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The stage was set last Tuesday as East Rutherford visited and R-S Central for a county showdown on the hardwood. At the end of the night, the R-S Central boys and girls basketball teams were celebratory.
It was R-S Central's big three that outlasted East Rutherford's in a 63-59 Hilltopper victory. Josh Searcy (21 points/10 boards), Juwan Barnette (14 points) and Tyrese Tate (11 points) got the best of
Juwan Blanton (18 points), Tyrese Carson (24 points) and Malik Hamrick (2 points/15 rebounds). Central also got 10 blocks between Zyrion Wilkins and Arnie Twitty in the game.
R-S Central (11-4, 6-1) will go to Shelby for a huge game this Friday (1/15), then host Draughn (1/19) before going to Crest (1/22).
East Rutherford (6-6, 3-5) will host Kings Mountain in a big game on Friday (1/15) then has to go to East Burke (1/19) and Asheville Christian Academy (1/21).
On the ladies side, R-S Central (12-3, 7-0) broke away from an eight-point halftime lead and easily beat East Rutherford 71-44. Central held East to 20 second half points as Teja Twitty had 22 points and 20 rebounds in the win. Three other Central ladies were in double digits among scorers: Breyauna Lynch 14 points, Jada Logan 13 points and Aliyah Whiteside 12 points.
Chase Men's basketball (6-7, 2-4) continues to play well, but lost close games to East Burke and East Rutherford before finishing the week with a win at East Henderson. The one-two punch of point guard Preston Walker and center Zach Anderson make them interesting. Chase isn't far off. They have role players in Tyrece McSwain, Treston Abrams and Bruce Squires on the floor as well.
Chase will go to Burns (1/15), host Shelby (1/19) and visit Draughn (1/22).
On the Men's side at Thomas Jefferson (6-7,1-3), they have won two of just their last six. However, they are in a very tough 1A conference. Nick Mintz (21 ppg) and Jaylon Simmons (14 ppg) lead the way for the Gryphons. Thomas Jefferson's ladies won two of three games last week and move to 3-6, 2-2 on the season.
They host Community School of Davidson on Friday (1/15), visit Cherryville (1/19) and then come back to play at Cool Springs as they host Highland Tech (1/22).
On the NFL scene, I think these games will be tough to decipher. All eight teams left really have the potential to win it all. So far, I am 3-1 on playoff picks. The biggest triumph is knowing that Cincy wouldn't win. How they lost, I never saw coming.
Pittsburgh at Denver: Neither starting quarterback is completely healthy. I have a feeling Oswelier and Jones may see action. Peyton manning hasn't looked good all year and Big Ben may have a separated shoulder. So what do I trust? If Big Ben can't play, I trust Denver's defense and Osweiler if he has to relieve Manning. Denver 20-10.
Kansas City at New England: Kansas City is the hottest team in the league with 11 straight wins, but winning at New England in the playoffs is unlikely. I give credit to the Chiefs though, they take care of the ball, use the run game effectively and defensively can get after it. With Belichick, Brady and Gronk leading the Patriots at home, I can't pick against them. New England 30-20.
Green Bay at Arizona: This maybe the toughest game of all to pick. I picked against Green Bay last week because they haven't put together four quarters in a game all season. Normally, the Packers pick one quarter to play well in and down by two scores. That strategy may not work in the desert. Arizona's defense has been solid all year and their offense has scored over 23 points in all but four games.
I don't like going against Aaron Rodgers for the second week in a row, but I think Arizona gets it done, 27-23 Cardinals.
Seattle at Carolina: The Panthers have home field advantage and already beat Seattle once this season. Seattle is playing well, no doubt, but Carolina has been consistent all year long.
The Seahawks will have no option. Russell Wilson will have to beat the Panthers by throwing the football. Wilson is capable, but he doesn't have Marshawn Lynch or Jimmy Graham to rely on. Panthers...26-17.
