As #2 Boys & Girls and #3 Wings Academy come off gigantic wins in the quarter-finals, each team will experience a new type of challenge on Wednesday as the two PSAL schools battle it out for a spot to play in the championship game at Madison Square Garden.
Below is a preview and prediction of the game between Boys & Girls and Wings Academy:
As previously stated, both teams are coming off wins in which they controlled the game from tip-off to final buzzer. This can result in a high-amount of confidence for each player heading into this upcoming game.
Boys & Girls, a Brooklyn school, has proved all season long they can not only walk the walk, but talk the talk as well. Wings will not only need their stars to step up, but their role-players to become an active part of the game as well.
Each team is best while running the floor, on both a make and miss. Both teams are averaging well over 70 points per game during the playoffs (Boys & Girls 75 ppg, Wings 83 ppg). Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring event.
As neither team has a sufficient big man to plant in the post and do his best Hakeem Olajuwon-impression, guards and forwards will rule this contest.
On the defensive end, Boys & Girls is currently allowing 64 ppg during their two games in the playoffs while Wings’ defense is giving up 67 ppg during their last two playoff games as well.
Don’t expect the defensive intensity to last very long as the player’s on the floor, along with their respective coaches, will realize scoring, not defense, is the key to success in the game.
If Boys & Girls does this they’ll win: Take smart shots
The Kangaroos have sufficient scorers up and down their roster. If sharp-shooter Mike Taylor can knock down several three-pointers on limited attempts, it will increase Boys’ chance to win. For every long-range miss, the rebound is expected to be pulled down further and further away from the basket. This rules in Wings’ favor of getting easy, un-contested, fast-break layups off defensive rebounds.
If Wings does this they’ll win: Attack the glass for offensive rebounds
Boys & Girls athleticism is incredible. For every physically gifted athlete they have, a mindless mistake is bound to happen every so often. Wings’ must crash the boards on every shot attempt in hopes for an easy put-back. A one-shot possession can not be Wings’ thought process on offense. Senior forwards Krystian Foriest and Del Lewis must be extremely aggressive and orchestrate a rebounding clinic for all in attendance to give their team a better shot at winning.
Key match-up:
Antoine Slaughter vs. Wings Academy guards
As Slaughter is Boys’ only life-line at the point guard position, Coach Turnage of Wings is fortunate to have three potential lead guards on the floor at one time. A difficult task for Slaughter as he will be mix-matched on the defensive end with Wings’ Jordan Aaron, Deonte Houston and James Blue. The three-headed guard combo, Aaron-Houston-Blue, have the advantage on paper but still need to work together to come out on top.
Prediction:
In what should be an exciting and scoreboard-filling game, Boys & Girls has too much fire-power for a talented Wings Academy team. Led by senior forward Leroy Isler, the Kangaroos have the experience and confidence necessary to win a PSAL semi-final contest like this.
Boys & Girls Key Players:
G Taylor ’11
G Slaughter ’11
F Isler ’10
F Neverson ’11
Wings Academy Key Players:
G Houston ’11
G Jordan ’10
G Jam. Blue ’10
G Foriest ’10
*Check the site later on Tuesday for a Preview and Prediction on the other semi-final game, #1 Cardozo vs. #12 Transit Tech.
