A strong second quarter propelled Pike to what would eventually be a 23 point lead toward the end of the third quarter.  In those two quarters, HSE looked sped up, and that's not where any team wants to be playing Pike.

  • Pike's Ryan Conwell, 6'2" junior guard, looks more fluid and confident with the ball than last season.  He's getting down hill more, which may be a function of fewer Pike bigs in the paint.  The lefty's release is quicker, which makes him more of a threat off the ball.
  • JJ Louden is at his core an impactful to lockdown defender for Pike, even if he's not putting up early stats.  No different here, when a couple of steals, a couple of transition baskets, the 6'4" junior guard gets going.  
  • One big reason why Conwell will play off the ball is more is sophomore, Devon Woods.  The 5'9" guard is quick and smooth, showed 3pt range and finished in the paint, including a nice floater.
  • Despite scoring 73 points, much of which came in the fourth quarter (that I admittedly didn't stay around for), HSE struggled to get any offensive flow in the first three quarters.  They don't have weaponry or depth they've had in the past, and they lack of a gravity changing scorer that forces the defense scramble.
  • HSE's Vinny Buccilla makes players better.  The 6'2" senior guard hasn't shown to be the kind of scorer which can put a team on his back.  The former is extremely valuable when surrounded by offensive talent, which in the summer has been the case and will be in college. 

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