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Game Takes: Bloomington North 67, Perry Meridian 57

By
Jim R
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0

It looked several times as if Jayden Taylor might have had enough to carry his team to victory.  Bloomington North would pull away by 8 or 9, Perry Meridian would claw its way back.  As the fourth quarter wore on, Taylor and the Falcons would not get it closer than 5.

  • Taylor scored in just about every way possible, excluding post ups.  His jump shot has continued its trend upward, hitting off the dribble and off kick outs/drift passes.  Finishing at the rim is still his best asset, and while he wasn’t doing it at will, when he had the gap, he took full advantage.
  • Equally as impressive of JaQualon Roberts, the 6’7” sophomore forward.  He started out hitting from deep, and as that dried up a little, he found opportunities to post up and battle on the offensive glass.  
    • Going back through the Duanys (Doc, Kueth and Bil), Djibril Kante, Jared Jeffries, Sean May and Musa Jallow, Roberts is of that ilk, athletic and rangy, with an skill set that seems to grow at every viewing.
  • North’s guard had ups and downs.  Perry Meridian isn’t easy to drive on, and there were several first half deflections.  While Isaac Vencel and Nick Klaiber didn’t have typical games for them, Nate Toohill stepped up.
  • Aaron Steinfeldt is a big boy for North!  He provides cover for Roberts especially, and those two on the glass will be imposing any opponent.  Great screener too.

POTW: December 14-December 19

By
Jim R
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0

While it doesn't always work out this way, we sort of telegraphed this one in our weekly podcast's feature - Best Games, Best Teams, Best Players.  Chris Mantis, who is set to announce his college decision on Christmas day, had a career game in Lowell's 69-57 win over Portage.

The 6'7" senior guard ended the game with 48 points (13-20 FG, 5-12 3pt, 7-7 FT), 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a block.  On the year, Mantis is averaging a double-double at 29.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, to go along with 3.6 assists per game.  This makes Chris Mantis our Courtside Indiana Player of the Week, sponsored by the Metro Indy Basketball Fall League, for the week of December 14-December 19.

Other Considerations:

Mason Brooks missed much of the summer and part of the fall due to an injury.  The 6'6" North Putnam senior forward put back to back games together in impressive fashion.  In a win over county rival, South Putnam, Brooks totaled 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.  In their win over Indian Creek, he did more, 43 points and 15 rebounds.  For the week, he was 10-22 3PT, and North Putnam only had five players for each game due to injury and contact tracing. 

While Union (Modoc) has been finding wins hard to come by, they are are getting massive production from Champ Ellis.  The 6'3" senior guard put up 26 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks vs. Randolph Southern, 36 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks and Christel House and 40 points, 24 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks vs. Connersville Christian. 

 

Other Nominees:

  • Tucker Biven, 6'2" junior guard; New Albany
    • vs. Carmel - 27 points (5-5 FG, 4-9 3PT)
  • Curt Hopf, 6'9" senior forward; Barr-Reeve
    • vs. North Knox - 26 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
    • vs. NE Dubois - 16 points, 9 rebounds
  • Edward Jones, 6'5" senior forward; Pike
    • vs. Lawrence Central - 19 points (8-13 FG), 9 rebounds, 2 steals
  • Hagen Knepp, 6'4" junior guard; Barr-Reeve
    • vs. North Knox - 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
    • vs. NE Dubois - 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks
  • Tristin Miller, 6'1" junior guard; Lewis Cass
    • vs. Tipton - 27 points (13-15 FG), 7 steals, 5 rebounds
  • Blake Sisley, 6'9" senior forward; Heritage Hills
    • vs. Crawford County - 25 points (11-14 FG), 4 rebounds

Other Sophomore and Freshman Nominees:

  • Logan Imes, 6'4" sophomore guard; Zionsville
    • vs. Franklin Central - 13 points, 10 rebounds
    • vs. Bloomington North - 25 points, 7 rebounds
  • Luke Saylor, 6'2" sophomore guard; Heritage
    • vs Fremont: Scored 30 points, had 10 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists. He scored 23 points in the second half in a 67-51 win.
    • vs. South Adams: Scored 39 points, had 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in a 69-61 win over conference opponent South Adams.
    • vs. Norwell: Scored 18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 47-48 close loss to Norwell.

CSI Pod :: Episode 44 – Big Games! Lukewarm Takes! Mantis Goes Off!

By
Jim R
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0

 

A slow week of recruiting news at the time of recording, as Zak Tyler gets us up today on Isaiah Swope's flurry of offers!

Zak, Jim Reamer and Barney O'Neill present their Best Games, Best Teams and Best Players takes.

The launch of HOT TAKE THEATER!!! Ok, so it's more like lukewarm takes, but hey, we're not trying to pi$$ people off.

Sponsors:
Box Out Sports is the leading online graphics solution giving you the ability to create professional content in seconds to highlight your team and student-athletes this season. You can sign up for a free demo at BoxOutSports.com

Courtside Indiana podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as SoundCloud. You can subscribe via each of those apps and have them delivered straight to your phone, tablet or desktop.

Game Takes: Elkhart 78 – Valparaiso 69

By
Zak T
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0

In a game that saw two upper tier 4A teams battle it out, the home Lions took the W. It was a back and forth game for most of the night, seeing multiple lead changes, and never a lead greater than 6 until the final whistle. This game also saw two rising stars from the class of 2023 in Valparaiso's Mason Jones, and Elkhart's Damarion Anderson. Both of which turned in fine performances. Both teams also each had three players in double figures and showed a lot of balance. I would give both of these squads early chances to win their respective sectionals. The Lions might be rounding the corner now as they were able to close this game out. Elkhart snapped their 3 game losing streak while going through the gauntlet in their schedule. Valparaiso's 3 game win streak ended.

  • 2023 6'7" Mason Jones had a nice game. Finished with 16 points 5 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Very smooth around the basket, has great footwork, and was able to finish through contact a couple times. Showed his range and he hit a 3 and about 15 footer. Ball handling is improving as well as that outside shot. Tremendous length.
  • Sticking with the class of 2023, Elkhart has their own sophomore standout in 6'4" Damarion Anderson. He scored at least 4 points in every quarter. Finished with 18 and 5. Some big hustle plays, and can lock down on D. Has good size now and can finish at the rim. Sky is the limit if he can expand his game to the perimeter.
  • Both teams had seniors step up in this one. Valpo guard 6'2" Colton Jones had himself a nice game, as well as did Elkhart guard 6'5" Luke Teich. True leaders on the floor and left it all out there. Jones finished with 13 points and 3 steals, while Teich had 19, with 8 of those coming in the final frame. He hit some big shots at some big times!
  • Valpo roll players 2022 5'11" guard Breece Walls (8 points 10 asts), 2020 6'6" wing Grant Comstock (7 points 6 rebs), and 2020 Goshen College commit 6'6" wing Clayton MacLagan (9 points) all had solid games and will be key pieces for the Vikings moving forward. Add in IU football commit Cooper Jones (11 and 6) and this is a tough squad.
  • Elkhart has their own bag of tricks behind Anderson. Senior 6' guard D'Arjon Lewis went off in the first quarter with 14 points with four 3's. He finished with 17 after Valpo made some adjustments to limit his touches. Juniors Malachi Emmons (9 points) and Cam'Ron Daniels (7 points) had some key buckets and played great defense as well.

Game Takes: Champions of Character Classic (Grace College)

By
Jim R
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0

South Bend Riley 79, Fort Wayne Snider 75 OT

Looking back, this was the best game of the day.  Not just tightness of the game, but the level of playmaking and shot making, especially from Snider kids I hadn't seen before.  

