Ira Cronin | Hopewell vs. Mallard Creek Preview

Ira Cronin NewsChannel 36 Sports

Hopewell vs. Mallard Creek. I give the edge in this one to...

Our HS Gametime game of the week, perfection so far, against perfection of late. I spent the afternoon visiting Hopewell and Mallard Creek high schools and I can't wait for Friday night's game between the undefeated Mavericks and the Titans who have pitched a defensive shutout the last two weeks!

The Titans are coach by Coach Chris Rust and they are more than ready. The team looked crisp and well prepared today as they continue to install their game plan. Coach told me that it will be a challenge to take on the Mavericks, and their perfect record, but if his kids do what he knows they are capable of, it will be a great game. As I mentioned earlier, their defense has been playing lights out, and they are talented and fast on offense.

The Mavericks are in just their second season ever, and are coached by Mike Palmieri. It's hard to imagine that in just their second season, they have rolled off 9 straight wins, and are hoping to make it 10 after this Friday night. Coach Palmieri told me from here on out they are approaching every game like a playoff game.

I was asked by an e-mailer last week what I thought of the Mavericks, and I said that Langston (our prep insider with the Observer) and I both felt that there record may be a little over inflated, but that if they get the right match up in the playoffs they could go far. While the team can't control who they play, they can control how they approach each game and how they approach success. I have to say after visiting practice today, they are not in any way taking this upcoming game, or any others for granted, and that is because of the great job the Coach Palmieri and his staff are doing there.

It's going to be another great Friday night. Greg and I have started picking games in the Observer each week, and I'm glad this wasn't one we had to pick because this is a really hard game to pick. I suppose if you put me in a corner, I would take Mallard Creek, simply by virtue of the momentum that team has going in terms of their winning streak. Winning builds confidence, and confidence can go a long way for a team when the going gets tough.

We'll see who comes out on top on HS Gametime, Friday night. See you then!

Posted by WCNC  at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)