Girls' coaches side with Thunder, boys' coaches with Heat

The Daily Reporter asked the Hancock County high school basketball coaches — four boys’ coaches and four girls’ coaches — to make their predictions for the NBA Finals seven-game series between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. Their choices were made prior to Game 1 Tuesday (which ended after press time). Interestingly, the three boys’ coaches who responded selected the Heat to win it all, while three girls’ coaches went with the Thunder. The coaches who responded and their comments:

Jeremy Powers, Eastern Hancock girls

THUNDER IN 6

“I like the young group they have and their consistent improvement over the last three years. They play well as a unit.”

Julie Shelton, Mt. Vernon girls

THUNDER IN 7

Doug Laker, Greenfield-Central girls

THUNDER IN 7

“More depth. The key matchup is (Russell) Westbrook versus Dwyane Wade — Westbrook is a better player right now.”

Adam Barton, New Palestine boys

HEAT IN 5

“If the Heat keep going to the Big 3 like they did late versus the Celtics they win easily.”

Josh Johnson, Greenfield-Central boys

HEAT IN 6

“I saw the Heat and Pacers play in person and the Heat have two phenomenal, athletic players.”

Aaron Spaulding, Eastern Hancock boys

HEAT IN 7

“I think LeBron James is in a similar posi-tion (Michael) Jordan was before the Bulls won their first title. He is hungry and is going to lead the Heat to the title.”