This was a highly anticipated matchup in the SAC Friday night. Both teams can score points in a hurry and that was then case Friday night. Chase Barnes and Preston Comer both had 11 points in the first half for Wayne and Jaxon Pardon had 12 for Carroll. Wayne stretched their lead to 40-28 at the half. Cannen Houser and Jaiyre Sampson cut into that lead right away in the 2nd half for Carroll, but Jevon Lewis and HJ Dillard kept Wayne at a nice distance for much of the 2nd half. Carroll went on a run later in the 4th quarter to cut it down to 2 and had the ball looking to tie or take thr lead and they couldn’t capitalize. The refs really let both teams play in this one. I don’t recall either team getting into the bonus until later in the 4th quarter when Carroll had to foul.

* 6’6 Junior forward HJ Dillard has shown a lot of improvement since last year. He is making quicker decisions with the ball and being a lot more aggressive in the paint. He was awesome for Wayne in the 2nd half where he scored 13 of his 15 points. He’s showing the ability to face up and shoot from 12-15 feet as well. Wayne fuels off of Jevon Lewis and Chase Barnes, but when Dillard plays like he has the last few games it makes Wayne just that much more dynamic.

* 5’10 Sr PG Jevon Lewis played an all around game for Wayne. One of the best players in all of Northern Indiana. Lewis ended with 17 points and 12 assists. He was really affective around the rim in this one getting in the paint and scoring or finding guys. I look for more NAIA schools to start getting in on the action with Lewis.

* 6’1 Jr guard Jaiyre Sampson has definitely progressed since last season for Carroll. He’s always been a kid who can get places with the dribble and finish at the rim. This season he has shown the ability to pull-up and shoot + hitting shots more consistently from 3. He’s had 2 30 point games this year already and Friday night I had him for 23. We know about Grace commit Cannen Houser and Bowling Green commit Jaxon Pardon, but if Sampson keeps being as dynamic as he’s been, Carroll will be a tough out in the state tournament around this area.

*Bowling Green commit Jaxon Pardon was dynamic in this one. He can score it in a hurry. He ended with 22 Friday night. He has a quick trigger from 3. I’d like to see him clean up some of his shot attempts. Seems like he forces things at times. I noticed a few times where he’s trying to drive a set defense with no ball movement and that didn’t lead to positive results. Pardon’s athleticism has progressed since last season which is good to see. Overall, Carroll is going to be in a lot of games strictly because of how well they can score the ball, but they are going to have to be able to sit in a stance and grind out defensive possessions.

 

 

 

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