Ensworth Contols Tempo, Wesleyan Christian Wins
The Ensworth Tigers battled their tenth interstate opponent of the 2017-2018 season. Though they completely controlled tempo, Ensworth dropped the laborious battle to Wesleyan Christian, 56-51.
Ensworth was one of two Tennessee teams to play Saturday in the Music City MLK Classic (Donelson Christian Academy). Of the eight games originally scheduled, three actually occurred. Team travel plans changed with the onset of snow and some ice in Tennessee Friday night into Saturday morning.
All the major roads and highways around the Nashville were manageable Saturday afternoon, but several teams were not in town to play.
Initially, Ensworth was scheduled to Adair County (KY). Saturday morning they discovered it would be Wesleyan Christian.
Ensworth dropped the game, but a few bright spots emerged.
Jaylan Clemmons
Though he airballed two outside shots early, senior Jaylan Clemmons did hit two triples.
With about 4:00 left in the nightcap, Clemmons hit a key three-pointer. It pushed the “home” Tigers to within two points, 33-31.
For an Ensworth team already saddled with eight losses, this was a true struggle. And yet Keshawn Lawrence gave the Tigers a true chance to win.
Dual-Sport
Keshawn Lawrence scored 14 points. Most importantly, Lawrence was truly the only Tiger to match Wesleyan Christian athletically.
Ensworth vs. Wesley Christian (NC). 2Q @prephoopsnc https://t.co/BUxRqKcc3m
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) January 13, 2018
Lawrence boasts high-major football offers from Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, and others. His path to college sports might already be decided for him.
While the sophomore plays high school basketball Ensworth can really benefit from his bounce, strength, and confidence.
Certainly Lawrence is not the refined basketball talent of a Warren Zager or Keyonte Calloway (pictured above). Those guys play basketball year-round. Lawrence’s four turnovers are completely forgivable though because he adds an element Ensworth just doesn’t have. He can create something out of nothing.
The Ensworth top priority is get Lawrence the ball in a dangerous position. He attacked without fear. Lawrence is rough around the edges, but there is no denying his explosion and strength. If he were to focus on basketball (unlikely given his football offers), then he could certainly play Division I basketball someday.
While the offense featured 10-12 passes on most possessions, when the time came to shoot or create, Lawrence’s gigantic first step and impressive bounce created the window to score in the paint.
For example, in the fourth quarter, Ensworth chose a patient attack. The strategy worked most of the game, so why abandon it? Of the 14 passes, 13 proved mostly meaningless in terms of gaining ground or attacking the defense. The 14th found Lawrence and the gifted forward stabbed his electric feet into the lane.
He scored against a 6-foot-8 forward.
Keshawn Lawrence finished with 14 points (5-12 FG’s) and five rebounds.
Turning Point
Ensworth never commanded the basketball game. From the midpoint of the first quarter on Wesleyan Christian bounded from leading comfortably to leading marginally.
Still, Ensworth had a chance to take a meager late in the third quarter while trailing 33-31.
After hitting his second three-pointer of the game, Jaylan Clemmons passed up another shot. He swung the ball unselfishly to Keyshawn Collier (12 points) in the corner.
Collier missed.
Wesleyan Christian Academy sprinted upfloor and found Jaylen Hoard for a quick score.
The series provided fans with a microchosm of the whole game. Ensworth quietly passed around the perimeter. They stalled some and attacked some. The North Carolina guests penetrated with a fury. They took tougher shots and drew more fouls.
Wesleyan’s success came from a two-pass rotation and immediate post feed. Once they get the ball down within 5′ their success rate was spectacular.
The Trojans improved to 18-4 and obviously boasted more college-bound hoopers.
Considering the circumstances and the formidable opponent Ensworth accounted for themselves rather well.
Next week the Tigers of Ensworth face three tough teams in Brentwood Academy, a red-hot MBA, and McCallie.