The Sand Mountain Tournament tips off tonight at the Coliseum. Technically, there were play-in games on Saturday in Sylvania, but now the bracket is set and we're ready to go.
Whichever side of the Mountain you're from, you're in for a smorgasbord of basketball this week.
Varsity Boys Matchups
#1 Geraldine (9-1) vs #8 Section (5-5)
This one isn't your typical #1 vs #8 matchup. The Lions started the season 0-5, but have ripped off 5 straight wins, including a 98-94 shootout with Pisgah last week. Caleb Henshaw can be deadly and is a nightmare to guard on the perimeter; Keylon Harris figures to get the assignment.
For the Bulldogs, it's all about feeding the beast as Zack Nelson goes in to the tournament as the frontrunner for MVP. I don't believe there's a player in the tournament field that can handle Nelson 1-on-1, meaning Geraldine should get plenty of open looks at the basket. As dangerous of a 1-8 matchup as this is, Geraldine just took down Saks on Saturday...
Southern Torch Pick: Geraldine Bulldogs
Game Time: Monday at 8:30 PM
#4 Fyffe (1-3) vs #5 Crossville (4-5)
This will be the first time a Crossville team comes to the tournament without Coach Hulgan tugging at his tie on the sidelines since 1990. The Lions tend to go as Bradley Best goes, so they'll look to feed the post as often as possible and hope that Fyffe still haven't found their basketball legs.
The reigning Tournament Champions haven't looked the part this season...probably because they just won the 2A State Title in football just over a week ago. Peyton Wilbanks is a star and can carry the team until Stiefel & Co. round in to form. The Red Devils will have to find out how to get production from their bench, because the other four starters look gassed.
Southern Torch Pick: Fyffe Red Devils
Game Time: Monday at 5:30 PM
#3 Plainview (6-3) vs #6 North Sand Mountain (4-3)
These aren't the North Sand Mountain teams of the 90's that averaged 100 ppg, but they still have basketball talent. They'll need to force a "grind it out" type game to have a shot in this one.
This will be the second time these area foes have met, with the Bears knocking off the Bison 60-35 at North Sand Mountain earlier this season. Will Kirk scored 19 in the previous matchup and they'll look to continue that trend against the struggling Herd. Also, the Bears just upset Alexandria, so.... #DunkAlert
Southern Torch Pick: Plainview Bears
Game Time: Tuesday at 5:30 PM
#2 Pisgah (4-4) vs #7 Sylvania (3-4)
Don't be fooled by the Rams record, as they started the season trying to piece a lineup together because of injuries. Dillon Cambron is coming back to life, "Grizzly" Adams has been as clutch as any player in the tournament, and Caleb Haynes is a nightmare to stop inside. Haynes has a great stroke, finishes well around the rim and is getting double digit rebounds...meaning he should have a field day against the wide open Eagles.
Pisgah lost some key players off of last years roster and currently have a number of starters injured. Jay Shirey is their guy and he'll look to bull his way through the paint as the focal point of the offense. These Eagles are fun to watch, especially when the chaos of their press is at full go.
Southern Torch Pick: Sylvania Rams
Game Time: Tuesday at 8:30 PM
Southern Torch Pre-All Tourney Team
Cody Willingham (G) - Plainview
Peyton Wilbanks (G) - Fyffe
Keylon Harris (G) - Geraldine
Caleb Haynes (F) - Sylvania
Caleb Henshaw (F) - Section
Southern Torch Pre-Tournament MVP
Zack Nelson (F) - Geraldine
Projected Finals Matchup
#1 Geraldine vs #3 Plainview
Varsity Girls Matchups
#1 Pisgah (5-2) vs #8 North Sand Mountain (3-5)
Southern Torch Pick: Pisgah Lady Eagles
Game Time: Monday at 7:00 PM
#4 Section (7-2) vs #5 Sylvania (4-6)
Southern Torch Pick: Section Lady Lions
Game Time: Monday at 4:00 PM
#3Crossville (8-2) vs #6 Ider (6-3)
Southern Torch Pick: Crossville Lady Lions
Game Time: Tuesday at 4:00 PM
#2 Plainview (9-2) vs #7 Fyffe (3-5)
Southern Torch Pick: Plainview Lady Bears
Game Time: Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Southern Torch Pre-Tournament MVP
Destiny Lowden (G) - Plainview
Projected Finals Matchup
#1 Pisgah vs #2 Plainview
