Omaha South Preview: Player Evaluations from Practice
The Omaha South Packers opened their season on December 6th with a 71-58 win against the Benson Bunnies. They returned to the hardwood less than 24 hours later and suffered a 1-point loss to Omaha North, 54-55. Prior to these games,…
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Continue ReadingThe Omaha South Packers opened their season on December 6th with a 71-58 win against the Benson Bunnies. They returned to the hardwood less than 24 hours later and suffered a 1-point loss to Omaha North, 54-55. Prior to these games, I was able to observe the returning state champs at the Iowa West Field House on Thursday and Friday in preparation for their weekend contests. These are the players that will be important in Omaha South’s efforts to defend their state title.
Tyrece Griggs – 6’0 Guard – Class of 2020
Ty Griggs is a strong, athletic, and versatile wing that was monumental in the success of Omaha South last season. Griggs can guard multiple positions, rebound and score. He attacks the rim looking to finish through contact and dunk whatever he can. In Griggs junior year, he improved his scoring average by over 6 points per game. If Ty can improve his percentages from outside, I can see him making another jump in point production this season. The super athletic senior shut the gym down after the team’s Friday shoot around by hammering home a windmill slam-dunk off a bounce alley-oop.
Jay Saunders – 5’11 Guard – Wayne State Commit Class of 2020
Jay Saunder is a high energy and high IQ player. He wears defenders down by playing fast and under control and he can get to the rim with his dribble and finish with either hand. Saunders is a good shooter from outside, but his touch around the rim and ability to make floaters, jump hooks, and inside jump shots is special. He moves well without the ball and can lose defenders with his cuts or by running them off screens. The 5’11 guard is not afraid to post up players of similar size and has a few good moves with his back to the basket. Saunders is calm, cool, and collected and is in for another steady season.
Skyler Wilson – 6’0 Guard – Class of 2020
Skyler Wilson is a competitive point guard in his second season with Omaha South after transferring before his junior year. Skyler pushes the ball up the court with great pace and initiates Omaha South’s offensive transition sets. With Skyler running the offense, it allows for Saunders and Griggs to focus less on distributing and more on working to get themselves open to score. Just because Wilson is taking the ball up the floor does not mean he will he will shy away from getting his shots up. The senior point guard is averaging 20.5 points after his first 2 games of the season.
Rashawn McNeal-Lee – 6’5 Forward – Class of 2020
Rashawn McNeal-Lee will be easing himself back onto the court after a foot injury that has kept him limited to start this season. Omaha South could use his size and effort and should be hoping the senior forward can play himself back into shape pretty quickly. McNeal-Lee lead the packers in rebounding his sophomore and junior seasons. Once Rashawn is healthy, he should either rejoin the starting lineup or be one of the best 6thmen in the state.
Muoch Chagey – 6’7 Center – Class of 2020
Muoch Chagey is a lengthy center that will see an increase in his workload to start the season with Rashawn McNeal-Lee nursing an injury. Muoch doesn’t wow you with his leaping ability, but his long arms allow him to contest shots at the rim and corral offensive and defensive rebounds in a wide area. Unlike many players with similar frames, Chagey doesn’t float around the perimeter or shy away from contact. He has nice touch and can finish around the rim if he doesn’t get pushed off balance by the defense.
Zion Bang – 6’5 Forward – Class of 2022
Zion Bang is a long and springy forward that transferred to Omaha South after one season at Bellevue East. Zion is one of the few underclassmen standouts on this team loaded with seniors. The sophomore transfer can run the floor, finish above the rim, and knock down the occasional 3-point shot. He needs to continue to put on muscle so that he can improve as a defender and as a finisher, but Zion looks ready to be a versatile piece for his new team this season.