Ten Best: FW Northrop @ FW South Side
Fort Wayne Northrop @ Fort Wayne South Side Final Score: Northrop 48 – South Side 43 Recap Although it’s early in the season, this game featured two of the hottest teams in the Fort Wayne area. Northrop and South Side…
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Continue ReadingFort Wayne Northrop @ Fort Wayne South Side
Final Score: Northrop 48 – South Side 43
Recap
Although it’s early in the season, this game featured two of the hottest teams in the Fort Wayne area. Northrop and South Side both came in undefeated which had this game slated as the “Game of the Night”’. The gym was sold out and the fans were filled with energy as two of the up-and-coming teams in the SAC set for tip.
The first quarter was dominated by South Side. They were executing their game plan effectively, not allowing Sydney Curry to get touches on the low block, and taking great shots. JT Langston Jr was active all night and it started with back to back baskets in the first quarter. The Archers lead 17-14 after the first quarter.
When the second quarter kicked off, there was a different bounce about Northrop’s step. They held South Side scoreless until the 1:51 mark in the second quarter which helped them out to a seven-point lead, and they never looked back. Qualen Pettus started getting into passing lanes and out on the break. He had a rim raising dunk in the open floor that got the bench up and more involved in the game. Langston Jr followed with a one-dribble tomahawk after a rip through move from the wing. Northrop lead 29-23 at the half.
Sydney Curry battled foul trouble all throughout this one. He picked up his fourth foul about half way through the third quarter and wasn’t able to get into any rhythm. Every touch he had, he drew two or three South Side defenders. Langston Jr’s length bothered some of his shots around the rim and limited his offensive rebounding ability. Langston Jr, on the other hand, was all over the offensive glass, all night. He had a flurry of put back dunks in traffic as he leaped over defenders. South Side trailed headed into the fourth quarter, 37-31.
With the Bruins facing foul trouble, JT Langston Jr and the Archers went on a little run to bring this game within one possession with just under two minutes remaining. It seemed as though they were going to pull off the comeback after Curry fouled out and Langston Jr was scoring at will. Qualen Pettus stepped to the line with ten second remaining and sank two free throws that put this game out of reach. Northrop took the 48-43 win over fellow SAC opponent South Side.
Most Valuable Player: Qualen Pettus (Northrop)
Qualen Pettus was the high point man on the night and always seemed to make the big play when Northrop needed it most. His free throws in the fourth quarter helped seal the deal and put the game out of reach. Pettus finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 assist. His activity on both ends of the floor is of note and he is becoming an elite defender. Qualen stands at about 6’4” and uses his length, athleticism, and quick hands to bother opposing guards. Look for him to make a huge impact in the SAC this season as Northrop looks to capitalize on their current roster and make it deep into the playoffs.
Best Offensive Player: JT Langston Jr (South Side)
JT Langston Jr was everything South Side needed him to be and more. He protected the rim without fouling, turned away shots, got out into the open floor, scored above the rim, and knocked down mid-range jumpers. His game is improving quickly and he’s starting to tap into his potential. JT Langston Jr finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 steals, and 1 assist. Langston Jr put one some muscle over the past few months and is using his athleticism in the way that he should but the most impressive development is his decision making and in-game recognition of situations. He made big plays from tip to final horn to keep the Archers within striking distance.
Best Defensive Player: JT Langston Jr (South Side)
Not only was he efficient on the offensive end of the floor, JT Langston Jr also brought his “A” game to the defensive end. He frustrated Sydney Curry all night long with his length and turned away opposing guards at the rim without fouling. His growth on the rules of verticality and ability to rotate to the right spot at the right time allowed him to block shots and get deflections without fouling. JT Langston Jr finished with a game high 15 rebounds, a game high 7 blocks, and a game high 5 steals to round out his outstanding performance.
Best Under-the-Radar Performance: Treveon Jones (South Side)
In a low scoring, high possession game, Treveon Jones put together an under-the-radar, role player type game. Jones finished with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. He didn’t turn the ball over as much as some last night and was a release for his backcourt against the Northrop press. Jones brought high energy to both ends of the floor and helped double down on Curry when he got paint touches.
