Five Takeaways: Heritage Hall vs. Mount St. Mary’s
In a highly-ranked defensive battle, Heritage Hall defeats Mount St. Mary’s on a game-winning three by William McDonald.
Here are five things I took away from the matchup:
1. Trey Alexander is a natural in transition
The highly-touted freshmen is 6’3 and plays with a poise beyond his years. However, you truly see his potential in transition where he has elite speed with the ball and is creative when in the open floor.
Alexander obviously has a bright future but he can contribute immediately now with his ability to score.
Heritage Hall started to make their comeback when the game sped up and became a track meet. There are not many in the state better built for a track meet then Trey Alexander.
2. Stephon Hall has been in the gym
Hall was outstanding for three quarters of this game. You can tell that Hall has been in the gym and working on his jumper specifically from 3. He went 5-7 from distance for 21 points.
The senior guard was shooting threes with opposing players closing hanging off of him but he wasn’t effected.
He shot the ball with the confidence of a guy who has put in the time and earned the right to take those shots.
3. William McDonald is Mr. Versatile
McDonald is a talented wing who will get a lot of love for hitting the game winner and rightfully so but he is much more than just a shooter.
McDonald is a talker and he uses that to direct players on both ends. He is usually getting everyone in the right spots on offense. He also handles the ball a lot. McDonald had a huge and-1 put back which changed the complexion of the game.
The 6’3 junior wing hit the big shot but his role on the team is just as big of a reason why HH came out with the victory.
4. Cedric Rollerson vs Jon Matthews was interesting
Rollerson of MSM and Jon Matthews of HH matched up most of the night and they both had their moments. Matthews was hot early hitting a few pull-up jumpers and a transition layup. He cooled off most of the game but hit a big shot down the stretch.
Rollerson struggled to get going early but finished well at the end of the first half which was a big part of Mount St. Mary’s ability to take over the momentum of the game. He also cooled off as the game continued.
This was neither players best game but it was fun to watch the two feisty guards go at it.
5. Both teams have came to compete on the defensive end
In a 43 to 40 ball game, they’re obviously wasn’t a ton of shots made but there is a reason why. Both teams came with a mindset ready to compete on the defensive end.
HH and MSM played really good position defense without fouling. Moving their feet and keeping their hands active made it tough on the offense. MSM did a great job of switching everything which blew up a lot of HH’s sets.
The Chargers did a great job of always being in help taking charges and using their length to protect the rim.
Even though there was not a ton of size in this game there was still a great amount of physicality especially on the backboards.
If both teams can consistently keep this level of effort on the defensive end, you will see both teams continuing to play during the playoffs.