5 Takeaways From Somerset Losee vs Mojave
I got out to see some 3A Southern Sunset conference action the other night. Somerset Losee and Mojave share the 5th and 6th spots in the conference, however, the winner of this game would only be one game out of…
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Continue ReadingI got out to see some 3A Southern Sunset conference action the other night. Somerset Losee and Mojave share the 5th and 6th spots in the conference, however, the winner of this game would only be one game out of 3rd. Mojave was led by senior PG Donte Ingraham, while Ray Daniels came in as the main threat for the Lions. The first half saw a back and forth affair with Mojave ahead by a deuce at halftime. Daniels did everything he could to keep Somerset in the game in the second half, however, the depth and athleticism of Mojave were simply too much as they pulled away for a 69-53 victory. Here are my 5 takeaways.
(1) Mojave Has The Nicest Gym I Have Seen So Far.
I see a ton of gyms in Nevada, for the most part, they all run together. This may not be technically game-related, however, I was instantly impressed with the facilities at Mojave. The gym was large, clean and had a terrific atmosphere. I don’t know if it was the green and orange color combination, but this gym really had a home-court advantage feel.
(2) Ray Daniels Showed Why He Is One Of The Biggest Sleepers In The State.
As mentioned before Daniels did everything he could to keep Somerset in the game. Despite the loss, the 6’6 wing looked terrific. He showed off a smooth handle and made several plays for his teammates. Perhaps his most impressive feats were the number of passes that he kept in play simply with his athleticism. Several times throughout the game Daniels used his freakishly long wingspan, to retrieve errant passes in traffic. Because he plays for Somerset, he flys a bit under the radar, however, he did what high-level prospects do in high school games, which is stand head and shoulders above his competition.
(3) Mojave’s Freshmen Duo Point Toward A Bright Future.
If you’re going to beat Mojave, you better get them now. The Rattlers got good production from a pair of freshmen. Point Guard David Poole scored 14 points and played terrific perimeter defense. 6’5 C Fern Talavera provided interior defense and rebounding in limited minutes.
(4) Other Than Daniels, Who Was The Top Prospect On The Floor?
I have to go with Talavera. The big man showed terrific activity early in the game. He already has the ability to finish around the rim with both hands, and he will defend and protect the rim. Like many freshmen, he needs to continue to get stronger, and another growth spurt wouldn’t hurt, but he certainly has some tools.
(5) Which Team Has The Highest Ceiling This Season?
This is a tough one. Daniels has the ability to carry Somerset. His sheer scoring ability will probably win the Lions at least one game that they shouldn’t. However, Mojave not only has depth and talent, but they are starting to build great chemistry as well. I got a chance to go inside the locker room with this young team after the game, and you could tell that they’re a close-knit group. Coach Clark talked to them about their next set of goals, and you get the feeling that this team is focused on reaching them. After a 7 game losing streak, the Rattlers have reeled off two in a row, and this win feels like a turning point in their season.