Episode 41: Will we level the Red Devils?

This week Roen, Cali, & Drew join us and discuss the upcoming matchup against the Pike Red Devils. We also talk about the upcoming sectional matchup and predict who we will play.

Episode Transcript

(00:06):
Hello, Hello, Hello, welcomeback to the Shamrock Sports Cast. That
was a little bit too over thetop, but hey, it's all right.
It's seven in the morning. It'sokay for things to be a little
bit over the top. I'm RowanElbert, Calli Sigler, Drew Taylor,
the original gang back together for whatfeels like the first time in months.

(00:27):
And yeah, how you guys doinggreat? Glad to be here, man,
Yeah, so glad. A littletired though, that sounded like with
a little bit of sarcasm right there. I'm just tired. I was studying
for finals last night. Yeah metoo. Eh it's rough, Yeah yeah,
preparing for a game and then studyingfor a final. No comment.

(00:52):
Let's get into the Westfield basketball.We got a lot to talk about,
and by a lot, I meana lot. I want to talk about
the last game Franklin Central, thisgame overall, going back fifty four to
forty against their final conference opponent ofthe regular season. And I say the
regular season because it's confirmed in thesectional that we will be playing a conference

(01:19):
opponent. But with Franklin Central,they were out in front early in this
game, but then Westfield the thirdquarter they just completely dominated, putting up
twenty points when really their offense theyweren't firing. E J. Hazlitt,
their best player, got into foultrouble. He had four fouls. But

(01:42):
just in your guys' opinion, whatwas your biggest takeaway from watching this game.
I think for Westfield it's just theirresiliency. The Flashes obviously were hot
early on, but Nick Book thatsecond half was just elite, and that's
really been the biggest addition for theteam or your loan is having Nick.
It's been huge and it's really kindof saved the season. I agree.

(02:06):
You know, Nick Books very goodin the pain we saw I'm shooting threes
and yeah, you know what,the Flash is kept up in the first
half with Westfield, and we've alwayssaid Westfield's the second half team, and
they really are a second half team. Oh, I totally agree. And
what's cool about them being a secondhalf team though, is I've talked.

(02:27):
I've talked to coach something many atime. I talked. I talked to
him every week, and what he'stold me is pretty much, we like
to get hot early, especially inlike a conference matchup like this, because
if in our conference, if youyou know, let a game, you
know, slip by just a littlebit, it might be over. So

(02:52):
what he likes to do is,you know, they really focus on getting
hot early. But when that doesn'thappen either, there will be a stretch
in the game. It seems likewhen Westfield is just firing on all cylinders.
It's really it's really fun to watch. But I think the moment we
all want to talk about is AustinCarr, the four year student manager,

(03:15):
finally on senior night, getting intothe game drilling at three from about what
was I can't even count how manyfeet out that was, but it was
incredible, almost to the logo.Just really that moment getting going viral.
It was on the news last nightChannel thirteen, this story on it.

(03:37):
Just what was your reaction to thatmoment? And just so it was so
incredible, What was your reaction?It really was incredible, And I when
I saw it on Twitter, Iactually immediately thought of you, Roan,
because A it was on I wasposted on your Twitter, but B you'd
been calling he was going to getin for a long time, and I

(03:58):
think Austin was ready for that.I think everybody knew was kind of coming,
but they just didn't know exactly how. But Austin, he's a good
shooter, like for not for notbeing on the team, Like he's a
good shooter. And that was justcool to see for our school and see
him get that kind of love andrespect. It was awesome to see.
Yeah, and you know, onthe court, it was like you see

(04:18):
Nick Book and everybody running over there, and you know they kind of meet
by the stands and it was justa moment to remember. You know,
Austin card a great senior night.You know, that was probably the highlight
of Westfield basketball season. Was thatbasket? Yeah, I mean that it
was just insane to watch. I'mpretty sure the whole team got a TECH,

(04:43):
but I really I really don't care. Like I'm like, I'm pretty
sure, like like for every tech. Now, I'm not gonna go there
with that. I'm not gonna I'mnot gonna say that, but just really,
it was such an incredible moment inAustin talk about a guy who really
deserves it. Great guy. AndI've been watching him in warm ups and

(05:05):
I called it back in November.I was talking to him. I was
like, dude, they gotta getyou in a game. The guy can
shoot the lights out. Man,I'm I'm glad he finally got that the
moment to show it off. Andhe'll be the student manager for Liberty basketball.
So if you're a Liberty fan,which I don't know how many of

(05:27):
you there are, but if you'rea Liberty fan, then hey, you
got a good one coming your way. But now moving on, moving on
to the next matchup, and thenafter that we'll talk about Sectionals Pike six
and fifteen. And you know,it's been a rough go for them.

