I'm taking a gamble that this blog doesn't make me look like a chump here in a few hours when the Southfield Christian basketball team takes the Breslin Center Court against Muskegon Catholic Central. The Eagles lose, and I might just look like a chump.
But I'm gonna take that risk. I saw Southfield Christian beat Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary Tuesday night, 98-84. As exciting as the Eagles were throughout this game, perhaps the most exciting part was the final 90 seconds as coach Josh Baker unloaded his bench in an effort to get everyone some PT. Needing just four points to reach the century mark, the reserves fell just short.
But it was fun watching them try.
Scoring is nothing new to this bunch. It's been averaging nearly 90 a game over the past few weeks. The defense leaves a little to be desired. But if you can score like this team can, defense becomes a non issue.
Kind of reminds me of the 1990 Loyola Marymount team. You remember, the one that beat a talented Michigan squad 149-115 in the NCAA Tournament. That team scored 100+ points in 28 games that year. Heck, even the 149 it put up against the defending national champions was just its third-best effort of the year. Sure that team didn't play much defense. But it didn't matter. Its offense was in fast motion, non-stop.
That's a little like this Eagles team. Its lineup is loaded with playmakers, guys who know how to score. Lindsey Hunter III, Chris Dewberry, Gavin Toma and Lindsey Hunter IV all can score in bunches and take over a game. And freshman point guard Bakari Evelyn was extremely impressive. He could score 20+ too, if he wanted.
So I pity Muskegon Catholic Central tonight. Better bring their running shoes. Whether they like it or not, the Crusaders will have to run with Southfield Christian. If they don't, they'll be run off the court. Only way they keep the score down is to hold onto the ball for a minute at a time. And the pressure SC will apply might make that awfully hard to do. My prediction: Southfield Christian 74, Muskegon CC 60