QND at Pittsfield

[fanofthegame]

What does everyone think? I haven't seen the Saukees in person this year, but Duerr and the AP seem to think they are the favorites. I can't wait until wednesday.

[Titanfan89]

Hmmm, hard to pick against the Saukees at home. Pittsfield has the ball handlers to deal with the QND pressure, a decent but not outstanding inside presence, just don't know if the Saukees have the athleticism to play with the Raiders. If Pittsfield is hitting shots, they will be in the game. Going to get interesting to see what kind of defense Tomhave comes out with, maybe trying to slow the Raiders or if he will want to try to go toe to toe with them.

[CHUCK26]

Well, I can guarantee you that Pittsfield will play a man-to-man....no zone in Saukeeville. This will be the toughest game Pittsfield will play this year in the regular season. Pittsfield has a 22 game win streak in the regular season at Voshall. If QND comes out early and gets out to a 10-12 point lead, it will be over early. If not, I think it will be a game.

[Vikingfan1]

Even though it is at Pittsfield, I'll take QND by 12 or14 points, I just think they are that good.

[guest07]

Just judging by the common opponent, QND beat Macomb by about 25 at Macomb. Pittsfield lost to them on a neutral floor. I'll be real surprised if Pittsfield can hang with QND.

[TDogg11]

LOL guest, Never a nuetral floor when Macomb plays at WIU. I'm usually the last one to call for a homer but I was at that game and the Saukees got homered.

Dogg :D

[fanofthegame]

Voshall is a tough place to play in, but it is an environment that QND has been ready for over the years. I think the Raiders have won something like 8 straight matchups at Voshall and something like 15 of 16 overall in this series. I think it will be a dog fight like always, but I'll be really surprised if QND doesn't come away with a win. Especially coming off of a loss on Saturday I'd like to think they will be more than ready to go.

[guest07]

LOL guest, Never a nuetral floor when Macomb plays at WIU. I'm usually the last one to call for a homer but I was at that game and the Saukees got homered.

Dogg :D

I was there as well. I think it's pretty hard to make a case that Pittsfield got homered. Pittsfield was whistled for 20 fouls, Macomb for 22. Regardless, I don't think they got homered out of 25 points, which I think was the margin in the QND game.

[TDogg11]

Im not arguing the QND-Macomb score Guest, Im talking two blatant travels that were not whistled that everyone including the Macomb fans that surrounded me saw and an elbow to the mug of a pittsfield player that split the kid open. All plays on which Macomb converted points on. I don't have a dog in the fight but dont kid yourself, the Bombers are usually the recipients of some good ol home cooking in the tournament.

[bballjunkie1]

I agree with Chuck, Pfield has to keep it within 4 to 6 points in the first qtr. If you let QND get going, they will bury you. I dont think that Pfield has the ball handlers to handle the pressure. I look for QND to win by at 15, wont be shocked if it is in the mid 20s. If this game was at the pit I would take QND by 25 for sure. I have watched both teams play on more than once, and I just dont see Pfield being able to keep up. But that is why they play the game.

[German/Irish_67_9]

QND easily.. not really going to argue my case on this one.. Pittsfield can't run with QND, niether could Macomb.. sorry tdogg..

Side note- QND plays in harsh environments all the time.. Vohsall is tough but nothing the Raiders can't handle.. with ease..

QND 68
Pittsfield 50

[TDogg11]

Don't be sorry man, Like I said I dont have a dog in this fight. It's just been a while since Guest and I have had a debate. :o

Dogg :D

[bballjunkie1]

QND easily.. not really going to argue my case on this one.. Pittsfield can't run with QND, niether could Macomb.. sorry tdogg..

Side note- QND plays in harsh environments all the time.. Vohsall is tough but nothing the Raiders can't handle.. with ease..

QND 68
Pittsfield 50

I agree with you german. I just dont see how Pfield can keep up. Voshall is not like it use to be, although for this game it probably will be packed for the first time in a few years. I am not sure if Pfield will even score 50 in this game. QND 63 Pfield 44

On a side note, I also think that this matchup has lost some luster over the past 5-7 years. This use to be the best game in the area. I dont know if it is because QND jumped up a class the last few years, or PField got out of the Tip off or what, but I can remember in the 90s and early 2000s this was always a top matchup. Maybe it is that Pfield fell off so far a few years ago. I dont really know. Any thoughts on why it is not what it use to be. One down fall for QND could be that they might not be up for this game like in years past, they play such a high profile schedule that Pfield might not get the players attention like it use to. Maybe with Pfield being ranked 9th will help QND.

[fanofthegame]

I think you are right about this matchup not being the same junkie. I am an 07 QND grad and it just wasn't the same rivalry for me and my classmates as it was to previous years. I'm not sure my numbers are 100% correct in my earlier post, but in recent years QND has really had Pittsfield's number. At least in my eyes, Macomb is a bigger rivalry now. I won't go so far to say QND will win this game easily though. If you go back and look at the scores, Pittsfield has made some games very interesting when QND was more talented. For instance, Shawn Emericks senior year QND won by 35 in the tip off tourney but only managed a 3 point win at Voshall.

[broadcaster]

I like QND to win, but easliy? I dont know. The first time I saw Pittsfield I thought they were the best team I have seen this year. They did lose to macomb, who QND blew away on the road...but they were undefeated and to my knowledge haven't lost since. Pittsfield is a very good team, playing at home, and you can bet this is a game they have had circled on their calendar. I think this will end up a single digit, close game.

[allstarwannabe]

I just don't think Pittsfield has the quality depth to beat QND. I'm taking QND by 12.

[Titanfan89]

Don't be sorry man, Like I said I dont have a dog in this fight. It's just been a while since Guest and I have had a debate. :o

Dogg :D

Play on playas:-)

[German/Irish_67_9]

I have to agree junkie and fan.. I'd way rather go see a QND/U-High game, QND/Manual, QND/PND, QND/Whitfield game anyday over a QND/pfield game or even macomb anymore.. not the same i agree..

[radiowaves]

Stay home and miss this one than. You are right, Pittsfield /QND game not the same. Pittsfield is no longer able to compete, QND is just so much better that I won't even be there. Oh yeah, it is because I have to be in Winchester, but the boys will be there. Please all Raider fans stay home, so you won't be board in our little old farm shed we call a gym. It is not even close to the Pit, so why bother. Oh yeah, saukee fans fill it up fast and surround the floor with red and black. Students turn it loose and make some noise. And team and coaches, showthe Raider fans that when they stay home, they miss a program with one of the best winning percentages in IHSA history. The Saukees can play loose, they have nothing to lose, because as we have read, they have no chance of winning. And we had it circled on the calender on the 9th, and the Raiders had another game, they lost.Go Saukees , at least we know Mugsy will not ref the game and the horn willnot blow during free throws, and the PA guy willnot scream in the mike.

[touch it to feel it]

I'm a Qnd fan and have been to about 7 of their games and have not seen Pittsfield play, but I agree that if Qnd jumps out to a quick lead the game could be over quickly.Most of the games I saw this year were against teams in this area and the beginning of the games started the same with Qnd's pressure being to much for the other teams guards to handle the ball and resulting into turnovers and easy points. I hope this is what happens, but i think Pfield will be ready at their place and it will be a closer game. I'm still all about this rivalry and can't wait to go to this game!

[radiowaves]

You are a good fan, understand I like the rivalry, but hope it is called loose and gets very physical, with neither in foul trouble. You will enjoy watching the Roig kid play defense, he is a nightmare player, headache in a uniform. Hamilton is super tough, Cawthon can be tough if on, Wassell is strong. others know rolls, Tomhave and Douglas can flat coach. I know Raiders are really good. It is good game for both.

[bballjunkie1]

I dont have rooting interest in either team. My opinions are just that, opinions. I have watched both teams play more than one game. My guess of QND winning by close to 20 is just a guess. I have watched pfields guards struggle from time to time with some pressure of a press. I remember Walters from CP eating Cawthon up in the second qtr to the point where he just went down the court and had someone else bring it up. I have also watched Cawthon handle the ball nicely and hit huge 3 after huge 3. My guess is QNDs pressure will get to him enough that he coughs it up to much. For pfield to keep it close and to win, I think Hamilton will have to help bring it up more than usual. Will this wear him down? If not, then Pfield will keep it close. My guess is that QND will not let Hamilton score enough to keep it close. Just my guess. I agree that the refs have to let them play if not, QND has more depth if foul trouble comes into play.
I think the gym will be packed to the rafters and the intensity will be what it was 5-7 years ago. Maybe this is the type of matchup this rivalry is looking for. Maybe it will bring the luster back.

[PhotoGuy]

I predict Pittsfield by 8.

[bballjunkie1]

I predict Pittsfield by 8.

I will take QND and the points. Whats the bet?

[German/Irish_67_9]

waves i'm hope i'm not construed as a horrible fan for my comment. I never said i wouldnt be in attendence.. but i won't.(never see me out b/c i live in my workplace) Either way i've seen every pfield/qnd game since i can remember and i was just making a point (from my perspective) that anymore i'd rather pay to see QND play a higher caliber program. just like a lot of folks in the area would rather pay money to see their school compete against QND. Am i right.. i don't know thats just how i viewed it.

Still got QND 18+
up by 25+ at half

[fanofthegame]

I'll be in attendance just like I have been every time they've gone to Voshall since I was in 4th or 5th grade. It's a big game. It just isn't THE game anymore. At least no from QND's side. Sorry, but a win over Peoria Manual, Springfield, Jeff City Helias etc is going to do more for a teams confidence. If acknowledging that means Im hating on the farm boys from Pittsfield...well then call me a hater. Pittsfield will be ready, QND will be ready and you can bet the refs will let them play. They always do when QND comes to town. Ill take QND in the "upset" by 12.

[radiowaves]

You guys are the best. Here is a point of thought. It is not as big because once the IHSA forced QND to play against the next class of kids, they did not sit around and feel sorry for themsleves, they scheduled games with bigger schools and tough teams to prepare. With the regional win last year, it show it paid off. Here is another thought, sometimes playing the bigger teams is easier toprepare for, because it takes little to get your team focused. They might have a chance of looking beyond a team they so not have a fear for. And that is when it will get ya. Fear none, respect them all, and play your hardest. Any time the Raiders and the Saukees square off in anything, it is going to be worth the price of the ticket, by the way all QND fans will be given special tickets for the low price of $50 each, just trying to keep up, ya know!lol......I only wish I could be there and in Winchester at the same time, but it will be good for my blood pressure to see the WIT. Good luck Raiders, and in the truthfulness I can mustered, I hope you lose. And then win all of your other games. When does Coach Douglas tribe start playing on the varsity?

[nobody]

Some Pittsfield fans realize this is not THE big game for QND, others do not.

How long has it been since Pittsfield could compete with QND in any sport on a yearly basis?

Hopefully Coach Tomhave can keep upgrading the schedule and get the progarm back to where it once was.

Next 5 games will tell alot: QND, Jerseyville, Alton, Cahokia & Decatur Eisenhower.

[German/Irish_67_9]

QND won't be overlooking P'field.. The Saukees are ranked. And being a former Raider i have to say (with all good intentions) that when the Saukees are ranked ahead of you its time to settle the numbers. That won't fly at 10th and Jackson

[Stealth]

It might not have been the game it used to be, but it is still a pleasure going in to Voshall and playing ball. I think both teams have talent and it will be a tough gritty game like it always is. Low scoring with many mistakes and runs thats the way it is in this game. Im worried about the continuing trend for QND of being very inconsistent within the game. Should be a fun one...It's starting now!!!!

[Stealth]

I go for a QND win though :p

[saukeefan]

Pittsfield leads 26-20 at half over QND

[Titanfan89]

Hmmmmmm, sounds like a defensive slugfest.

[PhotoGuy]

QND leads by 1, 38-37, at the end of 3.

Listening to the game on WBBA:

WBBA (click the big red button) (http://www.wbbaradio.com/wbba_demo_home_page/Live_on_Net.html)

[Titanfan89]

Wow, I have listened for the 4th quarter and it sounds like a playoff atmosphere in there. What a game.

[PhotoGuy]

Yeah... 18.8 seconds left, 2 point QND lead.

Good call by the announcers...

[PhotoGuy]

QND wins by hitting their free throws at the end... final score 50-48.

[Titanfan89]

What happened to Pittsfield in the 3rd quarter? It sounds like that is what cost them, they couldn't hold their advantage in the 3rd quarter.

[guest07]

And hope springs eternal for those teams who are stuck in QND's regional. Maybe one of those teams actually can knock them off after all!

[PhotoGuy]

I only caught the fourth quarter... I was out riding the exercise bike.

Great interview after the game with coach Tomhave...

[Titanfan89]

There is hope, but this was also played at Voshall, not a neutral site. It is going to take one heck of a defensive effort to do it and you have to have just enough offense to do it as well.

[CHUCK26]

Just got back from calling this one....thanks for the praises on the broadcast PhotoGuy, hope people enjoyed it.

Now about the game. First, it wasn't a 25 point game. Actually, for a while, I was hoping one team would score 25 points. Rakers scored 19 in the second half which sealed the game for the Raiders. Hamilton had 21 points for the Saukees, Wassell had 15 points and 15 boards. Pittsfield had a shot to tie it put never got a clean look. Heartbreaker for the Saukees who are not looking for moral victories. Hope to see another matchup at Petersburg this year.

Saukees have a tought next 4 games: Jerseyville, Alton, Cahokia, and Decatur Eisenhower....should be fun!

[bballjunkie1]

I think I more than swung and missed with my guess of the game.

Some of my thoughts:
First, Pfield controlled pretty much the entire game. They had a great game plan and the players did a great job of doing what they were told. Hamilton had a good game and Wassel had a heck of a game. He plays like that then I am a believer in Pfield being able to make a run come post season. The defense caused QND to struggle shooting, which comes as no shock. Got to be tough for PField to outplay them and then come up a bit short. Hopefully they get some Ws in Jerseyville.
Second, Qnd looked a little sluggish to start the game. If not for Rakers in the second half I dont think there is any chance they come back and win. QND missed some open layups the first half, and missed a ton of freethrows the entire game. Do you have the final of their freethrow count? I could see a team beating QND in regionals if you can control the game with good guards and QND misses freethrow s like they did tonight. I will not be shocked in the least if WH gives them all they want. Or even IW. Maybe they had an off day, but they did not look impressive as they did earlier in the year. I will give the Saukees a lot of the credit for that. One question I would have, why didnt QND use their press? They had more a token press for the game. I would guess it was Douglass thinking Pfield would break it to easy. Just kinda shocked we didnt see it.

[CHUCK26]

QND was something like 11-21 from the FT line....Pittsfield was 11-16. QND's shooting in the first half was not good, but a lot of that was indeed due to the Saukee D. I also don't understand why QND didn't press more. This would have worn Pittsfield's guys down and taken their legs away when they were on defense. I think Pittsfield proved that they are just as deep as QND and that they can play with anyone in this area. They just need to learn to win games like these.

[saukeefan]

Heck of a game. Was very much a defensive battle by both teams. Not many open looks on the night. Very clean game with only about 22 turnovers between the 2 teams. Was definately not the 25 point game that many thought it could be. I don't see these 2 teams playing and either team ever winning/losing by 25 no matter where it is played. QND has good depth but I think Pittsfield proved so do they. Was a very fun game to broadcast, the only thing that would have made it better was a W for the Saukees. Hopefully Pittsfield can come out with some wins in the Jeresyville Tourney and keep this great season moving along. Go Saukees!!

[Stealth]

This was a typical QND vs Pittsfield game at Voshall. It was gutted out on both sides and was tough to listen to at times. I think Pittsfield is a better team than I thought and it sounds like they have some young talent to carry them the next couple of years. For QND, I still have trouble figuring out this team. I think they took one of Pittsfield's best shots and managed to come out on top, but they just seem to be lacking a mental edge at certain points in the game. Tonight, it was in the first quarter. The just sounded like they were not mentally ready to play and in a place like Voshall thats tough to overcome. Great second half by Rakers and thank you Bruns for stepping up and making those free throws at the end because it was another struggle at the line especially late. Overall, two good teams played a great game tonight and Im glad to see the Raiders come out with the W!!

[fanofthegame]

I want to start out here by giving the Pittsfield kids a lot of credit. Whoever said they dictated most of the game, you are exactly right. For the entire first quarter, there was only 1 team out there ready to play, and it was Pittsfield. Give a lot of credit to Coach Tomhave and his guys for coming out and punching QND in the mouth. I think it was 14-7 Saukees after 1 and it could have been worse. QND was down 26-20 at the half and i felt like they were in a relatively good position for how poorly they played. Really credit Pittsfield for a lot of that poor play. As always, they are in your face on defense, and at first QND did not handle their pressure well. Also I just want to add that even as a Raider fan, I enjoyed watching the Hamilton kid. He is really a good player. At one point I turned to tell another fan that I thought we were containing Hamilton well, only to look up and see that he had 13 already.

As far as QND goes, they came out way to flat to compete in an environment like Voshall. Pittsfield made QND look stupid in the first quarter on the defensive end. QND was playing 0 help defense and Pittsfield was getting easy basket after easy basket off of lob passes and back door cuts. That has got to be hard to swallow when you know exactly what the saukees are going to throw at you. Not to mention, QND runs an offense centered around backdoor cuts. I really couldn't believe how badly they defended those plays early on. Free throws are killing QND right now. Missed free throws lost them the game against Triad on saturday, and they almost lost the game tonight. Bruns stepped up and hit 2 huge ones at the end, but if free throws and layups are hit before that, maybe it's a different game.

With all of that being said, I think QND took a pretty good punch in the mouth from Pittsfield and prevailed to get a W in what truly was like a playoff environment. If all of you around the area want to see it as a chink in QND's armour that they only won by 2, that is fine but I would view more as an endorsement of how good Pittsfield can be. I haven't seen WH since the tip off tourney, but if they are struggling to beat Unity and West Prairie right now, it sounds like they have their own problems, and didn't IW just lose to Southeastern? I'm not trying to knock anyone, just saying the Pittsfield team I saw tonight would not be struggling with those teams.

[PhotoGuy]

Everybody knows that Hamilton is a stud, but it has to be hard on any kid to not sit for an entire game when the contest is played with that kind of intensity.

[fanofthegame]

As far as QND's press goes, honestly it isn't that effective unless the other team has really shaky guard play. For some reason they have gone to a straight man to man press this year and have focused more on denying the inbounds. The reason QND bothered Western and Camp Point os much early in the year is that those two teams really had trouble even getting the ball in bounds. In years past, Coach D has had them run a lot of 1-2-2 and a diamond and 1 type press. I would really like to see those utilized more with this team because I feel like they are athletic and deep enough to run both of those well.

[Vikingfan1]

I want to start out here by giving the Pittsfield kids a lot of credit. Whoever said they dictated most of the game, you are exactly right. For the entire first quarter, there was only 1 team out there ready to play, and it was Pittsfield. Give a lot of credit to Coach Tomhave and his guys for coming out and punching QND in the mouth. I think it was 14-7 Saukees after 1 and it could have been worse. QND was down 26-20 at the half and i felt like they were in a relatively good position for how poorly they played. Really credit Pittsfield for a lot of that poor play. As always, they are in your face on defense, and at first QND did not handle their pressure well. Also I just want to add that even as a Raider fan, I enjoyed watching the Hamilton kid. He is really a good player. At one point I turned to tell another fan that I thought we were containing Hamilton well, only to look up and see that he had 13 already.

As far as QND goes, they came out way to flat to compete in an environment like Voshall. Pittsfield made QND look stupid in the first quarter on the defensive end. QND was playing 0 help defense and Pittsfield was getting easy basket after easy basket off of lob passes and back door cuts. That has got to be hard to swallow when you know exactly what the saukees are going to throw at you. Not to mention, QND runs an offense centered around backdoor cuts. I really couldn't believe how badly they defended those plays early on. Free throws are killing QND right now. Missed free throws lost them the game against Triad on saturday, and they almost lost the game tonight. Bruns stepped up and hit 2 huge ones at the end, but if free throws and layups are hit before that, maybe it's a different game.

With all of that being said, I think QND took a pretty good punch in the mouth from Pittsfield and prevailed to get a W in what truly was like a playoff environment. If all of you around the area want to see it as a chink in QND's armour that they only won by 2, that is fine but I would view more as an endorsement of how good Pittsfield can be. I haven't seen WH since the tip off tourney, but if they are struggling to beat Unity and West Prairie right now, it sounds like they have their own problems, and didn't IW just lose to Southeastern? I'm not trying to knock anyone, just saying the Pittsfield team I saw tonight would not be struggling with those teams.

Even though Pittsfield lost, I think it is pretty clear they are the 2nd or 3rd best team in this area, behind QND and possibly Macomb. Pittsfield is for real this year and I think they could make a nice run in the postseason if they play well.

[CHUCK26]

Photoguy, I think you have to understand Brad Hamilton. He doesn't want to come out. If he is tired, he will say so. If he's not, he's on the floor. The kid is a stud, and this is is FIRST full year of Varsity basketball. Pretty good for a kid that only played half of his Freshmen year and 10 games last year. I like him for POY if he keeps it up.

[fanofthegame]

Chuck I've got to ask, does #4 always flop on every play or was that some kind of wierd strategy for tonight. I really didn't get it. He literally might have been laying on the floor more time than he was standing up. I loved the kids effort but we were all talking on the QND side about how he was actually hurting the team by being out of position from flopping so often.

[CHUCK26]

He's a kid that hustles as the time and tries to gain an advantage for his team. He has actually gotten quite a few offensive fouls called on the other team "shoving off" this year. It wasn't going to be called in a game like this though.

[fanofthegame]

I agree, his effort was great and its good to have a kid willing to sacrifice his body like that. Just last year Ryan Stuckman did that for QND and he got his fair shair of calls on plays he probably shouldn't have so I definately see what he was trying to do. I was just surprised he kept doing it after seeing he wasn't going to get the call. Can't knock the kid for effort though.

[guest07]

With all of that being said, I think QND took a pretty good punch in the mouth from Pittsfield and prevailed to get a W in what truly was like a playoff environment. If all of you around the area want to see it as a chink in QND's armour that they only won by 2, that is fine but I would view more as an endorsement of how good Pittsfield can be. I haven't seen WH since the tip off tourney, but if they are struggling to beat Unity and West Prairie right now, it sounds like they have their own problems, and didn't IW just lose to Southeastern? I'm not trying to knock anyone, just saying the Pittsfield team I saw tonight would not be struggling with those teams.

I'm not even sure what WH has to do with a Pittsfield/QND game, but whatever. We're talking about high school kids......... any team could struggle with any other team on any given night. You just never know.

