#3 Pickerington North (15-1,9-1) @ #1 Reynoldsburg (16-0,10-0)

[spurs50_21]

Lets get the ************** started. Should be a packed house on Summit Road.

[TangyOrangeMan]

Just to correct my friend spurs on the thread title... Pick North is #2.

Actually they dip to #3 this week. Uniontown Lake is #2

1. Reynoldsburg
2. Uniontown Lake
3. PN
4. Midpark
5. Twinsburg
6. Princeton
7. Orange
8. Springboro
9. McKinley
10 Fairmont

Link: http://varsity.limaohio.com/articles/school-8028-girls-high.html

Any way you slice it 3Dog - I would love to see that game - to bad its not on ONN and I could DVR it.

HEY JJ... any chance you could get this one on the air?????????

[spurs50_21]

Not sure why PN slipped to 3. Lake is undefeated though.

[rawtalent]

Should be another great defensive game.Remember varsity starts at 6pm,and boys team at 730.

[gdtrfb]

The panthers seemed to have their hands full last night with Pick Central. Won by five, but close throughout the fourth quarter. Margin of victory was at the charity stripe with time running out. Seems I remember North beating Central by close to 50 points earlier in the season.

[3dognites]

No predictions on outcome, but just some evaluation of what both teams need to do. While both teams have about 6 offensive threats and have had great balance to their scoring all year, both have had to rely of a couple veterans the last couple weeks (seniors Taylor Jones and Jaila Kee-Bryant for PHS-N, and senior Aliyah Zantt and junior Destini Cooper-a 3rd year starter for Reynoldsburg). Each team will need to shut down whoever is hot for the opponent and return to the good balance to come out on top.

[0ldschool32]

No predictions on outcome, but just some evaluation of what both teams need to do. While both teams have about 6 offensive threats and have had great balance to their scoring all year, both have had to rely of a couple veterans the last couple weeks (seniors Taylor Jones and Jaila Kee-Bryant for PHS-N, and senior Aliyah Zantt and junior Destini Cooper-a 3rd year starter for Reynoldsburg). Each team will need to shut down whoever is hot for the opponent and return to the good balance to come out on top.

Could be wrong, but I see a clear separation between these two teams.

Reynoldsburg has too much size, athleticism, and skills in the Post and that will be the difference in the end.

Reynoldsburg can match PN at the Guard spot and can get up and down the court at least equally well. This will lead to many half court possessions and the stronger inside play of Reynoldsburg will lead to more easy baskets for the burg, and not enough for PN.

I could see this outcome potentially over 10 points in the burg's favor if all else plays to the norm. I am never one to discount the magic that coach Butcher can bring into a one game contest, but he will have his hands full and then some trying to match up especially on the inside with this match-up.

I could see a 55-45 score in favor of Reynoldsburg.

[centerback]

I will take Purtell over the tool at Pick North anytime.

[AF MSGT]

Old- If you have watched the last 3 games PN has not been beat down low last game last year north held Rice to 0, and I think Cooper had 4. On Dec 16 they held Rice to 5 and cooper had 10. Cooper got 3 quick baskets the beginning of the scond half. It's the guards every game someome for RHS steps up and goes for 20 or more. and it.s not because they double down low. They do have back side help. Not saying Rice and Cooper doesn't give them problems, it seems the guards kill them

[3dognites]

First of all, to centerback...Despite the great rivalry, I would not call Coach Butcher a tool, and I'm sure Coach Purtell agrees. He is one of the best and most successful coaches ever in Ohio girl's high school basketball. We also get along well off the court despite the great desire to win on it.

AF MSGT... You mention the last 3 games, but then only give stats from the last 2. Your stats are correct except for the last game last year when Cooper had 13, not 4.

[AF MSGT]

Sorry, I was going off the top of my head. Your probably right.

[rawtalent]

Not to mention that pic north was shooting 3pters in the 1st half and doing what they wanted in the 1st game,but reynoldsburg took that away in the 2nd half..I see the score being in the 40s,the raiders need to play to win and not be scared of losing 1st game which might very well happen.
If reynoldsburg wins they can about wrap up the occ title,other wise a 2 way tie for 1st should be great game.
Not to mention I only think two or three teams has scored over 40 points on them so far this year.

[rawtalent]

I wonder why coach purtell still had all 5 starters in the game against newark with one minute left and up 15,i guess keeping them sharp, but if someone got injured then I dont think that would of looked so good.

