Day #3 SAC Tournament – Ten Best
Leading Scorers: Jack Ferguson (Homestead) – 29 points Keion Brooks Jr. (North Side) – 27 points Malik Williams (Snider) – 25 points Parker Manges (Homestead) – 19 points Jaylen Butz (North Side) – 18 points Anton Berry (Bishop Luers) –…
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Continue ReadingLeading Scorers:
Jack Ferguson (Homestead) – 29 points
Keion Brooks Jr. (North Side) – 27 points
Malik Williams (Snider) – 25 points
Parker Manges (Homestead) – 19 points
Jaylen Butz (North Side) – 18 points
Anton Berry (Bishop Luers) – 16 points
Brandon Durnell (Homestead) – 14 points
SAC Tournament Day #3 – Ten Best
MVP: Malik Williams (Snider)
Although Snider fell to Homestead in tonight’s game, Malik Williams was definitely the Most Valuable Player from the Semi-Final action. Malik is a front-runner for Mr. Basketball and today’s game proves that true. Williams finished with a team high 25 points (8-14 2FG, 2-6 3FG, and 3-6 FT), game high 17 rebounds (11 defensive and 6 offensive), game high 9 blocked shots, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He was the one that Snider went to time and time again for baskets in clutch moments. Williams can score from all levels on the offensive end and his athleticism is unmatched for a 7-footer. Williams was a nightmare for the Spartans tonight and will be a match-up problem for almost every team in the state this year.
Best Offensive Performance: Jack Ferguson (Homestead)
Jack Ferguson put on an offensive show for the packed house at Wayne for tonight Semi-Final matchup with Snider. Ferguson was quiet in the first half but showed off his offensive talents in the second. He was making defenders look bad and knocking down the shots that he was getting. Ferguson finished with a game high 29 points (4-7 2FG, 5-5 3FG, and 6-8 FT), 6 rebounds (5 defensive and 1 offensive), 3 assists, and 2 steals. His ability to knock down shots with little to no space was impressive but his ball handling ability was more impressive. He had the ball on a string all night long and had his defenders off balance of the bounce. Ferguson is still unsigned but will be a steal for a program somewhere.
Best Defensive Performance: Malik Williams (Snider)
Hard not to give Williams the Best Defensive Performance as well. The 7-foot, senior wing was outstanding on the defensive end for the Snider Panthers tonight in their loss to Homestead. He finished one block shy of a triple-double effort. Williams was full of energy and not only blocked a multitude of shots but bothered just as many. Homestead was hesitant with their shot selection around the basket due to William’s shot blocking presence. His length and athleticism make him a great defender. Williams finished with a game high 9 blocked shots and also pitched in 2 steals and 11 defensive rebounds.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Parker Manges (Homestead)
Manges is known for his shooting prowess and showed that off early in tonight’s contest. Manges is a great compliment to his two fellow seniors (Ferguson and Durnell) with his ability to stretch the floor and pitch in with other categories. Manges finished with 19 points (3-8 2FG, 3-4 3FG, and 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds (6 defensive and 4 offensive), 3 assists, and 3 steals. Manges made big plays down the line for the Spartans including an offensive rebound on a missed front end of a one-and-one free throw with under a minute to go. Manges also took care of the ball for the Spartans and made good decision all night.
Best Player Off-The-Bench: Davontae Kinnie (North Side)
Davontae Kinnie was been moved in and out of the starting line-up for the North Side Legends who have a rotation of seven players that see court time regularly. The senior guard gave great minutes off the bench and is well known was his defense and quickness. Kinnie finished with 4 points (1-2 2FG and 2-2 FT), 3 defensive rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Davontae is lightning quick with the ball and is a good passer in traffic around the basket to both Butz and Brooks Jr. Kinnie also has the basketball IQ and passing ability to throw well-placed lob passes to the two athletic bigs. The Legends will need minutes like this from him if they plan to make a run at the State Title.
Quiet Impact: Jaylen Butz (North Side)
Jaylen Butz’s impact was quiet because of teammate Keion Brooks Jr. putting on a show. Butz’s stat line, however, is anything but quiet. The senior forward does it all for North Side and he filled the stat sheet tonight. Butz finished with 18 points (8-10 2FG and 2-5 FT), 19 rebounds (13 defensive and 6 offensive), game high 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Jaylen showed off his passing prowess as he drew a double-team on just about every catch. He didn’t panic and looked over the defense to find the open teammate. The Depaul commit has had a tremendous start to the season and first two days of the SAC Tournament.
Best Leader: Ray Walker Jr. (Bishop Luers)
Although Bishop Luers fell short to the North Side Legends, Ray Walker Jr. showed that he is a leader through thick and thin with this team. The Knights didn’t have much going for them in the second half of their semi-final game but Walker Jr. really pushed his team to continue to compete. Ray finished with 9 points (3-8 2FG, 1-5 3FG, and 0-2 FT), 4 defensive rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. He lead by example through his effort on both ends and vocally, gathering the team and discussing what was going on. Walker Jr. is an extension of his coach on the floor and is a good PG in the Fort Wayne area.
Best Rebounder: Jaylen Butz (North Side)
Jaylen Butz was the leading rebounder on the day, and for good reasons. The 6’11” senior forward moves tremendously well for his size, has next level athleticism, great hands, and the basketball know-how to be in the right spot at the right time. Butz attacks the glass on both ends of the floor for the Legends and gives them extra possessions each and every game. Jaylen finished with a day high 19 rebounds (13 defensive and 6 offensive). He undoubtedly was the best rebounder that took the floor tonight.
Best Underclassmen: Keion Brooks Jr. (North Side)
Keion Brooks Jr. showed off all of his skills tonight. Brooks Jr. is one of the highest recruited sophomores in the nation and proved why tonight. Keion showed his ability to score from all three levels, his face up game, and his post-game. He is a good passer for an underclassmen wing and contributed a few assists in his effort. The sophomore wing finished with a game high 27 points (6-10 2FG, 5-7 3FG, and 0-2 FT). 9 rebounds (7 defensive and 2 offensive), 5 assists, 3 blocked shots, and 1 steal. Keion did a little bit of everything for his team, and along with Butz, the two dominated the Semi-Final game.
Best Intangibles: Brandon Durnell (Homestead)
Brandon Durnell is the third Homestead player to make the Ten Best from Day #3. The senior rounds out the “Homestead Trio” (Ferguson, Manger, Durnell) and is the element of toughness and aggressiveness that the Spartans need. The senior is a leader for his teammates and shows the underclassmen the ropes. Durnell was tasked with guarding Malik Williams and put a lot of energy and effort into that role. Not only was he doing that, but Brandon finished with 14 points (7-8 2FG), 8 rebounds (6 defensive and 2 offensive), 3 assists, and 2 steals. He had some big rebounds down the line for the Spartans and only missed one shot from the field in which his opponent was Williams almost all night long. Durnell is a gritty-guy that does the little things that go unnoticed in the stat sheets to help his team win.