Battle 205: Day 1 Preview and Poll (Ramsay vs Vestavia)
In this article:
This is one of the best times of the year for basketball lovers. It doesn’t matter what level you like to watch; you will have your pick of games to enjoy. There is a slew of basketball in the state over the next 3 weeks. Check out our social media platforms for listed tournaments and classics.
One of the most anticipated classics is Battle 205 (#BHMBattle205) at the Birmingham Crossplex, Dec. 20-22, 2021.
Here is the schedule:
Let’s take a look at one of the match-ups, and at the end of the preview, let us know ’Who You Got!’
Dec. 20, 2021 (8pm)
Ramsay (#6 in 5A) vs Vestavia (#3 in 7A)
Ramsay and Vestavia will close out Day 1 action. Both teams bring talented squads into the match-up. As of Thursday (12/16), Ramsay comes in ranked #6 in Class 5A with an 8-5 record, and Vestavia comes in ranked #3 in Class 7A with a 9-1 record. Let’s take a look at players to keep an eye on:
Ramsay:
I spoke with Coach Johnson and asked him how he felt his team was playing at the halfway point of the season, and this is what he said, "We had a great win on the road against a good McAdory team Tuesday. The best we played all year. We are starting to get healthy. Two of my top players will be back from injury next week and will help us with depth and scoring. Once we get everyone healthy, I can see us reaching our potential and playing to our Standard."
Players To Watch:
Preston Davis Jr (PJ) (6’2/Combo Guard/2022)
Instagram: pjdavisjr0
Twitter: @pjdavisjr1
PJ is the player who has the keys to the team. He is listed as a combo guard, but he spends most of his time at the PG spot for the Rams. He is their playmaker and creates for others. You will see that the Rams will go as PJ steers the ship.
Kerrington Kiel
Kerrington
Kiel
6'6" | SG
Ramsay | 2023
State
AL
(6’5/Small Forward/2023)
Instagram:kerrington.kiel
Twitter: @N/A
Kerrington has just returned to action recently and is working his way back into game shape. When I saw him in at the Plainview classic, he was putting in work on the offensive end, but he did not have that explosiveness that I saw from him earlier in the year. Hopefully, he will be closer to 100% when the Rams face Vestavia.
Vestavia
Vestavia has come out of the gates as a force to be reckoned with in Class 7A. I asked Coach Davis how he felt his team was playing at the halfway point of the season, and this is what he said, "I like where we are in terms of the number of games we’ve been able to win, but I feel like we have a lot of areas we need to grow and get better in. I believe we’re headed in the right direction and improving in those areas."
Players To Watch:
Reese Gurner
Reese
Gurner
6'1" | NA lbs | PG
Vestavia Hills | 2022
State
#NA
Nation
AL
(6’2/Point Guard/2022)
Instagram: reese_gurner
Twitter: @GurnerReese
Reese is by far the breakout player of the year thus far, and he is playing exceptionally well and a focus point of Vestavia’s offense. Look for Reese to have a huge #BhmBattle205.
William Orkus
William
Orkus
6'3" | NA lbs | SF
Vestavia Hills | 2022
State
#NA
Nation
AL
(6’3/Combo Guard/2022)
Instagram: _.williamorkus14._
Twitter: @N/A
William will be a crucial piece throughout #BHMBattle205 as one of the shooters that teams will have to account for when facing the Rebels. He spaces the floor as he sits in the corner, waiting for that dish.
Who You Got?
I have watched both teams play, and I cannot help but give the advantage to the Rebels. I am looking forward to seeing the poll results on this one. If Ramsay can use their athleticism to their advantage and control the boards and the tempo, they could put themselves in a position to get the W.
So who does Prep Hoops Alabama have???
Drum Rollllllllllllllllllllllllllll…..We are taking Vestavia.
Your turn….
