10 Best: Lakeside vs. Shorecrest
On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Lakeside Lions hosted the Shorecrest Scots for a non-league game. Both teams looked to be impacted by first game nerves, and buckets were hard to come by in the early going. The Lion’s ran a…
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Continue ReadingOn Tuesday, December 3rd, the Lakeside Lions hosted the Shorecrest Scots for a non-league game. Both teams looked to be impacted by first game nerves, and buckets were hard to come by in the early going. The Lion’s ran a 4-out 1-in offense and worked to get the ball inside to their big man, Kamal Muhammad, who would lead his squad with eight points. The Scot’s ran a spread offense and moved the ball around until they could get it into the hands of their scorers. Senior Jack Sims led all scorers with 20 points, and Sophomore Elijah Johnson added 9 for the Scots. The game stayed close through the first two quarters, and Shorecrest led by one point at halftime: 21 to 22. In the second half, the Scots pulled away as their shooters heated up, and their defense continued to trouble the Lions. The game finished with a score of 37 to 59 in favor of the Scots.
MVP – Jack Sims | 5’9″ G | Shorecrest
The Senior leader of the Shorecrest Scots was impressive and instrumental in his team’s win. From the tip, he made his presence known on the offensive end of the court, scoring 8 of his 20 points in the first quarter. He could score on drives, he could score from deep, and he dropped in a beautiful off-hand floater that underscored his versatility on the offensive end of the court. Sims made all four of his free throws, another testament to his reliability. Although he’s listed at 5’9″, I’d put him closer to 6′, and he has sneaky athleticism that might not be apparent at first glance.
Best Underclassman – Elijah Johnson | 5’7″ PG | Shorecrest
The class of 2020 point guard was very impressive in all facets of the game. It’s almost unfair to give him my “best underclassman” award because he could have easily been the offensive or defensive MVP. Elijah has already gotten some attention on his grassroots team, Seattle Future, and he is definitely a player to keep an eye on as he continues to develop his game. Elijah was strong on both ends of the court. He’s undersized, but he used his speed and strength to his advantage, even taking on Lakeside’s 6’8″ shot-blocker at the rim. Elijah scored off the drive, he knocked down a mid-range jumper, and he had a nice Euro step finish late in the game. He also had a talent for drawing extra defenders and finding the open man, so he forces defenders to pick their poison. Elijah was an integral part of his team’s defense. He was always ready to trap as soon as the ball was across halfcourt, and when he wasn’t part of the trap, he was alert and ready to steal the pass out of the trap. The Sophomore had a bit of flair in his game, and I look forward to watching how that develops over the next couple of years. *Featured Image
Best Intangibles – Kamal Muhammad | 6’8″ PF | Lakeside
First, let me say that Kamal is a bonafide stud. He’s a 6’8″ force with great length and athleticism, but that’s old news for anyone who has been paying attention to the twelfth-ranked player in Washington’s 2022 class. What impressed me was the confidence and leadership that Kamal showed despite being only a Sophomore. He communicated well on defense and encouraged his teammates to do the same, and when he subbed back into the game in the second quarter, he checked in with his point guard to make sure they were on the same page. Despite being down, he played hard all game, and he looked to motivate his team with a combination of effort and enthusiasm.
Best Offensive Performance – Jack Sims
Jack led all scorers with twenty points, and I’d be surprised if he missed more than one or two shots all game. He scored early and often by making aggressive drives to the rim. At half time, he had ten of his team’s 22 points. He continued getting to the rim in the second half, and he dropped in back-to-back threes to illustrate his versatility. He would have scored more than his game-high 20 points, but the game was in hand for most of the fourth quarter, so his playing time was limited. Sims made great decisions with the ball and didn’t force any shots. He added tough rebounds and assists throughout the game.
Best Defensive Performance – Shorecrest
I have to give this award to the whole Shorecrest team. They put pressure on the ball as soon as it was across halfcourt, and it made things very difficult for Lakeside. They did a good job rotating on defense especially when they were working to trap the ball. Elijah Johnson was a standout in that regard. Shorecrest’s bigs also had success in slowing down Kamal Muhammed, and even though Muhammed finished with 8 of his teams 37 points, most of them came off the dribble because the Lion’s had a difficult time hitting him with good entry passes when he was playing in the high post. Sophomore Newton Pepple was physically outmatched against Muhammed, but his effort and jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism were effective in limiting the impact of the big man. Pepple is another talented Sophomore and one to keep an eye on.
Best Guy off the Bench – MJ Atendido | 5’4″ G | Shorecrest
Backup point guard, Michael (MJ) Atendido put in some good minutes for his team and scored six points with limited playing time. He had the handles that you would expect out of a 5’4″ Senior, and he used them to his advantage, scoring on a crafty drive in the second quarter. Atendido also played alert defense, and his active hands contributed to turnovers from the Lions. He has breakaway speed, but he had to settle for free throws as he was fouled on multiple drives in the fourth quarter. He capitalized on all four of his free throw attempts.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance – Ryan Holter | 6’0″ PG | Lakeside
It was obvious that Senior Ryan Holter was a leader from the moment he walked on the court, and although he didn’t put up big numbers, his contributions were wide-spread. The Lions had difficulty finding the bottom of the net, but Holter still did a great job running the offense and distributing the ball, racking up a few assists on smart entry passes. Because of his experience and basketball acumen, Ryan also supported his team by taking multiple charges and forcing steals on defense. The Lions will face some stiff competition in a Metro League loaded with talent, and they will have to lean on the experience of Holter and other Senior leaders.
Play of the Game – Jack Sims 3 / block / 3 Sequence
Halfway through the third quarter, the game was still undecided, but Jack Sims had a sequence that went a long way in putting the game out of reach. Sims hit a spot-up three on what I believe was his first attempt of the game. Shorecrest went into a press following his make, and Jack dropped back to his own key as the last line of defense. The Lakeside Lions were able to break the press and get an outlet pass across midcourt that looked like it would lead to a guaranteed bucket before Sims came over to challenge the shot and skied for an unexpected block before he gained control of the ball. Back on the offensive end, he dribbled into another three and knocked it down like it was a free throw. His quick six points along with the two he’d denied on defense sealed the deal for the Scots.
Best Aspect of the Environment – Lakeside Campus
I have many high schools yet to visit this season, but Lakeside might have the most impressive high school campus that I’ve ever seen. The private school was established in 1919 and is the alma mater of both Bill Gates and Paul Allen. In terms of sports facilities, the school boasts two artificial fields, one natural grass soccer-pitch, a track, a mutli-sport gym, and a boathouse for the crew team. I spent my time in the Paul G. Allen Athletics Center, the newest facility on campus. The 63,000 square foot athletics center feels like it belongs on a college campus. The main basketball gym is open and airy with ample seating on both sides of the court. The building features huge floor-to-ceiling windows that presumably let in beautiful natural light during Seattle’s ten days of sunshine.
Best Rebounder – Kamal Muhammad | 6’8″ PF | Lakeside
I don’t think I got to witness everything that this powerful Sophomore is capable of, but he still stood out as the player with the highest ceiling. He’s long and athletic, and he was more effective off the dribble than you might expect for a player his size. Obviously, Kamal’s height offers him a huge advantage in rebounding, but he also uses his physical strength to put himself in positions to go after the ball. He’s a reliable athlete in the post as evidenced by his 8 rebounds and an easy lay-in off an out-of-bounds lob. Kamal won’t always be the tallest guy on the court, but he’s a promising Sophomore with a solid foundation of skills, and it’s exciting to think about what he will be able to accomplish as he continues to grow and develop his game. He’s definitely an athlete to keep an eye on.