RJ
Years ago
Funny State Champs - STATE Preview
Short but to the point.
Feel free to disagree.
Under 12 Boys State
Group A Sturt are no1 seeds and have rarely been pushed in 2004/05. They have a well balanced side with speed, skill and height. After Sturt this is a very even group. No.4 seeded Woodville have been disappointing so far this winter season and currently sit 7th. West Adelaide (5-2-1) appear favourites right now to take the second semi final spot but Eastern (who drew to West in Round 5) could take that spot away from them. Even Norwood could make life difficult for those teams fighting for that semi final spot.
Prediction: 1.Sturt 2.West 3.Eastern 4.Woodville 5.Norwood
Group B Top two seeded teams not currently in the best of form. South and Southern both impressed over the Summer, in particular South who's hustle and bustle got them all the way to the Final. Despite this both teams haven't shown their best so far this season. That said South did beat West last Friday so it would seem not all hope is lost. Under the tutelage of one of the grades best credentialed coaches Forestville come into the weekend as one of the most improved teams in the grade. Look for Forestville to steal one of the semi final spots. North too have shown they can go with the best knocking of the Panthers at home in Round 7.
Prediction: 1.South 2.Forestville 3.Southern 4.North 5.Centrals
Final Four: 1.Sturt (5) 2.West (3) 3.South (2) 4.Forestville (1)
Under 14 Boys State
Group A West Adelaide would have to feel pretty confident of winning through the rounds. As top of a three team grade West get the easier group. That said group A does include Summer semi finalist Eastern under new leadership and the constantly improving Rockets. Whether both teams have progressed far enough to not only catch West but both knock the Bearcats off is questionable; personally I'd still expect West to progress unscathed. The battle between the Mavs and Rockets for the 2nd semi spot should be interesting. As to the effect that Broken Hill could have on the grade. After seeing the Bronocs play a few months ago I'd tip the battle for 2nd to come down to Mavs v Rockets. While obvious improvement has been shown Southern are still too far behind the pack to make a legitimate claim for success.
Prediction: 1.West 2.North 3.Eastern 4.Broken Hill 5.Southern
Group B Sturt and Norwood lead the way in group B in what could be a battle to miss West in the semi. Sturt have been bolstered but still rely on their one-two punch of Owen-Thomas and Marriot. Forestville have shown signs but probably aren't ready to knock off either while South have the talent they simply aren't showing enough on the court. Woodville and Centrals appear another tier back.
Prediction: 1.Sturt 2.Norwood 3.Forestville 4.South 5.Woodville 6.Centrals
Final Four: 1.Sturt (5) 2.West (3) 3.Norwood (2) 4.North (1)
Under 16 Boys State
Group A An impressive Summer Season has turned into a less then impressive Winter for premiers Sturt. Injury hasn't helped and this has made the Sabres vulnerable. While Norwood will again be around the mark, Forestville has retooled and has the talent to now push for a semis spot. Southern is improving but are still too thin to push the better teams. Centrals will simply be making up the numbers.
Prediction: 1.Sturt 2.Forestville 3.Norwood 4.Southern 5.Centrals
Group B Four teams in this group would have the next round on their mind and for many differing reasons. West would be favourites to go through as top seed and will probably have little trouble making the semis. North have been disappointing after leading the way two years ago in Under 14's, while South have had an impressive start to the winter season highlighted by a draw against the Sabres. Eastern could push both North and South for the second semi spot while Woodville appear too far away from the pack.
Prediction: 1.West 2.North 3.South 4.Eastern 5.Woodville
Final Four: 1.West (5) 2.Sturt (3) 3.North (2) 4.Forestville (1)
All-Star Five: Dylan Wheatley (North), Matt Dubrich (South), Keegan Brooksby (Sturt), Kurtis Phillips (West), Peter Leys (Sturt).
Under 18 Boys State
Group A Norwood surprised many making the summer final while Woodville have been consistent throughout 2004/05. The dark horse is the hot Southern Tigers who currently are undefeated in regular season action. If Southern can stay composed they should take top of this group while I'm tipping Norwood to sneak in ahead of Woodville. South and Eastern appear too far behind to compete with the other three sides.