Best Player Off the Bench: Isaac Anderson (Northrop)
Isaac Anderson could have dominated this game off the bench. Anderson is quick off the bounce and was able to create around the basket with regularity. He finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds. His experience helped the Bruins down the stretch as he slowed the pace of play when there were back to back to back possessions of turnovers. Anderson struggled from the floor and free throw line (as did everyone else) but ultimately was the biggest impact to the outcome of the game because of his ball security late.
Best Quiet Impact Player: Tenoah Ridley (Northrop)
Tenoah Ridley is another guy that came off the bench for the Bruins and put together a solid outing. It seemed as though everyone struggled from the floor offensively but Tenoah was efficient with his opportunities (aside from the free throw line). Ridley finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist. Tenoah was able to stop a South Side run with a one-handed dunk in transition that shocked the gym and got the Northrop bench more involved.
Best Rebounder: Sydney Curry (Northrop)
Syndey Curry was not the high rebound guy for the game but his dominance around the basket was apparent. Curry uses his strength and body positioning very well around the rim. He carves out space and puts himself in position to be effective when he’s able to get touches. Sydney finished with 6 points and 5 rebounds. He has strong hands, a strong upper and lower body, and tenacity in pursuit of rebounds. Look for him to turn in a handful of double-doubles this season.
Best Underclassmen: Ashton Johnson (South Side)
There were quite a few underclassmen that saw the floor last night but Ashton Johnson was one of the few that looked ready and confident. The 6’2” freshman guard used ball fakes, deception, and his dribble well when dealing with the Northrop press. Johnson came off the bench for the Archers but is a guy to keep on the radar for years to come. Ashton finished with 4 points and 3 rebounds.
Best Passer: Austin Jordan (South Side)
Austin Jordan is one of those guards that can get to his spots when he wants and how he wants. He is lightning quick with the ball in his hands and is improving on his decision making. Without the flurry of turnovers from his teammates last night, Jordan would have easily been in double digits with assists. He still needs to improve on situational awareness and valuing possessions but as a sophomore, he has the skill set any college coach would want in a point guard. Austin finished with 2 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.
Biggest Takeaways: Turnovers, Free Throws, and Threes
The name of the game last night wasn’t who would stop one another, it was who wouldn’t stop themselves. There was a stretch of eight straight turnovers TWICE last night. Neither team was efficient from the floor and Northrop shot under 50% from the free throw line (granted they did get there 30+ times). Both of these teams like to get up and down, press, play zone, and have high possession totals but they will need to focus on getting good shots as the season progresses and SAC play gets better.
Starting Lineup Stats
NORTHROP BRUINS
Qualen Pettus #4 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
19 (6-9 2FG, 0-5 3FG, 7-11 FT) |
9 (7 defensive, 2 offensive) |
1 |
4 |
0 |
TaQuay White #5 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
2 (0-1 2FG, 2-3 FT) |
1 (1 defensive) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Khamani Smith #10 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
0 (0-4 3FG) |
2 (1 defensive, 1 offensive) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Nick Haines #12 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
3 (0-1 2FG, 1-3 3FG) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Sydney Curry #20 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
6 (2-4 2FG, 2-7 FT) |
5 (4 defensive, 1 offensive) |
2 |
1 |
0 |
SOUTH SIDE ARCHERS
JT Langston Jr #1 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
18 (8-10 2FG, 2-2 FT) |
15 (8 defensive, 7 offensive) |
1 |
5 |
7 |
Everett Merritt #5 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
2 (1-4 2FG, 0-2 FT) |
2 (2 defensive) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Treveon Jones #11 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
7 (2-3 2FG, 1-3 3FG) |
3 (2 defensive, 1 offensive) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Austin Jordan #12 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
2 (1-4 2FG, 0-4 3FG) |
4 (4 defensive) |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Kamron Mitchell #21 |
||||
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
3 (1-5 2FG, 1-2 FT) |
4 (3 defensive, 1 offensive) |
0 |
0 |
0 |