Behind The Bleachers

It’s finally time.

No more tournaments. No more non-conference games — for the most part. The last month of the high school basketball season is upon us and what better way to kick it off than with four rivals going head-to-head.

On Friday, Lansing will travel to Basehor-Linwood, which promises to be one of the most anticipated 5A games of the year. At the same time, Pleasant Ridge will host Immaculata in a game that looms large for all invovled. It also just happens to be Ridge’s royalty night.

So, here’s a quick preview of both clashes.

Lansing at Basehor — Girls at 6 p.m. and Boys at 7:30 p.m.

First, the girls’ game. The Lady Lions have struggled all year. Yet, the squad did capture its second win of the season in its most recent contest. To make that a winning streak, the team will have to continue its scoring surge, which may be tough against the 4-6 Bobcats.

Now, with the appetizer complete, let’s move on to the main course — Lansing, 10-1, versus Basehor, 9-2.

I don’t really know what to think of this first match-up between Kaw Valley League rivals because each lost last week. Out of those defeats, the Basehor loss was worse as the team fell by nearly 20 in the championship game of its own tournament.

However, the Lions did not look particularly well following its first defeat of the season — the squad only mustered 37 total points the following day.

I also believe Lansing has more depth on paper, but with the game being played on Basehor’s court, that is a distinct advantage for the Bobcats. That place will be jammed and it will be loud.

So, I guess what I’m saying is all the external pros and cons are a wash. Both have equal advantages and disadvantages. In a nutshell, that is how close this matchup is.

Nevertheless, the key for me will be how the Lansing backcourt holds up.

In my eyes, it’s still the team’s Achilles heel and good guard play is even more important away from home — especially in this environment. If Lucas Mein, Khalil Bailey, Izaiah Grice and Donte Gibson can successfully avoid turnovers and guide the Lions offensively, the squad’s size and depth up front should be enough defensively.

Offensively, those waves of Lansing bigs and forwards are only as formidable as the guys giving them the ball, meaning the team’s scoring relies on the backcourt more than the front.

Guard play will be crucial and if the Lions can get some good performances, I like their chances.

Immaculata at Pleasant Ridge — Girls at 6 p.m. and Boys at 7:30 p.m.

I’m pretty excited to see this girls' game go down. Both teams play hard-nose, pressure defense and so it’s going to be just a fight for every bucket.

From the Lady Raiders’ point of view, its signature press has really been kicking into gear lately and that will need to continue. However, the team has to avoid foul trouble because even though its depth has improved, it’s still not a strength in this game. Why is that?

Because Pleasant Ridge loves to pressure nearly as much as Imac does. Now, the Ridge press comes in different forms such as three quarters or half court, zone and trapping, but that defense is built around its pressure and speed.

The key for PR, as always, will be offensively. Can the Lady Rams score enough points?

That will truly be the defining factor of this contest because if the squad can, Immaculata will be in a tough position. If Ridge can’t score, the edge obviously goes to the Lady Raiders.

For the boys, each team is at eerily similar points in their seasons. Both have nearly identical close to or just over .500 records. Both squads can offensively light it up one night and then struggle to shoot fish in a barrel the next. Finally, like their offense, both defensively are feast or famine.

Each team is consistent at being inconsistent and so that is what makes figuring out this game so tough. There is a part of me that believes that if PR is shooting well, game over.

They have the home court, a slight size advantage and a really good all-around scorer in Dalton Warden.

Yet, I know the Raiders and Mike Connelly is too good of a coach to let me fully give into that thought. He has a knack at figuring out how to disrupt what his opponents want to do most and he does it with a variety of schemes.

So, I think the key will come down to one player on each team, and I know that is terrible to put all that on them, but they really mean that much to their respective squads.

First, Connor Culbertson has to score for PR. Warden is the triggerman for that team, but to win the Rams need multiple points of attack and that is what Culbertson offers. No other Ridge player has his blend of size and skill so he must score.

For Immaculata, Corey Leintz must have a great game.

The Imac team seems to be made up of a lot of good role players, yet it needs an on-the-court leader. Leintz does that every time out, yet he will have to do it in a big way Friday to get a big win.

If he can score and set up others at the same time, the Raiders will have a great opportunity at getting the W.

Man, what a schedule to start the last month of the regular season.

I love Rivalry Week.