Game 1 Converse Wagner v McAllen Preview
Look for Wagner to bring the heat against McAllen High. They met during the regular season in the finals of a tournament and Wagner prevailed by 5. The key for McAllen to be able to compete in this one rests squarely on the shoulders of Senior Cory Pace who will face relentless pressure while still trying to get the ball to his dangerous team mate, 2010 6'6" J.J. Avila.
Wagner will get after it by committe, looking to get easy points off their press. They are led by 2010 W 6'4" Jordan Clarkson and 6'0 G Jordan Jones. Andre Roberson, who is emerging quickly into a force on the boards will look to wipe the glass clean for Wagner. Clarkson is a legit D-1 prospect, to the level of Mid-major.
Mc High was here last year and got beat up by the athleticism they faced. Look for a closer game this time around and keep an eye on J.J. Avila, the best player to come out of the Rio Grande Valley in recent memory.
GAMETIME GAMETIME
1st Quarter Wagner 20 Mc Allen 14
The game has been dominated early by 2010 G Jordan Jones. He's hustling & muscling his way to 11 points and 4 1st quarter rebounds. Cory Pace leads Mc Hi with 6, on two three pointers.
Half Time Wagner 4 McAllen 26
A 12-2 run to begin the 2nd quarter has Wagner up 32-16. Five quick points apiece by Jordan Clarkson & # 42 has caused the most damage along with 6 turnovers in the 3 minute span. It looks like a replay of last year's trip to San Antonio, for McAllen. I'm sitting close to the Mc Hi bench, and Coach Roy Swift told one of his guys "you can't come up here (San Antonio) and play scared". Wagner's pressure is causing some turnovers, while at least half of them are just poor decision making on McHi's part. J.J. Avila was the only one who showed up that quarter with 8 points while Wagner got juiced by Andre Roberson's work on the offensive boards to go with his 6 points and 9 more were poured in by Jordan Clarkson.
3rd Quarter Wagner 64 Mc Allen 40
McHi competed harder this quarter, but it's too little too late. Wagner's already gone deep into their bench in anticipation of resting some guys for tomorrow's final. Avila had 4 pts & 4 boards, while Clarkson hit a pair of threes for Wagner.
Final Wagner 84 McAllen 65
Wagner pretty much emptied their bench in the last 8 minutes. J.J. Avila showed he can play with anyone. He had 23 points & 12 boards. Fellow Junior Ryan Evans, a 6'7" P had 11 pts & 5 boards. Wagner got 19 from Jordan Clarkson, 15 from Jordan Jones and Andre Roberson controlled the paint with 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.