(05:47):
Warren Central their last game on Tuesday, losing sixty one to forty seven.
They're on a three game losing streakand it's the first time in eighteen years
they haven't had a winning records.It's rough led by first year head coach
Jeff Tigue. Yeah, you've you'veheard that. I'm sure you've heard that
name. Former NBA All Star forthe Atlanta Hawks, Jeff Tigue. Just

(06:12):
what do you guys anticipate the coachingmatchup of Sumter versus Tigue to look like.
I'm very intrigued for this one becausehonestly, Jeff Teague has the plain
experience coach Sumpter was kind of builtup at basketball. I don't see Empire
where he's definitely built up his program, which definitely started with Brandon. I
think since then it's only gone up. But for both of these guys,

(06:36):
they have a high, high levelknowledge of the game. So this one
should be very interesting for sure.Yeah, I agree. I think both
coaches, you know, they've hadtheir ways this season, they haven't had
their ways, and they both aregreat coaches. You know, Sumter he
didn't have that experience in the leaguelike Teague did, so it's gonna be
a good coaching matchup. Yeah.And what I'm looking at with Pike,

(06:59):
although the record it's let's be honest, it's not good. They play a
really fast paced style of basketball thatcan keep them in games. And ten
of their like thirteen have their fifteenlosses, they've come to teams that are
above five hundred, So really theyare better than their record. And if
you look at a lot of theirkey players TJ. Davis sophomore, the

(07:24):
Zon Hall, a guy who hasoffers from Wisconsin, and Illinois sophomore,
Isaiah hill of freshman, Dayton Stevenssophomore, we're looking at a team and
with Jeff Tigu's leadership. Who thesky's kind of the limit for the next
four years, I mean four yearsfrom now, where do you expect Pike

(07:46):
to be. I expect Pike tobec compeding for their conference. I mean
at least up in that range.I think with these guys, they develop
them how they can be developed.And with Jeff Teaks leadership, like you
said, I think, really thisguy, like you said, is the
limit for what they can accomplish inthat Indy area. Yeah, I agree.
I think having a young team tokind of build up, and you

(08:09):
know, sophomores on Varsita, youknow that's a good thing because they're developing
and then junior and senior year they'rejust gonna get more better. Oh yeah,
I mean yeah. This Pike teamin general, just a lot of
young blood on it. They're onlysenior that gets a lot of play.
Is a core l spas a guywho does quite well for them shooting the

(08:33):
ball from downtown. But really withPike again, they play a very fast
paced style of basketball. How canWestfield keep up with that? Tonight?
For Westfield they got to play fasttoo, I mean Tray getting in those
fast breaks. Tre By cannon catchand shoot three or you know, kind
of slowing the pace down, tryingto take Pisce game away from them,

(08:56):
getting into Nick Book clock killing makingthose points in the paint. And I
think for Westfield, Damon Hall gonnahave to be able to contain him.
Yeah, Damon Howard. He's schoolDamon Howard. Yes, Damon Howard.
So yeah, just containing those guystonight and uh should be a one for
Westfield. Yeah, And you know, Westfield's had a little fast paced but

(09:18):
not a team that's as fast pacedas Pike. So if you're a Westfield
that's probably what they've been preparing for, is a fast paced because you know
west Fields got beat on fast pacedearlier in the season. So it's gonna
be interesting to Yeah, Westfield canreally stop Pike. Oh oh yeah,
totally. It's going to be funto watch. And the matchup. I'm
really looking forward to Nick Book andIsaiah Hill, the freshman and the senior

