Ten Best: North Montgomery at West Lafayette
Game Recap: North Montgomery at West Lafayette Final Score: North Montgomery 46 – West Lafayette 62 In a game that had totaled 6 combined points through the first 4 minutes of play, it seemed as though it would come down…
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Continue ReadingGame Recap: North Montgomery at West Lafayette
Final Score: North Montgomery 46 – West Lafayette 62
In a game that had totaled 6 combined points through the first 4 minutes of play, it seemed as though it would come down to who could make the most shots. In the final 4 minutes of the first quarter, the point total reached a combined 27 points for the quarter. West Lafayette was up 16-11 behind big-body George Karlaftis. In the second quarter, the game pace slowed down even more as both teams scored 7 points apiece. Justin Clary kept North Montgomery in the game with his aggressiveness on the offensive end of the floor. At the half, West Lafayette was up 23-18 over North Montgomery.
The third quarter looked like two completely different teams. West Lafayette scored 24 points in the quarter (more than their total in the first half) and North Montgomery scored 15 (3 short of their first half performance). The flow and speed of the game was much better and the teams seemed to be getting into a rhythm. Caleb Randolph was great for North Montgomery in the quarter even though they trailed 47-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
West Lafayette did a good job of taking care of the ball and getting great shots for the entire quarter. Nelson Mbongo had a strong second half off-the-bench and really put together a good game. Caleb Randolph continued his aggressiveness and scored from all three levels. West Lafayette was able to hold their lead and took the game, 62-46 over North Montgomery. This was Coach David Wood’s 300th career win at West Lafayette.
MVP: George Karlaftis (West Lafayette)
Karlaftis really only saw three quarters of action tonight due to the big lead that West Lafayette had heading into the fourth quarter but was effective when he was on the floor. West Lafayette was looking to go inside early and often. George finished with 11 points (5-9 2FG and 1-5 FT), a game high 16 rebounds (10 defensive and 6 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 assist. Although he struggled from the free-throw line, Karlaftis had his fingerprints all over the big win tonight.
Best Offensive Performance: Caleb Randolph (North Montgomery)
In a poor shooting game for both teams, Randolph’s offensive prowess really showed. He was able to get to his spots all night and made shots at a decent rate from the floor. Randolph finished with a game high 25 points (5-10 2FG, 2-7 3FG, and 9-11 FT), a team high 10 rebounds (8 defensive and 2 offensive), 4 assists, and 1 steal. Randolph would have been the most valuable player had his team been able to give him support and pull out the win. Randolph was one of the bright spots for North Montgomery in this game.
Best Defensive Performance: Nelson Mbongo (West Lafayette)
Mbongo worked off-the-bench tonight and didn’t see the floor until the second quarter. Although his minutes were limited, his effort and effectiveness were not. Mbongo’s length and athleticism really bothered North Montgomery’s ball handlers. Mbongo also attacked the defensive glass at a high rate while he was on the floor. Mbongo finished with 9 points (3-6 2FG and 3-7 FT), 9 rebounds (7 defensive and 2 offensive), 5 assists, and a game high 4 steals. He made his presence felt on both ends of the floor and was one point and one rebound away from posting a double-double tonight.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Matt Krause (West Lafayette)
Krause struggled early on from the floor but after he got it going, he ended up with a solid game on the offensive end. Krause posted a team high 18 points (4-6 2FG, 3-9 3FG, and 1-1 FT), 5 rebounds (3 defensive and 2 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 assist. Krause was 0-4 at the half from deep but that didn’t stop him in the second half as his teammates continued to look for him and he continued to stay aggressive. This is one of the more complete games that Krause has put together this season and he is a much better player when he is this aggressive.
Best Player Off-The-Bench: Nelson Mbongo (West Lafayette)
Mbongo has been moved in and out of the starting lineup this season for West Lafayette but found himself only getting three quarters of actions off-the-bench tonight. He seemed to be battling an injury to both of his wrists but it didn’t affect him when he got on the floor. This is the most aggressive that he’s played this season and it really helped West Lafayette extend their lead into the third and fourth quarter. Nelson played the majority of the second half and put together some good minutes for Coach Wood.
Best Passer: Justin Clary (North Montgomery)
Justin Clary was the go to man in the first half for North Montgomery. His aggressiveness and ability to be a playmaker kept them in the game. Clary was great at finding the open man all night long. Justin finished with 10 points (2-4 2FG and 2-7 3FG), 7 defensive rebounds, and a game high 6 assists. Clary wasn’t just looking for his own shot but he made the right pass to get his teammates good looks from the floor. Without Randolph and Clary, North Montgomery would have no movement or flow on the offensive end.
Best Intangibles: Charlie Nycz (West Lafayette)
Charlie Nycz is the leader for this team and typically leads them in scoring as well. Although he didn’t have a great night from the floor, Nycz was able to frustrate opposing guards by playing stingy defense and blowing by them on the offensive end. Nycz’s leadership and intangibles really showed tonight as he was able to impact the game in a positive way. Charlie finished with 14 points (3-6 2FG, 2-5 3FG, and 2-5 FT), 1 defensive rebound, 5 assists, and 1 blocked shot.
Best Rebounder: George Karlaftis (West Lafayette)
Any rebound that Karlaftis wanted, Karlaftis got. He was by far the strongest and most aggressive player on both teams when it came to going to the glass. Sure, he had two fouls going after offensive rebounds, Karlaftis is a football player by trade and is currently sitting on two offers. Karlaftis finished with a game high 16 rebounds (10 defensive and 6 offensive) in just three quarters of action tonight. His soft hands and strong body open up spaced for him to grab rebounds.
Best Underclassmen: George Karlaftis and Nelson Mbongo (West Lafayette)
Karlaftis put together the most complete game from the underclassmen in this game. Underclassmen that saw the floor that made impacts on the game were George and Nelson. Nelson has the higher upside when it comes to basketball because of his frame, basketball skill, and athleticism. Both players had strong games and impacted the game in positive ways for West Lafayette. These two will help lead this team for the next three years. George finished with 11 points (5-9 2FG and 1-5 FT), a game high 16 rebounds (10 defensive and 6 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 assist. Mbongo finished with 9 points (3-6 2FG and 3-7 FT), 9 rebounds (7 defensive and 2 offensive), 5 assists, and a game high 4 steals.
Biggest Takeaway: North Montgomery’s Offensive Pace
North Montgomery struggled when neither Clary or Randolph were in the game to create shots from themselves or find open teammates. They also seemed to play better as a unit when the pace of the game was quicker and more up and down than in the half court. The majority of this game was played in the half court and when West Lafayette mixed up their defensives, it really threw off and rhythm that North Montgomery was trying to get in. West Lafayette controlled the pace of the game, the flow, the glass, and also the score from start to finish. This was a good win for them.