5 Takeaways: Columbia vs Salem
After a week and a half of games in the Chicago area we checked out a southern Illinois game on Tuesday night. Salem hosted Columbia in a Cahokia Conference battle that had several small college senior prospects. Salem led most of the game and then Columbia rallied back late behind their star Jordan Holmes and along with big time pressure defense to win 57-50. Check out our 5 Takeaways: Columbia vs Salem.
Jordan Holmes is Priority Small College Recruit
Columbia 2018 6’0” guard Jordan Holmes was a big time scorer when we saw him early in the season against Mascoutah. The Wildcats did a nice job in the first half of limiting his scoring. The combo guard impressed with his passing. Made several nice finds in the half court and threw multiple outstanding long outlet passes for buckets. Showed a much better feel in this game as a lead guard. Late in the contest when the game was on the line he changed the game on both ends of the floor. Holmes got after it defensively getting steals and turning them into points on the other end. He attacks downhill and has a solid burst off the bounce. Got to the free throw line a lot late. He had 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals. Would be a very nice addition to an NAIA or D3 program.
Columbia’s Pressure Defense Comes Up Huge
It was what Columbia did on the defensive end late that changed the game. Holmes played a key part in that getting steals and finding his teammates like Jon Peterson, Jacob O’Connor, and more for transition buckets. Their ability to pressure the ball and get in passing lanes was impressive late in the contest and ultimately led them to the win.
Post Players Flash Potential
A couple post players in this game flashed potential. Salem 6’6” senior power forward Cord Brown is a prospect that we had big expectations for coming into the season. The four man has a projectable frame and is a good athlete. He doesn’t get a lot of post touches, but is fairly efficient around the hoop as he had a nice spin on the block, showed touch around the hoop, and also had a strong baseline take. Would like to see him be more aggressive. Will need to add strength and should rebound at a better clip. Did a nice job inside as a rim protector in stretches. Brown had 6 points. D3/NAIA prospect. Kaden Wayer is not much of a college prospect, but an important role player for Salem. The gritty forward played solid being scrappy inside and scoring in the paint on some straight line drives. He had 11 points. For Columbia it was 2019 post Jon Peterson who made an impact. He drilled a pick and pop three and rebounded well within his area especially in the second half. Good post passer. Not the greatest athlete as he plays a bit stiff at times. Went for 11 points. Should be on the small college radar for the 2019 class.
Salem Not Clicking
Salem got off to a hot start going 3-1 in their Thanksgiving Tournament, but has struggled as of late in conference play. They have the pieces to have one of the best teams in recent memory for the school with three seniors Dawson Linder, Cord Brown, and Damond Crosby. They are just not gelling. Free throw shooting and turnovers are killing them. Jump shots did not fall consistently on this night from guys that usually hit those shots. There wasn’t anyone that could create their own shot against Columbia consistently when things broke down. Wildcats need to find the answer before they get to the Centralia Holiday Tournament in a few weeks. This is a team that still could come together as the season goes on because they are well coached and have the talent.
Damond Crosby in Foul Trouble
Salem’s best prospect 2018 6’5” small forward Damond Crosby is a player that impressed us this fall and was on our list of guys that could break out. He has been struggling with foul trouble and once again it caught up to him against Columbia. The wing could not stay on the floor due to bad fouls. Crosby once again flashed the talent in the second half for a short stretch with two buckets in a row including a sweet pull up jumper and then getting to the line. He wasn’t very aggressive attacking off the bounce instead over dribbling too much on the perimeter. Finished with 10 points. Still think he would be a nice D3/NAIA/JUCO player.