Home Game Center Game CenterGame Takes Game Takes: Jeffersonville 49 Evansville Harrison 46 By Patrick Wooley - December 17, 2023 FacebookTwitterReddIt This was a battle of two 4A heavyweights both having regional/ semi state aspirations. Harrison comes into this game 4-0 and #12 in the 4Apolls. I had them rated higher than that after watching them dismantle New Albany a few weeks back. Jeffersonville on the other hand has stumbled out of the gate to 2-2 on the young season but just coming off a 25 pt home win v. Silver Creek. This was a strange game to say the least. The Warriors held the lead from the opening tip but never got it past 4 or 5. Jeff just sort of hung around despite 0 points thru 3 quarters for their big 6'8 D1 bound, Tre Singleton. The difference ended up being his five fourth quarter points that pushed the Devils over the edge and onto the win. It was a game neither team seemed to execute but someone had to win. On this day, it was the Red Devils, 49- 46. Jeff starters; Tre Singleton, PJ Douglas, Michael Cooper, Shawn Boyd, Jeremy Rose Harrison starters; Shane Sims, Malachi McNair, Eli Speer, Brooks Thomas, Jay Summitt ● 6'4 junior guard Michael Cooper held the Devils afloat offensively throughout this game hitting five 3s on his way to a 22 point game. Coop shot the ball well this weekend and looked like a more confident ball player than I remember seeing over the summer. He is driving the ball well and finishing at the basket while handling some point guard duties. Out of every kid out there today, Coop stood out the most. ● 6'4 junior PJ Douglas also had a good game for Jeff today scoring 11. His bread and butter is 5-6 ft jump shot while driving. Douglas has grown up with guard skills as well as good footwork and a soft touch inside. Like I said in my last game takes, PJ will make a college coach look real smart. The kid just gets it done. ● 6'8 junior Tre Singleton was plagued with foul trouble this game, especially after picking up 3 in the first half. Singleton was needed against Harrison's big frontline and the fact that Jeff won with Tre only scoring 5 is a plus teamwise and a red flag for him personally. Everyone has 'off' games and I understand that but scoring 5 pts while being a kid regarded as a Indiana all star lock is a head scratcher. Jeff needs a confident Tre if they want to make noise in the Holiday Tournament in Kokomo in the coming weeks. ● 6'3 junior Shane Sims shot the cover off the ball in the 1st half. Jeff seemed content to leave him open in their zone and Sims capitalized. Sims was held virtually scoreless in the 2nd half and totaled 13 for the game. Sims is a a Jr. All Star candidate with a good season. ● 6'8 senior Malachi McNair had a tough day for the Warriors. I've seen him be a load inside so I know he's had better games. He seemed to have trouble catching some passes in the middle of Jeff's zone. If McNair can become more consistent and aggressive inside then Harrison will be a very tough out come March. ● 6'7 junior big Brooks Thomas is the other half of Harrison's twin towers. He has a good motor and cleans up the glass really well. Jeff had a hard time stopping him from getting offensive rebounds and putbacks. Thomas is averaging 11.5 and 5.8 rbs. Today he totaled 10 pts. On an interesting note I cannot leave out, junior guard Shawn Boyd did not play most all, if any of the 2nd half. Coach Wilkerson went with freshman guard, Caleb Jones down the stretch. New Albany transfer Jeremy Rose was also on the bench much of the 2nd half. Rose was putting up big numbers for the Bulldogs last year but has seen his averges drop on this loaded Red Devils squad. 6'2 sophomore Anthony Fresh also played alot of minutes today. Coach Wilkerson is using at least 10 kids in the rotation and is not afraid to use them all all throughout the game. RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Game Takes: Fishers 74, Noblesville 40 Game Take: Ben Davis 56, Zionsville 45 Game Previews: Saturday, November 30