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We could possibly see a third East Rutherford/Freedom boys match up this Friday night, while R-S Central (21-1) is likely favored in the girls title game.
Last year, we all know that East Rutherford’s boys brought home the 2A state title last year. While they are not as deep this year compared to a year ago, they only have three losses this season and many think that they won’t be an easy out this year either. East has proven themselves again this season, so why not put some faith in the Cavs.
R-S Central is also playing some of its best basketball right now. Although, they have an average record, they took Shelby to overtime and avenged an earlier loss this season by beating Burns last week.
Over in Avondale, the boys of Thomas Jefferson looked primed for their first-ever hoops playoff berth in 1A. Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez and Efrim Borders have led the charge all season long.
There is a change by the NCHSAA with the format going back to the old 1-16 system. Right now, East should be a 1, 2, or 3 seed in the 2A west at worst. R-S Central could go from a 7 to a 12 in the 3A west.
Of course, you want that 8 seed or better because it ensures a first round home game.
Thomas Jefferson (14-9) is on the cusp on an 7 or 8 seed, but likely will see a 9, 10, or 11 as the third and final 1A team from the Western Highlands Conference.
As for the girls: R-S Central is in a battle for the No.1 overall seed in the 3A West. Hickory is the only team that could take it, leaving the other at a No.2 spot. East Rutherford, who beat Patton in the first round of the conference tourney on Monday, could see anywhere between a 6-11 seed in the 2A West.
While high school hoops playoffs are about to kick into gear, a 90-day layoff for NASCAR is about to end this weekend. Twenty-Five drivers take to Daytona for the Bud Shootout this Saturday (18th). The Daytona 500 follows the next Sunday (26th). Hopefully, after watching what goes on over the next week, I will be able to come up with a formula on how to pick a Daytona 500 winner and maybe I will share it with you.
And finally, the Duke-North Carolina rivalry continues to be one of the best. Both programs are title contenders in the national spotlight, but I think they got a glimpse of reality that they are beatable on any given night.
Duke, who is losing by 10 with less than three minutes to go, watches Carolina go haywire at the foul line after Duke hit a couple of big 3’s down the stretch. Up by two, with just second remaining, North Carolina chooses not to guard Duke’s Austin Rivers closely enough and Duke wins at the buzzer. Rivers had only hit five 3’s before knocking down the game-winner.
Not only was Carolina not defending three-point land, they sure aren’t helping themselves with just two overall 3’s in the last two games. However, on Saturday they allowed just three 3’s in a thrashing of a solid Virginia club. Maybe it’s lesson learned for the Tarheels.
As for Duke, a win like that could go a long way. They waxed Maryland the next game to prove that and many other results could follow as the regular season comes down the homestretch with the Blue Devils in the league lead for the moment.
