So the moment of truth has come. In Public School Girls High School basketball, we have O'Connor vs Schertz Clemens and Brennan vs Wagner tonight at UTSA in a double header.
Is this a surprise to anyone? The teams have been playing the best basketball all season especially down the stretch (last 2 months) and are in position to advance to the coveted Final 4, here in their own hometown.
Clemens has gone 14-2 since December 9, 2014. That is well over 2 months of playing basketball. And by the way, Clemens only losses have come to Wagner.
Wagner has gone 16-1 since mid December and have only one loss to the hands of Euless Trinity.
Brennan has gone 14-2 since mid December, with their only two losses to O'Connor.
O'Connor has gone 19-0 since early December and has not lost to any team in the Alamo City all season long.
Down the stretch, it was evident by their play that these 4 teams were going to rise to the top come playoff time.
You have 4 capable strong teams coming out on top, each with their own distinct way of playing the game.
O'Connor has to be the most underrated team in quite some time. They have quietly and efficiently been taking care of their opponents. Big Challenge in front of them tonight, no doubt. Clemens, of all the teams remaining, rely more on one player to get them going not just offensively but defensively as well. Thats a huge load to carry on ones shoulders. But if there is anyone that can do it, its Kyra Lambert. On O'Connor side of things, they have the players, guards Amber Vidal, Victoria Pena, Kasey Saldana, that can create havoc on defense and put up points on the offensive side. Team ball is their game. Moving the ball on offense is key.
COMPOSURE might play a pivotal part on the games outcome. It is a long game, which team is going to stay consistent the longest?
Brennan has been the deepest team inside and out all year long. They are going to need to utilize their overall team play to offset Wagner's Amber Ramirez amazing scoring spree. Wagner has more weapons like guard Kianna Williams that can turn out to be the difference. It's interesting how this plays out. Can Brennan control the boards on both sides of the court and can their guards play aggressive and hit outside shots? One advantage Brennan has, if one player is struggling, plenty of other players are capable of having huge nights. For Wagner, Amber Ramirez needs to do what Amber does, score.
And the beauty of all this, if all 4 teams played again tomorrow, totally different outcomes might occur. It's that wide open. Anything can happen. Anyone can step up. Nothing is set in stone!
In private School action, both Antonian and Incarnate Word go to College Station this weekend with high hopes to get to the Final 4 after it's all said and done.
Anonian Prep has gone an amazing 18-2 since early December. It's only two losses have come to the hands of Incarnate Word.
Incarnate Word has gone 12-2 since late December with one loss to Manvel, defending State Champ in highest classification from last year. They have an outside chance of getting to the State Finals because of stingy overall team defense and offense led by PG Alexia Torres and freshman Sophia Ramos. Add scorers Analisa Narro and Jenna Villarreal with feisty guards that can score as well in Brooke Orme and Analisa Hebert, the team has a fighters chance to do well.
Antonian is as deep as any team in the city. They have a talented shooting team with plenty of players in their roster that can hit it from down town. They also have a very stingy defense that can pose problems with teams that are not familiar with their style or that don't have many ball handlers.
Is it any surprise that all above 6 mentioned teams are still alive? They have been playing some good basketball especially down the stretch.
At this point you don't need Rankings to bolster how good your team is, you team just needs to Win!
Don't blame the refs, don't blame the ball, don't blame one play.
Make your layups, make your free throws, take care of the ball, take good shots, control the boards etc..
On the hand........ sometimes, just sometimes, its just better to be lucky than good!
GO SUPPORT GIRLS BASKETBALL!!!!
