Five Standouts From Fort Collins V Boulder
Fort Collins got off to a slow start that they never could recover from as they visited the Boulder Panthers Thursday night. After only scoring six points in the opening quarter, the Lambkins laid a consecutive egg in the second,…
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Continue ReadingFort Collins got off to a slow start that they never could recover from as they visited the Boulder Panthers Thursday night. After only scoring six points in the opening quarter, the Lambkins laid a consecutive egg in the second, surmounting 13 points total in the first half. Boulder was no highlight reel either but took a 22-13 advantage into the break before finding their rhythm in the second. When the clock hit zeros the score read 55-39 in favor of the home team.
1. Hugo Veloso – Fort Collins
Despite the Lambkins looking like the lamb-chops and by that I mean getting cooked by the Panthers, sophomore guard, Hugo Veloso was arguably the most impressive player on the court. The young guard showed the potential to develop into a legitimate leader for his team as his game and body continue to develop. Veloso showed poise and control as a ball-handler, proving that he could likely play a much larger role in the offense. Despite being one of the smaller players on the floor at 5-foot-9, he was able to go up strong against taller players inside and made the defense pay for giving him space from beyond the 3-point line. On the defensive end, Veloso was a tenacious competitor, harassing his man from wherever the coach told him to pick up his assignment. He moved his feet well and demonstrated the ability to make bigger players feel uncomfortable on the perimeter. Veloso was a high IQ two-way player with a sniper’s mentality from range.
2. Tyler Turner – Boulder
Tyler Turner scored the first points of the night in style. After both teams put up a few ugly shots, Turner made up for lost time with a sensational 360-layup in which he avoided contact and demonstrated incredible athleticism and body control. Turner was the largest factor in the Panthers’ success, staying in excellent position on the defensive end to play passing lanes, stifle drives, and earn a few battle scars in the form of floor burns. Turner is a coach’s dream. The things he does are the things coaches will tell players to do in the film room as they break down the tape. Turner is detail-oriented and dangerous on both ends. Efficient would be an understatement for Turner who finished five of six from the field for 10 from the field with three steals.
3. Pete Boyle – Boulder
The Boyle name is a house-hold one in the Boulder community. Sitting in the back row out of the view of the rest of the fans, Tad Boyle, Pete’s father and the head coach for the Colorado Buffaloes who roam just up the hill, must have been proud as his son lit up the Lambkins from deep. At 6-foot-6, Boyle was able to shoot over closeout defenders with a quick trigger and a high release. Boyle’s court awareness was even bigger than his frame as he consistently floated into open space, knocking down open 3-pointers in catch-and-shoot situations. Downlow, Boyle timed his jumps well to pull down six rebounds thus finishing defensive possessions. Not just a catch-and-shoot scorer, Boyle’s nasty step-back jumper is nothing to mess with. Boyle’s hot start helped the Panthers take an early lead and never look back. Boyle finshed with two 3-pointers and eight points on the night.
4. Raymond Johnson – Fort Collins
Quite simply, Raymond Johnson was the prototype good high school point guard. With quick feet and a feisty demeanor, Johnson kept the pressure up on both ends. Johnson was able to drive effectively to score himself but his ability to find open teammates for open looks or create open looks and find passing lanes. He was responsible for two of the best plays of the night. The first came when he drove baseline, when the defense collapsed around him he went up for what looked like a reverse layup only to throw a pass to a wide-open shooter in the corner. The result was three easy points. On the second play, he dribbled inside the arch, looked the defenders to the right and then dropped a perfect no-look bounce pass to the left. The result was an easy bunny.
5. Drake Arthur – Boulder
Drake Arthur is one of the most important role players on the Panthers. Every team needs someone who excels at the dirty work and can play a selfless game. Arthur was one of the best defenders on the team with his active hands, ability to guard inside or out, and strength. On the other end, Arthur showed the ability to finish inside, make the right read, and make crisp passes accordingly. Arthur, a football player did whatever his team needed from him all night and was not afraid to earn a few floor burns. Arthur finished with four steals and seven points on three of five shooting, one for one from beyond the arch. He was also responsible for two assists.