(09:43):
going at it. I mean,Isaiah Hill, he's one of the only
guys all year who's other than likeFlorrie Badunga, who's in like Keenan Gardner,
other than those two that's been ableto match Nick and in height,
and with Hill you're looking at aguy averaging pretty much about three blocks a

(10:03):
game, which is unreal obviously inthe lead in the metro and blocks per
game. How do you guys anticipateI want to start with Cali here.
How do you guys anticipate the matchupof Hill and Book to go? I
mean, I expect it to bea battle old game. You know,

(10:24):
we've had battles Nick, Books hadbattles also MC double team, triple teams.
So Isaiah Hill's gonna give him arun for his money and really battle
him all games. So it's gonnabe interesting to kind of see how both
of them play their games. SoI would agree with that. What I
think is, I think he'll's gonnapresent a new challenge to Book. I
don't think he's really been matched insize, at least in with the athleticism

(10:46):
that he'll presents. So I thinktonight it's really gonna challenge Nick and push
Westfield towards being a better team.Because if you can get Nick pressured tonight,
because he'll he'll will bring that.If they can get him pressure tonight,
he's gonna know how to better dealwith that. Come postseason when it
really matters. Yeah, I meanyou talked about him being really athletic too.

(11:09):
I mean, I totally agree withthat. I was watching tape last
night on him, and I sawone play in particular in the Lawrence North
game when the second one when hehe's going for a rebound while he's going
for a putback, he doesn't quiteget it, but he jumps so high
that he just hangs on the rimfor like three seconds. I'm like,

(11:31):
WHOA A freshman should not be ableto do that. I mean, it's
crazy to watch, but yeah,what is your guy's biggest take for this
game tonight? I think Trey's gonnaput up at least I think it's Trey's
gonna get at least twenty plus easily, and I think he will have at

(11:56):
least four threes. I'm gonna go. I know Nick Book's gonna be battled
old game, but I'm still gonnagive him a twenty point game. Okay,
I've got a real I've got apretty hot take. The Westfield scoring
leader will not be Nick Book orTrey Buchanan. In fact, the scoring

(12:16):
leader tonight I think will be DeronteMorton. I think Deronte Morton will have
what I think might be his firsttwenty point game of the season. I
think he's going to get a lotof those on putbacks looking at them on
tape. Isaiah Hill he's really there. I mean him and Titus Hunter down
low, but Titus Hunter he doesn'tplay with Hill as much as you would

(12:39):
like to see, so that opensup opportunities if you have Hill on book
for Deronte Morton, who is reallygood at grabbing rebounds, averaging almost for
a game to just come in putyou know, put up a put back.
I think I could totally see thatbeing Deronte's game tonight. And I
know he doesn't shoot many threes.He hasn't attempted at three in like a

(13:01):
month, but I could totally seehim given the chance, he can take
those and he can have a prettygood game. So Deronte Morton, he
will go off tonight. Now thesectional we got to talk about. Looking
at the bracket, Westfield and HSEhave a first round by HC will play

(13:24):
the winner of Carmel and Fishers,who what a good game there. Then
Westfield will take on the winner ofNoblesville and Zionsville. I mean, if
you're obviously there really was no goodoutcome that could have come with. You
know, this whole sectional likely thetoughest sectional in the state of Indiana.

(13:46):
I mean, three of the fivebest teams in the state are in this
sectional. Just what do you likeand what do you don't like for Westfield
in the sectional brackets as of now? I like potentially playing Zionsville. But
why because we talked about this.You said on the sports show they're one
man team. Yeah, but uh, Noblesville if we get them, I

(14:11):
don't, I don't. I don'tlike that. Oh no, I think.
I mean you said it it's hardto beat a team twice, and
that that's really true, especially ina neutral environment. I believe that,
No, it's gonna be it's gonnabe Noblesville. Okay, uh yeah,
even even worse. So yeah,I don't like potentially playing Noblesville. I
think Noblesville is a really tough team, and I think if we don't come

(14:35):
out on our a game, they'llthey'll catch us. Yeah, I might
agree. You know, we wentzions well, we went to Eagles,
but we absolutely do not want Noblesville. You know, we're not. When
we when no Rowan was calling thegame there, I would just sit in
there, and Doblesville is a crowdlike no other. You know, I'll
give them a credit day of acrowd, And I think if we go

