The Flathead Braves and Glacier Wolfpack renew their rivalry tonight. I will breakdown the match ups to watch for tonight as well as suggest what this rivalry game should be called. First of all I want to thank Ryan Wakefield of Go Pack Hoops and Lowell from Montana Sports Memories for the stats and numbers to breakdown this match-up.
Girls Basketball
Flathead Bravettes (5-2) at Glacier Lady Wolfpack (4-2)
Leading up to this game, both teams played Big Sky earlier in the week. The Wolfpack won 56-35 and the Bravettes won 47-44. So both teams come into tonight's contest 1-0 in conference. The Bravettes are playing their third back to back this season, while Glacier has only played one this season (the Great Falls schools).
Team Stats
Points- FHS 43ppg - GHS 42ppg
Points allowed- FHS 40ppg - GHS 36ppg
FG%- FHS 31% - GHS 31%
3pt FG% FHS 25% - GHS 20%
FT% FHS 47% - GHS 51%
Rebounding- FHS 33 - GHS 31
Assists- FHS 10 - GHS 9
Steals FHS 10 - GHS 11
Blocks FHS 3 - GHS 2
Leading actresses
Flathead
#32 Taylor Henley 16ppg 12rpg 2 blocks pg
#14 Jenna Johnson 13ppg 32% 3pt shooter
Glacier
#3 Kali Gulick 10ppg 8rpg 26% 3pt shooter
#40 Raley Shirey 9ppg 6rpg
#14 Aubrie Radamacher 9ppg 3 steals pg
This game is going to come down to who makes shots. The Glacier Wolfpack are better in terms of points allowed but Flathead has a really good defense as well. The battle that really intrigues me is in the paint. When Flathead has won this game they have kept Glacier out of the paint. Glacier has won when they get into the paint and get their outside shots going. Glacier leads the series 20-5. The last two seasons Flathead and Glacier have split during the regular season and then Glacier has won the post season meetings.
The Individual battle
Taylor Henley vs Kali Gulick- the post battle will be fun to watch. Taylor and Kali have shown a lot of aggression in this part of their game. Whose will and determination will win out. Kali has the ability to go inside and outside with her game. She can also take it off the dribble and get to the rim. Taylor has done a phenomenal job blocking shots this season but I think she will have to be careful. Taylor in foul trouble is trouble for the Bravettes and Taylor needs to be on the floor.
Jenna Johnson vs Glaciers perimeter defense- Jenna is dangerous when she is in rhythm. The Bravettes will need to get her going early and often. Glaciers defense is tough and they will do a good job closing out on the perimeter so finding Jenna space will be key.
My Nach on this game
I expect a low scoring affair. I think this game will come down to a mid 30's game. Which BIG Time players will make Big Time plays? Who can make the most runs on the offensive end.
I have spoke with both coaches and they had similar messages about handling the emotion. The girls get hyped for this game and the atmosphere will only intensify it. Who can handle the crowd early on will be key. This game will come down to the final possession and we could see an over time game like we saw the boys games go last year.
I do not pick games I am calling.
Boys Basketball
Flathead Braves (4-3) at Glacier Wolfpack (2-4)
Leading up to this game the Braves and Wolfpack played Big Sky earlier this week. Both teams picking up wins. The Wolfpack on Tuesday 54-52, while the Braves won 51-48 Thursday night. The Braves will be playing their third back to back of the season. This series has been down to the wire the last 4 games. Who can forget last years triple OT game. Unfortunately for the Braves they were on the wrong end of that game 63-60. The last 4 games have come down to 4 points or fewer. I think this game will continue that trend.
I won't hit you with stats as my good friend Ryan Wakefield did a great job breaking down the numbers in this rivalry. Here is the link. Flathead vs Glacier
Match-ups to watch
In the Post
Two young players battling in the post, Drew Engellant for Glacier and Gabe Adams for Flathead. Drew had 15 in the win over Big Sky, while Gabe had 7 and fouled out. That is going to be something to keep an eye on. Gabe has to stay out of foul trouble, when he is on the boards for the Braves he makes them a different team. Drew is playing like a vet and two a degree is already is with the most varsity experience on Glaciers team. He has played in this rivalry already. These two will be fun to watch when they match up.
Shooting-
Glacier has three Sharp Shooters Bret Michaels, Michael Schwarz, and Kj Johnson. Flathead's shooters are Stephen Bridges and Brett Thompson. Brett for this first time in 4 games didn't hit double figures in the win over Big Sky. Stephen Bridges has been clutch with Free Throws as he sunk late game free throws in games against Butte, Post Falls and Big Sky. Stephen Bridges had 12 points last night in the win over Big Sky. Glacier's Michaels scored 23 points against Bozeman and was a 1 man wrecking crew. He is the teams leading scorer and shooting 52% from three. Kj Johnson hit a big three late in the game against Big Sky where he scored 9. Kj is shooting 47% from three.
Both teams like to go to the bench and it will likely come down which bench can make the most offensive plays. Last night for the Braves Andrew Siderious came up big with 11 points. The Braves will need that again whether its from Andrew or someone else on the bench. Glacier and Mark Harkins have been a team that has always had great depth.
My Nach on This Game.
Flathead and Glacier are nearly mirror images of each other this season. Lost a lot o graduation a season ago. Lots of new faces and very few that have varsity experience. There is youth on both teams that will be playing their first varsity crosstown and much like the Girls game they will have to check their emotions. This game will be won on the glass and who can create the most 2nd chance opportunities. I feel like the Braves have the edge in terms of speed and Glacier has the advantage with more shooting. Flathead wants to push the pace and Glacier will look to take this game into the half court. Seth Moon and Anthony Jones will look to be a nightmare once again on the defensive end.
I think this game will come down to the wire once again. I could definitely see this game going to over time. It should be an exciting atmosphere and I can't wait to call the action.
Now What to call this game?
The great rivalry games in college are great because of the historic battles. They also have great nicknames, whether creative or simple. The Brawl of the Wild comes to mind, a creative nickname or the simple Cat-Griz or Griz-Cat pending your fandom. A nickname for a rivalry game obviously needs to have some relativity to the schools, area they are in or state they are in. The nickname also needs to be able to roll off the tongue.
Some really good names...
Holy War
Backyard Brawl
Red River (Shootout) Rivalry
The Iron Bowl
The Civil War
Rumble in the Rockies
The Apple Cup
I think the rivalry between Flathead and Glacier needs a nickname and more then just crosstown. I had hoped people would comment and send me suggestions but didn't get as many as I was hoping for. Now I have heard about Black and Blue game, that is too simple for my taste. Again not knocking it but I think we can come up with something better then that.
My suggestions for nicknames for this rivalry.
The Fight for 93
War for 93
The Mountain War
The War (or Fight) for Kalispell
I like using HWY 93 since both schools are off HWY 93. When I was in high school our rivalry game was called the Battle for Babcock since both schools were 3 miles apart and on the same street
The Mountain War is good Nickname because obviously we are surrounded by Mountains. The simple and obvious is War or fight for Kalispell since both teams outside of Kalispell are called Kalispell Flathead and Kalispell Glacier.
I think this rivalry will only be enhanced by a nickname and something to make it iconic.
Final Thoughts.
I love this rivalry, being apart of it the past few seasons has been so much and lead to some of the most exciting calls in my career. I think tonight fans were all in for a wild ride as the coaches will match wits and these players battle for bragging rights.
Good luck to everyone!