[radiowaves]

Good win for QND, and I will know that the Saukees will not take any comfort in being close to anyone. This is a different Saukees team than five years ago. Tomhave has re-introduced the players and fans what it means to play Saukee basketball. The Jersey tourney will be another growth time for thes young men. Playing a Layne Bennet lead Alton team with so many athletes will be tough but as one player said, it will be like playing against your own stuff, with both doing the Dave thing. Cahokia is suppose to be special, Jersey and Decatur will still be those bigger schools that make you work. We have had enough Jerseyville kids in our year end all star game for me to know, they play up to another level most nights. Great gym, it is huge and hope the fans get out to see it. We will carry all Pittsfield games on WBBA and or wbbaradio.com and all Jersey games on wjbmradio.com if you want a listen. Let us know if you are using the net to catch a game.
Some said QND would pull away too early for Saukees to cathc them, some said the second five at QND could start for any other team, truth is the Raiders are a really good team who had to play up for a couple of years. Now they are back in 2A or for the first time with the new format. 2A may very well be the toughest fight of the four classes. That does not mean it has the most D1 players, just a tough task. But please understand, this is Pittsfield, and even though they might fail at times, they are never going to come to a game without an attitude they can win. And yes, if you think the QND and Saukee game does not mean anything, you are lacking knowledge of what this rivalry really still means. I only wish they still played twice a year. And maybe IW and WH are right there alkso. We will see, and we know Macomb will be tough, Dan Watson will make sure of that just like Reno. Good luck. And Saukees, cirlce the callender for the sectional night in Porta where you can get it back if you can get to that game and QND does too.

[Titanfan89]

All it takes in the postseason is one bad game for one team and one good game for another. I can tell some of us are getting the postseason itch a little right about now.

[fanofthegame]

I'm not even sure what WH has to do with a Pittsfield/QND game, but whatever. We're talking about high school kids......... any team could struggle with any other team on any given night. You just never know.

"And hope springs eternal for those teams who are stuck in QND's regional. Maybe one of those teams actually can knock them off after all!"

"I could see a team beating QND in regionals if you can control the game with good guards and QND misses freethrow s like they did tonight. I will not be shocked in the least if WH gives them all they want. Or even IW."

[guest07]

"And hope springs eternal for those teams who are stuck in QND's regional. Maybe one of those teams actually can knock them off after all!"

"I could see a team beating QND in regionals if you can control the game with good guards and QND misses freethrow s like they did tonight. I will not be shocked in the least if WH gives them all they want. Or even IW."

Oh, OK. I wasn't aware that you were responding to that.

My point wasn't even about Pittsfield My point was that we all thought that QND was invincible. Apparently they are not. IW and Pittsfield looked like pretty comparable teams to me at WIU (based on their results against Macomb, that seems to be true). Pittsfield is probably a little more consistent, but on a good night, on a neutral floor, an athletic team like IW might be able to hang with QND.

[fanofthegame]

Oh, OK. I wasn't aware that you were responding to that.

My point wasn't even about Pittsfield My point was that we all thought that QND was invincible. Apparently they are not. IW and Pittsfield looked like pretty comparable teams to me at WIU (based on their results against Macomb, that seems to be true). Pittsfield is probably a little more consistent, but on a good night, on a neutral floor, an athletic team like IW might be able to hang with QND.

I agree guest. On a given night a group of high school kids can go either way. I expressed some concerns I had with QND earlier this year when everyone was saying they couldn't be beat. They aren't invincible. I don't think they SHOULD lose in the regional, but thats why games aren't played on paper.

I was really just trying to make 2 points, and the first I could be wrong about because I hadn't seen Pittsfield until last night.

1. I think QND probably got a different pittsfield team than the one that played at Macomb, and I think Voshall is a different environment when QND is in town. I said I thought the rivalry had lost a bit of its luster, and I stand by that, but the trip to Pittsfield is still the only game on the schedule where I feel like I have to be there in the first quarter of the JV game to find a seat. Maybe I am wrong here but I am guessing Voshall isn't a packed house before JV starts on any given night. It was an electric environment. To add to that thought, like I posted in the game thread it is always a good game there. A few years ago QND won by around 30 at the tip off tourney but only by 3 at Voshall. I'm not suggesting that QND would beat Pittsfield by 30 anywhere this year because that isn't the case. Just making the point that on any given year If QND was 15-0 and Pittsfield was 0-15 or vice versa I would still expect a good game when the two met.

2. I wasn't trying to knock WH or IW though it may have sounded like it. I just meant to say that anytime you try to look at a single game to judge a team it is tough. For instance when you see QND beats pittsfield by 2 its easy to say, hey the area can compete. Meanwhile, I saw earlier this week I saw WH struggle with Unity and questioned whether WH was really any threat at all. Like you said, high school kids can fluxuate so much on a night to night basis its just tough to tell.

[Lost Soul]

Tip of the cap to both teams. I was impressed with Pittsfield and right now after only watching him once, Hamilton is at the top of my list for player of the year in this area. Yes he is a stud but going to have to agree with Photoguy that a minute or two of rest might have helped him towards the end. That Gym was hot, rocking and even kids that age have a hard time keeping their legs in that kind of heat. He has a great shooters touch as his shots if they bounced around went in, soft touch. Created his own shots and worked to get open. I would of had him with the ball in his hands the last 2 minutes of the game everytime down, even if he had to bring it up.
Wassell gets the energizer bunny of the year award. Kid never ever stopped playing hard. amazed he only had 15 rebounds as it seemed like more. But he tipped or kept the ball alive many times so someone else got it. Several times they had multiple offensive rebounds. Love to see final numbers but they controlled the boards due to Wassell's hustle.
I didn't like all the flopping, the 5 second call against Pittsfield with about 3 minutes to go or the hand check against QND with about the 2-3 minutes left in the game. The 5 second was close at best and he was moving forward. After all the contact the whole game the hand check that was weak and gained no advantage was not what they called the first 3 and 1/2 quarters. Lets the kids win or lose . Just my 2 cents worth. yes physical game but went both ways.
QND to me at least didn't loook as good as they did it the Gully tournament. Rather flat and how can you be flat with the noise and excitement in that place? Love to see them meet again later this year, but Macomb or Illini West might have some say so on that. Looking forward to the Pittsfield/Illini west game on Feb 6th. Bottom line for last night..QND had the depth advantage, not that Pittsfields bench isn''t good, but IMO that was the difference in the game .

[radiowaves]

First of all, you have the knowledge I am a radio guy from Pittsfield, have kids in the school and can be one sided when both schools are not in my area as many know. As I read the story of the QND game against Pittsfield in the Quincy Herald Whig yesteday, I was really amazed at the story. From beginning to end the story was about how the Raiders shut Brad Hamilton down on the last shot attempt, in the last six minutes of the game and basically the second half. I expected to read this story about the two halves of basketball with Pittsfield having the strong hand in the first half, the strength of Hamilton and Wasselss play(Wassell was not even mentioned in the story(15 points and 15 rebounds.) I expected to hear about Rakers knocking down 19 second half points to lead his team to a come from behind victory. The quote from Coach Douglas was right on about taking a punch and still coming back. But today, new reporters that lack the knowledge of the history of this rivalry, miss the greatest of the event. Some will say, the Saukees have not won since...or have lost ....but if theat was improtant Missouri and Illinois would have dropped the basktball game they play after the Illini wond 9 in a row. The win by the Tigers this year was sweeter for them becaue fo the streak. My point, Pike County is a pretty important part of the readership of the Whig. I have great respect for the staff at the Whig. From top to bottom these are folks that do all they can for the area. And yes it is the Quincy paper and i also expect a strong Quincy lean. But this article gave the Saukees very little credit for the tough game they played. Two good teams, and a great game. By the way, which of the second five for the Raiders starts in front of Hamilton and Wassell? This one for the one who thinks the second five for QND could start for any other team. Yes for some, and yes some could for the last two in a lineup in some cases, but for any team in the Area???

[Stealth]

I completely agree with radiowaves on the article in the paper. Being out of the area now I rely heavily on the radio and the paper to get an idea of the games and try and get my opinions on the game. I listened to the Mr. Kinscherfs radio broadcast and I felt that I had a pretty good idea of how the game went. Thats why i was also a little surprised to see what the paper had to say. I can't say I have always been a fan of the coverage that QND gets in The Whig, but I also understand that its tough to compete with the history of the cross-town team and the coverage that they get.

When it comes to QND's second five, yes they are a very talented second five, but that does not mean they are starting for every other team in this area. I played basketball in this area not too long ago and I would find it hard to believe that the area has dropped that much in this short amount of time. Whoever made that comment probably didnt think it through and had seen a good performance. IMO they are probably the best second five though.

[German/Irish_67_9]

you'd be surprised stealth.. Honestly 3 if not 4 of QND's second five wold start together or seperate from each other on just about every local team. I'm not trying to be some horribly biased RaiderNation junkie but i have to admit that the level of competition around here has gone down. No more Barry domination, no Liberty soaring Eagle, no Blueboy winter pride, no more Macomb Bombs day whoopings.. Not that QND is the assumed power but until proven otherwise you can't really argue it.

