The Reed Raiders cruised through their 4A girls' basketball schedule with a 19-2 record, yet the pressure will be on the High Desert League champions when they meet Carson in the regional semifinals today at Spanish Springs High School.
Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. with the Bishop Manogue-Reno game to follow at 7.
The pressure is on Reed because nobody on the planet gives Carson (15-12) any chance to win the game. The teams met back in early December, and the Raiders rolled to a 77-40 victory over the visiting Senators.
"We're not supposed to win," Carson coach Todd Ackerman said. "We should be able to come out relaxed and loose. I know we won't because it's a playoff game and the girl will be pumped up. They're a good team, but I guess that's why you play the game. If we get hot at the right time and we catch them on an off night."
"We're going to have to bring our A game," senior guard Emily Collins. "We're not going to lay down. We're going to do our best and give them a game."
Reed has a four-pronged attack with Gabby Williams, Nyasha LeSure, Sierra Hooft and Tyler Sumpter, who killed Carson in the previous game with her outstanding outside shooting.
Ackerman said there are several things that Carson must do to stay in the game with the Raiders.
"We can't get into an up and down game with them," Ackerman said. "We have to be patient, look for good shots, control the tempo and take care of the ball. We can't play a first half like we did against Spanish Springs (4-for-26 shooting and 9 turnovers). We also need to rebound the ball better."
Carson did a sub-par job against Spanish Springs. Carson players didn't put a body on their opponent, and the Cougars were quick enough to get around their Carson counterparts to grab offensive rebounds throughout the game.
Ackerman expects to see Reed put on a lot of defensive pressure, so the onus will be on Collins and Smith to protect the ball.
"They're going to come out and pressure us," Ackerman said. "It won't be anything that we haven't seen. It won't be anything like Centennial does."
The Senators also need to get a solid game from Eliza Matley, who struggled from the field and finished with just five points. She averages around 15, and the Senators' offense needs at least that many to stay close.
NOTES: Carson has added Kayla Aikins and Gina Peacock from the JV team ... When Carson won Tuesday's game against Spanish Springs, it mean that Ackerman had to cut his hair. The coach said he will get his hair cut, but doubted it would be done by tonight's game.