[3dognites]

First, one key reserve wasn't even dressed. Secondly, the way Newark hit a few quick 3s in the 3rd quarter (and the fact THEIR starters were also still in) made a quick turnaround possible. Maybe you should also ask the Grove City (among others) a similar question about their games with Pick-North (some interesting stories considering the ability of the losing team to come from behind).

[centerback]

[QUOTE=3dognites;5253582]First of all, to centerback...Despite the great rivalry, I would not call Coach Butcher a tool, and I'm sure Coach Purtell agrees. He is one of the best and most successful coaches ever in Ohio girl's high school basketball. We also get along well off the court despite the great desire to win on it.

In my experience watching Coach Butcher and seeing him scream and yell at his players, and I mean scream to where you can hear what he says while there is music playing seems to be a bit much. I don't think I have ever seen Coach Purtell scream at his players. I agree that Butcher is one of the most sucessful coaches in girls hoops, but that doesn't mean that his players like him, but play due to the sucess of the program. It's always amazing how good coaches are when the have good talent. Send him to a program that struggles year in and year out and see if he improves them. I'm shocked that people or parents don't complain about him.

[AF MSGT]

I am new to girls basketball. but, I have done my homework. I thought the same way as centerback until I heard the actual numbers and have talked to some past players. Is he over the top? maybe but he is successful. I believe I heard that he has 11 girls playing at the next level with three more heading there next year. The girls actually do like him he is tough game time. These young ladies actually cry on their last home game whilie hugging the coach. They all come back to any function he has and help to develop the younger girls. I would say they like him.

[rawtalent]

[QUOTE=3dognites;5253582]First of all, to centerback...Despite the great rivalry, I would not call Coach Butcher a tool, and I'm sure Coach Purtell agrees. He is one of the best and most successful coaches ever in Ohio girl's high school basketball. We also get along well off the court despite the great desire to win on it.

In my experience watching Coach Butcher and seeing him scream and yell at his players, and I mean scream to where you can hear what he says while there is music playing seems to be a bit much. I don't think I have ever seen Coach Purtell scream at his players. I agree that Butcher is one of the most sucessful coaches in girls hoops, but that doesn't mean that his players like him, but play due to the sucess of the program. It's always amazing how good coaches are when the have good talent. Send him to a program that struggles year in and year out and see if he improves them. I'm shocked that people or parents don't complain about him.

Im sure the players like playing for him or they would transfer out.

[spurs50_21]

Final
Reynoldsburg 40
Pickerington North 32

[centerback]

[QUOTE=centerback;5253875]

Im sure the players like playing for him or they would transfer out.

It isn't college where you can just pick up and change schools, you actually have to spend money and move. The kid might not have any choice if they want to stay or leave.

[rawtalent]

The raiders played geat defense tonight,and pic north couldnt find very many open shots in the 2nd half.One player for each team went out with a injury,but overall the refs lets them play, a good physical game.

[spurs50_21]

Jenkins injury was just cramps. She will be fine. She played, as usual every minute of the game to that point. Always scary when we see her in pain cuz she is prolly the MVP of this raider team. Without her they are in a world of hurt.

[raidermom31/24]

Congratulations Lady Raiders!!! We're all so proud of you!!!

[3dognites]

Best wishes to the Panthers sophomore post Jessie Wachtman who suffered a broken collarbone in a scramble for a loose ball and is out for the season. Hit the weights, grow stronger, and we look forward to seeing you back next year.

[3dognites]

AF MSGT. I agree with your comments about Coach Butcher and his players, and the same is true of BOTH of these coaches. Their progarms develop and make their players better and give them great opportunities. This year is a prime example. Pick North lost 10 (yes, 10) players from last year's team, 7 who graduated and 3 others who decided to concentrate on other activities. They have no true post players, yet here they are. They've beaten a team from Illinois, one from Tennessee, 10th ranked Kettering Fairmont (who beat Orange by 17) Gahanna, Newark, Upper Arlington, and Watterson, among others. The team they played last night is the only one they haven't beaten, yet they've managed to hang tough in both games. The comments in the paper by the coaches and players from both teams show the great mutual respect, which is well-deserved on both sides.

[rawtalent]

A true act of class by both coaches,players,and fans after the game.no real celebrating by the raiders just shook hands and went back to locker room.