Sunday “Dagger” Sheet: Superlatives From The Week
DARLINGTON VS GALLOWAY My Martin Luther King Day schedule, a day packed with games and tournaments here in Atlanta, was unfortunately interrupted, but I was able to catch these two play at Holy Innocents’ MLK Classic last Monday morning. The…
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Continue ReadingDARLINGTON VS GALLOWAY
My Martin Luther King Day schedule, a day packed with games and tournaments here in Atlanta, was unfortunately interrupted, but I was able to catch these two play at Holy Innocents’ MLK Classic last Monday morning. The Scots controlled the second half after trailing by two at the break and pulled away for a 56-46 victory over Darlington.
Youth dominated on this day, those who stood out:
Anthony Arrington (2022, 6-3, G, Galloway) – Smooth sophomore SG, terrific mid-range game, nose for the hoop, among best 15-foot shooters I’ve seen this year, physical enough to get inside at 6-4, excellent rebounding guard, good handle off the bounce but a little more effective as a spot-up shooter at this stage, finished with a dominating 31 points and didn’t have a peer on the floor, #32 on our 2022 rankings list but sure to rise this offseason, good enough in my opinion to play at any of the top 6A or 7A programs right now.
Quentin AltermanQuentin Alterman (2022, 5-10, PG, Galloway) – Poised lead guard, excellent passer, terrific handle, low turnover rate, pass-first but when game dictates has plenty of scoring punch, more physical than he looks, finished with 13 points against Darlington, reminds a lot of fellow 2022 guard Ethan Underwood of South Forsyth, not on our 2022 list but deserves to be.
The Scots are definitely a contender in a very deep Class A Private with Arrington leading the way, but in the Atlanta-area alone you do have the likes of powers St Francis, Mt Pisgah, Walker and Greenforest to deal with. Galloway gets good athleticism off their bench from junior guard Andrew Munroe, and steady play from starters senior guard Will Winn and sophomore forward Mark Sgiularo, who both do a lot of the things well that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
Patrick Shelley (2022, 6-2, G, Darlington) – Drifts between the point and 2-guard, attacking off the dribble is his game, aggressive getting to the basket, as body and shooting range develops can be elite scoring threat.
DJ JohnsonDJ Johnson (2022, 6-4, C, Darlington) – Finds his way to the block and has effective back-to-basket game for young player, burly and can push his way to baskets, soft hands and quicker than his beefy frame would suggest, can face the basket and make the 10-footer, good rebounder and interior defender.
Szymon Paluch (2023, 6-4, SF, Darlington) – Had some impressive moments offensively, a good-looking spot-up shooter with size and length, showed a dribble-drive game to go with already advanced long-range stroke, a young player to watch develop for sure as the offseason ramps up.
MOUNT PISGAH AT WALKER
Senior Night last Tuesday at Walker unfortunately didn’t go as planned for the hosts, as they played without their outstanding senior and recent 1,000-point scorer PG Omar Cooper (potentially serious leg injury the previous week, severity unknown) and watched the visitors from Johns Creek shoot lights out on their way to a surprisingly convincing 69-48 win.
Standouts from the night in Marietta:
JoJo PetersonJoJo Peterson (2021, 6-3, G, Mt Pisgah) – Without question one of the best pure scorers I’ve seen this season, like Scoot Henderson at Kell or Taihland Owens at Cherokee or Robert Cowherd at Denmark, can be explosive in spurts and take a game over, can do it all, drive it with strength, knock down the 3, spot up from mid-range, also an instinctive defender being it on the perimeter or around the basket, had 18 points on the night as part of a larger team effort, a big-time prospect.
Nate Gordon (2021, 6-7, PF, Mt Pisgah) – Nice presence inside as a defender and rebounder, elite finisher in close, explosive off the floor, 8 points (all in second half).
From 27-27 at the half, Mt Pisgah went wild in the 3rd, out-scoring the Wolverines 24-4 to effectively put it out of reach. Doing it with a combination of lethal shooting and terrific full-court pressure defense, senior guard Chandler Minton was terrific before and during that key quarter, knocking down four 3’s and acting as the spark and energy for his club all night. Junior guard Chase Tucker also gives the Patriots shooting, junior point guard Nick Speros maintains control and stirs the drink, and forward Garrett Sutherland and guards Gabe Carter and Benjy Tucker give coach Matt Hixenbaugh some solid options off his bench.
Chandler BakerChandler Baker (2020, 6-4, SG, Walker) – Despite junior Keon Smart doing a solid job at the point in Cooper’s absence, it looked as though Baker’s game was off without his fellow senior backcourt mate, he looked out of sorts a bit, unable to find a rhythm, but still one could see his underlying talent as a pure scorer that he’s displayed on multiple occasions this season.
Christopher Newell (2020, 6-0, G, Walker) – Had 20 points as Mt Pisgah locked down on Baker, nice spot-up option when teams lock up other scorers, terrific pure stroke from deep, three 3’s in the 2nd quarter when it was still very competitive.
Despite having a size advantage, Walker was unable to fully utilize 6-8 seniors Burke Chebuhar and Will Bozeman, they combined for just 4 points between them and just never got it going inside or out, and Cooper’s absence facilitating the offense I’m sure was a huge factor as well, but it’s clear those two versatile big guys will be huge keys on both ends to any deep playoff run.