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Cadet Carl
says speed doesn't matter
when big guys are healthy
It's true that we all know about Ike.
Roger
Underwood
Yakima
Herald-Republic
|
About the Ike, the Kansas native; about Ike, the
West Point grad; about Ike, the U.S. Army general, the commander of the
Allied forces in Europe during World War II and, of course, about Ike,
the 34th president of these United States.
But do we really know about Ike, the boys
basketball team?
Let's consider the thoughts of someone who does,
an Ike insider with a no-nonsense, military mindset we'll call Cadet
Carl.
"About this Davis thing," Cadet Carl said,
leaning forward and folding his hands on his desk. "People think we
can't beat them, because we haven't lately. But we can. And we will,
Monday night."
Why, we ask?
"Because the Cadets are good," Cadet Carl said,
leaning back in his chair and adjusting his cap. "Because they are tall,
they are talented, they are tough and they are deep."
But isn't it true that Ike has lost a game --
56-50 at Pasco back in December -- and the Pirates haven't?
"Sure," Cadet Carl said. "But it's also true
that the Cadets didn't have Nate Gipson due to injury in that game and
that their depth, with sophomores like Drew Harris, Zach Gavin and Brett
Felton, had yet to mature.
"It's also true that Branden Johnson, biggest of
the Ike big men at 6-foot-8, had not truly hit his stride. He'd do that
later, in a big road win at Richland."
OK, back to Johnson. And Jack Loofburrow, the
6-7 junior. Are they really players or are they just tall?
"Players," Cadet Carl said flatly. "Big time.
Johnson finishes shots around the basket -- in traffic and through fouls
-- as well as any player in the Big Nine. And Loofburrow, after an
offseason of weight work, is getting better all the time."
So can the Pirates deal with these guys? Davis
is scary quick, of course.
"They are indeed," Cadet Carl said. "But again,
our guys are 6-8 and 6-7. Davis has no one taller than 6-2 -- unless you
count Shag. Bottom line? Davis has no one who can climb these guys, let
alone guard them."
But what about the Pirates' press and pace? Will
the big guys ever get the ball?
"Ever heard of Alex Johnson?" Cadet Carl asked,
raising his eyebrows. "Forget last season, even after he came back from
knee surgery. He was wearing a brace that had more moving parts than a
'58 Volkswagen and he wasn't himself. Now there's no brace, and no
problem.
"Gipson and Jerad Groth have good quickness,
too. And Groth, though he seems small compared to Branden Johnson and
Loofburrow, is 6-3."
So your prediction for the big game in the big
building is ...
"Let me put it this way, in Pirate terms," Cadet
Carl said, smiling as he clicked on a boom box. It played a rap song
designed to respond to one produced by Davis' mascots, Pete and Re-Pete:
"Yes you can run, yes you can shoot,
Yes you've got speed and quickness to boot.
But the Cadets are big and the Cadets are
tough,
ain't no way possible way they're scared of
your stuff.
So heads up Bert, heads up Curtis,
When this one's over, you won't even know
where your shirt is.
Plain fact is, your time has come,
So go ahead, Davis, gimme some!"
WHY DAVIS WILL WIN
> GO |