Prediction: 1.Southern 2.Norwood 3.Woodville 4.South 5.Eastern
Group B A very deep group of teams currently in form. Forestville as summer premiers would appear favourites to win the group especially if they can get their full side on the court. A Dodman led Sturt will make an impact and with him Sturt should take the other finals spot. West have been showing good signs and led by Molitor up front have the tools to take both Sturt and Forestville, even at full strength. Once again North have been a little disappointing but if they can put it together could also push for a semis spot. Once again Centrals appear unable to put up much of a challenge.
Prediction: 1.Forestville 2.Sturt 3.West 4.North 5.Centrals
Final Four: 1.Forestville 2.Southern 3.Sturt 4.Norwood
All-Star Five: Jordan Dodman (Sturt), Matt de Cure (Forestville), Shannon Seebohm (Forestville), Chris Molitor (West), Phil Brown (Southern).
Under 20 Men State
Group A Three teams for two spots. Woodville and Norwood are seeded after competing in the Summer semis, Woodville taking the premiership. The third being the perennially impressive Southern who seemed to have lost some focus in the jump from 18's to 20's. That and the loss of Ingles to the AIS. The improvement the Tigers have shown of late make them a legitimate contender for a semis spot. Centrals have shown glimpses but not enough while Eastern appear to be struggling to just put a team together.
Prediction: 1.Southern 2.Woodville 3.Norwood 4.Centrals 5.Eastern
Group B Again three talented teams appear on a collision course for two spots. The best prepared and committed most likely to advance. Forestville will be missing some pieces of their summer season assult while North and West have the talent to beat anyone in this grade. All three are led by players making a name for themselves at ABA level. South and Sturt will put committed teams on the floor but unfortunately lack the depth of talent of the previous three to make a serious challenge.
Prediction: 1.North 2.West 3.Forestville 4.South 5.Sturt
Final Four: 1.North (5) 2.Southern (3) 3.West (2) 4.Woodville (1)
All-Star Five: Matt Gange (Forestville), Jordan Kies (North), Daniel Lalic (Southern), Rory Craddock (West), Brad Bungey (Eastern).
Under 12 Girls State
Group A Renamed Sturt's Group. No competition Sturt will go through undefeated. Despite a good showing over summer Norwood have fallen behind the pack and appear unlikely to again make the semis. Woodville seem most likely to take that spot. South may challenge for a semis spot but again the Warriors appear too talented for the Panthers.
Prediction: 1.Sturt 2.Woodville 3.Norwood 4.South 5.Centrals
Group B Now to be known as Group Forestville. Like Sturt the Eagles will not be challenged and will go through to the next round. The battle for the second spot is more interesting. Southern and North have shown a lot of promise so far this season and the battle between the two for one spot will be tough. The Tigers were successful in Round One and I'm tipping they will again beat the Rockets for a place in the finals. Eastern appear the unlucky one and unfortunately look like having a tough weekend.
Prediction: 1.Forestville 2.Southern 3.North 4.Eastern
Final Four: 1.Sturt (5) 2.Forestville (3) 3.Southern (2) 4.Woodville (1)
Under 14 Girls State
Group A Three teams again battling for two finals spots. North Adelaide were Summer Season premiers and are currently undefeated in the regular season. They would definitely go into this weekend as favourites. Forestville is seeded second and they too have plenty of talent. Enough to beat the Rockets but I don't see it happening. Southern once again are around the mark without making any major inroads. Another battle with the Eagles for the 2nd finals spot seems likely. Despite a good showing two years ago in Under 12's Eastern have fallen behind the pack while Norwood also seem too lacking in talent to challenge.
Prediction: 1.North 2.Forestville 3.Southern 4.Eastern 5.Norwood
Group B Both seeded teams should have little trouble getting through to the next round. In what order they get through is another matter. Sturt and Centrals should have a tough battle for the no.1 seed spot. I'm tipping Centrals will relive there recent success and surprise the sabres for the top spot in this group. South will be competitive but have simply lost too much talent to compete at the moment. Woodville too, could be competitive but we think will remain winless by the end of the weekend.
