Central Valley Knocks Off Mt. Spokane Behind Under-Recruited Star
Central Valley entered their road game at Mt. Spokane with an impressive 9-1 record and rising ranking in the state for the 4A class. Mt. Spokane probably came in with even more confidence knowing they had a home game coming…
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Continue ReadingCentral Valley entered their road game at Mt. Spokane with an impressive 9-1 record and rising ranking in the state for the 4A class. Mt. Spokane probably came in with even more confidence knowing they had a home game coming off of a championship victory from the Schwab Invitational’s “The 8” event. In a classic, physical battle between two of the top GSL teams, Central Valley came through with the first punch, leading by double digits most of the first half. Mt. Spokane was up on the ropes, but started firing back in the second half, even taking the lead for the first time with 3:21 in the fourth quarter. In the end, Central Valley had a little more scrap in them and would go on to win 58-55 behind an under-recruited star.
D2’s Listen Up!
2020 6’2 PG Jayce Simmons (Feature image) has steadily been making his presence felt this season, but this game was huge for him to show he can play and help his team beat some of the best teams the state has to offer. The smooth point guard finished with 16 points, but he rarely seems to force the issue. He can handle the ball versus pressure and he has enough height to see over the defense and make good passes. Jayce is a solid athlete, but relies more on his basketball IQ and skill set to impact the game. I think he could be a bit more aggressive attacking downhill from the top of the lane, but there is something to be said for his ability to score 15-20 points and still keep the offense running and getting everyone touches. Some D2, NAIA and D3 schools should be all over this unsigned senior who is flying completely under the radar, despite playing his club ball with Eastern Washington Elite. He has put together a strong senior season all around, not just this game.
Junior Big Man’s Conditioning Improving
2021 6’10 C Gavin Gilstrap is listed at 6’10, 270 pounds. He defineitly brings imposing size to the game, but as with any big man, conditioning is always one of the top things colleges pay attention to on their checklist. Gavin appears to have slimmed down some and he is moving a little better as a result. He is getting up and down the floor well and never seemed to be severely fatigued as the game went along. This is huge, because it allows him to utilize his great size and impact the game. Gilstrap made things difficult for Mt. Spokane’s star Tyson Degenhart by holding his ground in the paint and staying vertical while contesting shots. Gavin’s footwork has improved some on offense, but the next step for him will be exploding off his move and gather to finish over length consistently. At his size, the small details can be the difference between being a D3, D2 or D1 player down the road.
Mt. Spokane Will Bounce Back
There is zero reason for anyone on Mt. Spokane to overreact to the loss. Central Valley played very well and had a great game plan in place to win the game. Mt. Spokane quite frankly did not play their best and that’s a credit to Central Valley’s great defense, but they will learn from this highly competitive match. Degenhart saw lots of different types of defensive coverage, which can prove to be a great learning experience for Mt. Spokane. Well coached teams that can execute will put together solid game plans to disrupt the flow of the team and their star Boise State commit. Mt. Spokane is well coached and the team will watch film and be more prepared for different junk defenses next time.
New 2022 Prospect
Central valley’s 6’1 sophomore Dylan Darling showed a lot of confidence in this big game, despite just being a sophomore. The lefty guard really attacks in transition and can draw fouls with his craftiness. Darling has a smooth shooting stroke and I love his competitiveness on the defensive end. He has a real burst when moving laterally, which allows for him to cut players off multiple times, while still pressuring closely. His projected level of recruitment is still up in the air a little bit, but he will need to continue to get stronger and we will see if he grows any taller.