10 Best: Bluff City Legends 15u vs. City Rocks 15u
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC — In order to advance to the Peach Invitation Tournament semifinals, Johnathan Lawson and his Bluff City Legends 15u team defeated City Rocks Black 69-66 on a Tony McCray three pointer in the final seconds.
The tense game wound all the way down to the final horn. A dribble weave ended in McCray’s open look from the corner. He buried it and held his right hand high on the follow through. The last four seconds did not result in a City Rocks’ counter and Bluff City Legends 15u advanced.
City Rocks is an EYBL program based in upstate New York, predominately the Albany region.At one time they were called Albany City Rocks.
The game took place inside a modest middle school gym with just parents and players in attendance. Three refs tried to wrangle in the fouls. It worked…until it didn’t. How did the end result arrive?
MVP | Johnathan Lawson
Nobody draws more fouls than a Lawson. Just like his brother Chandler, J Law draws fouls nearly every time down the floor. Lawson’s long arms and lengthy possessions give him plenty of opportunities to get slapped or hammered. Lawson gets into dangerous places and when he does most players are unable to do anything except foul.
BEST OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE | Johnathan Lawson
Lawson creates so many problems for his peers. With gigantic strides Lawson continuously gets into the lane with speed. He showed why he deserves #2 in the state. You can see full 2021 rankings here.
BEST DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE | Johnathan Lawson
The long arms of the laws. J Law figured out multiple ways to deny shots by City Rocks. Lawson slapped the big man’s pill loose as he powered up. Lawson also came over as a help defender to provide length. His thin body belies the toughness and strength he possesses.
BEST UNDER-THE-RADAR | Desmond Bratcher
Alongside the more heralded teammates Desmond of White Station High darted around the floor. he has quick legs, but more importantly he loves to use them. Desmond dashes around like a hungry linebacker in search of his prey.
BIGGEST PROBLEM | Injuries
Kaeden Laws is down again. Maybe lower left leg this time. Earlier he had a knee to his thigh. This time he landed funny. That is the third Bluff City 15u player out with injury. Jalen Brown and TD Jacobs also out.
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) July 14, 2018
BEST INGANGIBLES | Johnathan Lawson
Playing alongside a fleet of short, quick guards Johnathan Lawson gave the team strength inside. He wiggled his way into the lane and caused problems. Lawson’s length and shooting touch are great. His patience with the basketball help him make good decisions in the lane.
BEST OFF THE BENCH | Tony McCray
Tony McCray defended with honor. He was a nuisance on the key City Rocks’ ball-handlers. McCray doesn’t mind putting the body into his mark. There were times during which McCray closed down the comfort zone between him and the point guard.
BEST POST PLAY | Kaeden Laws
Kaeden Laws backed his defender down over and over. Laws is a wing longterm, but Saturday he worked hard in the paint. Laws’ leg was a little hobbled (thigh injury), so his mobility was atypical. Perhaps realizing he could do more damage on the blocks against an undersized City Rocks team Laws found his way down low.
WORST TREND | Technical Fouls
Bluff City 15u sustained a technical foul for the second straight game. This foul found Desmond Bratcher, whereas last game Johnathan Lawson drew the ire of the official. Both techs were the result of complaining. In the second half Terrance Burks (PrepHoopsTN #21) also earned a technical foul by wrestling his rebounding foe a tad too long. After the whistle Burks discarded his man about 8′ to the side of the lane.
BEST STORY TO WATCH MOVING FORWARD
Of the four Lawson brothers Johnathan is the most mobile early in his career. Chandler is working into becoming a college shooting guard. KJ Lawson finally became a solid combo guard and Dedric is obviously a point forward type. Johnathan Lawson truly has point guard skills despite his tall, lithe frame. Keep an eye on his development as the foundation for elite point guard is astounding.