DISCLOSURE:  Only saw games 1,2 and 4 in full

Brownsburg vs. Gary 21st Century

  • Pierce Thomas didn't play for Brownsburg.  He did not have enough practices following a COVID quarantine to play.  Brownsburg's success will rely deeper than his presence in the lineup.  While they certainly are better with him, ultimately, this wasn't a great test for them.  They will need to establish a consistent outside threat to achieve their goals in March.  Thomas' shot has developed to where is part of that mix.
    • As troublesome as this aspect is for them, 6'4" senior wing, Tyray Lackey, who is super athletic, has a improved his range and mechanics.  If it holds, he'll be a welcome threat.
  • Luke Lacey...still the best passer and best perimeter defender in the state.  
  • DJ Moss is a talented sophomore wing for 21st Century, but he will have to take the defensive end seriously.  At the very least be a willing defender.  

Plainfield vs. North Central

  • Ian Scott, 6'7" senior center, was brilliant!  Tallying 43 points, North Central certainly wasn't prepared for him, and while they did make an adjustment in how they guarded him in the second, it didn't take long for Plainfield to adjust.  
  • Plainfield will be a sleeper team to watch come tournament time.  They have positional size 2-5, North Central's quickness and subsequent pressure didn't overwhelm them.  The game tightened up in the second half and was a one possession game early in the 4th.  However, NC couldn't create easy baskets with their pressure.  
  • Leland Walker was better as the game wore on, but he did struggle vs Plainfield's length/size.  Plainfield mixed man and zone defenses, and everywhere Walker attacked, he was met with multiple defenders.  His best moments, outside of transition, were utilizing ball screens, where he was able to get into driving gaps.  
    • His penetration just off catches weren't overly successful vs. Plainfield

Crispus Attucks vs. Warren Central

  • Though Attucks won, the most impressive performance was by WC's Malik Stanley.  He was his normal steady self, which includes being able to score from all three levels and run a team.  
    • A low D1 school needs to step up on him.  Indianapolis needs to step up on him!
    • Stanley is an extremely efficient point guard, who at the very worst makes great decisions on the floor, guards his position and is an excellent shooter. 
  • Attucks' Isaiah Stafford ends up with pretty good counting stats, and he has a great motor.  There are times when he needs to make the next read.  Attucks has two extremely talented forwards in Jaylen Carson and Jalen Hooks.  They needed more touches.
  • Speaking of Hooks, the progression of his shot mechanics is moving him towards being a consistent 3pt threat.  He was getting most of his catches today in the corners or off handoffs but wasn't attacking on those.  He scored most of his points in the second quarter, though, at a time when he was the only getting shots to fall.  
    • He was missed a few times in the first half in transition.  
  • D'Ante Davis was aggressive with the ball, but he struggled to convert from the FT line.  He and Daniel Coates, the 6'6" transfer from Chicago Thornton both were excellent on the glass.  Davis made some impressive defensive plays, including a couple in transition.  
    • Warren is still without Gabe McNary.  The 6'8" senior center has not received eligibility from the IHSAA following his transfer from Avon.

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR