IMPORTANT ELEMENTS
CONTROL OF THE SAC
Five teams sit at 1-0 in the SAC going into Friday. Only three can possibly leave the night with a 2-0 mark and a share of the SAC lead. One of these teams will lose their zero and considering that these two are often regarded as the best in the SAC, this game will be for control in the minds of many. While Concordia, Snider and South Side will tell you they want to be there to seize control, the Spartans and Chargers are in the front of the minds of many.
It is still very early in the season, so a lot of things can happen. One game possibly does not control the SAC this season. But at this point, there is an assumption that the winner of this game is in control of the conference.
HOW GOOD IS HOMESTEAD? HOW GOOD IS CARROLL?
Insert shrug emoji. No seriously, there may not be an answer for this. Which makes it even tougher to decipher who the best team is right now between these two. Homestead was trounced by a really good Carmel team and then has won four straight against teams that they should have beaten, so it is difficult to figure out how good they are right now. Carroll has had a little bit better depth in their experience at 5-2 with losses again to teams that its not surprising they lost to; and they’ve beat the teams they should have beat.
When you have programs like Homestead and Carroll, they meet expectations at least nine times out of ten. So they’ve done what they are supposed to do the first month of the season. But it sure doesn’t help much with insight into this game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
AYANNA PATTERSON, HOMESTEAD
You should always watch Patterson, but here we are seeing her more explosive all around this season than she’s ever been in her high school career. She has to score big for Homestead to win and she has become more equipped to do that consistently. Carroll will need to rebound and to do that they have to slow Patterson, which stands easier said than done.
TAYLOR FORDYCE, CARROLL
When you talk about players stepping up into expanded roles, Fordyce may be the best Charger at doing so those far this season. Fordyce has picked up significant slack as teams have keyed on other players and has really continued to develop into a fantastic two-way player.
MAGGIE KEINSLEY, HOMESTEAD
Homestead is still looking for a true number two and throw Keinsley into the ring for that. The Spartans have scored by committee more this season behind Patterson, almost like how Carroll scores. Keinsley has been able to be there to chip away and even be the #2. Her confidence in her shot is rising and she could be a tough, aggressive matchup for the Chargers.
SANIYA JACKSON, CARROLL
When it comes to controlling the rim and getting the Chargers some extra looks, Jackson is a wild card. She’s certainly not a traditional post nor does she play there. But she is long and scrappy and has shown a willingness to mix it up and find ways to get her team the ball.
KEYS TO VICTORY – HOMESTEAD
EXTEND THE LEAD EARLY
Homestead doesn’t want to play from behind basically ever but especially against the depth of Carroll. The Spartans play their best with spacing, not just on the floor but also with the scoreboard. As Homestead is still learning and growing with a moderately inexperienced team, they can play looser with the lead.
HIT THE TRIPLE
There has to be some consistency behind the arc. It will help extend the aforementioned lead and it really will keep Carroll chasing shooters if they can knock down their shots. It also will go a long way to help free up Patterson from any kind of collapsed or junk defense.
KEYS TO VICTORY – CARROLL
DON’T BE AFRAID TO PLAY DEEP
Using your bench is your biggest strength if you are Carroll. So use your hockey line change, mix and match, do what you’ve done every day. Mark Redding is great at establishing and developing his depth. In the past, it is possible that Homestead has had more depth, but that may not be the case this year. So you go deep Carroll.
REBOUND THE BALL
You have to keep Homestead off the boards. The Spartans may not have a lot of traditional post play, but so many of them are good at rebounding the ball, including Patterson, Keinsley and Alison Stephens. Carroll has to make it a priority to box out and get those missed shots on both ends of the floor.
BOUNCE’S PREDICTION
I’ve been told and agreed with, since the preseason that Carroll had the best chance at beating Homestead in conference this season. That hasn’t changed. This is the best chance that Carroll has had to beat Homestead in a long time; the Chargers’ last win over Homestead came on December 20, 2008. All of that said, but one thing remains bigger than that: no SAC team has ever beat Homestead in an SAC regular season game; no area team has beaten Homestead since January 30, 2018. To be the man, you’ve gotta beat the man, WOOOO! Bounce picks Homestead
Be the first to comment