Saturday, February 23, 2013

Saturday's top HS basketball games to see (2/24)


No. 3 Westwood (19-6) at No. 2 TCA (24-5) (Region 8-A boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 6 p.m.

Previous meetings: TCA won 81-77 in last year’s region semifinals

Players to watch: TCA guard Ben Moroney; Westwood’s Jamarcus Ricks

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the Booker T. Washington-Adamsville winner.

What to know: The Lions pulled off the huge upset in last year’s region semifinals, and they will try to pick up a second win over Westwood tonight. Limiting turnovers will be key for TCA with solid ball handling from its many quality guards. Westwood graduated quite a bit of last year’s team so the players will be the different, but the Longhorns will look to still push the ball quickly.

 

No. 3 Middleton (18-10) at No. 2 Memphis Academy of Health Sciences (14-7) (Region 8-A boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 7 p.m.

Previous meetings: Middleton won 55-45 in last year’s region quarterfinals

Players to watch: Middleton guard Cornelius Patterson; MAHS’s Kelvin Pruitt

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the Riverside-MASE winner

What to know: The Tigers have won 10 of their last 12 games with the two losses coming against South Side and Riverside (in the district semifinals). MAHS has played No. 1-ranked Booker T. Washington close all season, so Middleton will have to bring its best for a chance to beat MAHS. Both teams are full of speed and athleticism.

 

No. 4 Memphis Academy of Science & Engineering (13-11) at No. 1 Riverside (17-11) (Region 8-A boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 6 p.m.

Previous meetings: First meeting

Players to watch: Riverside guard Dylan Scott; MAHS’ Fabian Effinger

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the MAHS-Middleton winner

What to know: Riverside won its first district title in 18 years, and now the Panthers will look to continue the momentum. MASE didn’t reach the region tournament last season, but the Phoenix are a quality side out of Memphis. A big asset is the fact that Riverside gets to play at home, and MASE will have to make the long trip from Memphis to the Tennessee River. The Panthers have to come out composed and not let nerves get the best of them early.

 

No. 4 Fayette-Ware (21-9) at No. 1 Haywood (23-8) (Region 7-AA boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 7 p.m.

Previous meetings: Fayette-Ware swept two meetings (71-58; 69-55)

Players to watch: Fayette-Ware guard Carlos Hart, Jr.; Haywood guard Kyler Douglas

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the South Side-Westview winner

What to know: Fayette-Ware swept a regular-season series, but this is the postseason. Haywood seems to be peaking at the right time after winning the District 13-AA crown. Fayette-Ware slipped in the District 14-AA tournament, falling to a No. 4 seed. Haywood will pack the house for this game and make it tough on the Wildcats. Staying out of foul trouble and playing with experience could be the difference for the Tomcats’ young squad.

 

No. 3 Bolivar (17-11) at No. 2 Ripley (17-11) (Region 7-AA boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 7 p.m.

Previous meetings: Bolivar won 60-51 in a Hall of Champions game this season

Players to watch: Bolivar guard Jerrious Sain; Ripley guard Chad Culbreath

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the Liberty-Crockett County winner

What to know: Bolivar beat Fayette-Ware for the first time this season in the District 14-AA consolation game and will look to continue the momentum in the region tournament. Ripley played many of the top District 13-AA teams close, but couldn’t get a win until the district semifinals against Westview. The district championship wasn’t as nice to Ripley. Ripley does have the advantage of playing at home, but a Rick Rudesill coached team is hard to beat.

 

No. 3 Westview (27-5) at No. 2 South Side (22-3) (Region 7-AA boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 7 p.m.

Previous meetings: South Side won 87-49 in a Hall of Champions game

Players to watch: Westview guard Antonio Hogard; South Side guard A.J. Merriweather

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the Fayette-Ware/Haywood winner

What to know:  South Side picked up an easy win over the Chargers early in the season, and the Hawks might be fired up enough after losing in the district championship to cross-town rival Liberty to do it again. South Side played almost flawless in the district semifinals, but couldn’t find the basket in the championship. Westview had a slip up in the district semifinals to fall from the No. 1 seed to a No. 3 seed for the region tournament. The Chargers are a senior-laden club that will have to rely on experience to have a chance to win.

 

No. 3 North Side (16-13) at No. 2 Craigmont (14-10) (Region 7-AAA boys’ quarterfinal)

Time: 7 p.m.

Previous meetings: North Side won 86-84 in Mar. 2010

Players to watch: North Side post Larry Fuller; Criagmont’s Terique Brewster

Next opponent: Winner advances to play the Munford-Arlington winner

What to know: North Side is a team that has been on the verge of a big win all season. The Indians have played state-ranked Dyer County close in two of the three meetings and took the Choctaws to overtime in the district semifinals. This might be North Side’s chance to pick up that signature win to the season. North Side will have to limit mistakes and shoot the ball well to have a shot at reaching the region semifinals.

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