#GrindSZNKickoff Solid Rock Day 1 Review: Scorers
The GrindSzn Kickoff got started on Friday evening and there were some big time rebounders, assist men and defenders. Here I focus on the players that stood out in the scoring department and took over the game from all three…
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Continue ReadingThe GrindSzn Kickoff got started on Friday evening and there were some big time rebounders, assist men and defenders. Here I focus on the players that stood out in the scoring department and took over the game from all three levels.
Christian Cook — Team Buddy Buckets
One of the more entertaining players in the gym was Cook. He is a speedy guard with a high IQ and he has very springy athleticism. He is the leader for this team and he holds other players accountable. He was able to get going in various ways as he finished with 15 points in the game and he excels in iso situations. He is aggressive offensively and penetrates the defense for a basket but also will stop and shoot the mid range jumper or open up the floor with his range. He plays with high energy on both ends of the floor and his competitive spirit got him some easy baskets defensively. Cook plays with extreme confidence and his athleticism allows him to score whenever it is he wants as he is an excellent finisher that can get himself going. Look for Cook to have a monster game before the weekend is over and also a few highlight dunks as well.
Jordan Thompson — Team Buddy Buckets
From the opening tip it was evident that Thompson was a shooter. He is a confident player that can create for himself off of the dribble but if he is open for a shot just get back on the defensive end as he is going to make the opposing team pay. He made sure that his presence was felt as he recorded 17 points on the night and finished the game knocking down five 3-pointers. He is a marksman from beyond the arc and did not even have to have his feet set for a few of the baskets. He plays in the flow of the offense and he is a player that can single handedly disrupt any zone. Thompson can shoot it from any where on the floor and has unlimited range and when he is on there are not players that can open things up like he can. He is very entertaining to watch with untouched potential and day 2 cannot come soon enough as I am sure he is ready to light it up again.
Tahj Patterson — Gateway
Patterson was a standout in the game as he finished the game with 16 points. He did not back down to the competition and matched all energy in the game with knocking down multiple 3-pointers. He responded with some big time shoots and showed a fluid and smooth shooting stroke which the opposing team had no answers for. Against a team that played great defense that gave Gateway multiple looks Patterson had to be accounted for at all times and he made sure to let them feel his presence. Gateway will look for him to open up the floor with his outside shooting and one of the things about Patterson is he can do it in other ways and will make teams pay. Patterson is a player to watch moving forward.
Harrison Vickers — Gateway
In a game full of giants, Vickers stood out as one of the best players in the game. He is very athletic and very active on both ends of the floor. He used his athleticism to pay the passing lanes and get a steal to start the break, secure a rebound and go and also finish over smaller defenders. He was also able to showcase his versatility as he also opened up the floor with a capable jump shot. In the game he finished with 15 points while also recording a few steals and getting some big time rebounds. He was a solid player on the day that led his team and with him being a player that can switch it up, this Gateway team is going to be a tough one to beat.
All Arkansas Red — Carlos Miller
Miller saw one shot fall. And then another and then another. He knocked down three 3-pointers in the game and made sure that he was able to space the floor. He is a very crafty player that works hard. He has a high IQ and it leads to easy baskets. He was able to use his outside shot to then go inside and penetrate the defense which made it more difficult to be stooped. He had 21 points on the night and showed off great leadership as well. Keep an eye on him.