5 Takeaways: Roosevelt upsets Southeast Polk in 4A playoffs
PLEASANT HILL — Roosevelt had won just six games all season before facing Southeast Polk in the Class 4A playoffs. Throw out the records, though, as the Roughriders took down the Rams 62-59 in overtime. Roosevelt advanced to the next…
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Continue ReadingPLEASANT HILL — Roosevelt had won just six games all season before facing Southeast Polk in the Class 4A playoffs.
Throw out the records, though, as the Roughriders took down the Rams 62-59 in overtime. Roosevelt advanced to the next round, facing Ankeny Centennial at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Roosevelt (7-14) pulled off the upset over Southeast Polk (12-10) thanks to strong performances by Jakari Bradley and Romanique Hellems. The duo combined to score 27 Roughrider points and made some key plays in the second half and overtime.
Both offenses battled back and forth, with Southeast Polk’s Dominic Caggiano coming up with a pair of clutch baskets in the fourth quarter, including an offensive rebound and layup to send the contest to overtime.
Once into overtime, neither team could pull away. Roosevelt clung to three-point lead as Southeast Polk held the ball for one last shot at a second overtime. The final possession was less than ideal, though, as the Rams didn’t get a clean look from deep. James Glenn, who tore it up from distance for most of the evening, hesitated on his initial touch that possession, passed out of a shot, and then pump faked a step-back triple that didn’t graze the rim at the buzzer.
Here are five takeaways from Roosevelt’s win over Southeast Polk.
Romanique Hellems played a big part in Roosevelt’s win over Southeast Polk.After a slow start, Romanique Hellems showed why he’s Roosevelt’s top prospect
Hellems scored just one point in the first half on a free throw. He was essentially nonexistent, but that changed in the second half and overtime, as he scored 11 points to close out the game.
Hellems looked much more confident with the ball in the second half, hitting four shots from the floor and netting three free throws. The senior moved with purpose, often attacking the rim and setting himself up for shots at the stripe.
James Glenn scored 18 points in Southeast Polk’s loss to Roosevelt.While Southeast Polk’s season came to a close, Chase Bartlett and James Glenn did not disappoint
These two can shoot the ball. Southeast Polk’s Chase Bartlett dropped a game-high 19 points, hitting four 3-pointers. Teammate James Glenn knocked down four triples as well in route to an 18-point outing.
When Southeast Polk jumped out to a quick lead at the start of the game, it was because of these two. Both prospects moved well without the ball, setting themselves up for open 3-point attempts.
Both players are juniors, so they’ve got another season left for the Rams. Don’t be surprised if this duo grows into the best 3-point shooting tandem in the conference next season.
Antionio Alzheimer is a dynamic ball handler for Roosevelt.If Roosevelt can pull off the upset over Ankeny Centennial, Antonio Alzheimer might be a name to look out for
Hellems and Bradley did the bulk of the damage offensive for Roosevelt in the win, but Antonio Alzheimer’s game paired well with the two.
Alzheimer scored 10 points, including six in the first half when Hellems had yet to get his offense going. His game has great fluidity, and he looked natural taking defenders off the dribble and cutting to the rack. His ability to attack the basket caused the Southeast Polk defense to break down, resulting in kickouts to open teammates from 3-point range.
Southeast Polk’s loss summed up its rocky February slide
The Rams boasted a 10-5 record heading into February, even having a win over West Des Moines Valley on their resume. But then February hit, and Southeast Polk went 2-5. Granted, the Rams played some of the best teams in the area this month (Waukee, Johnston, Valley), but things just weren’t the same as earlier.
Including Monday’s game, three of those five losses this month have come within five points. Against Roosevelt, Southeast Polk seemed on the cusp of stringing together some tangible momentum – especially in the fourth quarter – but it never panned out.
Cody McCullough is a walking double-double for Ankeny Centennial.Roosevelt is going to have its hands full with Ankeny Centennial’s Cody McCullough
The Roughriders aren’t a tall team. No players are listed above 6′ 5.” And while Southeast Polk didn’t make Roosevelt pay in the paint on Monday, Ankeny Centennial will.
Centennial’s Cody McCullough stands at 6′ 8” and is a walking double-double, averaging 13.8 points and 11.5 rebounds this season (for some perspective, McCullough averages more than half as many rebounds as the entire Roosevelt team per game).
Roosevelt is a team built for speed, not the post-up game. Ankeny Centennial will likely try and take advantage of its size in Friday’s game.