5 Takeaways: Niles North vs Evanston
Niles North had a couple weeks of great basketball under their belts heading into their first big test of the season on Friday night. Evanston is always a loaded program and has another strong squad this season. They traveled to Niles North and gave them all they could handle as they led on the road at the half by a bucket. Niles North turned it up a notch in the second half playing crisper offensively and coming away with a 64-52 win. Check out our 5 Takeaways: Niles North vs Evanston!
Ugly First Half
With two of the better teams in the area and a lot of prospects on the floor we thought this one would be a classic from the jump. Both teams didn’t have strong first halves. Evanston jumped out to an early lead and then Niles North stormed back to make it close at the intermission. Both teams were wild and out of control with the ball causing turnovers. There were 26 combined turnovers and 17 made hoops in opening half. Lots of air balled three point shots. Tons of missed free throws as well.
Damaria Franklin Shows Out
Last week we saw Niles North and it was Dravon Clayborn who did the most damage. At home it was the Damaria Franklin show! The strong and stocky shooting guard went for 27 points in the win. He is a physical shooting guard that finishes well in the lane with floaters, runners, and pull up jumpers. With his strength he can definitely take a bump at the cup and finish through contact. Finished well in traffic throughout. Also has spot up shooting ability from beyond the arc. Rebounds well for his position. Franklin should be monitored by low-major and especially D2 programs.
Depth Shines Again for Niles North
The overall team depth of Niles North is going to be what allows them to compete with the best teams in the Chicago area and rest of the state when it comes March. Their 2018 point guard Dravon Clayborn hit a pair of threes, but overall wasn’t scoring as much as usual. That didn’t stop him from making a huge impact on the game with his distributing especially drawing defenders off the bounce and kicking to shooters. Demarion Bariffe-Smith is a long and rangy forward who rebounds with a quick second jump and shoots free throws well. 2020 wing Aquan Smart showed his potential in this one especially defensively blocking shots, getting steals, and being active on that end of the floor. Rebounds well in traffic and is very athletic. Myles Davis and Omar Policape also had their moments.
Tough Night for Lance Jones
Evanston standout 2019 shooting guard Lance Jones was outstanding when we saw him this past Sunday at the Team Rose Shootout. Probably the best we have ever seen him. He is a compact guard with big time athleticism that gets to the cup and shoots it well pulling up. Nothing went right for him on this night. Started off with a pair of quick charges called on drives in the first quarter and just never got in a rhythm. The acrobatic shots didn’t fall. Still managed 9 points. He is a D1 prospect.
Blake Peters Emerges in 2021
Peters was the most consistent threat for Evanston in this game. The 6’0” freshman broke out with his play. Clean looking stroke from beyond the arc and has the athleticism to take defenders off the bounce if they guard him too close. Rebounds well and wasn’t afraid of the big stage at all. He had 16 points. Definitely a player we will be monitoring closely as time goes on!