Scout Notes: Findlay Prep (NV) @ Memphis East
Findlay Prep traveled to Memphis, home of the state’s #1 team, East High and the storylines were endless.
The return of T.J. Moss to Memphis…
Ryan Boyce and James Wiseman were eligible, then they weren’t, now they are pending…
Memphis-signee Connor Vanover in Memphis….
Ultimately, East High toppled the mighty Findlay Prep Pilots 68-57.
Forget the hype though and look at some discernible conclusions the game unveiled.
Alex Lomax is the best passer in Tennessee.
Continual debate persists on who is the best point guard in Tennessee’s Class of 2018. Is it Darius Garland? Is it Alex Lomax? Tyler Harris? Mark Freeman? Well, with their current team nobody passes more precisely than Alex Lomax. He uses the physical tools he has (toughness, strength, vision) to get into the gut of the defense and usually finds a willing recipient. James Wiseman is a perfect receiver for Lomax with his soft hands and ability to finish quickly. Lomax earned his way to #2 in the state of Tennessee by winning basketball games. If passing were the only measure he would be #1.
James Wiseman is still not rugged enough.
Too often Wiseman was bullied off the glass and he tends to be a little too thin against thick slashers. As he matures into his body, the Class of 2019 superstar will surely become more physically imposing. The question is, ‘Does he have the killer instinct needed to be an elite defender?’ Who can know? Most young men are timid through their teenage years and this becomes especially true for very tall young men. They may not be physically awkward, but they aren’t completely confident in the space they take up. Wiseman has insane physical gifts, wonderfully refined skills, and bizarre potential. Grit is not currently a part of his game. It remains one of the few things missing.
Wiseman continues expanding his game.
Previously Wiseman was an elegant floor-runner with silky soft hands that scored well on the blocks. Though he is still all of those things, his shooting range continues to grow. Multiple times facing Findlay Prep, Wiseman stepped out to the free throw line or higher and hit a beautiful jump shot. The implications of this arrow in his quiver are obvious. What high school center wants to step away from the basket and guard that shot? If they do step away how lovely a rebounding opportunity for Wiseman’s wing teammates (Ryan Boyce, Chandler Lawson, etc.). And eventually, maybe not this season, Wiseman will be able to draw defenders away from the lane and even become a passer from the high post. The maturation of this aspect really glistens.
Chandler Lawson just produces.
The Class of 2019 superstar Chandler Lawson doesn’t have the insane potential of James Wiseman, but he definitely will be very good later. Now…Chandler Lawson is great. He has a knack for scoring and easily avoids thirsty blockers. He doesn’t really play vertically in the halfcourt, but he doesn’t need to. Lawson’s crafty moves in traffic open up little gaps for him to get his shot off. Lawson plays well in the open floor, but most long wings do. His efficiency in the halfcourt is incredibly daunting. It is hard to imagine many teams in Tennessee having a solution for his attack.