Surprises of 2009 and Expectations for 2010

[TheDog]

Let's use this thread to talk about teams that you have been surprised with or expect to make an impact in the new year.

[wolverine55]

Very surprised with SE. Even with Bruenger, I thought they'd be below average at best.

[guest07]

Saw Brown County over the holidays. They aren't "great", but they're much better than I thought they would be.

[TheDog]

IMO, Brown County is a very fun team to watch because they play so hard and hustle. Very undersized but athletic to make up for it.

[guest07]

IMO, Brown County is a very fun team to watch because they play so hard and hustle. Very undersized but s****py and athletic to make up for it.


Yup. I enjoyed watching them, as well..... for the reasons that you note. There's not quit in those boys!

[Vikingfan1]

Don't know if I should be surprised with all 3 county teams (WH, IW, and SE). Like Wolverine said, I didn't think SE would be as good as they are even with Bruenger. You just never knew about IW but after seeing them play in the Macomb tournament they are for real and will only get better as they get Ser Whitaker back and get more games played. As for WH, graduated all that height and really only returned two or three guys who got a lot of varsity experience last season, and yet they've came out with a 10-2 start and won the consolation bracket again at Macomb. Should make for a great Hancock County tournament!

[TheDog]

IW will be very dangerous once they get Ser back and have time gel a bit. The Carson kid will be able to play more within himself with another guard threat on the floor to work off of.

[broadcaster]

Good thread topic.... As I'm sure many of us did, I got to see a lot of teams over the holiday tournament season. Some thoughts...

Macomb - a very streaky team. They can probably beat nearly anyone in the area (on a good night), then again they can look pretty ugly at times too. They play defense consistent throughout a game, and have several players who can make shots from the outside. Very deep bench. Biggest weakness would have to be free throw shooting. They were very poor from the line at the holiday tournament. I look for them to play victim to QND in a regional title later this year. Tyler Thorman will be something special as a senior next season...and Seth Wickert looked phenominal tonight running the show against BPCA.

Pittsfield - when I saw them play BPCA in Macomb, I thought they were the best team I have seen all year......and then they lost to Macomb the next day. Great inside/outside combo led by Brad Hamilton, who is a lock for POY candidate in several media outlets. They play very good defense and are as fundamental as it gets. Come regional time, I wouldn't want to see these guys.

Illini West - solid team. Jacob Smudlach is a match-up nightmare for anyone, because he can shoot the 3, play face up/mid-range, and post up very well. These guys are very physical, deep, and play good defense. I think to be competitive in a loaded regional (QND, Macomb, WH) they will have to find more scoring options to depend on in a night in, night out basis. A trip to the Macomb Holiday semi's, with a near victory over Macomb, should have these guys on everyones radar.

West Hancock - a very fundamental team, as they always are. Several good shooters, but a very big lack of size and physicality. Seth Pinkston has developed into a very good PG, but lacks the physical strength right now to really take over a game. Ryan Runge is possibly the best 3 point sniper in the area, but doesn't have much of a game off the dribble. Mac Sclicner is their most complete player, and will be their horse next year, when I really think this team will peak. They can beat anyone on a hot night, but this is a team who is a year away from really being a threat to win a regional title.

BPCA - they really struggled in a stacked field at Western Hall. Played very hard again tonight in a tough game against Macomb. They are in a rebuilding period.


A regional featuring Macomb, QND, West Hancock, and Illini West is the toughest I've seen at the small school level, probably ever. Macomb, who will be the #2 seed, already lost by 26 to QND earlier this year. Gotta love the 4 class system right? :rolleyes: