Planning To Be At WH-QND Tonight.

[PhotoGuy]

If any of y'all are there say howdy to me. I will either be wearing a blue Culver Stockton C-SC hoodie or a short sleeves St. Louis Cardinals shirt (depending on how hot it is in the gym).

Speaking of the gym, where exactly is the school in Hamilton. I've been to Warsaw's school, but never Hamilton. (I will be coming over from Keokuk, coming up US 61).

Of course, in my business plans can always change... but that's what I have in mind.

[whtitanfan]

If you're coming from Keokuk just stay on 136, you can't miss it.

[guest07]

If you're coming from Keokuk just stay on 136, you can't miss it.

Yup, cross the bridge into Illinois, and just stay on Highway 136 (there is a Y intersection where you'll need to veer right). School will be on the right side of the highway in Hamilton. You'll have to park around back.

[PhotoGuy]

Thanks guys (and welcome to the forum whtitanfan). I will get to walk a ways since I won't be there until the start of the girls game or even after (I am leaving here about 4:00, at best it is an hour and thirty minute drive to Keokuk then there's getting through town at 5:30 on a Friday night.

Assuming things go well today (after an 18 hour work day that involved driving all the way to osage beach for new workstation installations, I am not making any promises on that).

[Titanfan89]

My guy, Photoguy, I am hoping to go to the game tonight and if I do, I will be looking for you. However, I threw my back out of place last saturday and am still recovering from the effects of that (earlier in the week, I literally could not sit up, strand straight up, or walk without tears about to flow). Went to the doctor on monday and got pain meds and steroids so I'm doing a little better but very sore and still came to work with a doctors note for the week (what the heck is wrong with me).

In any case, I want to see the jv boys and varsity matchups, as both should be good contests. Get there early for decent parking behind the school. I am hoping that since the ground is frozen that they will open the practice field next to the gym for parking like they did a couple of weekends ago for a wrestling tournament (though there was snow on the ground). Otherwise, the city streets are going to be packed with vehicles and people may be trying to cross 136 to get to the gym.

You can't really miss the gym if you stay on 136. However, you have to go behind the school for the most part for the parking. If you are coming from Keokuk, you will take 136 across the bridge. You will pass a set of railroad tracks and then come up to an intersection with a stop light that allows you to go to Warsaw. Continue pass the light, you will go past a gas station, and the road will curve left. You will then pass a car wash on the right and a bee and honey processing place on the left and go up a slight hill. The road will come to a triangle where if you go straight on the river road, you will go to Nauvoo. Veer right to stay on 136. You will then pass a park on the right going slightly uphill. The hill will crest and on your way down the other side, you will see the high school on the right.

Hopefully I get to go, but am looking forward to the matchups. I think I can suck it up but don't know if my back can take the screaming, stomping, yelling, and abuse I may give it.

[guest07]

Thanks guys (and welcome to the forum whtitanfan). I will get to walk a ways since I won't be there until the start of the girls game or even after (I am leaving here about 4:00, at best it is an hour and thirty minute drive to Keokuk then there's getting through town at 5:30 on a Friday night.

Assuming things go well today (after an 18 hour work day that involved driving all the way to osage beach for new workstation installations, I am not making any promises on that).

There is no girls game. Just JV boys followed by Varsity boys.

[Titanfan89]

Yes that would be correct as the girls have rescheduled their game for the 3rd time against West Prairie tonight up at West Prairie.

[10&J]

Also will attend the game tonight and wearing something with QND on it. Ill be there for JV game. Bald and be the guy yelling the loudest. If you have a card or something you desire to have inserted in the shootout program which is 8 X 11, Ill get it from you and run off a few 100 copies to insert. Even if business card size I'll get it inserted.

[Titanfan89]

I wonder if we could ask Duerr, if this isn't done already, to but a link on the KHQA website to TSF. Maybe we should come up with a logo or something. Maybe also get some involvement or some pub from WGEM Sportscenter and Mr. Houchins I believe.

[CHUCK26]

Would someone text me a quarter by quarter update of this game? I will be in Mendon and would like to know how the game is going. my number is 217-473-6290. Thanks...

[Titanfan89]

I got you covered Chuck. If I forget or get to involved in the game, call me at 217-430-4940.

[PhotoGuy]

Maybe also get some involvement or some pub from WGEM Sportscenter and Mr. Houchins I believe

While I like your energy, I personally think we should pretty much just stick with KHQA. When I was setting this up, and contacting media people, I realized that these folks are in competition with each other, and if we cater to them and their competition, they have no real advantage in dealing with us. Rather like how schools have Pepsi scoreboards or Coke scoreboards, but not both.

I like the WGEM people just fine, but we are kind of "lost stepchildren" of KHQA... that's where our roots are, and I would rather concentrate my energy in one place per community. I am kind of the same way with communities that have multiple newspapers or radio stations... I think it is best to pick one and run with it... because they tend to reward loyalty with loyalty. For example, our "newspaper of choice" in Shelbina is the Shelbina Weekly. There are a bunch of other newspapers in Shelby county, but they are the ones I am going to be working with down the line.

I do appreciate the idea though... I just think it is best to work with one station or paper instead of trying to spread out... pick the one you think is the best, and go with that.

[Titanfan89]

Gotcha, just thought is was another way to promote. I see where you are coming from.

[PhotoGuy]

Also will attend the game tonight and wearing something with QND on it. Ill be there for JV game. Bald and be the guy yelling the loudest. If you have a card or something you desire to have inserted in the shootout program which is 8 X 11, Ill get it from you and run off a few 100 copies to insert. Even if business card size I'll get it inserted.

I emailed a PDF of it to you, if you would like it some other way let me know. I will try to have one available tonight as well, but I thought the PDF might be cleaner and easier to deal with on your end.

[broadcaster]

While I like your energy, I personally think we should pretty much just stick with KHQA. When I was setting this up, and contacting media people, I realized that these folks are in competition with each other, and if we cater to them and their competition, they have no real advantage in dealing with us. Rather like how schools have Pepsi scoreboards or Coke scoreboards, but not both.

I like the WGEM people just fine, but we are kind of "lost stepchildren" of KHQA... that's where our roots are, and I would rather concentrate my energy in one place per community. I am kind of the same way with communities that have multiple newspapers or radio stations... I think it is best to pick one and run with it... because they tend to reward loyalty with loyalty. For example, our "newspaper of choice" in Shelbina is the Shelbina Weekly. There are a bunch of other newspapers in Shelby county, but they are the ones I am going to be working with down the line.

I do appreciate the idea though... I just think it is best to work with one station or paper instead of trying to spread out... pick the one you think is the best, and go with that.

KHQA will be in the house tonight for this great match-up. A lot is riding on this game, as I would expect the winner to be the lockdown #1 seed in the Macomb regional. Thankfully there should be plenty of room for fans tonight, as Hamilton has a very big seating capacity. I expect a postseason atmosphere tonight, in what should be a very exciting game. Good luck to both teams!

[PhotoGuy]

KHQA will be in the house tonight for this great match-up. A lot is riding on this game, as I would expect the winner to be the lockdown #1 seed in the Macomb regional. Thankfully there should be plenty of room for fans tonight, as Hamilton has a very big seating capacity. I expect a postseason atmosphere tonight, in what should be a very exciting game. Good luck to both teams!

WH JV edges out QND JV 61 60 in good game. Chatted with 10&J for a while, that was fun.Game is on WCAZ on air and internet check it out if you can.

[fanofthegame]

Listening in on the radio Ron Kinscherf, longtime QND announcer has already mentioned that QND is going to be in trouble tonight if they don't adjust to the officiating. Sounds like its being called tight early.

[fanofthegame]

Shortly after saying the game was being called tight, Kinscherf said Pinkston seems to be upset with how physical QND is being allowed to play. 16-7 QND after 1.

[PhotoGuy]

WH JV edges out QND JV 61 60 in good game. Chatted with 10&J for a while, that was fun.Game is on WCAZ on air and internet check it out if you can.

16 to 7 QND at the quarter. Quietest gym I have been to in a month.

[PhotoGuy]

Listening in on the radio Ron Kinscherf, longtime QND announcer has already mentioned that QND is going to be in trouble tonight if they don't adjust to the officiating. Sounds like its being called tight early.

38 17 at half, gym is like a tomb. WH dance team did a good job.

The QND technical was nothing, kid said the magic word. Coach D took him out, he came back in later and apologised (sp) to the zebra no biggie.

WH has to adjust I am in the lane and I can see opn shots they just are not getting up.

[fanofthegame]

38-17 QND at the half. 10 turnovers for WH and just 1 for QND. Raiders also winning the rebound battle 13-6. If QND can keep it up in the second half, this is the breakout game I've been waiting to see.

[PhotoGuy]

I think it was 49 31 after three I forgot to look.

[fanofthegame]

60-40 final. Good win for QND on the road tonight.

[Titanfan89]

Hmmmmm, don't know what to say about this game. WH just peed down their legs with the QND pressure. Congratulations to QND, they deserved to win this game and had it over by halftime. QND is the lockdown #1 seed in the regional and it really doesn't matter much after that as they shouldn't have too hard a time defeating any of the teams in the regional unless they have a bad game and someone plays lights out. I don't know if this was a typical game for QND or not, or if WH managed to do something decent against them. QND locked down on the WH shooters and WH went into side to side mode and didn't attack the pressure they way they needed to. When they did, they would throw a pass that would get picked off or miss shots inside. QND killed WH rebounding and WH went into crazy mode in the second half, chucking up some junk at times. QND did real good job on Schlicher and you could tell he got frustrated at the end. You could also tell about the contrasting styles of play, as QND had some trouble adjusting, as there was shirt grabbing and some stuff they got called for. QND just kept throwing wave after wave at WH and eventually wore them down as WH doesn't have much of a bench. The T on the QND kid was for the magical word as I could here that one (I think it started with maybe an f).

If QND plays like this all the time, I see a trip to the sectional and maybe supersectional before they have to run into Manual (if they cross paths that soon). If not, I like their shot at a trophy. For WH, I hope they learn a lot from this as QND pretty much exposed every single weakness they have.

[guest07]

38 17 at half, gym is like a tomb. WH dance team did a good job.

The QND technical was nothing, kid said the magic word. Coach D took him out, he came back in later and apologised (sp) to the zebra no biggie.

WH has to adjust I am in the lane and I can see opn shots they just are not getting up.

I'm not sure what you mean by "nothing". You can't use language like that in a high school game. The technical was legit.

WH looked like they came out of the gate a little scared, and played really tight. I give QND credit....... they were as good as I expected them to be. Just a bunch of athletes who keep taking it to you. They actually shot better than I expected them to in the first half.

I thought WH did a real good job of adjusting and relaxing a little in the second half, and the game was dead even after halftime. Unfortunately, it was out of reach by then. QND just presents too many mismatches for WH, because of the number of 6'3" and 6'4" kids they have.

Is anybody besides me surprised that WH took it to QND in the JV game? I thought I had heard that the QND JV team was something special this year, and was just hoping that WH could hang with them. With the group of Juniors that WH has, and the group coming up, WH might have a legitimate shot of taking down QND next year.

Congrats to the Raiders. Real solid win for them.

[Titanfan89]

The technical on the QND kid, dark haired Barnes I believe, was probably only called because most of the gym could hear it. I don't know if it directed at anyone but I could hear what he said from where I was sitting. I came away really impressed with QND. I had heard all the hype but after the Pittsfield game, I thought they were beatable. I don't know if they played at Pittsfield like they did tonight but if so, WH is a couple of notches below both. QND did shoot good tonight and most everyone on their team could shoot and take it to the hoop. I got really irritated watching WH letting QND run their sideline fast break offense after they watched it in the jv game and did it to them early in the game. It is simple boys, they want to pass the ball up the sideline in 2 passes and run someone to the block. That just really irritated me when you know it was coming. QND got some easy baskets or fouls out of that so many times. WH also did not box and and rebound. They were trying to jump up with the QND boys and try to get the ball. WH has some athletes but QND has more.

As far as the JV game, very good game. WH had a pretty good shooting night and the game was back and forth. I like the freshman kid I think #40 but the small guard was contained for the most part all night. But, I think this is the QND JV team that has been playing in Beardstown all week so they be a little worn down. However, good win for the WH JV and I hope they can continue to grow and mature, especially the freshmen.

[guest07]

As far as the JV game, very good game. WH had a pretty good shooting night and the game was back and forth. I like the freshman kid I think #40 but the small guard was contained for the most part all night. But, I think this is the QND JV team that has been playing in Beardstown all week so they be a little worn down. However, good win for the WH JV and I hope they can continue to grow and mature, especially the freshmen.

West Hancock's JV played 2 games on Saturday, antoher tough game on Tuesday, and another one tonight. So they've had a pretty full schedule as well.

#40 (Fitch?) was outstanding. He must have scored about half of their points.

[Titanfan89]

What is WH JV record? Fitch needs a little seasoning as at times his mind is ahead of his feet but he is going to be an athlete for QND in a couple of years. There were no rosters at the game for QND but I was curious to know how many of the varsity kids were seniors, juniors, sophmores, etc.

QND even started the second half with the guys who began the game on the bench. It was just wave after wave after wave. It must be nice to have a bench that deep.

[Titanfan89]

Besides watching a good jv game, the best part of the night was getting my superfan shootout tickets. However, it says the WH girls are playing at 9:30 at night, but I think the QND girls are the last game with the WH boys being the first game of the shootout.

[guest07]

What is WH JV record? Fitch needs a little seasoning as at times his mind is ahead of his feet but he is going to be an athlete for QND in a couple of years. There were no rosters at the game for QND but I was curious to know how many of the varsity kids were seniors, juniors, sophmores, etc.

QND even started the second half with the guys who began the game on the bench. It was just wave after wave after wave. It must be nice to have a bench that deep.

I'm not entirely sure, but I believe that WH's jv has only lost 1 game, and I believe that was a 4 point loss to QND at a tournament in Macomb. They'll have a real tough game next week against Illini West, who I understand has a tremendous JV team. The impressive thing tonight was that WH was able to get it done without Clint Mecklenberg playing in the second half, because of an ankle injury.

QND's best group right now is seniors, in my opinion (Darnell, Rakers, Keating and Ufkes are all seniors). They will definitely have some shoes to fill next year.

[Titanfan89]

Ya Mecklenberg had probably a bad ankle sprain. I thought that would hurt then but they came out in the second half and got things done. Good group of kids coming up.

As far as the varsity game, we got to see hints of what Schlicher can do to try to take over a game. I think he can take over a game but against the QND defense, it was just impossible. There were some good one on one matchups between the teams but QND man for man is a real tough defense. I want to know what happened to QND in their losses and how they were exposed, if that is even the right word. I just want to how they can be beat.

[PhotoGuy]

I'm not sure what you mean by "nothing". You can't use language like that in a high school game. The technical was legit.

WH looked like they came out of the gate a little scared, and played really tight. I give QND credit....... they were as good as I expected them to be. Just a bunch of athletes who keep taking it to you. They actually shot better than I expected them to in the first half.

I thought WH did a real good job of adjusting and relaxing a little in the second half, and the game was dead even after halftime. Unfortunately, it was out of reach by then. QND just presents too many mismatches for WH, because of the number of 6'3" and 6'4" kids they have.

Is anybody besides me surprised that WH took it to QND in the JV game? I thought I had heard that the QND JV team was something special this year, and was just hoping that WH could hang with them. With the group of Juniors that WH has, and the group coming up, WH might have a legitimate shot of taking down QND next year.

Congrats to the Raiders. Real solid win for them.

You are right, he shouldn't have said the word... after some of the stuff I have seen over the last couple of weeks though, that's what I was trying (badly) to say. I can't type at all on that stupid Blackberry, sorry if it didn't make much sense.

I have seen a lot of really "iffy" behavior of late in other games previous to this one here in Missouri, no doubt the kid said something he shouldn't have and he was wrong to do it... by nothing, I meant it wasn't like slamming the ball or cussing out a ref or something like that (which I have seen in the last week, unfortunately).

I admit to being a little perplexed by the game. Certainly QND was good... they keep throwing really good fresh players at their opponents... but I think WH was just off tonight.

This may sound stupid, but at the half time of the JV game, when there was absolutely zero pressure, the WH guys came out in blue jeans and shot around. They were hitting EVERYTHING, I saw 20 (I was counting) three pointers in a row at one point in time... they were absoutely draining the shots. Skip forward to pre-game warmups, the WH kids looked tense and uptight, and virtually no shots dropped during the warmup.

Here's what I think... I think now that the game is over, and WH was able to basically play with QND for the second half, WH will have a lot better shot at the Raiders if they play again. I think, and I could be wrong here, that if they relax and play their game they will be able to be a lot more competitive (which they showed in the second half). I was expecting QND to just run them out of the gym when WH started losing their composure at the end of the first half with the turnovers and forced shots... but in the second half, they basically played QND even up.

It seemed to me, as simply a fan of basketball who didn't care one bit about who won, that the entire gym was "tight"... I am talking before the game even, not when WH was down... I was expecting a madhouse playoff atmosphere like we saw with QND/Pittsfield and that certainly wasn't the case.

I have a feeling that if the two teams meet again, and WH comes out and just does what they do, that they could give the Raiders a game like Pittsfield did. Beat them? I woludn't go that far... but they could give them a game.

I was sitting with the Herald-Whig reporter, my pre-game prediction was a QND win, 62-50... I wasn't too far off.

With QND knocking off WH and Macomb both in their own houses, not too hard to figure out where they are going to be seeded.

As far as the JV goes, I thought both of those teams looked VERY good. Both WH and QND are going to win a lot of games with those young men on the floor in the future.

And one totally besides the point thing... Coach Douglas leads Illinois High School coaches in kneeling percentage during the game. That guy sure likes to kneel and squat.

[PhotoGuy]

I shot a bunch of pictures, but I don't have time to work on them this weekend (I am spending the weekend under the water... working up my dry suit skills by doing some diving)... I just thought I would share one quick shot from the JV game:

http://zoopictures.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p578857429-4.jpg

[Titanfan89]

I like the pic. Good quality. I think you made a pretty good assessment of the game. I think Douglas is going to need knee replacement at some point in his life. QND is just better, better athletes, more athletes, and just an all around good team. I think that if they play again, and it looks like that is probably going to happen if QND gets the #1 seed and WH gets the #4 seed, WH will probably play them closer but I don't know if they can beat them. WH did some uncharacteristic things tonight such as dribbling into corners and some of the crazy turnovers, but QND made them play that way. The WH boys need to get over the "QND mystique" and play from the opening tip off.

[PhotoGuy]

One thing to add.

Absolute worst thing to happen tonight at WH... the poor QND player who got hit right exactly "in that place that no man ever wants a basketball to be thrown at full velocity" by a WH player trying to save the ball going out of bounds. Full on, right in "the place that shall not be named". Nothing like having an entire gym worth of people watching you take it like a man, then have to get up as and walk bent over to the bench as they clap for you.

Every male in the arena that saw it gasped for the poor fellow.

[fanofthegame]

A few comments from everything I've read. #40 on the JV is Alex Fitch. He is a freshman that the coaching staff has been excited about for years. If the varsity wasn't so deep this year he would probably have a jersey. I'm not sure he'd be playing, but he might have dressed. The JV team as a whole actually probably isn't as good as in years past. Last years JV squad was excellent. Of the guys on varsity this year that see significant minutes Anthony Bruns, Kramer Barnes, Blake Doane and Conner Cramsey all come back. Bruns starts now and Cramsey is hands down the best defender on the team. Fitch, Evan Klene, and Alex Altmix should help fill the void lost through graduation. I don't think Coach D will have a 10 man rotation next year, but I wouldn't expect them to take a huge step back. The freshman team I believe has been very good this year also.

I don't think QND would run into Manual until state, but I could be wrong. As far as how teams have beat QND this year, It has been through having a TON of size (Peoria Notre Dame, Normal Community) or better athletes (Peoria Manual, Springfield). The one game I know QND would like to have back is the Triad game where they just didnt close down the stretch. I wasn't there tonight, and only listened on the radio. Did WH pick it up in the second half or did QND let up? MY biggest complaint with this QND team is that they don't step on your throat. Just from listening it sounded like instead of running the offense for 30 seconds to a minute and getting layups or good looks they were settling for jump shots early in possessions in the second half. I know they were up around 20, but eventually not stepping on a teams throat will come back to bite them.

[Vikingfan1]

I like the pic. Good quality. I think you made a pretty good assessment of the game. I think Douglas is going to need knee replacement at some point in his life. QND is just better, better athletes, more athletes, and just an all around good team. I think that if they play again, and it looks like that is probably going to happen if QND gets the #1 seed and WH gets the #4 seed, WH will probably play them closer but I don't know if they can beat them. WH did some uncharacteristic things tonight such as dribbling into corners and some of the crazy turnovers, but QND made them play that way. The WH boys need to get over the "QND mystique" and play from the opening tip off.

I like this post the best. WH has a tendency when playing against tougher teams or bigger schools that they don't play there game, or don't play at all. We saw it last year in the regional final when WH was every bit as good as Macomb but just got rattled at times and couldn't beat them. I thought both times last season WH could have won one of the games at the Pit, but just couldn't get it done (mostly because of turnovers). And now tonight sounds like the excact same thing. I haven't seen QND yet (should see them in the shootout), but WH needs to realize that they can play with anybody when they play games like the did against Southeastern in the county, IW, and Payson. However, they get up against these teams like a Macomb or QND just don't show up, or when they do it doesn't matter. They need to come out right off the bat every single game with tons of intensity and ATTACK the defense and also be like mad men on defense and go all out.

I hope to see a rematch between these two in regionals because I would love to see WH play a lot better then tonight and now having seen QND once, they know what to expect.

[whtitanfan]

This is the first time I have seen QND this year......wow. When their first substitution was a full 5 I knew the Titans were in trouble. QND also had the most physical defense I have seen in a long time. They always had their hands on their man a little push here pull there and I think that really frustrated WH. The refs were pretty much letting them play (which I prefer) but had the refs called a tighter game QND could have been in foul trouble quick.

I could see the same result if they meet again unless WH can match QND's intensity. I agree that the gym was way too quiet especially for the size of the crowd. WH student section, and fans in general, were quiet from the start. I expected a better atmosphere than that.

As for the technical, Kramer was mad at himself for missing a layup and took the language a little too far. I was standing all the way at the other end of the gym and heard it clear as day. Refs really had no choice. Good kid, just lost his composure for a second.

[wolverine55]

I think the people talking about WH "not showing up" last night quite frankly aren't giving ND enough credit. NO TEAM is going to look as good against the Raiders as they did against SE or Payson for example. You have to take level of competition in account when comparing teams and performances. Payson may play the same style as QND, but comparing Payson's defense to QND's defense is apples to oranges, at best! I thought WH would play well last night, but I'm not too surprised by the final margin. I think WH and Macomb are pretty equal this year, and QND won by 25 at Macomb earlier.

[Titanfan89]

I don't want this to sound wrong but I want to give QND all the credit they deserve coming into someone's house and just saying I don't care who you are, we are going to kick your butt. They are very, very good. I think QND will see a little drop off next year losing that but of talented seniors and they will remind me kind of like WH as I don't think they will have much size to them. Having said that, they will still have the athletes to get it done. I really enjoyed the level of athleticism we got to see last night as we saw some pretty good blocked shots from the smaller guys getting up.

As far as the QND get getting it in the kahunas, how could you not feel for the kid. Made me squirm a little especially in front of all those people. And one other thing about the game last night, that gym was very, very hot. I don't know if it was because of the extra people but at times I thought I was in the sauna. I know it probably didn't affect QND with the waves of kids they brought in but it sure didn't help out the few WH players who played (and not, I'm not using that as an excuse, WH has no excuses for last night).

I also wanted to mention this as we were chatting on the khqa chat last night. Strength of schedule was brought up. Here is my take on that. I think a team needs to have a balanced schedule with teams that are stronger than you, weaker than you, and at your same level. Can you determine that every year? No, because teams, especially in this area usually are all over the place and you have conference affiliations to deal with, unless you are like a Liberty or QND. That being said, and I don't want to use this as an excuse, but economic conditions affect things as well. I don't know what QND's athletic budget is right now but in WH's case, the reality is that the school board just held a meeting in Warsaw letting the public know of their intentions of getting rid of teachers and staff due to the current economic conditions. Again, I don't want to use this as an excuse or crutch but WH can't go travel to go play some of these larger schools and better competition, just as I don't think some of those schools want to come to WH to play.

I hope WH learns from the experience and wish that QND would somehow, someway find a couple of years of not having a good basketball team.

[guest07]

I think the people talking about WH "not showing up" last night quite frankly aren't giving ND enough credit. NO TEAM is going to look as good against the Raiders as they did against SE or Payson for example. You have to take level of competition in account when comparing teams and performances. Payson may play the same style as QND, but comparing Payson's defense to QND's defense is apples to oranges, at best! I thought WH would play well last night, but I'm not too surprised by the final margin. I think WH and Macomb are pretty equal this year, and QND won by 25 at Macomb earlier.

That's pretty accurate, but I do think that WH just plays better on some nights than others. Unity is a classic example. WH struggled to beat them twice, and then absolutely hammered them the third time. I do think that the opponent has plenty to do with it, but I also think there's a "Jekyl and Hyde" component to the Titans.

The 21 point margin that QND built was legitimate. They played with much more confidence than WH, and hit shots that WH wasn't hitting. That's how you win games. I do think that WH made some good adjustments, and relaxed a little bit in the second half (I didn't see QND letting up....... they kept coming with the pressure).

