BOUNCE’S PREDICTED WINNERS
ADAMS CENTRAL BOYS
Pure dominance. That is just kind of what we all expect from Adams Central at this point. And why think that it is going to change just because we are in a tournament format?
Isaac Schultz, the defending ACAC Tournament MVP, essentially has no match in this conference when it comes to his size or his strength. He has become seemingly better each night and really spent the fall honing his IQ and footwork to make him even better. He scored 32 points in an eye opening win over conference top contender Jay County in a dominant win last Saturday, even having 15 after just the first quarter.
Micah McClure is one of the standout and somewhat breakout players in the area so far. Yes, he was really good last season, but he too seems to have dove into what makes him a shiftier and more intelligent player and it has paid dividends in a still young season for a team who got a later start to games than everyone else. Look for Trace Maller to be someone who really helps pick up any lacking area for the Flying Jets during tournament week, though don’t expect those areas to be abundant.
JAY COUNTY GIRLS
Being led by a freshman named Schwieterman is nothing new. Hallie Schwieterman, this time, has had a great start to her high school career and is averaging 13 points a game while being supported by a heavy senior lineup who knows nothing other than winning the ACAC Tournament.
So why in the runner up prediction? Something just feels like Bluffton pulls this out, but that doesn’t take anything away at all from Jay County, who were kind of expected for a down year in some circles but have delivered night in and night out. Sophie Saxman is such a multi-tool player for the Patriots who is a defensive powerhouse that can score when called upon and rebounds at a high rate. I don’t think Jay County needs the bye they have but they will take it and as long as they can stop Macy Pries’ high scoring efforts in a possible game with South Adams, they should be back to the finals.
I thought that Jay County and Bluffton would split their season series with JC winning the regular season and Bluffton taking the ACAC Tournament game. But then the regular season game happened and Jay County’s defense was fantastic, including leading 11-0 after the first quarter.
And sure I’m predicting Bluffton to win that game, but lets be honest and say it will be of no shock if Jay County continues one of the state’s most impressive reigns.
BOUNCE’S PREDICTED RUNNER UPS
WOODLAN BOYS
While Jay County has plenty of argument here as maybe the second best team in the tournament, their bye only draws them a likely semi final meeting with Adams Central. Woodlan however gets the other side of the bracket with games that could be challenging, but not as much as another meeting with Adams Central.
So what about that second meeting? We expect to get it in the finals, but there are teams and players that could push on that changing. Should we get it, expect another big scoring battle. The first time Woodlan met the Flying Jets, they fell 77-70, tied for the most points that Woodlan has scored all season. Expect Trey Yoder and Braden Smith to go all out in trying to bring the ACAC title back to Woodburn and their high scoring volume is massive if they have a chance to topple the mighty Jets.
BLUFFTON GIRLS
We certainly won’t count Bluffton’s girls team out of this tournament yet, but last week’s loss to Jay County was eye opening for all of us. That means it was also eye opening for Bluffton and coach Doug Curtis is really good at making adjustments and he always has been. So if these teams play in the finals as expected, then things should be different.
Isabella Stout continues to be one of the most underrated scorers and best overall players in the ACAC. Sophomore Konley Ault is also a name that we aren’t talking about nearly enough for what she can mean for a really stellar tournament for the Tigers, averaging a team second best 12.7 points and four assists per game despite missing the last 11 games. She is expected back for the tournament. This is a really young team and they are still possibly developing but they are balanced and that is critical in a conference tournament week.
Bluffton isn’t just the top contender, they can still very well win this.
TEAMS TO MAKE NOISE
Heritage boys
It hasn’t been the best start for Heritage, who is playing by committee without a standout star, but that kind of balanced work is lending itself to a bright future with just a couple of seniors. That future though could start this week and that is, in part, because those seniors are tenacious with D’vontaye Washington leading the Patriots in scoring and rebounding and Kobe Meyer being a great leader on the perimeter. Landon Lybarger and Taurean Brown are both solid shooters who don’t have great numbers this year, but if they can step up to the challenge of a usually hot shooting Woodlan team in the opening round, Heritage could exploit some perimeter matchups.
Bluffton boys
At 5-4, Bluffton is starting to play really well inside a completely different style with coach Craig Teagle at the helm. A first round win over Southern Wells will match their win total from the last two seasons combined and when you generate that kind of excitement, a lot of crazy things can happen especially in a not terrible imbalanced upper half of the ACAC. A semi final with Woodlan is something we expect and it is a chance for players like Declan Grieser and Kaleb Green to break out a bit more.
PLAYERS TO MAKE NOISE
Macy Pries of South Adams is scoring just under 19 points per game and is one of the area’s best scorers this season. Her ability to put up big numbers any time against any opponent makes South Adams more lethal than many will give them credit for. She scores on everyone; in double digits 14 times this season with 9 of those games having 20 or more points and four of them being 28 or more. She is a high volume shooter and her ability to get in and create chaos around the basket leave her as one of the most intriguing player in the conference, be it girls or boys sides.
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