5 Takeaways from Illini Bluffs vs. Indianapolis Howe
In the opening game of the Washington Tournament of Champions in Washington, Ill., Indianapolis Howe faced off with Illini Bluffs. Howe used their pressure to create havoc and we could tell Bluffs was in a position where they had never faced that type of pressure before as Howe easily won, 103-65.
It wasn’t easy the whole game though as Illini Bluffs hung with them for the first quarter keeping to to a 21-18 deficit. But after this, Howe exploded to take a 51-32 lead into the second half on the back of pressure defense. The game was never in doubt and Howe cruised to a season opening win.
Will anyone be able to stop the Big 4?
Howe had four players score over 18 points and all of them had 12 or more of those points in the paint. They played a fast style of offense and ran up and down the floor. They don’t have a true post but don’t really need one because they pressure you so much. Illini Buffs had no answer for their speed and aggressiveness.
Jamil Turner-Hall is going to be a nuisance this year after transferring from Fishers.
Turner-Hall is really good in transition and he showed that today. He ran with the ball really well and was awesome in transition. He had a really easy 20 points which came on 8-of-9 shots from the floor. He is going to be right there with the others in terms of scoring this year.
Kycia Washington has some killer court vision
He’s not going to blow you away with his body but his intangibles will blow you away. His court vision was really good and he has really fast hands. He scored 18 points while not shooting the ball very well at all. He also had 10 assists and nine steals with most of those assists coming on transition after steals.
Howe is going to be right there in 2A this year
They play in one of the best sectionals in the state but after today’s game I see no reason why they can’t win that sectional and get to regionals and more. They are aggressive and in your face. Howe can score as we see with the 103 points they put up today and the best part is that multiple guys can do that scoring. They are balanced, fast, and really good. There isn’t a reason they couldn’t be one of the last few 2A teams remaining.
Illini Bluffs isn’t a slouch either and they too will put up some points.
Regarded as one of the better teams in the area, Illini Bluffs isn’t a cakewalk. They have some guys that can score and the main reason they struggled was because they haven’t seen pressure like this in a long time. They turned the ball over 29 times but will only learn from it and be much better the next time against the press. Bluffs won’t see athleticism like this again in the regular season and if they do they will be ready for it.