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[DEE-HOP]

With all the "TALK" about the improved Packers, I'm intrested in observing whether this team is a real threat to Tabb's supremecy in the district. I've only seen Smithfield once against Surry, and they do have the physical presence to match up against Tabb. However, I observed a lack of discipline and to be honest some questionable calls from the bench which led to their demise in their last meeting against Surry County.

I am also curious to see them in their first game situation since the Christmas break against a team that actually played in a tournament against a decent level of competition. I've always believed that it's hard to come back from Christmas in game shape unless you actually played games during the break.

Bowser(12ppg) is an athletic and tough competitor, but I believe reigning BRD Player of the Year Steve Sherwood(18ppg) is the better basketball player. Look for Tabb to spread the floor and use alot of screens to get Sherwood, McGee, and Jones some good looks at the hoop. The disciplined style of Tabb, especially defensively, is essential to getting the Tigers out to a solid start. Mims, Smalls, and Case will DOMINTATE the paint! It wil be important for Tabb to stay out of early foul trouble against a team that loves to slash to the goal. It will be very tempting for Tabb to try and block shots, but the key may be staying ground bound with their arms fully extended upward to force the big men from Smithfield to shoot over the top. Good perimeter defense will be critical to slowing Bowser. He likes to drive the ball down the lane for point blank lay-ups. If McGee can force him to rely on his jumpshot, the game will break decidedly Tabb's way.

Sixth man Emmanuel Jones(11ppg) has been sick to the stomach over his last performance against Poquoson(4pts), both offensively and defensively. If he comes off the bench hungry and plays intelligent defense, this will give Tabb multiple threats from the perimeter. McGee and big man Don Smalls are "pregnant" with good games as well. Maybe they can have those babies this week and push Tabb out of reach in the district race.

Whatever the case, they will have their hands full this week. Friday nights contest at Poquoson looms in the backdrop of this thriller! First things first! I fully expect them to win @ home Wednesday whether by one or twenty! You better believe Coach Doug Baggett and his staff will have them prepared to do just that!

[forsurehooper]

you know I am prepared to respond, but first they have to beat york today. I defintely think smithfield can match-up inside with tabb. The guard play is going to be vital for both teams. Yes, sherwood is going to need a lot of screens to get his shot off, because smithfield will be able to defend him if he handles the ball. This game also may come down to which coach makes the best adjustments. I believe that the game will be interesting, and I hope it shapes up to be the game of the district. I want to see how our smithfield guys respond to playing the number #1 team in the district. If smithfield play strong, discplined, fundamentally sound defense and offense I believe they will get the win. I wish both teams luck and that the game is played the right way. I will be there(SEE YA! at the game)

[rskellie1]

As I said on a previous post I saw Smithfield play against Surry County and what I saw was a lot of one on one playground basketball. Smithfield played helter skelter and out of control. I thing that if they learn to feed off Bowser as he penetrates rather than standing around they will be better on offense.

Thier defense is very quick and hounding and Tabb has to be wary of that and not get into lulled into that upbeat playground type play and I believe that the game in the tourney against Poqouson will help Tabb to be patient and to pick thier spots to run. They must push the ball at least to half court after Smithfield makes as I saw Surry County do and caught the Packers sleeping many times.

One thing that I have not seen anyone comment on except for Marty is Tabbs game by game improvement at the freethrow line by the big men. The team as a whole is shooting very well. This was thier achilles heel down the stretch in thier only loss of the season and I believe that they are determined not to let that happen again.

This Tabb team is very disiplined and that is why many people are saying that this is one of the better teams that Coach Baggett has had in a long time. But like any team they have thier flaws and lose focus at times. They have proven that they can play any type of game put in front of them weather it is Power, upbeat, finess, patient or bruising. I am looking forward to see what the other teams do in the second half to adjust to them.

[BBallguru]

Tabbs D stops Bowser easily with a box in one setup, just like they did on Pinder from POQ

Tabbs O lead by sherwood and Jones dominates the shots, with most of the rebounds going Tabbs way because of Mims/Smalls/Case

Tabb wins by 15+

[DEE-HOP]

A GURU YOU ARE!!! COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF!

[ShsIsMyAlmaMater]

I would like to add my expertise to this subject and i have only seen one of the teams play. Anyways, the box and one would be very effective against teams who are built on athletic ability. When I was in the district, the was Smithfields strong point. If it worked on Poq, who I beleive is the most disciplined team in the district, athleticism wont conquer a strong game plan from a strong squad. Tabb has a dynamic scorer and several defensive stoppers. Havent seen Smithfield play, but they better bring their A+ game to live up to the enormous hype that has been built. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

[forsurehooper]

the problem with the box-in-1, bowser is not smithfield's only scorer(bladwin, tucker and goodman) are also capable scorers. The 15 margin is a tough call, but like I said before if smithfield does not play discplined, fundamentally sound ball and tough man-2-man that could be their downfall. Throw the ball up and let's see what happens when the horn sound at the end. I still feel that it is smithfield's time.