Ten Best: Snider at New Haven
Game Recap: Snider Panthers at New Haven Bulldogs Final Score: Snider 51 – New Haven 63 New Haven flat out deserved to win this game. They outworked Snider from the tip to the final buzzer and the score reflected it.…
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Continue ReadingGame Recap: Snider Panthers at New Haven Bulldogs
Final Score: Snider 51 – New Haven 63
New Haven flat out deserved to win this game. They outworked Snider from the tip to the final buzzer and the score reflected it. The Bulldogs were outmatched at almost every position, yet they found a way to get it done. Whitney Harris was a big part of the early lead for New Haven at the end of the first quarter. Snider was down 10-9 after the first. Joey Rowan came off the bench for New Haven and had 12 points at the half to help New Haven extend their lead. Malik Williams posted a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds) at the half but his team trailed 25-23.
Coming out in the second half, New Haven continued to get production from their bench as Brecar Clark racked up back to back steals and assists to extend the Bulldog lead. James Gardner did a little bit of everything for New Haven. New Haven was up 41-36 heading into the final period behind 15 points from Rowan.
In the final quarter, Snider began to force up some tough shots and let the game start to get out of hand. New Haven made their free throws down the line and rebounded the missed shots on defense. New Haven did everything they had to do to put themselves in a position to win. New Haven knocked off Snider, 63-51 behind a near triple-double from James Gardner.
MVP: James Gardner (New Haven)
Although James Gardner wasn’t the highest scoring player on the floor, the junior guard has his fingerprints all over this upset win. Gardner nearly posted a triple-double as New Haven’s starting point guard. James finished with 9 points (3-5 2FG, 0-1 3FG, and 3-7 FT), 12 rebounds (8 defensive and 4 offensive), a game high 8 assists, 3 steals, and 1 blocked shot. Gardner was full of energy and never seemed to slow down. He brought effort and toughness to the floor and really did a little bit of everything in the upset win over Snider. This is nothing new from Gardner as he is the team’s leading rebounder and assist man. When he is aggressive on the offensive end, New Haven seems to play better.
Best Offensive Performance: Joey Rowan (New Haven)
Joey Rowan came off the bench for the Bulldogs tonight and was instant offense. Rowan has been rotated in and out of the starting line-up so far this season but it doesn’t seem to hinder the way that he plays when he gets on the floor. Rowan finished with a game-tying high 19 points (4-4 2FG, 3-6 3FG, and 2-2 FT) and 2 rebounds (1 defensive and 1 offensive). Rowan didn’t do much other than score but he was efficient scoring the basketball (70% from the floor). If Rowan can continue to produce at this rate for New Haven, they will shock some people this season.
Best Defensive Performance: Malik Williams (Snider)
Malik Williams was the tallest player on the floor tonight by 6 or 7 inches and it showed. Williams bothered shots all night around the rim and finished with a game high in blocks. He moves exceptionally well for a legit 7-footer and his defense is a big reason that he is going to play for Coach Pitino at Louisville next season. Malik finished with game-tying high 19 points (7-13 2FG, 1-5 3FG, and 2-2 FT), a game high 20 rebounds (16 defensive and 4 offensive), a game high 6 blocks, and 2 steals. Malik seems to always produce full stat lines even in losses for the Panthers. When Williams is aggressively looking for his offense, Snider is a much better team. Snider’s offense runs through him and when he gets to the rim, he finished very well.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Whitney Harris (New Haven)
Whitney Harris came out in the first quarter and attacked Malik Williams with an early 4 points. Harris didn’t do much more damage until the 4th quarter due to foul trouble, but the senior forward was really good down the stretch for New Haven. Harris is New Haven’s biggest player standing at 6’6” and moves well for that size. Harris finished the game with 10 points (4-8 2FG and 2-3 FT), 6 rebounds (5 defensive and 1 offensive), 2 assists, and 1 steal. Four of Harris’ five defensive rebounds came in the 4th quarter when New Haven was stringing together defensive stops to extend their lead. Even when he wasn’t on the floor, Whitney was engaged and encouraging his teammates.
Best Player Off-The-Bench: Brecar Clark (New Haven)
Brecar Clark puts together starter-like numbers with limited minutes off-the-bench. Clark is a long, athletic junior guard with the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and finish above the rim with his athleticism. His defensive pressure and quick hands are bothersome for opposing guards and he is unselfish with the ball. Clark finished with 15 points (2-2 2FG, 3-6 3FG, and 2-2 FT), 2 defensive rebounds, 4 assists, and a game high 5 steals. Clark brought the crowd into the game when he made 2 straight three-point jumpers from the corner to extend New Haven’s lead to 11 points in the fourth quarter. He thrives in the big moments and puts together complete quarters. He is a fun player to watch on both ends of the floor.
Best Passer: James Gardner (New Haven)
James Gardner was the Most Valuable Player for either team tonight partially because of his passing ability. Gardner has exceptional court vision and doesn’t leave his feet to make passes like some guards. Gardner finished the game with a game high 8 assists. He is an unselfish, true point guard who likes to get others involved before he looks for his own shots. Gardner is also one of the most tenacious and hard-working players that I have seen in a long time. His motor is non-stop and he does everything he can to put his team in a position to be successful.
Best Intangibles: Keondre Brown (Snider)
Keondre Brown is the dirty-work guy for Snider. Brown attacks the glass on both ends of the floor and makes the right decision in almost every situation. The junior guard can score the ball at a high rate when he is asked to do so but with this team, he is asked to do other things and he does them. Brown dives on the floor and seems to always win the 50-50 balls for his team. Keondre finished with 10 points (2-2 2FG, 1-3 3FG, and 3-4 FT), 4 rebounds (2 defensive and 2 offensive), 4 assists, and 2 steals. He put together a quiet, but strong effort for the Panthers tonight. He didn’t see much time in the 4th quarter for whatever reason but he was effective when he was on the floor.
Best Rebounder: Malik Williams (Snider)
Malik could have been penciled in as the best rebounder before the game even begun. Malik towered over everyone else on the floor and he has good hands around the rim. His length and athleticism make him an elite rebounder and nobody tonight seemed to think otherwise for either team. Williams finished with an outstanding 20 rebounds (16 defensive and 4 offensive). Williams didn’t face much opposition on the defensive glass because when the shot went up, four of the five New Haven players started retreating on defense to slow the fast break. Williams is impressive when he rebounds because of his ability to lead the break with a defensive board and his smarts to keep the ball high and finish on offensive rebounds.
Best Underclassmen: Dillon Duff (Snider)
Dillon Duff is working himself into more minutes in the Snider Panthers rotation by coming in the game and not making mistakes. The freshman wing is working on moving his game from back to the basket to a stretch forward. Duff has shown his ability to step away from the basket and knock down jumpers. He was limited in minutes but he was also the only underclassmen to see the floor from either team. Duff finished with 3 defensive rebounds and 1 assist. Duff will be a guy to watch in the coming years for the Snider Panthers as he continues to develop.
Biggest Takeaway: New Haven Outworked Snider
New Haven by far outworked Snider in this contest. They flat out wanted to win more than Snider did and they put together an excellent performance. New Haven had 5 more steals than Snider did, New Haven won the assist battle by 5, and New Haven won the rebounding battle by 2. All of the little things went New Haven’s way because they worked for it. Snider looked lax with the ball and with their shot selection and the final score reflected it. This was not the same Snider team that knocked-off North Side earlier in the season.