Scouting Report: Newton vs Chariton
With his team down by one and 1:10 left in the game, TJ Hockenson jumped out in front of a Newton pass, gained possession and streaked the length of the floor for a bucket and a foul. The clutch effort…
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Continue ReadingWith his team down by one and 1:10 left in the game, TJ Hockenson jumped out in front of a Newton pass, gained possession and streaked the length of the floor for a bucket and a foul.
The clutch effort on both ends of the floor gave Chariton a one point lead, and put the Chargers in control. It would ultimately be the bucket to send them to state for the second time in three seasons.
The next two possessions for Newton ended in charge calls, each with Hockenson — a Hawkeye footabll signee — on the receiving end. And the first of which fouled-out Newton’s star sharpshooter Connor Gholson.
Hockenson ended the night with a game-high 23 points, and was marvelous when it mattered most. Charger point-forward Lim Chuol added 15, and Daric Laing chipped in with 14.
Gholson was jaw-dropping good at times for the Cardinals before fouling out late. He connected on six 3s, and finished with a team-high 22 — he’ll be back next season.
With the win Chariton advances to its sixth-ever state tournament. It’ll play Solon in a quarterfinal game next Tuesday, March 8, at 3:45.
Team Scoring
Newton…..17 14 16 6 — 53
Chariton…13 15 11 16 — 55
Individual Scoring
Newton: Connor Gholson 22, Joe Banfield 12, Garrett Sturtz 9, Trey Vanderlaan 6, Jwan Roush 4.
Chariton: TJ Hockenson 23, Lim Chuol 15, Daric Laing 14, Aaron Cain 3.
Newton Player Evals
2017 Connor Gholson, 6’2 G
Despite all the talent on the floor and great performances tonight, I came away most impressed with Gholson. I’m convinced that he is an elite shooter after he knocked in six 3s tonight. And he makes his shots in a variety of ways; deep, contested, open, corner, top of key. He’ll make his shots from anywhere on the floor, and has a keen ability to put the ball on the floor and blow-by defenders when he’s being guarded too closely. He’s a kid who could have a big summer on the grassroots circuit.
2018 Garrett Sturtz, 6’2 G
He’s a lot like Gholson, but just not as refined yet. He’ll knock down shots from deep, and has a nice stroke. And he can get top the hoop off a dribble-drive. He’s very slender and may want to try and add some weight this summer. He finished his season as one of the state’s top-scoring sophomores. He and Gholson will be a top backcourt in the state next season.
Chariton Player Evals
2017 Lim Chuol, 6’3 G/F
I was surprised to see Chuol running the point tonight for Chariton, in the past I had only seen him as a wing. But it works, and he’s effective as a primary ball-handler. He’s a very lengthy player, and that shows on the glass – he nabs rebounds with ease, seemingly without even jumping. His court awareness is a plus, and he’s able to get to the hoop and finish. Did not see him shoot outside of 10-feet, but based on his 21 3FG% this season, that could be an area of emphasis for him this offseason. Regardless, he’s a player that low-major D1, and D2 schools should be looking at this spring and summer.
2016 Daric Laing, 6’1 SG
We’ve written a great deal about Daric Laing over the past two years, and rightfully so. The shooting guard is a scorer, and though he didn’t have his best shooting night – especially at the start – he was instrumental in the fourth quarter comeback, scoring five straight at one point when his team needed him most. He’s a winner, and great teammate; a leader, and a solid player. He has one D2 offer from Minot State, and a slew of NAIA offers, but it’s not too late to check him out.