Monday Night Standouts!
And just like that we are off to the races! The first night of high school basketball in Nevada got off to a great start. This season will be one for the ages and I cannot wait until the season…
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Continue ReadingAnd just like that we are off to the races! The first night of high school basketball in Nevada got off to a great start. This season will be one for the ages and I cannot wait until the season progresses. On night one there were a lot of strong performances and young men who certainly made a name for themselves. A strong first game can do wonders for a young ball player’s self esteem. Here are some young men who really impressed me night one.
Ta’Quawn-Dillon Hodges Rancho 6’0 SG 2021 – Hodges emergence really shouldn’t come to a surprise to anyone. As Hodges impressed this summer. Hodges is a strong physical guard that makes his living in the lane. How I learned about Hodges was a YouTube highlight reel video entitled “Ta’Quawn Hodges is a Problem.” Last night he was.that and then some against Shadow Ridge. TDH was easily my player of the night in a losing effort. His team lost 86-80. However, TDH led the game in scoring blocks and steals. TDH had 30 points 8 rebounds 3 blocks and 2 steals. TDH has a very James Harden like approach. I’m not comparing the two but like Harden TDH knows where he wants to go and as a defender it’s up to you to stop him. TDH shot a very workman like 79% from the floor making 11/15 shots. The James Harden statement comes to fruition when I mention how many times he got to the free throw line he got there 13 times. He knows how to manipulate the ball fake and use his body to get where he wants to go.
Shadow Ridge- For Shadow Ridge it was death by 1000 cuts. They had one 21 point performer and two young men that converted a double double so there whole team impressed.
Zach Jefferson 6’3 SG 2021- Jefferson led the team in scoring with 21 points along with that 21 he had 3 rebounds 1 steal and 2 assists. His game was very efficient he was clearly the go to guy for his team and his guards did a great job of getting him open looks. He was able to finish around the rim and he showed plenty of rise on his jump shot. At 6’3 he has good size to play both backcourt positions effectively.
Justice Jackson 6’1 Combo 2021- Jackson was a transformer on the floor. He is a young man that did everything and played multiple positions. I was impressed with his rebounding ability he led the game in rebounds with 11. At 6’1 160 him being able to box out and play on the block really was telling. He kept a number of possessions alive for his team with five offensive rebounds. On the defensive end he was able to get six rebounds and run the point guard position and set up his team. He also shot an effective 75% from the three point line nailing 3/4 three pointers. His jump shot was smooth yet he was the junkyard dog for this team in a great win. Sometimes it’s doing the little things which results in wins. Their was nothing this young man couldn’t do. His stat line was impressive 11 rebounds 11 points and 3 steals. He shows a lot of grit and determination.
DJ Turner 5’9 G 2021- Turner was another young man that did everything. What I noticed about this Shadow Ridge team they are undersized but gritty with tons of heart and they play the game the right way. They say in sports the two most important positions are the QB and PG. Turner led the way and set up shop for his team with ten assists along with those assists came 12 points and four rebounds. He set the team up well all night and was a pitbull on the defensive end. He is another young player that knew his role and played it well. That type of unselfishness wins games. Turner is a great young court general.
Londan Coleman Silverado 6’4 SF 2020- He’s probably the sleeper of this Silverado team. This team is stacked completely. Coleman himself is a great attacker with a great mid-range shot and can shoot the long-range ball. Everything he does well was on full display Monday against Eldorado. When it’s your night it’s your night and Silverado deferred a lot to Coleman and Noah Sherrard. Sherrard himself chipped with 18 going 4-4 from beyond the arc. Coleman shot lights out from the field he went 7-10 and led the team in scoring with 19 points. The win was a complete team effort. With Silverado you have to pick your poison a lot this year they are a team with so much fire power they can win in so many different ways. When Coleman is a head catalyst for success this team can win as well.
Jaylen Berry Basic 6’2 G 2021- Berry is scary! This young man had a solid game in a great win by Basic against Boulder City. What didn’t he do for Basic? He led the team in scoring with 15 led the team in rebounding with seven and just for good measure he had four steals. This was a physical game and it was that way because Berry set the tone. It takes a special player to control the entire pace of a game and Berry was able to do that. Who says defense can’t lead to strong offense?
Dai’Quan Sykes Sunrise Mountain 6’0 G 2021- Here’s a young man that can be on a lot of radars this year small school product with a big game. He scored 24 points and had 7 rebounds. He’s another young man that is comfortable with his game on the floor. He knows where he wants to go. He is a confident ball player. He knows how he wants to score. He’s 6’0 150 pounds and knows it he uses his size to his advantage. He gets to the basket with deceptive quickness and can score with contact. He attempted 10 free throws yesterday. He went 8/9 from the field. He understands the game of basketball is chess not checkers and his game is effortless.