One of the most anticipated games in the history of high school basketball will take place tonight in Knoxville.
Ok, maybe we are over exaggerating the importance but the ramifications of the game could and will be huge.
Oak Hill Academy brings another outstanding squad to the gym led by Virginia Tech signee MoMo Jones and Oklahoma pledge Keith "Tiny" Gallon.
Not your typical Oak Hill squad as they have no name in the realm of Brandon Jennings, Josh Smith or Carmelo Anthony, but this is one of Coach Smiths most balanced squads and their 23-0 record and #2 national ranking confirm that thought.
Bearden will be a bundle of nerves and excitment, but also will have the opportunity to show they can compete with the big dogs. Their success at the Arbys Classic this past holiday season will not come close to the atmosphere which will permiate the Bulldog gym tonight.
Match-ups will be the key and the one everyone is clamoring about is the inside battle between the behemoth Gallon and Bearden's 6'9 post Demonte Simpson. The game will hinge on the play of whomever controls the boards and whomever gets the best of this matchup inside.
On the wing, Bearden is solid and they will need every ounce of ability from their talented seniors including Blake Jenkins, Nathan Parker and Dustin Craig.
This triumvirate will be vital in controlling the Oak Hill break and assisting in the scoring and rebounding totals.
Guard play will be another key as senior Gabriel Campbell and a host of talented sophomores including Rico White, Jaelen Lawson and Galen Campbell will all be called upon to control tempo and provide leadership for the Bulldogs.
Knoxville be prepared for a collosal event that go down as one of the most watched high school games in this area in quite some time.
I will be doing play by play of this epic contest on wazoosports.com this evening so if you can't make it to the game please log on to www.wazoosports.com and listen for free on the internet.
Good luck to both squads.
