The other 3A Regional game features two highly ranked teams, great individual players, and one of the most experienced and highly regarded coaches in the state. The Delta Eagles are having a great year, currently ranked number thirteen in the 3A polls. Rochester has one of the best guards in the class in Bruce Grimm Jr. and are currently rated as the seventh best squad in the class. Let's go deep with the Eagles to begin.
Delta Eagles
Coach: Paul Keller, an Indiana coaching legend, led Delta to a 22-4 mark this season, which is his seventeenth year with the Eagles. In that time, he is 271-129, with five sectionals, three regionals, two semi-states, and two State Championships, one in 1997 and one in 2002. Overall, Keller is in his 24th year as a head coach, amassing an impressive 357-192 record.
Scoring Averages: The Eagles score 60.0 points per game and allow only 45.0 points against.
Losses: at Muncie South (3A) 69-62, at Monroe Central (1A) 55-53, at Muncie Central (4A) 57-51, at Mt. Vernon (3A) 56-52 in 2OT.
Roster: No season stats were available for the Eagles. They are led by a great back court of Skylar Case, who scored 40 points between their two regional games, and Greg Heban, who had 23 points in the regional semifinal. They are both experienced seniors. Seth Smoot, a 6'3 senior, also had 10 points in the regional finals. Other contributors include seniors Dane Humphrey (6'4) and Josh Farmer, juniors Logan Young (6'4), Tanner Wehlage, and Jake Smedley, and sophomore Jake Bryan (6'3).
Strengths: Guard play is a big plus for Delta. Case and Heban are both great with the ball, good shooters, and overall scoring threats. They have above average size, with four kids at 6'3 or taller, led by seniors Smoot and Humphrey. They are also a stellar defensive team, allowing only 45 points a game, so they can rely on that when their shots are not falling. They are experienced and determined, feeling they were given a raw deal last season against Harding. They also have a fantastic coach who has a wealth of game experience and savvy to draw upon.
Weaknesses: Scoring the ball. Outside of Case and Heban, the Eagles do not really have a consistent third scoring option. Also, they may not have someone who will be able to keep up with the Zebras star Bruce Grimm Jr.
Rochester Zebras
Coach: Rob Malchow led Rochester to a stellar mark of 22-3 in his seventh year as their coach. Overall, Malchow has a 106-56 record in that span, winning four sectionals and this years' regional.
Scoring Averages: The Zebras score 68.4 points a game while allowing only 46.5 points against, nearly a 22-point disparity.
Losses: at Warsaw (4A) 72-60, at Whitko (3A) 76-73, at Peru (3A) 63-56.
Roster: by scoring average, with notable stats.
Bruce Grimm Jr. 6'0 Sr- 26.9 points, 5.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 76% FT, 55/148 from three (37%)
Brody Schoen 6'1 Sr- 12.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 77% FT, 39/104 from three (38%)
Colt Meadows 5'10 Jr- 8.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 23/66 from three (35%)
Evan Hoff 6'0 Soph- 8.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 88% FT, 43/112 from three (38%)
Austin Lowe 5'11 Sr- 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.5 steals
Marc Bower 6'3 Jr- 4.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals
Collin Harris 6'3 Soph- 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds
Nate Bacham 5'11 Soph- 2.2 point, 1.5 rebounds
Strengths: Grimm, and East Tennessee State recruit, is a scoring machine, but is not one dimensional. He is lightning-quick, able to penetrate and break down defenses to create for his teammates (nearly six assists per game). They are also a superb three point shooting team. On the year, they are 167 for 455, which is 37% as a team, a fantastic clip from deep.
Weaknesses: Size will be an issue for the Zebras. As good as their guard play is, their interior play is not quite up to par. Grimm can score in a variety of ways, and he'll have to since the Eagles have much bigger players on average. The only Zebras at 6'3 are Bowers and Harris, and they combine for just eight points and a smidge over six boards a game. Also, the Zebras don't have the recent experience of Delta, losing last year in sectional play.
P-Hoops Prediction: I really think it comes down to how well Grimm has been playing. During their postseason run, he is averaging 31.2 points per game, including a 45-point outburst against Mishawaka Marian and a 36-point effort against Griffith. I just don't think Delta has an answer for him, therefore the Zebras will advance and meet the Princeton Tigers in the 3A State Final!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Semi-State Match-ups: Delta versus Rochester
Posted by p-hoops at 9:59 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
I'm glad you realize how unique of a player Bruce really is. For him to not receive any attention in the race for Indiana Mr. Basketball is absolutely ridiculous. When was the last time someone with numbers like you just mentioned didn't have a legit shot at winning this coveted award? My educated guess is never; mostly because you would be hard-pressed to find someone throughout IHSAA history who even put up those numbers. Most people would try to make the argument that he plays against sub-par competition coming from a small town in northern Indiana. Unfortunately for those arguments, Grimm has averaged over 30 points a game in the tournament so far; a tournament that requires you to play against tough competition in order to make it to the Final 4 in Class 3A. Like many players from small towns or small schools can relate to, Grimm simply didn't receive the credit he deserved this year. For any of you readers out there who has the chance to go watch him play this Saturday in Lawfayette, I strongly encourage you to do so. He is one of the, if not THE best players in the state and he is sure to put on a show!
Post a Comment