All the more solidifying my views that Michael Eley should've stayed at Snider.  #justSayin

  • Blake Wesley easily got to spots most of the game for Riley, finding teammates along the way.  He shot well early and was able to get out in transition.  Jackson Copley was the main recipient of Wesley's playmaking.  The 6'2" senior guard hit a couple of corner 3pters, stretching the floor and scored off secondary action.
  • Despite the loss, Snider has no lack of firepower.  Karson Jenkins scored just about everywhere other than the low post.  The 6'2" junior guard's shot making in traffic was impressive, and he shot well from the 3pt line. 
  • Aidan Lambert, 6'2" junior guard, was Snider's playmaker when the pressure was on and the game was coming down to the final few minutes.  He was excellent finding people off penetration, as well as finishing at the basket. 

Leo 59, Shenandoah 43

This was the biggest surprise of the day, not that Leo would win, but the point spread.  This game was tight for much of the way through 2.5 quarters.  Leo got hot, and Shenandoah never bounced back.  The more they stretched out, the more that opened up lanes for Blake Davison.

  • First chance to see Davison during the school season.  The more game wore on, the more impressive he was.  First look was how crafty he was with the ball.  As he got hot from the 3pt line, he attacked closeouts. 
  • DJ Allen got off to a hot start, mostly off Davison finds.  Allen's defensive presence was a problem for Shenandoah, and his game facing the basket is improved.  
    • Zack Troyer was also a problem in the paint for Shenandoah.  
  • Shenandoah has a lot of weapons, but today they weren't very good defensively.  They struggled in the paint defensively.    
  • It was good to see Andrew Bennett back.  His injured shoulder was said to keep him out most of the year, if not all of it, but he's back and slowly working his way.  

Central Noble 68, DeKalb 56

Central Noble grabbed control early, and while they never did simply bury DeKalb, they never really relinquished control.  DeKalb never had the ball down by two possessions, and when they did get close, it was either Connor Essegian answering on the offensive end or Logan Gard answering on the defensive end.

  • The various ways Essegian can score pushes him more toward solidly mid major category.  There is a level of concern on the defensive end at that level, but to watch him get to his shot vs. a defense completely geared toward not letting him get to it is impressive.
    • Watching him split hard hedges, keeping full control of the ball and his body, then rise up for a jump shot in the paint multiple times...he wasn't phased by much of what was thrown at him.
  • The Gard vs. Connor Penrod battle in the low post was curious.  First look at both for their school teams.  Gard played behind him the whole game.  Penrod looked competent in the low post, but Gard was great.  Not sure what Penrod's stats were, but Gard made him work for it.
  • DeKalb would make small runs, hitting on a couple of 3s in a stretch, but they couldn't get stops when they clipped the deficit to six or seven points.

Warsaw 48, Portage 32

  • Kamari Slaughter is an enticing prospect for Portage.  At 6'4", he can guard four positions, and he is Portage's primary ball handler.  He has an incredible burst, and the coverage he gets on his finishing moves, makes him like a mini-freight train coming through the lane.  His shot mechanics are there.  He just hasn't developed a feel for range yet.  
  • Jaxson Gould for Warsaw is a little more polished, a better shooter at this stage, and he drove the ball well.  
  • Warsaw split ball handling duty between Gould and Judah Simfukwe.  The 6'0" junior looks good shooting from the 3pt line and made great decisions off the dribble.  

Homestead 71, South Bend St. Joseph's 46

Disclosure:  I left at halftime.  Homestead was ahead 37-8 as I was packing up.

  • Without question, if Fletcher Loyer can get a clean look, the Purdue recruit is deadly from the 3pt line.  SBSJ's defensive attack was so helter-skelter, it was inevitable the ball was going to find Loyer or Luke Goode.
    • Loyer looked a little sure handling the ball in transition, and he didn't put on the floor at all in the half court.
  • Goode was good.  How's that for putting it simply?  Aside from his offensive abilities, he rebounds above his position.  He's more fluid with the ball too than he was at any point last season.  
  • Andrew Leeper was another benefactor of SBSJ frantic looking defensive game plan.  Strong and a good athlete, he was able to drive and finish and hit at least one 3pter in the first half...nice smooth looking stroke.
  •  

Game Takes: Carmel 56, North Central 49

By
Jim R
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0

Playing without their starting point guard, Carmel jumped out to an 11-2 lead.  Stretching the lead to 16 points, the Hounds lost their other starting guard to injury and saw their lead chipped away down to six points.  Despite the comeback, North Central never had the ball down two possessions in the second half.

