KHSAlum400

EC on 13-0 run now.. lead 25-18 with 4:37 left in the 2nd.. Timeout Van Alsytne

Tomorrow will make my 45th straight state tournament attended. Started attending the state tourney in 1972 when I was 8 years old.
My goal is to make 50 in a row.
This will also be my 10th year as media. The EC and Silsbee game will be my 9th and 10th game broadcasted at state tourney. Hoping to do 11 and 12 this week.

I hope so too. As long as they can stay focused on the task at hand, I think they will do it. 2 wins away from being the best in 4A! 

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i think most expected E.C. to beat Kountze Down 3 starters.. Kountze beat E.C. by 5 points with all starters.. But anything was possible when you have a player like Grayland Arnold but just wasn't enough.. hats off to  East Chambers they have the best chance to bring the title back home... don't think kountze would of fared well in San Antonio 

I agree 100%. Happened to me and my teammates (Kountze - 2000) when we met up with Gainesville in the State Semis. We had fallen short in the Reg. Finals the previous two seasons before finally getting over the hump and winning the Region. It was almost like we had accomplished our goal for that year by just "getting to Austin." 
During that week you take in the community pep rally, send-off, look forward to the chartered bus ride, practice at a local HS, take in a State game the night before, and by the time you get to your game it's the 2nd quarter and you're down...  You then realize you're there to play, but it's too late. 
I know if we could do it all over again we would've had a different mindset heading to Austin... 

Congrats to EC and good luck! Proud of the way both teams fought today

Both Anderson boys, Peter Stewart all moved in before the school year, and Cordell Davis #21 only has played this past summer league with the Juniors and Seniors.

I agree 100%. Happened to me and my teammates (Kountze - 2000) when we met up with Gainesville in the State Semis. We had fallen short in the Reg. Finals the previous two seasons before finally getting over the hump and winning the Region. It was almost like we had accomplished our goal for that year by just "getting to Austin." 
During that week you take in the community pep rally, send-off, look forward to the chartered bus ride, practice at a local HS, take in a State game the night before, and by the time you get to your game it's the 2nd quarter and you're down...  You then realize you're there to play, but it's too late. 
I know if we could do it all over again we would've had a different mindset heading to Austin... 

I agree 100%. Happened to me and my teammates (Kountze - 2000) when we met up with Gainesville in the State Semis. We had fallen short in the Reg. Finals the previous two seasons before finally getting over the hump and winning the Region. It was almost like we had accomplished our goal for that year by just "getting to Austin." 
During that week you take in the community pep rally, send-off, look forward to the chartered bus ride, practice at a local HS, take in a State game the night before, and by the time you get to your game it's the 2nd quarter and you're down...  You then realize you're there to play, but it's too late. 
I know if we could do it all over again we would've had a different mindset heading to Austin... 

Which guys had never stepped foot on the court together?

Those teams from Region 2 do not turn the ball over as much as we'd like to believe when faced with a press. They do however like to slow the game down. If EC can make it a fast-paced game I think they give themselves a fighting chance. I would like to see the 3A Champ come out of Region 3 again. Region 2 has reeled off a couple since White Oak last won it in 2013. 

Thanks! This is what I heard about Van Alstyne last year. 

