Risks and rewards of scheduling opponents from other classifications
One of the best parts of preseason games in boys basketball is seeing teams who take a risk by playing an opponent or two from the higher classification.
When a smaller classification team earns a victory in such games, it can be an indicator of how strong they will be in region play and their potential to make a run in their state tournament.
For a higher classification team, the risks outweigh the rewards at times. If a 3A school beats a 2A school for example, the reaction among fans is “So what? They were supposed to win that game.” But if they lose, it could mean a long season is ahead for that team.
Inter-classification games have been very revealing early in the 2008-09 season:
Look at Escalanate for example. The Moquis are looking like the team to beat in 1A after going 2-1 against 2A and 3A schools in their first eight games. They blasted Parowan and North Sanpete by an average 25 points and scored an average of 77 points in those two victories.
North Summit is another school that has done well against a slate peppered with 3A teams. If the Braves beat Waterford this week, they will finish the preseason with a 6-0 mark against the 3A. North Summit has beaten each 3A team it has faced so far by double digit margins — the biggest victory being a 76-49 rout over Ben Lomond in its season opener.
Provo looks like it could win both 5A and 4A this year the way the Bulldogs fared against 5A competition. Provo breezed through a slate of Region 5 opponents. The Bulldogs beat two time defending 5A champs Lone Peak in overtime and notched wins over solid teams from Lehi and Pleasant Grove.
Bear River has impressed with a 6-0 mark against 4A competition. The Bears swept Box Elder in the preseason and took down Bonneville, Timpview, and Pine View within a four day span before the holiday break last month.
On the flip side, crossing classification lines quickly turns into a nightmare for some teams:
Juan Diego has not fared well going either up or down. The Soaring Eagle were blasted by 2A foe Layton Christian 70-45 in their season opener and then pulverized by three straight 5A opponents — Skyline, Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove — in mid-December. It has resulted in a 2-7 start.
Viewmont dropped three games against 4A competition, losing to rivals Woods Cross and Bountiful and dropping a close one to Highland. All of those setbacks have contributed to start 1-5.
Park City might avoid scheduling the 2A ranks for a while after being dominated by Manti and North Summit in losses to those two teams — losses which feature prominently in the Miners’ 2-8 mark through 10 games.
I could break down dozens of more teams and results here, but you get the point. Inter-classification matchups can go a long way to building or derailing momentum for a team heading into region play.
Do the rewards of playing against competition in higher classifications or lower classifications outweigh the risks? Do you think it seasons a team in the right way and get them ready for the rigors of region games?
It’s some interesting food for thought as the preseason wraps up. And it isn’t empty calories either.
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