Tonight our Boys 👦 Basketball team welcomes Abingdon to the Hill in their Regional tournament opener.

While our Girls 👧 Basketball team is very familiar with their opponent tonight (Pulaski County), its just the opposite for the Boys 👦 team. When that’s the case the Coaching staff has to depend on scouting reports and game footage.

Here’s what jumps out in regards to the visitors tonight, their starting front court stands at 6’3, 6’6 and 6’9. The team finished their season just one game over .500 with that front line size which leads one to a couple of conclusions. First, they must face some talented teams down in the Bristol area and second, there has to be some keys 🔑 to grounding the Falcons.

Head Coach Anthony Barnes is a master of game management and getting his team ready for the team in front of him. There’s one big question about tonight’s game plan, is Davis Reitzel going to be available after his knee injury last week ?

Reitzel at 6’3 has the ability to play well beyond his height and if he’s available it gives Coach one set of match-up plans but if he’s not then Barnes will have to become a bit more creative. One thing that is safe to say is that Isaiah Easter will be giving multiple inches to whomever he is guarding out there. The Sophomore will play a big role in the outcome tonight with his ability to get to the basket.

Cody Reece will step up from first man off the bench to starting Center if Reitzel is still out at game time. Reece has the ability to bang with the best of them but will need to outsmart the Falcons when it comes to rebounding position on both ends of the floor.

Bryce Smoot will be in charge of getting the pace set for Barnes and we know that Ethan Richardson, Jabin Talley and Brayden Smoot are all capable of getting up and down the floor. Speed will be a big part of our plans for success tonight.

The Cavaliers have faced some height before tonight but not this level of it. Barnes will have all the pieces in place for our team to succeed, now it will become about execution.

Tip is slated for 7pm but its easier to say roughly 20 minutes after the end of the Varsity Girls 👧 game.

#GoCavs