'fast away the Old Year passes..'

     While some of us are sticking the family fruitcake in the bird-feeders (whoever thought those little green things were tasty?) and hoping that our guests finish up the last batch of holiday eggnog, it is noted that 'TheBoys' are back in Pepin getting ready for RPI, and a run at the nescac title - which is the main order of the winter's business. RPI will in town on Sunday afternoon with Pedro Lynch And Company looking to raise their standard to nine-and-oh. By tip time a couple of more "Tall Trees" (defined as those teams remaining undefeated and untouched by the woodsman's axe) will have crashed in the d3 forest. That will leave The Panthers and only five others unscathed as the remaining "Tall Trees" on the d3 landscape. This doesn't appear to be one of RPI's better editions. Although we haven't seen them up close, common opponents indicate that this game shouldn't require any halftime lamaze sessions. It's been more than three weeks since TheBoys were at game speed, but we've seen many times over this incredible six-plus year run that JeffB. always has them primed and focused. Always is one of those terms that one hates to use because of its finality, but it recognizes the understated mastery that this coach has for his craft. He has worked it with all of Midd's recent editions. The beauty of it is in the preparation. And in getting each group to buy in. Sure, there may be some squirts of WD-40 to get everything up to game speed, but cannot envision an overmatched RPI group, also coming off a layoff hanging around too long at Pepin. Something in range of a 20 point-plus tuneup is what's expected from this corner, and then TheBoys will take up the chase for the nescac title. And next week, they might be the new number one, although based on a stronger early season quality, both St. Thomas and North Central, if they survive Ramapo, would qualify for that spot, if my take is correct.

      The biggest step-ups of the season have been the inside play of Lynch, now up to about fifth in the country in FG percentage, and the discovery of Hunter Merryman as 'instant offense' night in and night out. Pressed into duty when Dylan Sinnickson went down with a broken arm, he has not missed a beat, and one would have to think that he's crossed the bridge to being a full-time threat. That now gives us two potential standouts in the sophomore brigade, and it's my take there will be more.

      Two other points remain to be noted. First: although the Midd defense is not the dominant, lock-down type that has carried us in the past few years, it has been very good in the last ten minutes of every game. Nobody yet has been able to put up a run that has paralyzed us. So my take is that the defense is hidden in the statistics, and when the pretenders want to become contenders, TheBoys are able to make plays on both ends that control the outcome. Part of that is that the offense is better. Inside and out. Secondly: the foul shooting has improved markedly. That should pay off in a big way as the season tightens down and the possessions become bigger.

      Finally there has been a lot chatter about the scheduling- is it too weak, is it challenging enough, etc.?
If you look back at the final regular season poll from last year and the second and third polls this year- even without the nescac schedule being in the forefront, it appears by my count that Midd has played at least 16 of the ranked 75 teams in those three polls. Given the overlap of teams it's possible that there aren't more than 45 actual different teams, and given that we've played some multiple times, often in elimination games, the thought from this corner is 'TheBoys' are prepared every night, and know what challenges need to be met as the season unfolds.   

      Fast away the Old Year passes.. sending you all wishes for health and prosperity in the New Year!
And remember: "down from the star at the top of the tree, under the Christmas bells over Otter Creek, past the wreath on Ma Kelley's door, off of DickTheHealer's new whirlpool, nothin' but net!" Be well. Clubbo.