3 takeaways from Houston’s win over Olive Branch
I sat inside Olive Branch High School Thursday night to watch the ‘Quistors host the Houston Mustangs. There were a lot of positives for Houston, while Olive Branch had a lot of head scratchers in the 63-50 loss. These two…
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Continue ReadingI sat inside Olive Branch High School Thursday night to watch the ‘Quistors host the Houston Mustangs. There were a lot of positives for Houston, while Olive Branch had a lot of head scratchers in the 63-50 loss.
These two teams will meet again next month, and if Thursday night was any indication of what’s to come, then the Mustangs are in the driver’s seat to the beat the ‘Quistors a second time.
Here are 3 takeaways from Houston’s win over Olive Branch
Mason Miller and Alden Applewhite were solid
Junior guard/forward Mason Miller and junior combo guard Alden Applewhite were able to get great looks at the basket, while Olive Branch sat comfortably in its 1-2-2 zone defense. While the ‘Quistors thought they were in the right defensive stance, Miller and Applewhite picked apart Olive Branch before halftime.
Miller made three 3s in the first half. Applewhite knocked down a three of his own and converted on a 3-point play to start the game. Miller made one more 3 in the second half and finished with the night with 22 points. Applewhite converted on his second 3-point play of the night and finished with the night with 18 points.
Miller and Applewhite are very gifted offensively. If the both of them get comfortable early on in the game, then that means it’s going to be a long night for the opposing team. The ‘Quistors found out firsthand.
Houston’s ball movement
Junior point guard T.J. Madlock controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish. That was needed against a team like Olive Branch, which likes to get up and down the floor at a fast rate. Six different guys scored for Houston. The ball movement was excellent. The Mustangs have shooters all over the floor, and this team is dangerous when the ball is moving. Houston is also very dangerous when players are moving without the basketball. The ‘Quistors couldn’t rattle the Mustangs once their offense got into sync.
Zone is a tough route to go
From this point on, teams are going to try to take away Houston’s outside shooting. That is going to be difficult. Olive Branch wasn’t successful at it because at times, the ‘Quistors didn’t rattle the Mustangs’ shooters. Olive Branch wasn’t the physical team on the floor. Playing zone is asking for players like Miller, Applewhite and junior forward Zander Yates to rip you apart from 3-point range.