floor, I may take the Bulldogs, but heading to Warren, gives the Warriors a big edge to start. It's going to be like a college atmosphere for Athens, having roughly 15-20% of the fans in attendance cheering on the Bulldogs will make it amazing for them if they are able to pull it off though.

I think these teams match up very evenly and the role players will be huge. Burrow/Watson/Saltzman and French/Hall/Patton are going to get theirs, it just will come down to what LuermanX2/Lutz and Maz/Dreyer/Church/etc can give as a little extra. It always seems like in big home games, at least one role player steps up huge for the home team.

I'm taking the Warriors by 3.

[AxGrinder]

Athens wins. Then we can't put all this speculation to rest. :12223 Period!

[93Bulldog]

Last season at the Convo ... Warren 74, Athens 69 (OT)

Leffingwell - 14
Lang - 6
Pannell - 3
Yabs - 3

That is 26 points from the departing seniors for the Warriors. 67 of the 69 points scored by Athens was from underclassmen in that game.

Although Athens still doesn't have a single senior who plays a lot of minutes - I think the 'experience' edge goes to the Bulldogs. They have everyone back basically that was on the floor when they lost the heartbreaker at the Convo to the Warriors.

I know the big three: French, Patton, Hall are tough ... but you can't dismiss the loss of those 4 seniors from last years team ... French, Hall, Patton COMBINED to score 6 POINTS in the first half vs Athens in the regionals ... SIX!
Leffingwell, Yabs, Lang and Pannell kept the Warriors in the game scoring 18 first half points.

I'm not saying the young guys for Warren now can't replace those guys, cause they seem to be doing a good job thus far ... But this is no JV game and Athens isn't Gallia or Meigs - this is a big time match-up with two of the best DII teams in the district.

[SOHSP]

More pressure on Warren....they have the seniors, beat Athens twice last year, defending district champs, defending regional champs, AT WARREN, and they NEED the number 1 seed in Logan more (they can't take the chance of facing Athens or Logam Elm in the sectional final and not getting back to the Convo after last year's run).

Therefore, Athens sweeps in and wins by 10. The ASVSM game gave the Bulldogs the extra confidence they need.

[93Bulldog]

I'm not sure Warren needs the No. 1 seed anymore than Athens does.

It's a pretty coveted spot right now ... Logan Elm, Athens & Warren ALL WANT it pretty bad.

[Ironman92]

Warren by 4

[beaverlover]

Athens by 3