  • While neither had their "best" game, Peter Suder and Brian Waddell made plays down the stretch for Carmel.  There are times off the dribble when each are too unselfish.
    • Suder was more aggressive getting downhill, but he left some points on the glass.  As he was more under control toward the very end, he was able to finish plays, including a nice floater.
    • Waddell needs to be more aggressive, especially against favorable matchups.
  • Carmel's Charlie Williams continues to struggle.  Much of it is physical, but the defensive presence of Nick Frische (who started vs. NC) has helped.
  • Leland Walker is outstanding in ball screen action.  His pacing and decision making improves practically from game to game.  However, he still needs to punish teams for going under on ball screens.
  • As a whole, North Central isn't a great 3pt shooting team.  They connected on three deep shots in the fourth quarter, but as a whole they aren't (yet) gravity changing shooters.

Game Takes: Lowell 69 – Portage 57

By
Zak T
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0

Chris Mantis and Lowell controlled this game from start to finish. In a high scoring first quarter, Lowell led 19-11, and Mantis was already rolling with 14. He Proceeded to score 14 more in the second frame as he was doin work.  There wasn't much flow to this game and it was kinda choppy, but the Red Devils got it done. Portage just didn't have the size or anyone to really go blow for blow with Mantis. Sophomore Kamari Slaughter is as good as they come, but the Indians were no match.

  • Christ Mantis - 48 points 9 rebounds 4 assists. Did whatever he wanted. Scored at all three levels. Just doing what he does. D was solid. Enough said about the senior who makes his college commitment on Christmas Day.
  • Long, strong, and some athleticism is what you saw from 6'4" 2023 guard Kamari Slaughter. The sophomore is ranked as one of the top 10 players in his class. He finished with 17 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, but really did struggle to get going. Can see him growing into more of a dog being able to take games over.
  • Lowell supporting cast: 6'3" 2022 Cayden Vasko and 6'3" 2021 Cam Stojancevich did exactly what they do in this one. Vasko finished with 6 points and 6 boards and played hard. Nice piece for Lowell and will be relied on next year to lead the Red Devils. Cam finished with 4 points and did the dirty work. Played tough on D and battled on the boards.

POTW: Week of December 7-December 12

By
Jim R
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0

Let's just do it.  Let's take the easy way out.  Let's give the week's award to both of the guys who battled each other.  One guy dazzled with 23 points and 22 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks.  The other totaled 35 points and 11 rebounds.  The matchup was, respectively, Caleb Furst, 6'9" senior center for FW Blackhawk Christian, and Kooper Jacobi, 6'7" forward for Silver Creek.

Furst's passing out of double teams and out of the high post was actually the most impressive aspect of his game.  Not just the assist totals, but the vision and awareness.  He passing teammates open.  

Playing without Trey Kaufman, Silver Creek has had to get increased production from an already productive Jacobi.  His shot making in the second half and first OT was impressive. He quick in and out of his shot coming off screens, great off the drive and had a few post ups.  

Caleb Furst and Kooper Jacobi are co-winners of the Metro Indy Basketball's Players of the Week for the week of December 7-December 12!

 

Others Considered

Also upping his production in Trey Kaufman's absence, Brandon Northern.  He added 34 points and 6 assists in their game vs. FW Blackhawk, as well as 18 points vs. North Harrison. 

Crossing the 1,000 point mark this past weekend, future Ball State quarterback, Brady Hunt can certainly play basketball.  The 6'6" senior forward scored 34 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in their over Winchester.  In Delta's win over Yorktown, he finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists.

