Scouting Report: North at Dowling
Cole Scieszinski nailed two 3s in the final 1:30 for Dowling, both essential to a Maroon 53-49 win over a supremely talented Des Moines North squad. It was a nip-and-tuck game throughout, then late in the fourth quarter the Polar…
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Continue ReadingCole Scieszinski nailed two 3s in the final 1:30 for Dowling, both essential to a Maroon 53-49 win over a supremely talented Des Moines North squad.
It was a nip-and-tuck game throughout, then late in the fourth quarter the Polar Bears — after freshman point guard Tyreke Locure’s 30-foot alley-oop pass to Jal Bijiek for a rim-rattling dunk — went on a 12-3 run to take a five point lead, 47-42.
Tyreke Locure just found Jal Bijiek for rim-rattling 30 foot alley-oop. These two are special. And that has become all too routine #iahsbkb
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) January 9, 2016
That’s when Scieszinski took control, and though he had been 0-15 coming into the game from beyond the arc, his first two of the season came at the most appropriate time.
“All year I haven’t really been hitting shots, I didn’t really get a break from football season,” Scieszinski said. “And so I think it’s all on my teammates, every time I missed a shot they just told me ‘keep shooting, you’re a good shooter, it will come.’ And once I hit the first one it felt really good and I found my stroke, and was able to hit the second one.”
Cole Scieszinski with another cold-blooded 3 to put Maroons up 51-49 with 15 ticks left, then Ted Brown sends back a Lowe shot #iahsbkb
— TJ Rushing (@TjRushing) January 9, 2016
North was lead by Dontre English who scored 15, Jal Bijiek added 13. Dowling coach Mike O’Connor says the Polar Bears will be a dangerous team down the stretch.
“Well, I hope we don’t see them (North) in substate, that’ll be the first thing I say about them. I think this is as good of a team that Coach (Chad) Ryan has had, he has them playing very hard, and this is a dangerous team,” O’Connor said.
“As their point guard (Locure) gets a little bit more experience, he’s going to get better and better, and Jal is almost unguardable when he gets going, they’re going to be a handful for teams down the stretch.”
Team Scoring
North……… 13 11 11 14 — 49
Dowling…. 12 14 9 18 — 53
Individual Scoring
North — Dontre English 14, Jal Bijiek 13, Keon Lowe 12, Tyreke Locure 8, Ben Hayes 2.
Dowling — Ted Brown 14, Cole Scieszinski 9, Stevie Sarcone 9, Brendan Dougherty 9, Joey Kern 8, Sam Olson 4.
North Player Evals
2017, Jal Bijiek, 6’7 SF
As much as he’s known for being an electrifying athlete, and he is just that, Bijiek showed off a part of his game that he’s been working to improve – his outside shot. He connected on a season high three 3s, two of them deep and contested, and each of those in crucial moments of the game. It’s my prediction that Bijiek will be the star of next summer in Iowa, and pick up a plethora of Division I offers.
2019, Tyreke Locure, 5’9 PG
He’s a top-5 2019, and though tonight he struggled at times, he still showed flashes of brilliance – especially late in the game. His best asset right now is his passing; elite vision and precision. He flew a 30-foot alley-oop to a soaring Bijiek precisely, and that’s become all too routine. Locure also is a fearless shooter, who lets it go with precision. He’s small – but if he grows even a little more, he’s a sure-fire D1 prospect.
2016, Keon Lowe, 6’1 SF
An unsung player at times for the Polar Bears, he’s not as savvy, skilled or athletic as some others on the team, but he’s instrumental to its success. He does the little things that matter; hustle, deflect passes, rebound. He was 1-11 coming into the game from 3, and he nailed four in the first half of this one. After the game Dowling’s coach admitted that Lowe ruined their game plan.
Dowling Player Evals
2017, Joey Kern 6′ PG
Kern was the surprise of the night for me. I had seen of the other guys play already, but Kern I had not, and he’s good. He was exclusively playing point guard because Sam Ingoli was out with a knee issue. He’s a smart player, who is skilled, and has a knack for getting into the lane – where often good things happen for him. An adept passer, who rebounds very well from the guard spot, and should be getting some D3/NAIA looks already – could potentially blossom into a D2 prospect.
2016, Brendan Dougherty, 6’2 G
He’s a sneaky good wing for the Maroons, with a good-sized frame and decent height. He knows his role with this team and does not try to do too much, consequently he’s a smart player who makes few mistakes. A decent shooter, and solid role player – probably would be serviceable for any D3 program.
2016, Cole Scieszinski, 6’6 G/F
A very long, and wiry wing, Scieszinski looks like a basketball player. He was ice-cold coming into the game, and that gave way to some cold-blooded 3s in the final moments to win it for his team – clutch. He uses great length to alter shots and deflect passes well on defense. He’s an integral part to this team, and could be more than serviceable at any D3 or NAIA program.