Ten Best: Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central @ Beal City
Saginaw Nouvel vs. Beal City: The Ten Best This non-conference matchup was a competitive and exciting game from the opening tip-off to the final seconds of overtime. Beal City got off to a quick start, controlling the pace and the…
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Continue ReadingSaginaw Nouvel vs. Beal City: The Ten Best
This non-conference matchup was a competitive and exciting game from the opening tip-off to the final seconds of overtime. Beal City got off to a quick start, controlling the pace and the lead throughout the first quarter. With Beal leading at the start of the second quarter, Nouvel started applying on-ball pressure for which Beal did not have an answer. Nouvel was able to force several turnovers that lead to fast break layups and easy shots, allowing them to end the half with a 34-24 lead. Both teams struggled with foul trouble in the final minutes of the second half; Nouvel was able to capitalize on several 1-and-1 opportunities, while Beal struggled to hit free throws.
In the third, Beal was able to remain under control in the face of pressure, which helped them cut the deficit to just 45-42 by the end of three. Both teams struggled to make shots for most of the fourth, but were able to catch fire down the stretch. There were three lead changes in the final minute alone, as the teams traded threes back-to-back-to-back. 6’8” senior Christian Halaga hit the game tying shot for Nouvel with 8 seconds to go. Despite Beal City getting hot from three and the charity stripe in the fourth, they were unable to find the same success in overtime. Nouvel was too much for Beal on the glass throughout the entire game, but it really made a difference in overtime. Offensive rebounds and second chance points sealed the win for Nouvel, with the final score being 64-58.
Here are my “Ten Best”:
MVP: Peter Snyder (Nouvel)
Snyder was all over the court for Nouvel, contributing a bit of everything. He finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and a block. Possessing long arms and a good deal of athleticism, he was solid on the defensive end as well. His athleticism was on display when he pick-pocketed the ball-handler at half court and finished with a powerful two-handed dunk.
Best Offensive Performance: Aaron Schafer (Beal City)
This was Schafer’s second 20+ point game in three tries. He showed his versatility by scoring from all spots on the floor. He finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds, a steal and a block. He did a good job of getting to the free throw line and keeping Beal in the game during cold stretches.
Best Defensive Performance: Ryan Schafer (Beal City)
Schafer was quiet in the first half, but had a huge impact on the game during the third and fourth. He was responsible for leading Beal City’s comeback in the third through several good defensive plays and strong rebounds. He finished the game with a well-rounded line of 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks.
Best Guy Off the Bench: Isaiah Rosales (Nouvel)
Rosales was a valuable spark-plug off the bench for Nouvel, helping lead their run in the first half. His relentless defense helped generate multiple turnovers and easy points for his team. He also hit a pair of threes during that stretch.
Best Intangibles: Ryan Schafer (Beal City)
His defense is the strongest part of his game, but he also excelled at making big plays in big moments of the game. His scrappiness gave his team an energy and toughness that Nouvel could not match. Schafer was the leader of Beal’s comeback run down the stretch and it was obvious that his team was better when he was on the court.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance/Best Underclassmen: Thomas Raedy, Michael Ehlman (Nouvel)
Only a sophomore, Raedy was key to Nouvel’s victory. As one of the primary ball-handlers, he kept his composure and made big plays down the stretch including a go-ahead three with 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 11 points, 3 rebounds and a steal. Another sophomore, Michael Ehlman, was key for Nouvel as well. While maybe not as strong offensively as Raedy, he was a strong rebounder and defensive player throughout the game. He finished the game with 7 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Both of these sophomores are solid players and should be names to look for as the season progresses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT1gPFPvmnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJIxBe4jr7E
Play of the Game: Christian Haraga (Nouvel)
This game was intense, as it had three lead changes in the final minute of the game. Beal City hit a three, which was answered by a three from Nouvel, which was countered by another three from Beal. This would give Beal a 2 point lead with only 17 seconds to go. Perhaps the player with the most potential on the floor, 6’8” senior Christian Haraga had been quiet in the points category all night. With 8 seconds to go, however, he made the biggest shot of the game via a nice post move and a layup which tied the game. That was only his second bucket of the night, but it was clutch. Although he didn’t do much scoring in the game, he didn’t get many touches for a guy of his size and skill. This can be credited to Beal’s defense, which did a good job of denying him easy scoring opportunities. Haraga did everything else, however, finishing with a final line of 6 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Best Catch and Shoot Guy: Aaron Schafer (Beal City)
While the strongest part of Schafer’s skillset may not be catching and shooting, he was on fire in this game. He hit 4 catch and shoot threes, which was a game high. Schafer may not even be the best shooter on his team, but he is more than capable of knocking down open (and contested) threes on a regular basis. He is also capable of getting hot at any moment, just as he did tonight. His three point shooting definitely made an impact and helped keep his team in the game.
Best Story to Watch Going Forward: Christian Haraga (Nouvel)
Earlier I mentioned that Beal City did a good job limiting Haraga’s touches and scoring opportunities. While this is true, it is evident that Haraga wasn’t able to showcase his full skillset. Haraga caught the ball and made plays from the free throw line several times throughout the game. This is a valuable skill to have as a 6’8” big man. Also, he was shooting comfortably and smoothly from this free throw line area. Although he did not success with his shot this game, it can be chalked up as an off-night. Perhaps more valuable than the shooting was Haraga’s vision and ability to make plays for his teammates. He had several nice assists as a facilitator, which is an extremely valuable skill for a 6’8” big man. His size and offensive skill is worth keeping an eye on as the season moves forward.
Nouvel’s rebounding presence and success at the free throw line was the difference in this game. While Beal City was able to stay in the game with the three point shot, Nouvel was too much to handle in the end.