10 Best: Ottumwa at Washington
Trae Swartz scored an efficient 30 in Ottumwa’s win on Monday night WASHINGTON — The difference between playing in the CIML and the Southeast Conference became more and more apparent as the game wore on Monday night, as Ottumwa methodically…
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Continue ReadingWASHINGTON — The difference between playing in the CIML and the Southeast Conference became more and more apparent as the game wore on Monday night, as Ottumwa methodically put away Washington, 71-48.
A four-point game at the half, with the Bulldogs leading 28-24, turned into a rout in the second half, as the bigger, more athletic, more physical and more battle-tested team eventually pulled away, using a 43-24 second half to cruise to a road win.
Ottumwa (6-7) was led by junior wing Trae Swartz, who had 30 points, 21 of which came in the second half. Adam Greiner added 14 points and 7 rebounds off the bench, and Joe Hammer chipped in 13 for the Bulldogs.
Washington (9-3) was led by Trashaun Willis, who had a team-high 14 points off the bench. Trevor Quigley added 10.
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
Ottumwa | 18 | 10 | 23 | 20 | 71 |
Washington | 14 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 48 |
Ottumwa: Trae Swartz 30, Adam Greiner 14, Joe Hammer 13, Gatlin Menninga 5, Caden Glosser 5, Matt Graeve 2, Elias Elammari 2
Washington: Trashaun Willis 14, Trevor Quigley 10, Ethan Patterson 8, Kasen Bailey 5, Ethan Hunt 5, Luke Turner 2, Brock Sobaski 2, Lucas Kroll 2
MVP: Trae Swartz (Ottumwa)
Best offensive performance: Swartz (Ottumwa)
Best college prospect: Swartz (Ottumwa)
There was no doubt who the best player on the floor was in this one, as Swartz beat his scoring average by nearly 8 points, dropping 30 in the win, including 21 in the second half. He’s a strong wing who is at his best when he’s playing downhill, lowering his shoulder and getting into the paint for finishes through contact. He was 11-20 from the floor in the win. He has good footwork, using a solid Euro step to get to the bucket a few times for scores. He has a good looking jumper, but he’ll need to speed up the release for the next level as he transitions more towards the perimeter. In my first viewing of him, I came away impressed. He’s an efficient scorer who knows where he excels, has a good frame and a lot of tools to continue to develop and work with. A strong showing from the 6-4 Ottumwa junior.
Play of the game: Trashaun Willis drive and dunk
In the second quarter, Willis caught a pass in the left corner, and with no hesitation, drove straight for the front of the rim, elevating into a powerful one-handed dunk. It was a really, really nice play from the 6-5 junior, showcasing his explosiveness.
Best player off the bench: Adam Greiner (Ottumwa)
Best rebounder: Greiner (Ottumwa)
Greiner provided a real spark off the bench for the Bulldogs, scoring 14 points and pulling down 7 rebounds. He grabbed 4 offensive boards, and was highly active on both ends of the floor throughout the game. The 6-1 sophomore forward is capable of scoring through contact, has a decent looking shot
Also strong off the bench: Trashaun Willis (Washington)
If you aren’t familiar with Willis’ story, check this out. He has amniotic band syndrome, which means that his left arm never fully grew. Yet here he is, playing basketball, and doing so at a high level. Watching him play, he’s able to do just as much on the floor as anyone else. He provided the highlight of the game with his baseline drive and powerful dunk. He hit a trio of 3s off the catch. He pulled down rebounds on both ends of the floor. He blocks shots. He’s capable of doing everything, not letting his disability take away from his effectiveness. He finished with 14 points on 5-7 shooting (3-4 3P) and 5 rebounds.
Best underclassman: Ethan Patterson (Washington)
Best shooter: Patterson (Washington)
Patterson, a 6-2 freshman guard, is a nice upcoming player for the Demons. He scored 8 points on 3-8 shooting, but is a confident shooter with the ability to create space with good footwork and ball handling abilities, and the ability to shoot it off the bounce. As he continues to fill out and mature, he could turn himself into a high-level scoring threat.
Best passer: Joe Hammer (Ottumwa)
An active guard who looks to push the tempo in transition, especially after he pulls down a defensive board, Hammer is always looking ahead and trying to get his teammates easy buckets. He doesn’t force anything, instead looking to make the right play, and he puts his teammates in a position to succeed. In the halfcourt, he does a nice job looking to attack the rim, where he can either finish or dish off to a teammate. He finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists here.