Strong to take on Blevins
If there is one thing Strong has become accustomed to during the season, it's having long sabbaticals between games.
From Dec. 3 to Jan. 12, the Bulldogs played only one game.
But after a nine-game sprint over a three-week period that saw the Bulldogs go 6-3, Strong has sat idle since Feb. 11 due to the 8-1A not having a district tournament and last month's winter storm pushing the start of the regional tournament back a week.
Now the Bulldogs return with their season on the line, as Strong takes on Blevins in the 4-1A Regional Tournament with a berth in the state tournament at stake.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Emerson.
The Bulldogs (7-6) are the 8-1A's No. 3 seed and haven't played since falling at Dermott three weeks ago.
The Hornets (15-6) are the No. 2 seed from the 7-1A and are quite familiar with the 8-1A having played five games against league foes, posting a 3-2 record.
“They have some good guys. We have to be ready from a defensive standpoint to try and slow them down and do what we do, which is get out on the break and score some baskets,” Strong coach Champ Watson said.
The Hornets returned from a 12-day layoff last month and downed Mineral Springs in the district tournament before falling to Kirby to claim the No. 2 seed.
For Watson, guarding the perimeter will be crucial.
“Don't let the shooters shoot wide open,” Watson said. “We've got to contest the shots, but we also have to stop all dribble penetration. If we can do that, we'll be good. They're right there with us. We just have to stop them from what they're doing and basically worry about what we need to do. We can adjust accordingly to what they're trying to do.”
As far as the layoff is concerned, Watson said he had start over in several facets with his team.
“It's just like everyone else,” Watson said. “Everybody got hit by the snow storm, so we're all in the same boat. We can't use that as an excuse. I had to start over. Our mindsets were right. They were on a high. We had gotten that third seed,
and it pushed it back a little bit more. We're just doing the best we can. As a coach, I had to get them back in conditioning, go through some skill development.”
Watson said preparations have gone well, and that his team is ready to go.
“No concerns right now,” Watson said. “The only concerns I would have is if where their mindset is at on game day. Sometimes it's hard to read, but from a basketball standpoint, it's going pretty good.”
If the Bulldogs are to extend their season, Watson said his team must do two things.
“Take care of the ball and do your job on defense,” Watson said.