Francis Howell and La Follette get the Ws

Took in a pair of games in the last two days. Monday night I happened to be down in Missouri visiting my brother so we went over to watch the high school he teaches at to catch a game. He teaches at Francis Howell a team that has only lost two games and are ranked in the top 10 teams in the biggest division in Missouri.

Franics Howell 67 Holt 42 
It was fairly obvious from the get go that Howell was a much better team but, took their time blowing Holt out late. It was senior night for Howell so they started their five seniors which I always love to see on senior night. The other big thing was that Missouri still plays the four quarters. I have to say I prefer the two halves of Wisconsin much more as far as a fans prospective. Four quarters allows you to play your starters more minutes and subbing not needing as much. It didn't come into play in this game but, also gives teams two more chances to hold the ball waiting for the last shot of the quarter.

You could almost tell that Howell knew they were the better team as they just looked to jump the passing lanes which led to numerous fast break buckets for Howell and wide open lay ups for Holt. Howell's lack of defense also led to numerous open three point looks for Holt who was able to hit those shots early on. At the half Howell was up 33 to 26. In the second half Holt stopped hitting the threes and those long rebounds led to run outs by Howell. Howell's side was just too much for Hoyt as 6'9 sophomore Sam Thompson controlled the glass and 5'8 senior Daylan Dalton was able to get out and run and lead the team in scoring. Dalton used his quickness just beat the defenders down the court and he was able to hit the spot up threes. For Holt there top guy was 6'2 senior Aaron Henrich who was able to find himself open for three time and time again where he was one of the few guys that could consistently hit the outside shot. I'll be honest that I didn't pay as close attention to this game as I could of so don't have the most detail on the game.

Madison LaFollette 62 Sun Prairie 61
Really a fun game to watch that came right down to the end. Very contrasting teams as Sun Prairie looked to use their size while LaFollette tried to use their quickness. I would say that LaFollette controlled the tempo for much of the game which at times actually helped Sun Prairie. Early on as the game got a little ragged LaFollette was able to hit the three point shots led by 6'1 junior Ben Probst as their usual star 5'9 senior Donneil Gray who just couldn't get things going offensively. On the other side Sun Prairie really looked to pound it inside to their trio of 6'5 senior big men in Brock and Alex Voigt and Cooper Nelson. Alex Voigt is pretty strong in the post while brother Brock is better facing the hoop and loves to get the ball in the high post and go to work. A pair of fast break dunks by Brock Voigt carried Sun Prairie early on as well as a pair of threes from 6'0 senior Anfernee Auston. For LaFollette it was really a team game as nearly everyone that played scored in the game.

For Sun Prairie it was great to see 6'0 junior Colin Schaefer play. This was the first game that I had seen Schaefer play all year due to injury. Schaefer looked a little slower and his shot is way off but, he still brings a lot to the game and helps out Sun Prairie. A foul and technical on LaFollette senior 6'1 Troy Reeves game Sun Prairie a six point swing and tied the game up late and both teams battled it out. A drive and score by 6'0 junior Derrick Gray gave LaFollette a one point lead but, then Sun Prairie came back do and gave it to Brock Voigt who drove from the free throw line to score and give Sun Prairie the one point lead. With six seconds left LaFollette looked to Donneil Gray who was doubled teamed so ended up going to Derrick Gray and as he made his move to the hoop was fouled. Gray made both free throws to give LaFollette the win. The foul was very questionable and obviously angered Sun Prairie immensely as well as the coaching staff. I personally wouldn't of called the foul but, maybe it was. Either way it was a very unsatisfying way to end the game.