Sunday, February 6, 2011

This is IT!



So, here it is, the last week of the regular season for the Brophy Broncos (16-7). The Broncos were feeling good about themselves until PF Rodrigo Furtado '11 dislocated his elbow sometime Saturday morning. James Harper '12 is now expected to start in Furtado's place with F Jordan Medl '12, C Sai Tummala '11 in the frontcourt.

Furtado's injury hurts Brophy because he always gives 100% and I know that's a cliche, but it's true. He plays the game with so much energy and emotion. Furtado averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds a game. He was injured on his 18th birthday; his teammates had some prayers for him:
"Its not fair. Our best player, our hardest work, and the life of our team. That was one of the most painful things to watch. Were so sorry Rod. Love ya buddy." - Greg Patten '13
"Happy Birthday Rod! Get better man! We need you and are all praying for you!" - James Harper '12
"Happy belated birthday, i hope your arms ok"- Sanders Windham '11
"Happy birthday man!!! Get better soon, we need you." - Garron Scoon '12

Tuesday Feb. 8 - at Desert Vista (US Airways). I'm not sure why they're playing at the US Airways center, but Brohy will draw a large crown. The Thunder defeated Brophy by a single point earlier this season at Robsyn Gymnasium. This prompted AIA writer Don Ketchum to call out Brophy's "sixth man". Earlier in the week, Desert Vista (19-6, 5-3 Fiesta Region) knocked off top-ranked Mesa.

Key Player to Watch:
F Danny Powell - especially with Furtado injured, he becomes Desert Vista's critical player. Averages 20.5 points/game, 10.1 rebounds/game. Like Tummala, Powell can shoot the three's also, making 49% of them.

Friday Feb. 11 - at Chandler. So the Chandler Wolves (8-16, 1-7 Fiesta Region) are the Broncos final regular season opponent. The Wolves have lost SEVEN straight games and all of them are Fiesta Region match-ups. The Broncos beat them 54-40 a few weeks ago at Robson Gymnasium. I've just discovered a mystery surrounding PF Kisima Jagne - he's no longer listed on the team roster on maxpreps and Chandler's web site and last played 1/28 vs Red Mountain.

Key Player to Watch: PG Andre Norris - leads team with 14.7 points/game, but also shoots a very low percentage (35%). With Jange missing, Norris also leads with 6.6 rebounds/game.

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