Chase Barnes – Courtside Indiana

Game Takes: Fort Wayne Wayne 73 Carroll (Fort Wayne) 69

Dominique — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 20:29:54 +0000

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.

Game Takes: Forum Tip-Off Classic Lawrence North 72 Fort Wayne Wayne 51

Dominique — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 03:37:13 +0000

Wayne had the lead at halftime by 2 points. At the end of the third Lawrence North was up 5 and I thought we were going to be in for a heck of a finish, but Wayne could not string anything together in the 4th quarter. My opinion has not changed on Wayne. They’ve played right with Ben Davis and Lawrence North for a good chunk of both games. Lawrence North played with out their star 6’9 sophomore Kai Mcgrew. It was reported that he got sick in the locker room right before the game. Lawrence North’s backcourt is a load to deal with. Azavier Robinson and Kobi Bowles relentlessly attack the paint and Myles Baker is deadly from behind the arc. You add in 6’6 sophomore Brennan Miller who can knock down shots and rebound at a high level and you have a hard team to beat. Jevon Lewis, Chase Barnes, and HJ Dillard played well for Wayne.

* 2025 guard Azavier Robinson played well in this one. He finished with 24 points 7 rebounds and 4 steals. His shot mechanics and shot making ability has progressed. He’s got elite length and quickness. He rebounds his position extremely well. He gets into the paint at will but also hit some midrange shots and a 3. He likes to take a dribble right or left and go behind the back the opposite direction to get into the lane. Would like to see him not rely on that behind the back dribble all the time. LN is going to be hard to beat all year and he’s their number 1 guy.

* 2026 forward Brennan Miller is gaining more and more notice from D1 coaches. His motor stands out and his positive body language. He rebounds really well for his position. Miller can make shots on the perimeter. He’s got length and strength which allows him to score around the basket as well. I think Miller is going to be a high major player before it’s all said and done. He finished with 11 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

* 2024 PG Jevon Lewis has grown into a leader for this Wayne Generals team. I noticed he took control of the huddle and held guys accountable in a fall workout I was at and it was evident in the floor Saturday night. Jevon can score it in a multitude of ways at this level. He’s very hard to keep out of the lane. Does a good job of finishing around bigger players. Shoots it well from the perimeter. Him and Chase Barnes can get it going in a hurry. I can see Jevon playing at the NAIA level. He ended with 16 for Wayne.

* 6’6 forward HJ Dillard has really progressed for Wayne. He looks a lot more confident out there on the floor than last year. He has a nice touch in the paint and steps out and can hit 12 footers. His athleticism has taken a jump as well. He’s now getting dump off’s and taking a gather step and dunking with ease. I’m not sure he was doing that consistently last year. Dillard finished with 12 points in this one.