A Zak Tyler favorite!  Jamie Hodges had an explosive game vs. Andrean.  The 5'10" sophomore guard totaled 38 points, 14-16 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Chris Mantis is shortly going to make his college choice, and he's going to make that college every happy.  The 6'7" senior guard went for 34 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists in a win over Hammond Morton.  That was after putting up 22 points and 7 rebounds vs. Valparaiso.  He was 21 for 34 inside the arc over both games and 3 for 7 from 3pt.

Though it was a loss, this young West Noble team is starting to get big contributions from Austin Cripe.  Vs. Churubusco, the 6'3" sophomore guard tallied 31 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Other Nominees

  • Lawrence Boyd, 6'1" senior guard; Purdue Polytechnic
    • 13.6 points, 2.3 assists and 2 steals per game in three games
  • Champ Ellis, 6'3" senior guard; Union (M)
    • vs. Wes-Del - 30 points, 8 rebounds, 8 blocks and a school record 7 3pters
  • Nicky Flesher, 6'0" senior guard; Andrean
    • vs. Michigan City - 20 points
    • vs. Chesterton - 23 points
  • Baylin Graf, 6'2" junior guard; Bloomfield
    • vs. Edgewood - 22 points and 11 rebounds
  • Brevin Hallett, 6'6" junior forward; Blue River Valley
    • vs. Tri - 15 points and 11 rebounds
    • vs. Cowan - 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks
  • Curt Hopf, 6'9" senior forward; Barr-Reeve
    • vs. Southridge - 19 points (9-11 FG) and 10 rebounds 
    • vs. North Harrison - 20 points (8-8 FG)
  • Jason Jones, guard; South Bend Washington
    • vs. South Bend Clay - 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists
  • Travis Jones, 6'4" junior forward; Edinburgh
    • vs. North Decatur - 18 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks
  • Austin Kramer, 6'0" senior guard; Southwestern (H)
    • 14 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds per game, going 2-0 on the week
  • Drake Lewis, 5'11" senior guard; Whitko
    • vs. Randolph Southern - 26 points (9-11 FG, 3-3 3pt, 5-5 FT), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals
  • Cody Samples, 6'1" senior guard; South Ripley
    • vs. North Decatur - 29 points (10-14 FG) and 4 assists
    • vs. Franklin County - 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists
    • Samples surpassed 1,000 career points over the weekend!!
  • Jack Scott, 6'1" senior guard; Anderson Prep Academy
    • vs. Cambridge City - 18 points and 21 rebounds (school rebound record)
  • Blake Sisley, 6'9" senior forward; Heritage Hills
    • vs North Posey - 22 points, 11 rebounds
    • vs. Jasper - 21 points, 4 rebounds

Sophomore and Freshmen Nominees

  • Caleb Dewey, 6'3" sophomore guard; Edinburgh
    • vs. North Decatur - 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists

CSI Pod :: Episode 43 – More on Jalen Washington

By
Jim R
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0

Jim Reamer is flying solo today, and after his viewing of Gary West junior, Jalen Washington, he expands on the views expressed in last week's pod.

Weekly Features:
Recruiting updates
Best Game, Best Team, Best Player of the week

Sponsors:
Box Out Sports is the leading online graphics solution giving you the ability to create professional content in seconds to highlight your team and student-athletes this season. You can sign up for a free demo at BoxOutSports.com

Courtside Indiana podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as SoundCloud. You can subscribe via each of those apps and have them delivered straight to your phone, tablet or desktop.

Game Takes: Tip Off Classic at Southport HS

By
Jim R
-
0

North Central 70, Franklin Central 54

This was mostly a back and forth game through three quarters, but as NC was able to speed the game up bit, converting in transition, Leland Walker started to shine.

  • There isn't a ton of space for Walker to easily get going, especially vs. a defense that is going to play 2 or 3 players in his driving gap.  There also doesn't seem to be an established ball screen partner for him, who can also flush out the defense via rim runs.
    • Quinton Boyd could be that guy, even off the bench.
  • Mike Elliott is better attacking the basket than shoot, and as a whole NC doesn't have a lot of shooting either 
  • Sophomore wing, Joey Brown, made some nice plays in the second half, showing off some length, even taking a charge.

