Region 3 Final Four

Cy Falls and Clear Springs are the best teams on paper in Region 3, if you can offer me reasons why that statement is incorrect, please do so before the games are played. Saying North Shore and Elsik are underdogs would be an understatement to say the least however at this point anything is possible, I have seen that first hand so many times and although a team might be the best on paper, the game is played on the court. Here is a breakdown on the semifinal games and why each team will win

NORTH SHORE VS CY FALLS

North Shore wins if Courtney Williams continues to play like she’s the best player in the area and they get offense from somewhere else. Karina Williams scored 16 points in their win over Hightower and Adriiana Jackson continues to handle the pressure, her job at running the point as freshman speaks volumes as they have reached this point and many, including me, didn’t see this happening without Monique Bedford

Cy Falls wins if Sadalia Ellis sets the tone early and Carol Willie finishes strong under the basket. Loryn Goodwin is going to get hers no matter what and if the three ball is falling for Kit Metoyer and Shernise Robertson, this game could get ugly. Cy Falls was the best team in the area last season, North Shore was close behind and beat them in the semifinals and I’m sure the Eagles remember

 

ELSIK VS CLEAR SPRINGS

Elsik wins if they handle the press and their role players play as big as they have so far in the playoffs.  If they don’t slow the game down, they will probably need at least 50 points from their “Big Three” of Jasmine Ocanas, Crystal Porter and Akunna Elonu because Springs is going to push it. Elonu and Porter won’t be stopped in the paint and if Ocanas and the role players nail some outside shots early, this could be an interesting game

Clear Springs wins if Brooke McCarty, like Sadalia Ellis, sets the tone early. Kaylin Roher has established herself as a legitimate offensive threat and Springs has weapons galore that can score from all positions and whether it’s Courtney Latham, Aaliyah Brown or McCarty putting up numbers, if one of them falls off Jo Lira has come through. Elsik surprised them and everyone else last season and like Cy Falls, Clear Springs remembers. If their press is working and their players are clicking, this game could also get out of hand in a hurry

 

Last season I figured it would be a Falls vs Springs match-up, that’s after Springs upset Hightower but once again at this point, it’s about who wants in the most. Making the Final 4 is a major accomplishment, especially when you research and find over 80% of the teams have never made it this far. Good luck to everyone across the state and may the best teams win