Upon Further Review

See, Green Hornets, it is that simple. And we’re talking to both the girls and the boys teams here.

Because when Wilson Memorial’s two basketball programs get away from their bread and butter, they’re really not much of a sandwich. When the Green Hornet girls try to just flat out beat opponents on offense, they get away from their defensive style and bad things happen.

When the Green Hornet boys get all impatient and don’t clamp down on their man-to-man defense, well, bad things happen. (You know, like they did Friday against Nelson for the boys and against Stuarts Draft for the girls). Coach Jackie Bryan is left wondering what her team’s identity is and Rodney Cullen is forced to lament lost opportunities in his coach’s office.

Then comes Monday night and all both Green Hornet teams do is, well, the math.

For the girls it’s Dee Deacon + forcing 29 turnover = a big win. (Sure, it was a 57-18 routing of Parry McCluer, but come on, forcing 29 turnovers can get you props against the Little Sisters of the Poor Academy.)

For the boys it’s just as simple: Patient play + spreading the points around + Hunter Cullen with 30 + Dylan Hudson double-double + Josh Miller + good defense = a 69-60 win over the Blues. And, sorry, but this isn’t your big brother’s Parry McCluer team. They actually have some ball players this year in Buena Vista.

You see, Wilson does the math and the math equals wins. Both teams have found their identities, now the challenge is keeping that identity through the rest of the season. Good things, again, should happen.

How is this a change for the boys? Simple, against Nelson County on Friday, the Hornets were playing basketball like the rim was on fire and the only thing that could put it out were shots. After Hunter Cullen’s 25, the next highest point total was seven from Miller. And we’re not even going to go into detail about all the forced shots that Hornets took in a close game they could have and, let’s be honest here, probably should have won.

You see, spread the love, get a few other guys in double digits and good things happen. We don’t lie here, folks.

And another thing: If anybody, and yes, I mean anybody, can find me a better inside player in the Shenandoah District than Buffalo Gap’s Sara Lamneck then, by all means, let me know.

Don’t look now, but I think former Fishburne standout Michael Barrett just had another double-digit performance at Limestone College. Yep, he sure did. (Did anybody tell this kid he’s a freshman and is not supposed to be doing this just yet? Of course you didn’t.)

Hey, I think I saw a Wilson player look for the open man who, in turn, took the open shot.

Again, you see, it’s that simple Green Hornets. Do the math. Win ball games. Everybody is smiling.

Lock. The. Thread