Gary West Side 60, Southport 51

Like the first game, this game was tight until the West Side amped up the defense and pulled away.  

  • Playing without sophomore guard AJ Dancler, Southport's other three sophomores stepped up.
    • Keyon Miller picked up much of the offensive load, showing a consistent shot from 3pt.
  • Jalen Washington looked healthy for West Side.  He hit 4 3pters, and while he didn't get much done in the low post, he very much battled inside.  Drawing time with Mason Nicholson, 6'9" senior center, they make a formidable high/low duo. 
  • Anthony Ball and Nickens Lemba, the other two Southport sophomores, battled inside, really pushing Washington in the low post to work.  They each got to his shot.
  • Quimari Peterson continues to impress with his court presence, unselfishness and ability to make plays when needed.

Barr-Reeve 61, North Harrison 38

This game was Barr-Reeves right from the start, as they carved up North Harrison early and often.  

  • Curt Hopf, 6'9" senior forward, won the battle of the bigs, vs. North Harrison's Langdon Hatton.  Hatton spent a lot of time cleaning up defensive breakdowns, as Hopf moved freely into and out of catches.  Hatton was good, but Hopf was better this game.
  • Both Brycen Graber, 6'3" senior guard, and Hagen Knepp, 6'4" junior guard, were fantastic for Barr-Reeve.
  • Logan McIntire was hunting shots in the second half for North Harrison but couldn't get much to fall.  North Harrison didn't get much out of their three starting sophomores.

Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian 94, Silver Creek 84 2OT

Best game of the day, especially considering the shot making going on between the key combatants, as well as Caleb Furst's passing.  Blackhawk jumped out to an early 20-5 lead, and Silver Creek scratched their way back in it.

  • Playing without Trey Kaufman so far this year, due to injury, Kooper Jacobi and Brandon Northern have carried most of the offensive load.  
    • Jacobi was brilliant the whole game, and he has added a more consistent shot from the 3pt line.  His ability to go right at Furst and score over him was equally impressive.
    • Northern took full advantage of Furst guarding Jacobi.  It forced Furst away from the basket, and no one else could really contest Northern at the rim.  
  • Zane Burke was the main recipient of Furst's assists, and if HS counted screen assists, Furst would have more.  Silver Creek (mainly Jacobi) played back on ball screen, not wanting Furst to roll.  Burke took full advantage, finishing going either direction, hitting over the top as his defender went under.
  • As noted a couple of times, Furst's play was brilliant, mostly taking full advantage of what the defense was giving him.  They doubled him, he passed out of it.  They pressured him, he made plays out of the high post.  They took away rim runs off ball screens, he short rolled, giving Burke room and forcing Jacobi to make a decision.

Lawrence North 58, Cincinnati Moeller 57 2OT

It's not like this game didn't live up to its billing.  This was rarely more than a two possession game the entire night.  It was back and forth the whole game, as it looked like one team might be able to stretch a lead, the other team would roar back.

  • CJ Gunn was pretty quiet until the very end, and I realize this is a statement of preference, I'd like to see him come off screens vs. every almost every catch being off a kick out or reversal.  
    • He hit a late 3 in transition, giving LN a lead, and was more aggressive off the dribble in the OT periods.
  • Shamarr Avance is pretty much always in attack mode, and it was good to see him not try to turn easy plays into complicated plays.  With his improved jump shot, he's finding more room to penetrate as well.  
  • Watching DJ Hughes against Logan Duncomb, 6'10" senior center from Moeller who is committed to Indiana, was a pleasure.  It was physical in the low post, and Hughes made every catch difficult.
    • Hughes converted from the 3pt line, off the drive and off the offensive glass.
    • He had help on the defensive end from Donaven McCauley, who was there to body up Duncomb anytime he was able to seal off and step into the middle of the paint. 

 

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