Again, I don't think this QND team is "invincible" by any stretch. In fact, I'm not convinced that they're better than last year's team. But they should win the Regional.

[Titanfan89]

And I was real disappointed in the WH crowd as well. Not as umped us as they should have been for a huge game like this. But, QND came out quick and punched WH in the mouth 5-0 early before WH had to call a timeout. Playing QND, you have to start strong from the start and WH didn't do that, and curled up and started doing uncharacteristic things like dribbling into corners and getting trapped, throwing passes to no one, etc.

It boils down to confidence, and for some reason WH didn't have any last night, but they did finally manage to find some fight and play with QND in the second half, even though the game was over by then. I don't think too many teams are going to come back on QND unless QND beats themselves with turnovers or poor shot selection or something like that.

[guest07]

I think you nailed it. The WH crowd almost seemed resigned to the fact that they were going to get throttled by QND, before the game even started. Then when QND got up early, I think everyone just sat back and waited for the inevitable result. If WH could have hung close early, I think there may have been more energy in the building. I thought that was true for the JV game, even.

[Titanfan89]

I really thought that QND was going to blow it wide open in the second half, but WH matched their intensity finally and QND didn't hit as many shots in the 2nd half as they did in the first hal (shooting percentage wise). I also saw it getting a little chippy as WH was getting frustrated and Schlicher did some uncharacteristic things, such as dumb fouls and bad shots.

[oldviking]

It's time to move on! I don't think WH can dwell on this loss for too long . These young men need to really get up for a tough game coming up Tuesday at Carthage. The WCCN title will be on the line. The Titans know that they can play with the Chargers but they are really going to have to focus on doing things right and playing their best.

[Titanfan89]

I want to move on but can't get out of my head how big an egg wh layed. I will get over it eventually, that is what message boards are for. I am sure the players and coaches have forgot everything unless they have to look at game film monday.

[wolverine55]

Again though, and then I'll move on, I don't even really consider it laying an egg. I consider it simply losing to a team that is better than them.

[10&J]

Try to fill in some info and thoughts here. Great to meet photoguy and his picture here doesn't do him justice. Thanks again for this board. Thanks for the JV picture and hope to see more of your work over the years. I think the WH fans were louder in the JV game. As for the Jv winning, well Hardy shot excellent. 20 points, most from 3 point range including one beyond NBA line. Harmon had 15 and played good also. It should be noted that those 2 and Fitch from QND play together in Gus Macker. Funny to see them enjoying playing against each other.

My opinion WH fans were quiet I felt. They expected QND to pressure them and guess what hey did. WH is not that bad but no lie it was almost like they expected to lose. QND played good first half but just coasted after that.

WH JV played QND JV at Warsaw several weeks back and another close game QND won. Final note QND freshman are 18-2 for the year with Fitch only playing one game with the freshman.

Oh and 700 TRISTATEFANS flyers set to go in the programs at the shootout, see ya there.

[wolverine55]

Did the QND JV play twice today, or was the game with Jville varsity only?

[10&J]

Freshman played in Kirksville this morning, then went to jacksonville to play the JV game and won both. JV's played in Beardstown and lost by 3.

[Titanfan89]

Wow, QND really runs the youngins to death down there. That had to be tough on the freshman to go from Kirskville to Jacksonville in 1 day and play 2 games. But, look at all the valuable playing time and experience they are getting. I did not realize that Fitch and the WH freshman had some history together. It is going to be fun wathcing them throughout their high school years. The WH jv has a tough one coming up tuesday night at IW as IW jv has only 1 loss this year I believe to Macomb I think.

[guest07]

Wow, QND really runs the youngins to death down there. That had to be tough on the freshman to go from Kirskville to Jacksonville in 1 day and play 2 games. But, look at all the valuable playing time and experience they are getting. I did not realize that Fitch and the WH freshman had some history together. It is going to be fun wathcing them throughout their high school years. The WH jv has a tough one coming up tuesday night at IW as IW jv has only 1 loss this year I believe to Macomb I think.

The Carthage 8th graders finished 2nd in the state 2 years ago. Those kids are sophomores now. So yeah, they're very good. Meanwhile, I think that the West Hancock JV team has beat every team on their schedule this year.

[PhotoGuy]

At this place in the orginal thread, a good debate started about strength of schedule, so I split it off and formed a new thread:

Strength Of Schedule Debate (http://www.tristatefans.com/showthread.php?324-Debate-Strength-Of-Schedule)