Five Takeaways: Vashon
The Vashon Wolverines have had a stranglehold on the Class 4 state championship trophy after winning back to back titles in 2016 and 2017. Those two state championships belong to a very talented and capable group of six players that made up the Class of 2016 won a lot of games and provided a lot of experience for coach Tony Irons. In their place is a young, athletic and very skilled group of youngsters that have kept things exciting at “The V.”
In the featured game of the Vashon Winter Classic on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Wolverines defeated Bloomington (IL) 91-88 in a very entertaining game that was fast and furious from start to finish.
Here are five takeaways from the new-look Vashon Wolverines:
A new look Vashon:
The Wolverines last two state championship teams were big and strong and loved to bump and grind out possessions with half-court efficiency. They pressed and ran when they needed to, but they took advantage of their size. This year’s newer, sleeker model of the Wolverines are long, quick, athletic and love to get up and down the court whenever possible. They are pressing full-court from virtually start to finish.
They like to score, score and score some more:
Vashon has erupted for some big scoring games this season. In addition to the 91 points a game against Bloomington, they also scored 92 points against Charleston in a victory earlier this season. The Wolverines have a lot of weapons and they can shoot the ball. 2019 guard Mario McKinney can score from just about anywhere, while 2020 guards Cam’Ron Fletcher and Phillip Russell can shoot the ball from distance. Athletic 2019 guard Donyae McCaskill is a dynamic slasher. The Wolverines also pick up a lot of points off of their defense with their ball-hawking full court pressure. While last year’s team prided itself on its shut-down defense, these young pups are trying to outscore everyone in their path.
Mario McKinney is the next star at Vashon:
The 6’1″ 2019 guard has emerged as a top level recruit with his ability to score and his ultra-competitiveness on the court. For the first two years of his career, he was a dynamic sixth man who came off the bench with his slashing drives and transition baskets. As the new go-to guy, he has been able to display many more facets to his offensive game. He scores his share of buckets in transition and off the press, but the can knock down open 3-pointers, hit mid-range jumpers and tough turnaround jumpers in the low post. Super Mario is fun to watch. Wind him up and he gets buckets. The 6’6″ Fletcher is not far behind with his length and ability to knock down long high-arching 3-pointers.
Vashon is young and they play young:
The rotation is made up of mostly juniors and sophomores, so this is a very young team. The Wolverines youthful energy is clearly evident with their ability to play fast and score a lot of points, but it also manifests itself with turnovers and defensive lapses at times where they tend to give up easy baskets. That’s all part of the process of playing a lot of youngsters, even very talented ones.
Get them now while you can:
Class 4 is loaded with some talented and very experienced teams. My advice to them: If they are going to upend the Wolverines, they had better get it done this year while they are still a little young and prone to a little youthful inconsistency. If Vashon can break through and win a third state title this year, it’s going to be tough to keep them from accomplishing a five-peat as these talented youngsters become bigger and even more experienced down the road.