Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament

[AAUbingo]

1. Is Sparta's team chemistry so much better that it can offset the loss of two main varsity players? Are they better than last year??

2. Why are the Miller fans so vocally hard on their own coach? It was sad to hear coming from the crowd.

3. What has happened to Conway? They were a favorite at Fordland and now have fallen off the map basically.

4. Hollister is still scary in a one game scenario. If the attitudes are good and shots fall earlier they could be a problem for sure.

 

[Ftballfan16]

1. Is Sparta's team chemistry so much better that it can offset the loss of two main varsity players? Are they better than last year??

2. Why are the Miller fans so vocally hard on their own coach? It was sad to hear coming from the crowd.

3. What has happened to Conway? They were a favorite at Fordland and now have fallen off the map basically.

4. Hollister is still scary in a one game scenario. If the attitudes are good and shots fall earlier they could be a problem for sure.

1. No. Their chemistry might be better but at the end of the day it's about players. If you put both those players back on this team they would be right there with Strafford and Skyline.
2. Most Miller fans are happy with the new coach. There will always be a few fans that hate every coach. I'm sure there is some frustration with watching Miller struggle to score 40 points a game.
3. No idea on Conway. I just know expectations were high and they seem to be really struggling.
4. Scary for who? They did blow out a couple of not great class 2 schools in the tournament. That being said Class 4 is down in this area. They would have to beat Ava to win their district.

 

[AC100]

I saw that Miller team play as a traveling team at the Boys and Girls club in Joplin when the current senior girls were in 6th grade. They were up 40 points but 2 parents still were so obnoxious that the referees threw them out of the gym. The rest of the parents were obviously embarrassed by them. Could be the same parents lol.

 

[Razzy417]

1. Is Sparta's team chemistry so much better that it can offset the loss of two main varsity players? Are they better than last year??

2. Why are the Miller fans so vocally hard on their own coach? It was sad to hear coming from the crowd.

3. What has happened to Conway? They were a favorite at Fordland and now have fallen off the map basically.

4. Hollister is still scary in a one game scenario. If the attitudes are good and shots fall earlier they could be a problem for sure.

1. Sparta lost two players but gained one back in McMurray. She didn't play last year, but scored 17 ppg her freshman yr and around 10 her sophomore year. She's probably averaging 15-16 ppg at least. They have good depth and athleticism and played very well in this tournament.
2. Can't speak for the Miller fans other than they travel better than most any team in this area. Their road games are well attended. As a traditionalist who loves small town basketball and the whole aura surrounding it, I love to see that. It's a throwback to a different time kind of.
3. Conway looked downtrodden when I watched them at the WG tournament. I've talked to a couple of people I know there and there are some issues that have led to the lack of enthusiastic play that I watched, but not gonna say on here.
4. Hollister came into the Sparta game with momentum but obviously struggled with them and then lost to Ash Grove. The point guard played both of those games with a badly sprained ankle and was limited and a step slow, making it harder to break the press, penetrate, etc. Prior to those two games Hollister had no trouble breaking presses. Fair Grove took theirs off pretty quickly in the Hollister win over them. No they haven't played a tough schedule but they did beat FG and won the Crane tournament, which again isn't the most marquee tournament around but still a good confidence builder. They are still looking for consistency but the talent and experience is there.

And yes, Class 4 is down in SWMO. Ava looks like the best team and pretty sure that they still don't have one of their best players (if not the best period) back from injury. Seneca could be a dark horse in Class 4.

Girls basketball around SWMO seems crazier and more unpredictable than normal this season so far.

 

[TadQueasy]

And yes, Class 4 is down in SWMO. Ava looks like the best team and pretty sure that they still don't have one of their best players (if not the best period) back from injury. Seneca could be a dark horse in Class 4.

Girls basketball around SWMO seems crazier and more unpredictable than normal this season so far.

Ava is the clear favorite in that district. Would expect Willow and Hollister to be in the 2-3 seed area and one of them will battle Ava for the district title.