Simeon is Back, Horton-Tucker Dominant
The Simeon Wolverines (29-3) return to the State Final after disappointing the Boilingbrook Raiders , 60-50.
MVP : Talen Horton-Tucker — Simeon (2018)
In the second half, Horton-Tucker continuously made mature basketball plays. He rarely turned the ball over. He created for himself and others. Most importantly, Horton-Tucker deflected passes constantly. His long arms were a major nuisance to the Boilingbrook Raiders.
Play of the Game : Late in the first quarter Kaleb Thornton sizzled with a behind-the-back dribble out on the fastbreak. Nana Akenten (Nebraska signed) followed with the slam. It sent the sizable Boilingbrook student body into delirium.
Akenten is the lone Big 10 commit in the final four weekend.
Best Offensive Performance : Talen Horton-Tucker — Simeon (2018)
In the decisive half Talen Horton-Tucker converted over and over and over. In the face of a deep Boilingbrook team, THT flourished. He routinely finished an uncanny right-hand layup on the left side. He liked to bait the defenders with his lower body than elevate and finish.Horton-Tucker ended the game with 24 points.
Best Defensive Performance : Talen Horton-Tucker – Simeon (2018)
The hulking junior, Horton-Tucker denied Nana Akenten’s surefire layup early in the fourth quarter. THT never stops. His commitment is true and the results are undeniable. Horton-Tucker has long arms and exceptional courage.
Best Intangibles : Talen Horton-Tucker, Simeon (2018)
The unending drive of Horton-Tucker impacts every game in which he plays. His body suggests a brutish player, but Talen’s soft touch gives him range and versatility. He drew a charge from the 225-pound Malik Binns late in the third quarter. You can only help develop a basketball IQ so much. Horton-Tucker gets the minutia of basketball like a coach’s son. He understands time and score. He attacks vulnerabilities without overextending himself.
Best Guy off the Bench : Isaiah Clemmons, Boilingbrook (2018)
Isaiah Clemmons scored threee points, rebounded four times for the losing Raiders. Clemmons saw 14 minutes of action in defeat. He was able to secure three of his team’s 12 offensive rebounds.
Best Under the Radar Performance : Messiah Jones, Simeon (2018)
Messiah Jones didn’t get many post touches. He wasn’t asked to score. But he scrapped for rebounds and earned his team extra possessions. The 6-foot-6 forward challenged all comers in the paint. Jones’ time will come, but efforts like his are needed at every level of basketball. He finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Best Underclassmen : Talen Horton-Tucker, Simeon (2018)
Horton-Tucker reminds of Sergio McClain (Illinois), but with better shooting. He is not really a big, and maybe too slow to be a classic guard. But the guy just wins basketball games with skills and power. How does that translate beyond college? Probably, he grows into a role dominating MM wings, owning the glass. Or maybe he serves as a glue guy at the high-major level. Judging his game by his frame is a mistake.
Best Project to Watch : Tyler Cochran, Boilingbrook (2019)
Boilingbrook has a nice young guard in Tyler Cochran. Though he had minimal impact in the game, Cochran can slide around the floor. He has quick feet and looks like he will ascend into a prominent scorer for Boilingbrook.
Best Takeaway : Grit matters. Simeon wasn’t better than Boilingbrook. They were just tougher, more active defensively. The hunger of the Simeon squad pulled them ahead and Talen Horton-Tucker capped it off with composed scoring.