Team Analysis: MSM-Harrah-Norman
The Prep Hoops Oklahoma team traveled to Norman High School Thursday evening to take on yet another scrimmage. Norman, Mount Saint Mary, and Harrah were the teams in action. Although the season is a few weeks away teams are starting to…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Oklahoma team traveled to Norman High School Thursday evening to take on yet another scrimmage. Norman, Mount Saint Mary, and Harrah were the teams in action. Although the season is a few weeks away teams are starting to show their hand a bit more in the first week of scrimmages. All teams performed well and some have made leaps of improvement.
Mount Saint Mary is maybe the team with the most upside. They have a solid point guard in Stephon Hall of the 2018 class and dynamic forward in Tony Elix of the 2017 class. With that personnel one could assume that the supporting cast stands arounds and watches Elix and Hall run the pick and roll, but that couldn't be any further from the truth.
On any given possession by the Rockets, at least four players have the ball at some point before a shot is hoisted. This motion offense takes the pressure off of Hall and Elix to provide all of the scoring, if their role players can knock down shots.
The Rockets lack in size and that shows on the defensive end. They can look to counter with multiple zone defense forcing offenses to shoot over the top. Mount Saint Mary has potential to improve on there .500 record of last year, but it is up the guys not named Hall and Elix to determine how far they go.
The home team Norman Tigers load the floor with playmakers, but seem to have a very basic offensive mentality. Presumably due to the fact that it may be too early show their true schemes.
The Tigers ran high pick and rolls most of the night. Defensively is when the Norman really upped the intensity. They embraced the challenge of the Manek brothers and through them multiple looks including double teams and a 2-3 zone. They zoned in being physical in the blocks, even knocking Kellen Manek out of the scrimmage momentarily. Much like Mount Saint Mary the Tigers lack size, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure play making ability from their guards. Norman will be competitive in the upcoming year and could be a sleeper team in the west.
Harrah was up to its usual antic on Thursday evening. In fact, the first bucket of the evening for the Panthers was a lob to 2017 Power Forward Brady Manek. This set the tone for what would be a stellar offensive performance from Harrah.
They have a solid supporting cast around the brothers to provide a spark including sharp shooter 2016 Guard Garret Pearson and lock down defender in 2017 Guard Carlos Slaughter. The Panther put together several solid performances Thursday, thriving off of the grit of Kellen Manek in the paint wearing down on defenses.
Brady Manek showed off his range for most of the night and made plays from the perimeter. The Panthers have a ways to go on defense, but their chemistry together allows them rotate all over the floor. Harrah is still in the development stages, but could be in store for another 20+ win season.
The main goal in the scrimmages were achieved. Get back into the rhythm of the game, stay healthy, and get the young guys some reps were accomplished by all teams. With the season around the corner, Harrah, Mount Saint Mary, and Norman all look to compete in their respective conference.
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