(14:58):
there without a crowd, we're alreadylosing the game. Mentally. Oh yeah,
totally, I don't think. Imean, yeah, just that playoff
environment. It felt like a playoffgame the last time these two teams played,
when Westfield came out on top justbarely. I remember that game in
particular because that was the first gamewithout Charles Ferrell due to the injury,

(15:24):
and Will Harvey. He stepped upin a big way with fourteen points.
But really, what I'm looking forwardto with the Noblesville matchup is I think
although it's hard to beat the teamtwice, they got really good players like
Justin Curry, who he recently pickedup a Division one offer, I think,
so congratulations to him. Aaron Finethe ginger, he's been very fun

(15:50):
to watch all year, and alsoAiden Brewer the tight end. So there
you go. I mean, Noblesville, they have a heck of a team.
But on the other end, onthe other end of the bracket,
well, I'm looking for Carmel andFisher as a man. You know,
Carmel beat Fishers the last time thesetwo teams played, and I'm just looking

(16:12):
forward to seeing it because Carmel theyare red hot right now. They've won
seven of their last eight games.How can Fishers contain Carmel? I mean
really for Carmel, it's been reallysurprising. I mean considering where they started
versus where they finished, and theythey already got they already got the tigers
and one, so Fishers they're gonnahave to come out fireing and really contain

(16:34):
the Greyhounds. They're starting to playthe Carmel basketball. We know they can
play and have played for about thelast decade. So for Fishers, that's
gonna be a tough games, sometough environment. So they got to come
out on top and probably shoot thethree really well and contain Carmel's guards because
that can be a challenge. Youknow, Fishers and Karl they are two

(16:59):
great teams. And the point whereDrew said is Carmel started off not very
good and then they came back,and you know that's that's a tough team.
You already know going in. Howtough of a team to win your
last seven games? After not startingout strong. But if you're Fishers,
you know, it's just how youstart and how you finish, like how
you play the whole game. Becauseif you give Karmel a chance, they're

(17:21):
gonna run away with it. Ohyeah, totally. And if I'm Karmel
with Keenan Garner, that's that's gonnabe hard. Keenan Gardner, in my
opinion, he might be mister Basketball. The guy's been incredible. Well I
would do. You got Evan Harrell, you got Mitchell mlloy, you need
I think what you need to dois you go in there. You can't
just it's I think you got youkind of have to double him in the

(17:45):
post. But it's hard on defenseif you're Karmel, because you can't just
box some box and won anybody.On Fishers, they're a very dominant and
stacked team. Like Cooper Zachary thefreshman, he can you in many ways.
John Anthony Hall is another guy who'sbeen really great at that guard position

(18:06):
for them. I mean, really, Fishers, they're a really dangerous team.
And by the looks of it,if I had to predict, I
think the winner of that game willbeat HSC and then in the end,
I think it'll be well. Iwant to see it in the sectional championship.
Is Westfield taking on Fishers? That'swhat I want to see. What
is your prediction? What will bethe Sectional championship? I'm gonna agree with

(18:32):
you. Westfield versus Fishers obviously probablythe two well, the two top teams
in the HCC going at it again. Fishers obviously got the best of them
the first time. Can they beatthem twice? I don't know. You
know, I like the matchup betweenPitchers and Westfield, so I think we're
all going with that pick. Soyeah, I mean it's it's going to

(18:55):
be fun. I'm looking forward toit. Noblesville High School there or be
triangulaire. Now let's move on toswimming. Boys swimming, they got State
coming up this weekend, and man, they've they've got a lot of guys
going to State. Bennett Morse inthe one hundred freestyle, Zach Welch in

(19:17):
the five hundred freestyle, and thentwo relay teams made it. The four
hundred freestyle relay team with Bennett Morse, Luca Barbosa, Gareth Thomas and Zach
Welch. Then the two hundred Medleyrelay team with Bennett Morse again, Gareth
Thomas, will Will Chambley and GriffinBarrett's Froeman. I mean, how do

(19:38):
you think Westfield will fare in state? But just also Bennett Morse what stud
dude? Oh? I know Benat Morris. Yeah, he's that guy.
And as far as how they farein state, he hate to be
this way. But Carmel swimming,how can you how can you go wrong
there? So but still making itthere is an incredible accomplishment. Yeah,

