Five Takeaways: Patterson vs Wicomico (2A State Championship)
Saturday evening in the Xfinity Center, Patterson and Wicomico went head-to-head for the 2A crown. Thanks to consistent pressure and volume scoring, the Clippers from Patterson won handily by a final score of 79-56. Here are five takeaways from…
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Continue ReadingSaturday evening in the Xfinity Center, Patterson and Wicomico went head-to-head for the 2A crown. Thanks to consistent pressure and volume scoring, the Clippers from Patterson won handily by a final score of 79-56.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
The Price is Right
Senior Marvin Price got to work right away for the Clippers. The 6-foot-4 wing finished with a stat line of 31 points and 10 rebounds. In the second quarter, he exploded for 15 points that included him scoring 11-straight to open up the frame. The great thing about the way he scored is he didn’t force anything (12-of-18 from the field). He got a hot hand from three, but once the defense starting closing out uncontrollably, he’d get the defender to jump with a pump fake and either pull-up from 15 feet or proceed all the way to the rim. Price’s versatility was on full display.
Willis provides toughness
The way I always describe Willis’ game is by comparing it to a bull in a china shop. The 6-foot-3 guard is strong and extremely physical. Throughout the game, Willis came up with rebounds, 50/50 balls and made a bunch of little hustle plays that don’t show up on the box score. Willis scored 12 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out four assist in the win.
Thomas conducts the Clippers’ attack
The Clippers are a team that are constantly looking to get out in transition. There are a few things that you need in a point guard when running this type of system. They need to know when to advance the ball early in the break, know how to open different players up with their positioning as they dribble and know when to pull the ball out when they don’t have an advantage. Senior point guard TJ Thomas performed all of the above on Saturday while also finding his own opportunities. The 6-foot-2 floor general finished with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
Wicomico with some bright spots
Patterson’s constant pressure sped Wicomico up, resulting in rushed shots that ultimately made them struggle by shooting 32 percent from the field and 16 percent from 3. Still, junior forward Jayson Handy led with 14 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Matt Lowe had a solid showing by posting 10 points and eight rebounds. The Indians are a guard-driven team, but Patterson’s pesky, physical guards were evidently something they’ve never seen before.
Patterson caps off an outstanding season
The Clippers finish with a 25-3 record and dominance in Baltimore City play throughout the season. Head coach Harry Martin squeezed every bit of potential out of this team considering they only had nine players on the roster and six consistently in the rotation. Martin’s team once again hoists the state championship trophy and adds to an already respected resume.