Prep Hoops 10 Best: Danville vs. Peoria Notre Dame
Danville and Peoria Notre Dame provided a state-ranked, Big 12 clash between evenly-matched teams and it was entertaining through the end with 10 lead changes. The sixth-ranked (Class 4A) Vikings prevailed in the second half for a 51-46 win over…
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Continue ReadingDanville and Peoria Notre Dame provided a state-ranked, Big 12 clash between evenly-matched teams and it was entertaining through the end with 10 lead changes.
The sixth-ranked (Class 4A) Vikings prevailed in the second half for a 51-46 win over the Irish, tied for fifth in Class 3A.
It was back-and-forth early on before Danville pulled out to a 28-21 lead early in the third quarter before Notre Dame used a 8-point run to take a 29-28 lead. With 1:28 left in the third quarter, Tevin Smith hit a 3-pointer that put Danville ahead for good, though the margin was never larger than four until Sean Houpt’s free throws with 28.1 seconds left made it a final.
Here are the best things we saw with lines of the night.
Game Thread
I’m not a chef but I’m in The Kitchen for a state-ranked showdown between Danville and @PND_Basketball.
Look closely and you’ll see good friend @chaddare. pic.twitter.com/M6VF9ZDi0y
— Aaron Ferguson (@Sports_Aaron) January 12, 2019
1. Most Valuable Player
Tevin Smith (Danville 2021, G, 6-foot-4) – 16 points (7-12/1-5/0-0), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Smith took over the game in the second half and willed the Vikings to the win. He scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half, including going 3-for-6 in the third quarter driving through the 2-3 zone and shooting from the perimeter. He needs to become more efficient as a shooter but he has enough to make defenders respect him out there. He did a good job in the first half of getting to the elbow and seeing his open teammates. Physically and athletically he was too much inside for Notre Dame on the glass.
2. Play of the game
In the first quarter, Connor Dillon (2020) and Matt Pudik (2019) trapped Houpt, forcing him into a turnover. Declan Dillon (2020) received the pass from Pudik off the steal. Dillon found his twin brother, Connor, for an alley-oop to give the Irish a 13-8 lead with 2:54 left in the first quarter.
Fortunately, WEEK-TV Sports Director Jim Mattson was there to capture it.
Danville won the game! But Dillon to Dillon was the play of the game! Declan to Connor! pic.twitter.com/Y5gHOeUnbc
— Jim Mattson (@hoijim) January 12, 2019
3. Best offensive performance
Nathaniel Hoskins (Danville 2021, G, 6-foot-2) – 16 points (7-11/1-1/1-2)
Hoskins is only listed at 6-2 but he played bigger than that on Friday. He was a force around the rim and was the most efficient player in the game. The sophomore guard worked the baseline and drove from the perimeter to get easy looks inside.
4. Best defensive performance
Connor Dillon (Notre Dame 2020, G, 6-foot-1) – 2 steals, 3 defensive rebounds
It’s hard to give anyone this award with both teams playing in a 2-3 zone the entire game. However, Connor Dillon was excellent on the wing in Notre Dame’s 1-2-2 press and falling into the zone. He wasn’t in the best position for rebounds and came away with several steals, not counting the steal of Houpt before his throwdown. He worked hard off the ball to pressure opponents and get out on shooters.
5. Best guy off the bench
David Czirjak (Notre Dame 2019, G, 5-foot-10) – 2 points (1-3/0-0/0-0), 3 rebounds
Another hard award to give out when only five combined players enter the game off the bench. Danville’s only reserves played sparingly and didn’t enter until the second quarter.
Czirjak brought energy defensively and showed he wasn’t afraid to shoot it. He flowed well within the Irish motion offense and moved the ball.
6. Best intangibles
Connor Dillon (Notre Dame 2020, G, 6-foot-1)
Dillon does so much for the Irish that can’t be quantified into statistics. Though there aren’t player tracking systems in high school, it was clear that he covered the most ground in this game by a wide margin. He constantly was moving off the ball on offense to try and free himself up for open looks.
With the ball in his hands, he sees players opening up before they are actually open, showcasing a good understanding of the Princeton Motion offense PND runs. He can score at all three levels, getting to the rim and freeing himself up off the dribble on the perimeter.
7. Under the radar performance
Declan Dillon (Notre Dame 2020, G, 6-foot)
Declan Dillon was a load for Danville to handle on Friday. It’s almost an unnoticed performance because he was 2-for-10 from the floor and only scored five points. He was active on both ends of the court as the point guard and playing up top of the 2-3 zone.
The Irish are typically undersized in each game they play so Declan’s ability to crash the defensive glass from the perimeter to secure four of his six rebounds from there was key. He also was in good rebounding position offensively for two offensive boards.
As the point guard, he continually set his teammates up with five assists and flowed smoothly through the offense. His open shots didn’t fall but he showed confidence throughout the entire game.
8. Best underclassman
Matt Williams (Notre Dame 2021, F, 6-foot-4) – 0 points (0-2/0-0/0-0), 1 rebound, 1 block
Boy, talent wise it is Tevin Smith or Nathaniel Hoskins from Danville, but having written about them twice here is based off potential.
Williams isn’t just the tallest Irish player, he’s also agile and can hold his own on the perimeter, at least in a zone. He showed toughness inside battling for rebounds and blocking shots. However, he wasn’t involved very much with the Irish trailing as the game went on. His development over the next two years is something to watch for.
9. Best spot-up shooters
Joe Gustafson (Notre Dame 2019, G, 6-foot-2) – 12 points (4-7/4-6/0-0)
Sean Houpt (Danville 2019, G, 6-foot-4) – 15 points (3-9/2-6/7-7)
Gustafson was the best shooter, statistically speaking. He gets open often in the Notre Dame offense and looks more confident in his shot this year than in year’s past. His motion is a little funky, starting at his chest before coming up and following through, but it works for him.
Talent-wise, Houpt was the best shooter on the floor. He showcased his range, hitting from well beyond the volleyball line. He has a fluid motion and every shot looks like it’s going to fall.
10. Best storyline to watch
Notre Dame has to be thrilled to get Noah Reynolds (2021) back into their lineup. The 6-foot-2 guard will add another element to their team, which went 12-3 without him. Reynolds was cleared to play hours before the game, coming back from a groin injury that held him out to this point in the season.
Reynolds was thrust into more action than Notre Dame coach Tom Lacher would have liked. It showed that Reynolds isn’t up to game speed yet, only having one practice. He was 0-for-3 form the floor, including one 3-pointer, and grabbed one rebound. He also had one block.
Lines of the night
Danville
Tevin Smith (2021, G, 6-foot-4) – 16 points (7-13/2-5/0-0), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Nathaniel Hoskins (2021, G, 6-foot-2) – 16 points (7-11/1-1/1-2), 9 rebounds, 1 steal
Sean Houpt (2019, G, 6-foot-4) – 15 points (3-9/2-6/7-7), 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Notre Dame
Connor Dillon (2020, G, 6-foot-2) – 19 points (7-16/2-8/3-4), 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Declan Dillon (2020, G, 6-foot-1) – 5 points (2-10/1-5/0-0), 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal
Joe Gustafson (2019, G, 6-foot-2) – 12 points (4-7/4-6/0-0), 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Follow reporter Aaron Ferguson on Twitter @Sports_Aaron for game coverage, reports and more.