10 Best From Desert Oasis vs Basic
The playoffs are underway! I pulled up to a 4 v 5 matchup of Desert Oasis vs Basic. DO was coming in red hot and had been projected by several as one of the sleepers of the playoffs. Basic was…
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Continue ReadingThe playoffs are underway! I pulled up to a 4 v 5 matchup of Desert Oasis vs Basic. DO was coming in red hot and had been projected by several as one of the sleepers of the playoffs. Basic was having a revitalization season hosting a playoff game for the first time in as long as anyone could remember. Right from the jump, the game was played with energy and effort as both teams battled for their playoff lives. Basic, using a collection of junk defenses and hustle surged out to an early lead. DO behind senior guard Dominique Ford was able to cut it to 1 after the 1st. Ford continued his strong play in the second quarter carrying DO to a 4 point lead. They stretched it out to as much as 8 before Davyon Rowe buried multiple 3’s to spark a Basic run. The entire 4th quarter was played within a 6 point spread as DO desperately tried to put Basic away. With the score tied at 67, and under a minute to go, John Board picked up a loose ball and went coast to coast for a layup. His attempt was blocked by Marcus Connolly who subsequently received a technical foul. Board split a pair, but Basic retained the possession. DO had an opportunity on the next possession when Nathan Van was fouled shooting a 3. He made two out of the 3. Board walked to the line and made a pair, to essentially salt the game away. In the end, the Wolves held their two-possession lead, winning 75-70. They will advance to face 8 time defending Champion Bishop Gorman in the Quarterfinals on Friday.
Now on to the best.
MVP: Jaylen Berry 6’2 SG Basic 2021 (#19PHN 2021)
Battling leg cramps all night, Berry turned in a gutty playoff performance. His shot wasn’t falling, however, he found ways to impact the game. He finished with 13 tough points mostly off drives to the rim. He also rebounded and defended at a high-level finishing with an unofficial 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
Best Offensive Performance: Dominique Ford 6’2 SG Desert Oasis 2020 (#7PHN 2020)
Ford spent most of the night in foul trouble, picking up his 3rd on a technical late in the 1st half. When he wasn’t on the bench in foul trouble he managed to score 21 making it look easy at times. His 5th foul in the 4th was a huge turning point in the contest.
Best Defensive Performance: (Tie) Jaylen Berry and John Board
The killer B’s played their usual pesky defense. They harassed ballhandlers, deflected passes and got steals. Many times it took both of them to slow down Ford, however, they played off each other well once again, speeding up the game and creating havoc in the process.
Best Intangible: Evan Lake 6’3 SG Desert Oasis 2021 (#45PHN 2021)
I thought Lake gave the Diamondbacks a huge lift. He proved to be a shot-maker knocking down multiple 3’s in the game. He provided the team with some crucial buckets, especially in the minutes that Ford was on the bench.
Best play: Davyon Rowe‘s back to back 3’s
As the game went on it became apparent that Basic was going to have to make some outside shots. They were on the ropes when Rowe stepped up and hit a couple of huge 3’s. His buckets cut an 8 point lead to 6, but more importantly, seemed to spark the Wolves. He finished with 10 of his 12 in that quarter.
Best Coaching Decision: Coach Taylor’s Junk defense
The fact of the matter is Dom Ford is a problem. Basic came into the game with a plan to limit his touches and attempts. At times they played Triangle and 2, and Box and 1 and sometimes they just ran two at him. The strategies didn’t work all that great as Ford still managed 21 points in what felt like half the game. In fact, what slowed him down the most was foul trouble as he spent the final minutes of the game on the bench after fouling out.
Sleeper: Mason Mich’l 6’6 PF Desert Oasis 2021
Size, good hands, and a decent motor, what’s not to love about Michl? He’s a clear case of a player that needs more experience. He’s still a bit raw and sometimes makes low IQ mistakes, but if he can define and refine his skill set, then he certainly makes for an intriguing prospect.
Underclassmen: Jaiden Fisher 5’10 2023 Desert Oasis
Not much participation from underclassmen in this one, Fisher was the only one to see significant minutes.
Best Quote: “We feel like on any given night we can play with anybody”
– Leonard Taylor HC Basic
Best aspect of the environment: Single elimination winner moves on loser goes home basketball. There is nothing like the Nevada State Playoffs!