(20:03):
you know Carmel, you know theydo their thing in swimming for both girls
and boy. But you know,making the state versus all the other people's
really an accomplishment. So Westill justhad to go out and do that thing
and not worrying about Carmel because Ithink if Carmel or anyone else gets in
your head, you're already losing,because it's when you're swimming, it's all

(20:26):
you Oh yeah, it's very muchlike a it's a it's a mind game.
It's kind of like when you're onthe mound pitching or when you're broadcasting
a game alone. You know,it's kind of just a battle with yourself.
I'm really looking forward I'm really lookingforward to it. I U p
u y Nadatorium. I'm pretty surethe same location as the girls state finals.

(20:48):
So yeah, it should be.It should be a fun one.
And now let's uh, we're gonnaend it here. Let's do some national
sports. Uh, spring training,the MLB coming up with the first games?
Are they're today? Actually? Yeah, Dodgers and Padres. That's a
game I'm looking forward to today forspring training. I'm actually going out to

(21:11):
Scottsdale this weekend to watch the Dodgersplay the Athletics, just maybe to get
a glimpse of Otani. But asof right now, who is your World
Series pick? If I know alot of you are gonna say Dodgers.
Outside of the Dodgers, who coulddethrone them? I mean, even though

(21:32):
they didn't win last year, butwho could take down the Dodgers text strangers,
I think you can't go a roll. I think they've they've got all
the talent in the world and that'svery possible. Could repeat. I like
that pick. Now, this isthis is going to be a contender.
If they signed Cody bellandern the Cubswith the power of friendship. No,

(21:55):
no, that's just how I seeit, like every year as a Dodgers
fan, it's like every year wecome in one hundred and twenty wins,
we come into the NLDS, andthen the eighty win Diamondbacks come in with
the power of friendship. And that'smy pick, the Arizona Diamondbacks. I
think that's going to be a veryfun matchup in the NL West, because

(22:17):
are we gonna forget that the Diamondbackswere just in the World Series. I
mean, come on, Corbyn Carroll. He might have a sophomore slump,
but at the same time, Icould totally see him winning MVP. So
I'm really looking forward to seeing thematchup of Dodgers and Diamondbacks and Yamamoto maybe
I want to see him for theDodgers. You know, early on,

(22:40):
I could totally see him getting NLRookie of the Year. I can see
him playing like a cy Young earlyon. Even though it's kind of,
you know, just crazy to thinkabout, but the guys had a one
era for the last three years inJapan, so why not? And yeah,
anything left to add. I wasn'tgonna comment on the Bears, Justin

(23:03):
Fields, Caleb Williams theme, Okay, no, no, no, go
ahead. I was gonna say keepfeels, but with how it's looking,
I think it's probably probably gonna Dravetkill Williams. You think that's I think
that's what's gonna happen. Yeah,because he do you think there's really any
significance to a player unfollowing the teamthat they're on. Well, he said,

(23:26):
he addressed it, and he saidit's because he didn't want to have
that stuff on his phone. He'sabout to go on vacation, so he
unfollowed the NFL too. But I'mlike, I don't know, I think
that was a good cover up onthis part two. I mean occasionally,
like I'll get upset and I'll unfollowthe w HS Sports Live Instagram. Just

(23:47):
kidding, just kidding anyway, Yeah, I mean I could totally see that
Caleb Williams, he doesn't want toplay in Chicago. That's the interesting part
about it. So I totally seethat. Just I don't know who's going
to be the quarterback Week one forthe Bears, that that's going to be
really interesting to see play out.Could we get like a Eli Manning clip

(24:11):
where he's like, I don't wantto go to the Chargers, if we
draft Kalla Williams, yeah, Iwant to go to Chicago. Yeah,
then you trade back and get likeDrake may or ja Yeah. I mean
there are a lot of good optionsfor the Bears. I feel like this
year is a really good year forquarterbacks. But yeah, anything more,

(24:32):
all right, I think I thinkthat's going to do it. We have
a fun batch of episodes coming yourway next weekend. The Weeks to Come.
Peace, Peace,