2024 Playoffs: Friday Night Lights Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday night we have over 55 teams from across the state competing to see who moves onto the next round of the Playoffs, moving us close to the State Tournament. In the article below we preview some of the most anticipated matchups that should be close in score, while being jam packed with both skilled prospects and a ton of emotion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>McCool Junction (19-3) vs Alma (20-4) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Tonight the McCool Junction Mustangs will host the Alma Cardinals in a battle that should be intense. The Mustangs come into this contest with only 3 losses, while the Cardinals have 4. When you look at other numbers from both of these teams that they have put up this winter, you notice that they are very similar. They both score around 55 PPG and they both have a winning percentage of around .834%. The next factor I take into consideration in a game like this is home court advantage and that goes to the Mustangs but the Cardinals have traveled on the road A LOT this winter and it hasn't impacted them in the slightest. In their 24 games, they are 12-1 on the road this year, so I don't think that this will play too much of a factor. These are two programs that rely heavily on their stars so whoever can show up with a better game-plan against the other, is going to have the best chance to come out on top but either way. It should be a close game when it comes down to it. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='770403' first='McKenna' last='Yates'] (19.8 PPG/3.4 RPG/3.8 APG), Briann Stutzman (10 PPG), Sara Weisheit (6.6 PPG/1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='770557' first='Riley' last='Scott'] (12 PPG), Addison Siebels (11 PPG/4.5 RPG/2.5 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='757589' first='Tierston' last='Moore'] (9 PPG/7 RPG/3 APG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#25 Lincoln Northstar (18-5) vs Marian (16-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>When it comes to the matchup between Lincoln Northstar vs Marian, it'll be interesting to see what unfolds. On one end with Northstar, you have several skilled players that will be competing at the collegiate level someday, in one way or another. For Marian, you have some skill but you more-so have a group that plays with a, team &gt; me, type of identity. Every game that they compete in and win, it's usually because of their selflessness and willingness to adapt to any given situation. This contest comes down to a star vs team effort type of debate for myself. It's nothing against Northstar but they have more mouths to feed in the aspect of really talented prospects, while the Crusaders are going to have to have multiple players step up if they want to come out of this one with a W. This is another game that could run down to the wire if everyone executes how they would like to down the stretch.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='305777' first='Elsa' last='Vedral'] (12 PPG/5 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='285674' first='McKenna' last='Stover'] (8 PPG/6 RPG/2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='300319' first='Maggie' last='Tynan'] (6 PPG/4 RPG), [player_tooltip player_id='756006' first='Ani' last='Leu'] (15 PPG/8 RPG/3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='336045' first='Sarah' last='Gatwech'] (14 PPG/6 RPG/2 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='777563' first='Joyce' last='Johnson'] (3.1 APG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bellevue West (17-6) vs Bellevue East (16-7)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Rivalry games always bring out the best atmosphere's for a high school contest and that is what we are going to get tonight in a Playoff situation. The Bellevue East Chieftains are going to go on the road and travel across town to compete against their rival, the Bellevue West Thunderbirds. For all intents and purposes, if everyone competes to their fullest ability, this shouldn't be a close game. It's nothing against the Chieftains but The Thunderbirds have so many factors in their favor, that it'll be hard to overcome all of it. They have home court advantage, really skilled-collegiate committed players, and a great supporting staff. When these two teams played earlier this season, it ended in a 20 point win for the T-Birds. On the flip side, the Chieftains are young. They have skilled prospects but those prospects are still growing into their own so for this winter, I think I'm going to have to give this one to Bellevue West. With that being said, I think this is still a game to attend if you have the chance. It should be high energy with a great crowd. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='192833' first='Naomi' last='White'] (18 PPG/8 RPG/3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='277933' first='Kenzie' last='Melcher'] (12 PPG/4 RPG/3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='300322' first='Dani' last='Coyer'] (6.5 RPG), Ahnice Russell-Brown (12 PPG/4 APG), T'Niyah Wilson Smith (20 PPG/7 RPG/3 APG), Brani Jackson (14 PPG/3 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='824272' first='Mya' last='Weber'] (9 PPG/7 RPG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adams Central (19-5) vs Arlington (21-4) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Adams Central will host Arlington High School on Friday evening in a contest that should be a tight one. The Adams Central Patriots may have lost 5 games this season coming into this one but I think that they have a good chance to secure a victory at home this evening. As it pertains to Arlington, they have lived off of the production of their starting PG, SF, and SG all season long. If they want to come out as winners tonight, someone else is going to have to step up in a big way. Adams Central made it to the State tournament last season and they are hoping to duplicate that this time around. Like I've said, they have taken their L's. As long as they learn from their past mistakes moving forward, they should be alright but Arlington is dangerous. If they don't stop their main producers, the Eagles will win this game and move onto the next round. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Performers: [player_tooltip player_id='757579' first='Emerson' last='Timm'] (14 PPG/4 RPG/4 APG), Britt Nielsen (12 PPG/8 RPG/1 APG), [player_tooltip player_id='759022' first='Macy' last='Wolf'] (11 PPG/3 APG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->