With basketball season in full swing and district play ramping up, UCR’s Rusty Ellis and Michael Lindsay have graded each team’s performance to this point. Grades were decided upon using multiple factors including win-loss records, quality of wins and preseason expectations for each school.
Lady Cavs: A
Overall Record: 13-3 (0-0)
Key Wins: York Institute, White County, At Oakland
Reasoning: The Lady Cavs had high expectations following a state semifinal appearance a year ago. The season got off to a bumpy start against Blackman, but Jamie Gillies’ squad has rebounded and is playing some really good ball heading into district play. The younger players are coming along nicely and the duo of Jordan Gillies and Cassie Gallagher have been as good as advertised.
How to Improve: It’s hard to improve on an A, but winning the district and region would be a great way to do just that. Making it back to the Glass House remains the ultimate goal for the Lady Cavs and to this point, there’s no reason to doubt that they’ll do just that.
Cavaliers: B+
Overall Record: 11-4
Key Wins: At Stone Memorial, White County
Reasoning: Josh Heard has set the expectations high for the Cavalier program ever since he took over, and that hasn’t changed this year. 11-4 is good and the Cavs have a couple really good wins against Stone and White County, but Heard has said it: the goal isn’t to win games against local teams. It’s to win gold balls. There’s absolutely another gear this team can reach.
How to Improve: Make the region championship. This team’s peak over the last few years has been the region semifinals and they just haven’t gotten over that hump. This year’s team has proven when they play together, they can beat anyone you put across from them. A region title game appearance, as well as a substate appearance would go a long way in improving this already-good grade.