Midseason MOCAL update if any of you MSL Cardinal folks are curious about the D4 landscape.
My preseason predictions were pretty much spot on thus far if I may pat myself on the back. Second half of the year could tell a different story as always, but so far things have gone to form:
1-tied) Northside Christian (6-1): Just walloped Tree of Life in a revenge game. Tree is fortunate that the one game Vanderwarker missed was at their place in December. Since that unexpected loss to FCA, Northside has won 71-38, 65-32, 73-38, 62-38, and 58-36. We knew the offense would be there, but the defense holding teams in the 30s is that next step. Ben Patrick coming in and I'm assuming having a say in their press is starting to really pay off. With Tree and I guess Delaware out of the way in conference action, I can't see any of the bottom teams getting close to giving Northside another loss.
1-tied) Tree of Life (6-1): Not to discredit Tree's good start, but their transfer from HP is done for the year, they had another starter blow out his knee, and they just lost their biggest game of the season by 22 points. Shekinah only lost by 1 earlier in the year to Tree with their other players and Liberty was just within 6. It's very possible that Tree could run the table in conference play and tie for the league title, but it's also not out of the question for them to have an off night and drop one. Being in D3 also likely kills their chance at a tournament run. Then again, they also beat D3 West Jefferson easily, so who knows?
3-tied) Delaware Christian (3-3): Don't know much about them other than they have a good post and a bunch of young guards, which could be a contributing factor as to why they are a little inconsistent. They play Shekinah for the first time tonight which could give an edge to the third place team in the conference. I initially thought they might be able to keep it close with the top teams (they did the first time against Tree), but after two blowouts against Northside I think it's pretty clear that there is a dropoff from that top tier.
3-tied) Shekinah Christian (3-3): I've heard they had lots of illnesses and injuries to start the year, which makes sense because they started 0-7 and have gone 4-1 since. The schedule also seems to have lightened a bit. Looking at 270 Hoops, they have apparently started 10 different players this year including 4 sophomores and a freshman, which is crazy to me. Maybe they're getting healthy and will finish strong. Seems like they're often a second-half of the year team. Delaware game tonight could give an indication of whether they are a contender 3rd place or not.
5-tied) Liberty Christian (2-5): Split with Shekinah and got within 6 against Tree while beating Granville by 15, so I'm gonna give them the tiebreaker. They have two phenomenal seniors and don't seem to have issues scoring on most nights, but defense is an issue based on the scores. Could still see them catching Shekinah and Delaware if they figure some things out in the second half.
5-tied) Granville Christian (2-5): They haven't gotten within single digits of any team in the conference...except Madison Christian who they've hammered twice (14 and 21 point wins). Yet Madison nearly won at Delaware and at Shekinah. Guess it's just a favorable matchup.
7) Madison Christian: Played tough against Delaware and Shekinah but nothing to show for it. Looked to be way better than at the start of the year, at least until their recent blowout loss at home against Granville. Could see them knocking off Shekinah/Delaware at home on the return trips.
Other than Northside, I don't think I can see a MOCAL team winning a tournament game against a top-half seed. With 2 districts and no Sectional Semis, I don't think there will be many games with two low seeds that would play.
