The Class A Region 3 co-final clashes have a familiar feel to them again this season.
As a matter of fact, the two match-ups are exactly the same as last year when Greenbrier West stunned James Monroe in Lindside and Webster County beat Greater Beckley Christian in overtime.
After a 17-2 campaign last year, James Monroe enters regional play undefeated this time around and ranked No. 1, while West is again a decided underdog with a 15-9 record.
Two of the nine regular season losses by the Cavaliers have come at the hands of the Mavericks in lopsided fashion.
“We have to slow down their transition game and somehow attack their man-to-man defense,” Greenbrier West head coach Jared Robertson said. “We also have to shoot the ball better than we have been lately.”
James Monroe has been a nightmare for opposing defenses to stop this year.
Eli Allen averages 20 points per game to go along with nine rebounds and nine assists nightly.
While Allen is creating havoc with his penetration, Shad Sauvage (19.7) makes collapsing defenses pay with long range bombs.
If Allen is not pitching it out to Sauvage, he is dropping it off to Cameron Thomas (11.6 ppg) inside for easy scores.
“Somehow we have to keep Allen in front of us and not let Sauvage get open looks. We also have to keep Thomas away from the rim and off the boards. You know, easy stuff,” Robertson said jokingly.
On the offensive side, Greenbrier West will need solid games from the McClung brothers, Chase and Brayden, along with solid play inside from its big men inside.
Although the Mavs own two wins over West, the tough overtime loss last year at home has not been forgotten.
“I don’t think we will be over-hyped. I believe that game has just made them more determined,” James Monroe head coach Matt Sauvage said. “I believe they will be hyped, but in a good way.”
Sauvage states the keys to the game will be for his team to play their game and not let West dictate the pace.
“West is a good team, so we need to come out and play the way our team was built to play,” Sauvage said.
Greater Beckley Christian knocked off Webster twice in the regular season, but that was before an eligibility issue for the Crusaders forced them to forfeit those games.
The roster for the Crusaders will be a little thinner when they head to Upper Glade Wednesday, but Greater Beckley is far from a pushover.
“Depth may be an issue again, but our kids have really showed some grit and toughness,” Greater Beckley head coach Justin Arvon said.
Greater Beckley has a dynamic back-court in Kaden Smallwood and Kendrick Wilson to go along with John Rose.
Smallwood and Wilson have been nursing injuries, but both played outstanding in the hard fought sectional championship loss to James Monroe.
“We have to execute on the offensive end for sure, but we have to play lock-down defense. Rye Gadd is too good a player for us to let roam all over the floor. He will kill you if you let him,” Arvon said. “Those younger players are getting better and they are extremely well coached. Hopefully we can go in their and do our thing.”
Gadd averages just over 28 points per game and is complimented by a dynamic sophomore duo of Rayden Triplett and Riley Clevenger who scores 10 points per game.
The winners of both games will advance to the Boys Basketball State Tournament March 15-19 played inside the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