[broadcaster]

I completely agree with radiowaves on the article in the paper. Being out of the area now I rely heavily on the radio and the paper to get an idea of the games and try and get my opinions on the game. I listened to the Mr. Kinscherfs radio broadcast and I felt that I had a pretty good idea of how the game went. Thats why i was also a little surprised to see what the paper had to say. I can't say I have always been a fan of the coverage that QND gets in The Whig, but I also understand that its tough to compete with the history of the cross-town team and the coverage that they get.

When it comes to QND's second five, yes they are a very talented second five, but that does not mean they are starting for every other team in this area. I played basketball in this area not too long ago and I would find it hard to believe that the area has dropped that much in this short amount of time. Whoever made that comment probably didnt think it through and had seen a good performance. IMO they are probably the best second five though.


Honestly, I would have to agree 100% that the level of competition in the area has went down a lot in the past 10-15 years, especially at the smaller school level. Today you see teams that are co-oped, who aren't even as good as the original schools that came before them.

Take the West Hancock co-op for example. Coming into this co-op, Warsaw and Nauvoo had both won state titles seperatley, beating teams like QND on their trail to success. Since Warsaw, Hamilton, and Nauvoo have been together, they have yet to win a sectional, and I believe in the many times they have played, have only beaten QND one time.

10 years ago if you throw these three schools together it would have been sheer dominance year after year. Even going back to the early 2000's, I can't even imagine how successful they would have been if you combined the talent they had. Nauvoo nearly beat Macomb in a 2006 sectional title on their own....what if they had the Warsaw and Hamilton kids throw in? Had players like Kevin Buckert from Hamilton and Tim Parrish from Nauvoo played together under Reno Pinkston it would have been nearly unfair.

Imagine the Warsaw-Nauvoo co-op in the late 90's. They might not have lost a game in a 5 year stretch.

Even the talent level in Macomb is not what it used to be since the days of Blake Bainter and Chad Cox. Back then could you imagine a day when QND would be able to beat Macomb by 26 at the Hangar???

[broadcaster]

To add a little more....

As good of a year QND is having, can anyone honestly say this team (who beat the likes of Macomb by nearly 30 points) would even be competitive against some of the good Raider teams in the past 10 years?

The 2003-2004 Raiders had a frontline of 6'5 Terwelp, 6'5 Green, and outstanding guards in TJ Kistner, Johnny Bocke, and a lot of others I am forgetting.

What about the 1999 Raider team with Brian McNeil and company who took home 3rd in the 2 class system as well?


I think the majority of the area has gone down, with QND being the most consistent of the bunch to stay near the same level..

[bballjunkie1]

I agree to an extent. I think we were very fortunate in the 90s for all the success this area had. And in the middle part of the last decade we had barry, BC, and Liberty all with very talented teams. Right now, I see CP, BC, Payson and Liberty making a push back to having some dominating teams. The problem is there are 4 or 5 teams that could be very good, to where just a few years ago it was just 2 maybe 3. I would not be shocked at all if an area team gets to state this year and if it happens to be CP, they could be looking at a 2-3 year run of great basketball. One thing to remember, the really bad teams are not nearly as bad as they use to be. There are only a few teams that really struggle now where it use to be half the teams in the area were doormats. Look at WP, they are one of bottom teams right now, but they can give the good teams a run for money.
I think it goes in cycles and we are probably heading back into a good cycle right now. Just my opinion. I am sure WH will put out a great team here in the next 5-6 years. And the same for Macomb. Just wait for the good genetics to get back into the school.

[fanofthegame]

To add a little more....

As good of a year QND is having, can anyone honestly say this team (who beat the likes of Macomb by nearly 30 points) would even be competitive against some of the good Raider teams in the past 10 years?

The 2003-2004 Raiders had a frontline of 6'5 Terwelp, 6'5 Green, and outstanding guards in TJ Kistner, Johnny Bocke, and a lot of others I am forgetting.

What about the 1999 Raider team with Brian McNeil and company who took home 3rd in the 2 class system as well?


I think the majority of the area has gone down, with QND being the most consistent of the bunch to stay near the same level..


This is the exact point I was trying to make earlier this year. Everyone was making a huge deal about how good this year's QND team is, and I said compared to the teams QND had in 03-04 and 04-05, this years team isn't that great. In those years QND had plenty of competition in this area. Case and point in 03 when QND took 3rd in the state, Barry and Brown County gave them MUCH tougher games than Alleman in the supers, Pana in the quarters, and Peoria Christian in the 3rd place game. When I tried to make that poitn some said I was selling this years team short, but I really think the level of competition in the area is vastly different.