10 Best: Lutheran North at MICDS
Prep Hoops Missouri was on the scene at MICDS on Friday night for the Metro League showdown between Lutheran North and host MICDS. Lutheran North entered the contest with a 9-3 record while MICDS came in with a 9-1 record…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Missouri was on the scene at MICDS on Friday night for the Metro League showdown between Lutheran North and host MICDS. Lutheran North entered the contest with a 9-3 record while MICDS came in with a 9-1 record and a No. 3 ranking in the most current Class 4 state rankings.
The two meetings between the two teams last season both ended up in overtime thrillers. Friday night’s game was no different as MICDS edged the Crusaders 45-42 on a dramatic buzzer-beater.
Here is a look at the 10 Best from Lutheran North at MICDS:
MVP: Nick Roper (MICDS): The 6’7″ 2021 wing enjoyed a fine all-around game with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks while handling the ball quite a bit against Lutheran North’s pressure defense. He is an excellent shooter, but he did most of his damage getting to the basket off the dribble.
Biggest Shot: Reagan Andrew (MICDS): The 5’9″ 2022 point guard provided one of the most dramatic moments of the season to date when he swished a half-court shot as time expired to give the Rams the 45-42 victory. He took the pass from teammate Jack Pronger and immediate heaved it and the shot touched nothing but net to set of a wild celebration of jubilant Rams.
Best Point Guard: Tahj Patterson (Lutheran North): The 2020 point guard is a veteran floor leader who has been starting at LN for the past four years. He did a good job of setting the tempo for his team at both ends of the court. He is strong and physical. He knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key and also scored the game-tying bucket with five seconds left to play on a daring coast to coast drive.
Best Shooter: Hasani Spann (MICDS): The 6’1″ 2021 guard scored eight points and knocked down two of his four 3-point attempts. The biggest came with just over a minute to play when he sank a triple from the right wing to give the Rams a 40-37 lead. Spann makes 40 percent of his 3-pointers and can heat up like a microwave in an instant.
Best Scorer: Isaiah Williams (Lutheran North): The 6’3″ 2021 guard is a versatile scoring threat with nice handles and a dangerous stroke from 3-point range. The rangy southpaw can create his own shot off the dribble to get buckets in the lane or he can also pull up and knock down the deep ball.
Best Defender: You can take your pick with a number of Lutheran North guards as they caused problems with their on-ball defensive pressure. Tahj Patterson, David Moore, Jordan Smith were aggressive ball hawks who sat down and created havoc with their defensive pressure.
Best Young Prospect: Brandon Mitchell-Day (MICDS): The 6’7″ 2022 guard battled a bit of foul trouble throughout the game, but he was able to display his all-around versatility. He has the ball handling skills and basketball IQ to initiate the offense from the point guard spot, but he can also slash to the basket, post up smaller defenders and collect offensive rebounds.
Best Performance off the Bench: Jordan Smith (Lutheran North) and Will Kacmarek (MICDS): Smith, a 5’10” 2020 guard came off the bench late in the first quarter and made an immediate impact at both ends of the court. He helped the Crusaders set the tempo defensively with its defensive pressure. On offense, he kept the Crusaders in the game with a 10-point third quarter….Kacmarek, a 6’6″ 230-pound 2021 forward was very productive with eight points and eight rebounds while having a big physical presence inside
Best Junkyard Dog: Cleveland Washington (Lutheran North): The 6’0″ 2021 forward was often dwarfed inside by the Rams collection of long and tall athletes, but he was able to put in work with his high motor and physicality. He attacked the rim off the dribble and was also a factor on the offensive boards.
Best Matchup: This was the ultimate styles make fights scenario as both teams were drastically different in their make up. MICDS is one of the tallest and longest teams around with four starters who are listed at 6’7″ and all have good length. By contrast, Lutheran North employs a team full of guards who are all 6’2″ and under with a lot of speed and quickness.