Ten Best: Class 3A State Championship – Twin Lakes at Crispus Attucks
Game Recap: Twin Lakes at Indianapolis Crispus Attucks Final Score: Twin Lakes 71 – Indianapolis Crispus Attucks 73 In the 3A IHSAA State Championship Game, two teams faced-off that played with different styles and at different paces. The expectation was…
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Continue ReadingGame Recap: Twin Lakes at Indianapolis Crispus Attucks
Final Score: Twin Lakes 71 – Indianapolis Crispus Attucks 73
In the 3A IHSAA State Championship Game, two teams faced-off that played with different styles and at different paces. The expectation was that whoever could control the tempo, would control the outcome of the game. In the end, both teams found a tempo between their two styles and it produced a fantastic game of high school basketball.
In the first quarter alone, the teams combined for 44 points. Twin Lakes trailed 25-19 even though the Bennington’s were producing at a high level. The second quarter offered much of the same in terms of pace of play and outcome. The Indians outscored the Tigers in the second quarter but still trailed 39-36 heading into the half behind a buzzer beater from the corner from Justin Crabb.
The third quarter was a basket-trading battle between Nike Sibande of Crispus Attucks and Bryce Bennington of Twin Lakes. The two superstars put together outstanding offensive performances. The Twin Lakes zone started to bother the Tigers offense and Twin Lakes took a 61-57 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was everything that a spectator would want in a state championship game. The lead changed possession after possession and the teams made big shot after big shot. Sibande and Bennington found ways to keep their teams close until the closing seconds. In the final possession of the game, Alex Cooley took a pull-up jumper from the right side of the floor that missed long. Jamal Harris skied for the offensive rebound and finished it off on the weak side with 0.9 seconds left in the game. Twin Lakes was unable to get a shot off at the end of the game.
Indianapolis Crispus Attucks is the 2016-2017 Class 3A IHSAA State Champions.
MVP: Nike Sibande (Crispus Attucks)
The real Nike Sibande didn’t truly show up until the second half of this game, but he also made some of the biggest shots of the game down the line. Sibande finished with 23 points (3-8 2FG, 4-5 3FG, and 5-5 FT), a game-high 11 rebounds (7 defensive and 4 offensive), 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. His energy and effort in the second half of this game is the major reason that Attucks kept it close. He stepped into big shots with confidence and completely controlled the third quarter of this game.
Best Offensive Performance: Bryce Bennington (Twin Lakes)
Bryce Bennington was ready to go from the tip. He was aggressive and efficient with his shot selection and he helped pace the Indians offense all night. This was an abnormally high scoring game for Twin Lakes but they managed to keep it close. Bennington finished with a game-high 32 points (8-11 2FG, 4-8 3FG, and 4-8 FT), 5 rebounds (4 defensive and 1 offensive), 3 assists, and 1 steal. He knocked down some tough three’s when they mattered most and was outstanding throughout the game.
Best Defensive Performance: Alex Cooley (Crispus Attucks)
Alex Cooley was one of the unsung heroes for the Tigers in this one. Not only did he put together a strong defensive performance, he also contributed at a high rate on the offensive end of the floor. Cooley finished with 11 points (0-1 2FG, 3-7 3FG, and 2-2 FT), 1 defensive rebound, 2 assists, 1 block, and a game-high 5 steals. The undersized guard made his presence felt on the defensive end of the floor by jumping in passing lanes and starting the break going the other way.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Teyon Scanlan (Crispus Attucks)
Teyon Scanlan would have been the Best Offensive Performance in this one had he been the high point man of the game. Bennington carried his team offensively and gave them a chance at winning down the stretch. Scanlan scored the ball at an extremely high rate to help spread the Attucks scoring. Teyon finished with a team-high 24 points (5-6 2FG, 4-5 3FG, and 2-2 FT), 1 defensive rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal. He stepped into all his shots with confidence.
Best Player Off-The-Bench: Zac Owens (Crispus Attucks)
Owens didn’t get himself involved in the action until the second half but he managed to have a big impact down the stretch. Zac finished with 5 points (2-5 2FG, 0-1 3FG, and 1-2 FT), 3 defensive rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. He helped break down the Twin Lakes zone by finding the open man in the zone. Owens was a key contributor for the Tigers in the fourth quarter as he penetrated gaps and opened driving lanes for Sibande and shots for Scanlan. He is a critical part of their success and always gives big minutes and good production off-the-bench.
Best Passer: Justin Crabb (Twin Lakes)
Crabb managed to keep the Twin Lakes offense in a rhythm and under control even though Attucks did their best to speed them up and get them out of their comfort zone. Justin handled the ball well against the press and got the Indians into their offensive motion/sets each time down the floor. Justin finished with 7 points (2-3 2FG and 1-1 3FG), 2 defensive rebounds, a game high 8 assists, and 2 steals. His ability to put the ball in a spot that his teammates could catch and score helped him lead the game in assists.
Best Intangibles: Blake Bennington (Twin Lakes)
Blake Bennington put together a quiet double-double performance in this game even though he struggled from the floor. He does a lot of the little things for the Indians that helped keep them in the game. Blake finished with 10 points (3-11 2FG, 0-1 3FG, and 4-6 FT), a team high 10 rebounds (6 defensive and 4 offensive), 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. His willingness to dive on the floor and bang down low added a level of toughness to this Twin Lakes roster that they needed.
Best Rebounder: Jamal Harris (Crispus Attucks)
Jamal is one of those guys that finds a way to impact a game even if it’s not always in the scoring column. The 6’2” guard may be the best under-sized rebounder in the state because of his elite leaping ability and strong hands. Harris finished with 4 points (2-3 2FG and 0-1 3FG), 8 rebounds (7 defensive and the game winning offensive rebound putback), 4 assists, and 2 steals. Harris finished-off the rebound put-back with 0.9 seconds remaining to clinch the win for the Tigers.
Best Underclassmen: Michaiah Galvin (Twin Lakes)
In a game that was dominated by upper-classmen and starters for that matter, Galvin was one bright moment for the Indians as an under-classmen off-the-bench. Galvin has an edge to his game and plays with great composure and poise for a sophomore. He finished with 2 points (2-2 FT), 4 rebounds (2 defensive and 2 offensive), and 1 assist. Michaiah rebounds well for his size and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. He will have to step into a major level next year with all the players that are graduating.
Biggest Takeaway: Speed of Play
This was the tale of two different playing speeds. Twin Lakes would have been content keeping the scoring under fifty points while Indianapolis Crispus Attucks would like to score in the eighty-ninety range. This game ended up being faster paced than was anticipated. Even though Twin Lakes played faster than normal, they were still able to play under control and get good looks on the offensive end.