5 Takeaways: New Albany vs. Silver Creek
In the premier game of the Basketball Day in Indiana, New Albany and Silver Creek both shot the ball superbly at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. After one quarter, New Albany held the edge with both teams shooting a combined 8/12 from deep. The second quarter was more of the same as the went to the half a combined 13/18 from beyond the arc. In the third, they cooled down a bit but were still 5/7 from behind the arc. Both teams finished 19/26 from deep and played really well. New Albany came out on top 73-65.
A look into the future with Romeo at Bankers Life
One of the most heralded recruits in recent Indiana High School basketball history, Romeo Langford may have given basketball fans a preview of what he could do on future NBA courts. Langford has long been thought of being a high major college prospect, but with his recent play you must wonder what he could do on NBA courts in the future. He is down to Kansas, Indiana, and Vanderbilt in his college search and all three programs have a track record of sending players to the NBA. He’s a prototypical two guard who can do really anything you ask of him with range well beyond the NBA arc.
Silver Creek is a very good, but young 3A team
Silver Creek was really impressive in this one as they can really play. Zane Gross is a 6’2 junior who leads Silver Creek and they have a host of freshman that see major minutes. Trey Kauffman is a 6’5 PF who is able to score inside the lane almost at will, and Kooper Jacobi is a 6’4 SF who is just going to keep getting better. The future is really bright for Silver Creek as they only lose a couple seniors off of this team.
Both teams can get hot and shoot the cover off the ball
As we saw in the first half and early in the second half these teams can shoot the ball at a very high percentage if they get hot. Derrick Stevenson and Darin Starks both made their two three-point attempts in the first half and Sean East made two missing just one shot for New Albany. Silver Creek’s Zane Gross was two of three in the first half before New Albany shut him down in the second half. After the first half, both teams were an absurd 13/18 from deep and in the second half they continued their hot shooting. In the third quarter both teams combined to go 5/7 from deep.
Sean East is playing the best basketball of his life right now
Sean East is playing really well this season and in this game, he continued that hot play by going 5-of-6 from the field and scoring 16 points. His handles have gotten a lot better and so has his passing. He dished out six assists including a fast break behind the back pass for a layup. East is a kid who will continue to get better as a point guard who can score and pass. A solid lead guard for New Albany,
New Albany is a team that can contend for a state championship
Early on this year, I was doubtful that New Albany could contend for a state title but after watching them a few times I think they definitely could. They have beaten some really good programs and only have one loss. They have a capable point guard and the best player in the state on their team and their role players are really good. They have a tough sectional with Floyd Central and Jeffersonville, but after that it should be a decently easy road to semi-state if the dominos fall in their favor.