Prediction: 1.Centrals 2.Sturt 3.South 4.Woodville
Final Four: 1.North (5) 2.Centrals (3) 3.Sturt (2) 4.Forestville (1)
Under 16 Girls State
Group A North again go into this weekend as summer season premiers and are currently undefeated in the winter season. Despite a few challenges the Rockets have escaped unscathed and will go into this weekend as title favourites. West are seeded to make it through to the semi final round and will probably have little problem doing so. Eastern have the talent but not the size to compete with the Bearcats and will probably just miss out. South are improving and could be a dark horse to steal the second spot while Southern's injury problems have probably put an end to its State Champs campaign before it even began.
Predicition: 1.North 2.West 3.Eastern 4.South 5.Southern
Group B Norwood's talented backcourt wasn't quite enough to knock of the Rockets in the summer season final and it's not as if they don't have some talented bigs as well. The Flames should comfortably make in through to the next round unbeaten albeit the Eagles and improving Sabres could cause an upset. The Eagles will be full strength for this weekend and if they can gel together could knock off the Flames while ensuring Sturt don't steal it's claim on the second finals spot from this group. As with the Eagles, all of Sturts Country fraternity should be in uniform for this weekend and therefore expect an improved showing then its regular season form. Woodville makes this a deep group and could push a number of the more fancied teams and even sneak into the semi final round. Centrals are ever improving but they started a long way behind and will struggle to be competitive this weekend.
Prediction: 1.Norwood 2.Sturt 3.Forestville 4.Woodville 5.Centrals
Final Four: 1.North (5) 2.Norwood (3) 3.West (2) 4.Sturt (1)
All-Star Five: Tess Madgen (Eastern), Bree Farley (Forestville), Kirsty Williams (North), Jess Von Einem (Norwood), Rebecca Riggs (West).
Under 18 Girls State
Group A Highlighted by the Leah Mencel led Bearcats out for revenge on the Sabres who cost them a shot at the summer premiership. Mencel has talent around her and the Bearcats would be favourites to go through top seeds. The Sabres haven't been overly impressive this season but all Mesecke coached teams step up come State Champs and expect this one to be no different. Norwood have shown glimpses this season and have the talent to knock off the Sabres for the second spot. South have lost too much talent and actually won't be playing this weekend. Centrals too appear too weak to compete with the big guns.
Predicition: 1.West 2.Sturt 3.Norwood 4.Centrals
Group B North, Forestville and Eastern all led by talented players lining up at ABL level. Despite some player losses North still have the talent to avenge their summer season loss by winning the State Championship title. The game between North and Forestville will be a highlight but without Bishop the Eagles will probably be outclassed. The summer season premiers will again be in the title hunt, a return by Bishop would probably make them favourites. Right behind these two is the small (not in height but in numbers) Eastern Mavericks. With Francis controlling the keyway and Neil Gliddon calling the shots from the sideline the Mavs have the tools to compete with everyone in this grade. Southern it would appear are simply outclassed and too small and have a long weekend ahead of them.
Prediction: 1.North 2.Forestville 3.Eastern 4.Southern
Final Four: 1.North (5) 2.Forestville (3) 3.West (2) 4.Sturt (1)
All-star Five: Leah Mencel (West), Mia Newley (Forestville), Nikita Martin (Forestville), Emma Langford (Sturt), Cayla Francis (Eastern).
Under 21 Women State
Only six teams competing for four semis spots. Norwood would go into this weekend as favourites and at full strength will be extremely tough to beat. Fully loaded only Sturt and possibly Southern have the talent to go with the Flames. Both will hopefully bring back ABL exclusives for this weekend and make this a tough and even contest to the end. The Sabres will probably add B.Bowley and Marino to their regular line up while the Tigers will have Peddle and Nelson in uniform to assist Nolan and crew. That being said bringing in the extra firepower will probably mean the Bearcats while talented won't have the size to compete while the improving Eagles will also be left behind. South could challenge the Eagles but don't have the firepower to go with the big three.
Final Four: 1. Sturt (5) 2.Norwood (3) 3.Southern (2) 4.West (1).
All-star Five: Angela Marino (Sturt), Sarah Peddle (Southern), Jess Nolan (Southern), Brigid Bowley (Sturt), Carly Stark (Norwood).