KHSAlum makes a good point.  The press doesn't seem to bother VA - they don't turn the ball over just because they are pressed.  However, they like to take risks on offense and I personally think their passes are sloppy because of that.  ECC needs to play fundamental defense and wait for the sloppy passes because they won't have to wait long.
4) They are fairly tall, but they are mostly skinny and with the exception of Boling and their center (Hensley), they are not what I'd call "strong."  BTW, speaking of tall, the 6'8" center that played for Faith Family had at least 10 blocks in the game against VA.
5) Boling was an All-Stater last year (and will likely be one again this year), but he has not been the MVP in the playoffs - that would go to the center - Hensley.  Found out that his dad was an OL at Baylor and that must be where this kid gets his toughness.  He's only 6'2, but tough as nails and basically won the last game in the 4th with his tough play under the basket and clutch FT's. 
The Roster: 
Somebody put a copy of the roster up above, but I think that is last year's roster as the Jones boy isn't playing this year.  But they are basically the same team that beat Ponder last year and lost to Brock in the Regional Finals.  They only graduated one starter from last year, and these boys really play together as a team - they are not a bunch of lone rangers trying to pad their stats.
Advice to beat VA:
- When you take the floor for warmups, you'll look across the way and see a bunch of skinny young men that don't even look that athletic (mostly) - don't underestimate them.  If you get cocky and think you've got it in the bag, they will drain five 3's to start the game and take all the wind out of your sails.
- Be focused and play your game regardless of the score - VA had Life down by 20 pts in the 3rd and I thought the game was over.  VA went cold and Life brought it back to a 6 pt game.  
- Sounds too simple, but you've got to make your FT's.  VA will.
- Don't get sloppy.  In the 4th, when you are tired, if your passes aren't crisp you'll get burned.  Boling loves to take 4th period steals all the way for a dunk.  
- Don't let their crowd get in your head.  I'm not kidding - this sounds ridiculous but I've never heard a louder crowd and their student section goes bonkers.  They even have a name for them - VAVAT (Van Alstyne Verbal Assault Team).  I'm not kidding.  I can't even sit on the same side as the VA fans because I don't want people to think I'm one of them. 
Ok, it's time for me to shut up and give some other folks a chance here.  If you'll want to make me a happy grandpa, take it to the boys from VA.  I'll be sitting on the ECC side on Thursday and I'll be wearing a green Thomas Moore Feed hat. 
Tom

New-comer to this forum.  My wife says I'm too old to be jackin' around with this but I love bb and would like to offer up an opinion.  My granddad used to say, "Your opinion and a nickel will get you a cup of coffee."  So take it for what it's worth.
I've actually seen VA play a lot this year because my buddy lives there....and I only live 5 miles away (Anna) so I had a lot of opportunity to watch these boys. 
I'm not a fan, because these boys have been beating my team for too many years.  But I do have a couple of observations:
1) They also press like h*ll...best press I've seen through the playoffs.  I actually got to watch multiple playoff games and not sure anybody is faster/quicker than Faith Family out of Dallas and Waxahatchie Life.  When VA pressed, they shut 'em down.  However, not taking away from FF and Life, but VA got an easy bracket.  Just sayin...
2) They love to run.  Their game is super-fast.  They don't seem to play as well when slowed down, which is what Faith Family did most of the game and it "almost" worked.  If VA plays their game they have a chance to win any game they are in.  When forced to slow down, they just don't have the opportunity to take as many shots and it gets 'em out of their rhythm.
3) Most of the team has really strong ball-handling skills.  Boling is unbelievable - he can do it all.  But when teams try to shut him down, five of their players, including Boling's brother (soph) start rippin' 3's.  They've just flat-out got shooters all over the floor.

Kountze's last three Regional Finals losses have all been by 2 points, scored by the winning team in the final minute of the game....
2016: 71-69, lost to East Chambers
2014: 84-82, lost to Tatum in OT on a buzzer beater
2012: 61-59, lost to White Oak

Proud of Kountze... Had all those players out and still almost won nothing to hang our heads about good luck EC

That is crazy to think back on all the great battles, and Kountze has come out on top every time.

I sure am glad EC did not give up when Highschoolfootball99 said the game is over!  Kountze would be going to San Antonio instead of East Chambers!  WAIT...    EC jumped out to an 11 to 0 lead in the 1st period against Kountze and  the lions never believed it was over.  The Bucs knew there would be no knock out punch.  Instead, two skilled opponents would lock into a grueling match that would be determined in the final seconds of the game.  Both teams know that on any given day the other team could be the victor.  

Nothing at all tought to beat a team like that 3 Times in a season.... Proud of the lions losing 3 starters and came up a Lil short 

Congrats to EC and good luck! Proud of the way both teams fought today

This is Sutherland's 8th trip! Great game Bucs! Kountze nothing to hang your head about! 

I knew they would. I can remember some of the infamous Coach Sutherland huddle quotes when he was at Kountze 

Congrats to EC and good luck! Proud of the way both teams fought today

Darius Guillory shot lights out to get East chambers back in the game... Great game congrats East chambers... Kountze we gotta get Wilson in a basketball camp this summer kid has great potential