Ten Best: Dekalb at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
Game Recap: Dekalb at Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
Final Score: FWBD 49 – Dekalb 38
Dekalb came out looking like they were going to hold the Saints to under thirty points tonight. Their half court defense was great in the first half and they were dominating the pace of the game. Logan Kruse had it going early on the offensive end. He was aggressive in getting to his spots and put the defense in a tough position around the rim. Bishop Dwenger lead 9-7 after the first quarter behind five points from Hayden Smithey. Lehrman and Reith found themselves in some early foul trouble and the Saints were short-handed on the inside. Dekalb took advantage and worked their way into the paint for some easy looks in the second quarter. They took the lead heading into the break 23-18 over Bishop Dwenger.
The third quarter was a completely different theme. Bishop Dwenger came out in a zone with Lehrman’s length at the point, got out in transition, and almost matched their first half point total in the quarter. Bishop Dwenger scored 17 points in the third quarter behind some strong play from Brenden Lytle and Trinity Clark off the bench. They took a 35-32 lead into the final frame.
The momentum kept building. Behind breakaway dunks from Hayden Smithey and Lucas Lehrman, the second half was dominated by Bishop Dwenger. They continued their hot streak into the fourth quarter and ran away with the game. They posted 31 total points in the second half and took this one 49-38.
MVP: Trinity Clark (Bishop Dwenger)
Not often does the MVP of a game come off the bench but Trinity Clark was just that tonight. He brought a new level of energy to the game when he hit the floor and was perfect from the field. He attacked the defensive glass on every possession and helped speed up the game in the second half. Clark finished with 12 points (3-3 2FG, 2-2 3FG, and 0-1 FT), 6 defensive rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist. He put together a complete game and helped stretch the lead with the starting lineup in the second half. Look for him to get more minutes moving forward.
Best Offensive Performance: Trinity Clark (Bishop Dwenger)
Trinity was excellent with his opportunities. He rotated well to open positions when the other guards drove into the lane. Clark finished 100% from the floor, scoring 12 points. The only blemish on his line would be his missed free throw late in the game but they had already sealed the win. Trinity stepped into the long ball with confidence and was effective in the open floor. He is a guard that looks to push the ball as often as he can and helped lead the Saints to a 31-point second half.
Best Defensive Performance: Lucas Lehrman (Bishop Dwenger)
Although Lucas Lehrman found himself in some early foul trouble, he still had a major impact on the defensive end of the floor. His length bothered the Dekalb guards in the second half that lead to eight third quarter turnovers. Putting him at the top of the 1-3-1- zone slowed the Baron offense to a halt. Lucas finished with 5 points (2-5 2FG and 1-2 FT), 5 rebounds (3 defensive and 2 offensive), a game high 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Lucas has been productive with his minutes on the floor this season and is proving himself as one of the best big men in the Class of 2018.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Logan Kruse (Dekalb)
Logan Kruse was the lone bright spot for Dekalb tonight. He dominated the game in the first half and looked under control going to the basket. He didn’t find the range from deep tonight but can get it going in a hurry. Kruse finished with a game high 16 points (5-7 2FG, 1-7 3FG, and 3-7 FT), 5 rebounds (3 offensive and 2 defensive), a game high 3 steals, and 2 assists. He got his offense in the flow of the game but just couldn’t get it going from deep. Kruse has proven himself as the best offensive weapon for the Barons and will be called upon time and time again this season for big time performances.
Best Quiet Impact: Issac Brown (Dekalb)
Issac Brown put together another under-the-radar type performance tonight. He is an elite track athlete and brings some leaping ability to the wing for Dekalb. Brown finished with 8 points (2-8 2FG, 1-4 3FG, and 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds (3 defensive and 3 offensive), and 2 blocks. Dekalb struggled to get into a rhythm offensively, especially in the second half when the Saints took control of the game on the defensive end of the floor.
Best Passer: Hayden Smithey (Bishop Dwenger)
Hayden Smithey kept the Saints in the game for the first two quarters almost single-handedly. He was aggressive on offense and got great looks at the basket. He never found a rhythm as Dekalb continuously ran two defenders at him to get the ball out of his hands. In the second half, he started to realize that he could really help the offensive onslaught with his passing ability. Smithey finished with 10 points (2-3 2FG, 2-4 3FG, and 0-2 FT), 5 defensive rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. At 6’4” with great length, he has the ability to be an elite passer from the wing. This was a solid performance from the rising junior.
Best Intangibles: Boone Bacon (Dekalb)
Boone Bacon is a consistent senior leader for the Dekalb Barons. He does the little things as one of their primary ball handler that allow them to be successful in the half court. Bacon pushes the ball when he knows that they can get a good look at the basket but also knows how important possessions are. Bacon finished with 4 points (2-4 2FG), 8 rebounds (5 defensive and 3 offensive), and 2 assists.
Best Rebounder: John Reith (Bishop Dwenger)
John Reith has always been an aggressive rebounder. He brings strength, good footwork, and tenacity to the forward position that leads to dominance on the glass. Reith finished with 4 points (2-5 2FG and 0-1 FT), 7 rebounds (6 defensive and 1 offensive), 2 blocks, and 2 assists. He struggled to get into the flow offensively due to some early foul trouble but he was on the floor the entire second half as the Saints flipped the script on the game. He is their vocal leader on the back line and brings energy to the floor night in and night out. He uses his strong frame to carve out space to grab rebounds and is exceptional at tracking the ball off the rim. Reith is a high IQ player who excels in the classroom as well.
Best Underclassmen: Brenden Lytle (Bishop Dwenger)
Brenden Lytle worked himself off the bench tonight but the freshman guard did not disappoint. His composure level is off the charts for the little experience that he has at the varsity level. He is aggressive with the ball in his hands and looked to take the ball to the basket repeatedly tonight. Lytle finished with 9 points (3-4 2FG, 1-2 3FG, and 0-3 FT), 2 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 steal. Lytle was on the floor as the Saints made their big second half push. He looked comfortable handling the ball in the open floor and making the correct passes on offense. He will be a player to keep an eye on throughout the season and throughout his high school career.
Biggest Takeaway: Bishop Dwenger in the Open Floor
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger struggled to get it going in the first half due to some poor shooting and early foul trouble with key guys. At the half, they had only put up 18 total points. Coming out in the third quarter, they looked like a completely different team. They were up and aggressive on defense which lead to a few easy baskets in transition that opened the flood gates for their offense. Smithey, Lytle, Clark, Henry, and Lehrman should be a lineup that the Saints use moving forward to push their offense to the next level.