Five Themes: Farragut versus William Blount
Tuesday evening William Blount High School (14-10) tried to stomp on the gasping Farragut Admirals (11-13). Following a fantastic 7-0 start to the season, FHS walked onto Blount’s Bill Wallace Court winners of just 4 of their last 16 games. …
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Continue ReadingTuesday evening William Blount High School (14-10) tried to stomp on the gasping Farragut Admirals (11-13). Following a fantastic 7-0 start to the season, FHS walked onto Blount’s Bill Wallace Court winners of just 4 of their last 16 games. Early in the fourth quarter the low-scoring game opened with a flood of
Here are five themes that emerged during their game.
The Step of Carter Mayfield
Carter Mayfield (Farragut) helped his Admirals get quality looks at the basket. His first-step constantly spun the lead defender. The veteran Blount Governor guards had no chance keeping Mayfield from the heart of their defense. The quickness of Carter created problems constantly.
Mayfield shot a nice free throw, as well. Only a sophomore in age, Mayfield is a savy and shifty. He sees the floor well. Mayfield doesn’t just attack the basket, he beguilingly pins the defenders down before kicking out to shooters. Farragut didn’t make many of their outside shots on the night, but Mayfield absolutely set up good sometimes great looks.
He is an advanced player in just his sophomore season.
Cameron George Too Strong
Cameron George (William Blount) was and is a physical specimen. George showed off his versatility breaking the press and also scoring with two and three defenders on him when inside. George, though not the only successful player down deep, found plenty of points in the paint.
Farragut’s defenders tried to give two men to the block out of Cameron. It simply didn’t work most of the time. Cameron rose above or bodied-away the opposing rebounders. He didn’t have a physical equal from the Admirals.
Inside Success
WBHS tugged down offensive rebound after offensive rebound. Farragut worked so hard to encourage missed shots, but they lacked the size and frontcourt strength to end possessions.
For a team searching and searching for wins this shortcoming poisoned the water and spoiled the milk.
Cameron George and Trey Clemmer and Tanner Prats found plenty of fruit from the Tree Of Plenty.
Surrounded by three Admirals midway through the tightening fourth quarter, Cameron muscled up not two but three shot attempts in traffic. He made the third and it truly summarized the entire game in a single play. Cameron George owned his area and the Admirals didn’t have any way of preventing him from doing damage.
Late Surge
The Governors committed too many turnovers in the first half. Farragut generated some of the spilled pills, but plenty of misguided passes kept Farragut nearby on the scoreboard.
Mayfield took the scoring burden upon his shoulders late in the third quarter. It worked. Mayfield hit a key three-pointer from the wing opposite the Farrgut bench.
Zain Zitawi hit back-to-back heaves to open the fourth quarter, cutting the game to 49-47 with 6:44 to play.
Carter hit a 20′ three-pointer with 5:42 left and his team pumped fists into the air with hope. Though they trailed for the entire game, Farragut shot themselves into a 51-50 game late. The struggle through the morass of the first three quarters suddenly brought a glimpse of goodness.
Mayfield did miss his next attempt.
Though Mayfied crafted an and-1 his efforts fell just short. Farragut’s streaky shooting ended as quickly as it arose and Blount pulled away once more.
WBHS summoned an 8-1 run with plenty of penetrating passes in retort.
FINAL | 🔹⚓️🔹
⚓️ Farragut
Admirals- 6️⃣2️⃣🔸 William Blount
Governors- 7️⃣2️⃣The Admirals fall in a tough one @ William Blount. They move to 11-13 (4-6 D4 AAA).
— Farragut Basketball (@FHSbball) January 29, 2020
Final Word
The halftime score was William Blount 38-31. It only increased in the second half. With continued offensive rebounding success, the hosting Governors scored the first six points. Farragut’s weaknesses aren’t necessarily skill or effort. They simply lack the personnel to compete on the glass. When 6-foot-4 forwards are dominating the rebounding battle, the opposing team is revealing a systemic problem.
William Blount is a physical team. Their guards are just decent offensively, but they provide the active bigs with frequent touches. Knowing where their bread is buttered shows both basketball brains and smart coaching. It was an impressive win by the white-and-red Governors.
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