Gameday Preview: Cary @ Green Hope

It's that time again, WRAL is here for your Game of the Week Gameday Preview. This week, the Cary Imps will be traveling to the Falcons Nest to take on the Green Hope Falcons in the WRAL Game of the Week.

This rivalry game is always fun to watch, but there could be third place implications at stake. The Falcons come into the game sitting steady at fourth place in the Tri-8 Conference and the Imps are in charge of third place.

Green Hope lost to Apex on Friday Night, and Cary lost to Middle Creek. Apex is sitting atop the Tri-8 Conference, Middle Creek is holding it's own at second.

Green Hope and Cary have met once already this season. The Imps came away with the victory, 68-63, after Green Hope gave up a fourth quarter lead. The pressure defense of the Falcons kept Martin Stephenson relatively quiet, scoring just 11-points. Stephenson has had the hot hand as of late, averaging 19.6 points per game. Another key player for the Imps, Taylor Payne, averages about 11 points per game, but scored just 3 against the Falcons. Cameron Neisler averages 12 points per game for Cary, but once again, the Green Hope defense put a stop to his scoring. Neisler post just 6 points against the Falcons.

The big problem for Green Hope came from an unlikely source. Michael Abashian, who averages about 7 points per game, put up a season high 23 against the Falcons. Abashian has reached double figures just two other times this season, but Green Hope was the only team that he reached the 20-point mark.

Green Hope will have their hands full on defense. Martin Stephenson, Taylor Payne, Cameron Neisler, and Austin Moore are all averaging double figures for the Imps, but the Falcons can't sleep on Daniel McCauley or Michael Abashian.

Green Hope won't necessarily be the underdog though, and they have proven their defense is capable of stopping Cary's offense.

There are three keys for Green Hope. One, they have to be patient on offense. Many times against Apex they would come down the court and settle for a bad jump shot, many times beyond the three point line. Two, they have to take care of the ball. Turnovers have doomed the Falcons several times this season, including in the first game with Cary in December. And lastly, defense, defense, defense. Green Hope will probably come out in a man to man or 2-2-1 defense, but they cannot afford to let anyone start off hot. In my opinion, the 2-2-1 would be ideal for the Falcons, that way they could put some pressure on the ball in the backcourt, and maybe get some turnovers which can be turned into points.

Junior guard Andrew Duke has proven to be a defender this season - especially the last several games. Green Hope should start Duke in a guard position, not for the offensive production, but for defense. If the Falcons run a 2-2-1, then Duke would be a great person to put in the backcourt to defend the ball.

Both teams are coming off losses from Friday night, so the "hunger factor" may be the determining factor as to who wins on Tuesday night. Both teams are evenly matched, the only mismatch would be the height advantage Green Hope has. On offense, look for Green Hope to use Daniel Watts and J.D. Pelham on the inside. If the Falcons can establish the inside game, Green Hope will come away the victors. If Cary can sag their defense and force Green Hope to shoot jump shots, I think Cary will win.

Remember, come back to WRAL.com's High School Hoops after the game for a complete game wrap-up and post game reaction. Stay with WRAL.com for prep sports coverage you can count on.