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Sports

Cards face off against Spartans Thursday night

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By Ty Elliott

Tonight at 7:47 p.m. on TBS, the fourth-seeded Louisville Cardinals will look to upset the number one seed Michigan State Spartans in a Sweet 16 matchup in the West region.  The two teams come into Thursday’s game after winning close games against their third-round match-ups.  The Spartans defeated ninth-seeded Saint Louis Billikens 65-61, and the Cardinals beat the fifth-seeded New Mexico Lobos 59-56.

Both teams come into the game evenly matched.  Michigan State is a tough and physical team that likes to impose their will on their opponent in the paint.  Their star player, Draymond Green, averages 20 points and 12.5 rebounds per game during the tournament, while point guard Keith Appling is averaging 14.5 points and three assists per game.  Appling is a scoring point guard with amazing speed in a fast-break situation.  Louisville’s Peyton Siva and Russ Smith will have to control Appling on the fast-break and slow down Green on the offensive end in order to win and advance to the Elite Eight.

For Louisville, the key is the overall play of point guard Peyton Siva.  Siva has had mixed performances during the tournament so far.  Against the 13 seeded Davidson Wildcats, Siva finished with 17 points, two rebounds, and six assists, and in their game against New Mexico, Siva played poorly and had six points, five assists, and only one rebound.  Siva must play well in order for the Cardinals to win.  Louisville also needs to have big performances from their front court.  Freshman forward Chane Behanan and sophomore center Gorgui Dieng must play big for Louisville to out-rebound Green and the Spartans.

The pace of game may be the biggest factor in determining who wins.  Michigan State will look to slow the game down by running their half-court offense and creating fast-break situations when they can, and by playing a zone defense.  Louisville wants to play at a fast and up tempo pace using their press to force turnovers and score easily.  The team that can play at their pace will win.

Although the Spartans are regarded as the favorite to win the game and advance to the Final Four, I believe Louisville will win.  The game will be a tough defensive battle and a low scoring game, but the Cardinals will end up winning 54-52.

Boys Basketball, Sports

Highlanders prepare to face New Albany Friday; court to be named for former coach Joe Hinton

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by Ty Elliott

Friday night the 2-0 Highlanders boys’ basketball team will take on the 0-1 New Albany Bulldogs at FC in a rivalry of Floyd County schools. While the game will be between two fierce rivals and Hoosier Hills Conference foes, a special tribute will be made to former FC basketball coach Joe Hinton.

Hinton, who was coach for the boys’ program from its inception in 1967 until 1998, will have the floor named after him. For the Highlanders to beat the Bulldogs, who have dominated the series in the last few seasons, head coach Randy Gianfagna said his team must be ready to handle full court pressure.

“New Albany will press us and they will try to take us off the dribble,” said Gianfagna.

Both teams have new additions or upperclassmen stepping into new roles. New Albany received two talented transfers, AJ and Blake Schmidt, who previously attended Providence High School. AJ is a sharp shooting guard who can score at will and is capable of taking defenders off the bounce, while twin brother Blake is solid player in his own right. While AJ, who is receiving interest from Division One schools, gets all the attention, it is his brother Blake who always seems to make a key play in the game.

For the Highlanders, senior Nick Bombersbach has become a key part to their offensive attack. Bombersbach, who played sparingly last season, had a career high 26 points while hitting six three pointers in their win against Silver Creek. The Highlanders victory over Silver Creek gave FC their first 2-0 start since 1998.

The Highlanders’ next game after Friday night’s clash with the Bulldogs will be Friday, Dec. 16 against the Columbus East Olympians.