Battle at the Lakes: Impact Centers
Playing from behind the perimeter may draw a lot of attention in today’s game, but if you don’t have a big man who can grind in the post, you’re going to struggle. There were a number of centers who found…
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Continue ReadingPlaying from behind the perimeter may draw a lot of attention in today’s game, but if you don’t have a big man who can grind in the post, you’re going to struggle. There were a number of centers who found ways to make an impact on their teams this weekend. Here are some of them.
Impact Centers:
Gavin Pankratz-
What was most impressive about Gavin Pankratz was his feel around the rim. On a number of possessions he received the ball in the post and would go to a dribble move to establish a favorable position. Then he would spin and go up quickly with the ball. His accuracy on quick shots in which he barely had time to see the rim was incredible. It often left the defender helpless in trying to block the shot. His feel for where he was on the floor in relation the defender and the basket allowed him to maximize the efficiency of his shots.
Adam Mattis-
Adam Mattis showing great control for a big man in transition! #PrepHoopsBatL pic.twitter.com/BG0eUe6tKZ
— Jordan Kneen (@JordanKneen) May 11, 2019
The best center in transition last weekend was Adam Mattis. On a number of plays Mattis picked the right spots to break out for transition opportunities. When he received the ball on those plays, no one wanted to get in his way. He had decent ball handling skill for a big and was able to get to the basket at will. The featured video highlights this skill as he gets all the way to the hoop and lays the ball in.
Lincoln Palbicki-
One of the best post players was Lincoln Palbicki. Often times, Palbikci received the ball 15 feet from the basket. What made Palbicki’s game unique was his ability to break down his defender with his back to the basket. He used a number of dribble moves to get position for his spin-move bank shot. Throughout those possessions he maintained good footwork and balance. He was controlled with the ball, and as soon as he knew he had a good position, he could bank the ball off the glass for two.
Josh Megin-
Josh Megin just did a great job of recognizing the driving player and blocking the shot! #PrepHoopsBatL pic.twitter.com/Q62Du6vj8Q
— Jordan Kneen (@JordanKneen) May 11, 2019
Josh Megin‘s ability to block shots when helping off his man was incredible this weekend. On a number of occasions he was pulled out from the basket and was able to collapse in on a driving guard to block or alter their shot. His feel for the game allowed him to do this effectively without allowing breakdowns in his team’s defensive structure. The featured video highlights him helping off of his man and blocking the shot of an opposing player.
Cade Feldhausen-
When it came to staying vertical on the defensive end of the floor, Cade Feldhausen was the shining example. Throughout the tournament, Feldhausen maintained verticality on his man and was able to play great defense. This allowed him to alter shots he came up against effectively and avoid fouling. He also showed a nice ability step out when defending pick-and-rolls to guard smaller players on the perimeter. This versatility was extremely valuable to the Wisconsin Crusaders AD.
Brodyn Dehoet-
Brodyn Dehoet is showing what he can do as a big man on the perimeter! #PrepHoopsBatL pic.twitter.com/x7sZ1ze5Wb
— Jordan Kneen (@JordanKneen) May 11, 2019
There aren’t a lot of big men who can handle the ball as well as Brodyn Dehoet. The featured video shows just how comfortable he is. You could probably count the number of centers (in this tournament) that would be willing to drive and attempt a behind the back dribble in a game on one hand, and Dehoet is one of them. The clip also highlights his passing ability and vision. Dehoet also was comfortable shooting the ball from three and swung the ball around the perimeter effectively.
Ryan Erikson-
Ryan Erikson‘s ability to space the floor as a stretch five was extremely valuable to the North Dakota Phenom at Battle at the Lakes. As a stretch five, Erikson pulled opposing big men out of the paint and forced them to play on the perimeter which allowed their wings to be more aggressive on the boards and get out in transition quick.y. He also had the ability to knock down the outside shot and was an effective passer.