CIF-SS D1 State Playoffs: X-Factors
LOS ANGELES, CA – As we get advance in the state playoffs, several teams advanced and hang on to live their dreams. The field is getting smaller and smaller as we get closer to the title game. Many match ups…
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Continue ReadingLOS ANGELES, CA – As we get advance in the state playoffs, several teams advanced and hang on to live their dreams. The field is getting smaller and smaller as we get closer to the title game. Many match ups present interesting story lines and contests but no two teams contrast more than Damien and Renaissance Academy.
After 6 OTs,the Spartans of Damien had to get rejuvenated fast. They travel to Muir HS in Pasadena today to take on the WIldcats of Renaissance Academy. In the historical win over Riverside Poly, Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S led Damien with 41 points, Austin Cook Austin Cook 6'4" | SG Damien | 2020 State #378 Nation CA-S had 35, RJ Smith RJ Smith 6'4" | CG Damien | 2022 State CA-S scored 27, and Chris Nickelberry had 16. Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S ’ scoring output will be counted on again against Renaissance Academy. He fouled out in OT but the rest of the team was able to step up, and Austin Cook Austin Cook 6'4" | SG Damien | 2020 State #378 Nation CA-S ’s three pointer to send it to the third OT might be one of the biggest shots of his career so far.
Keys for Damien High School:
Scorers need to score FAST. Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S (Damien 2021, Guard) and Austin Cook Austin Cook 6'4" | SG Damien | 2020 State #378 Nation CA-S (Damien 2020, Wing) need to keep doing what they do best, and that is scoring the basketball. Thomas is one of the most prolific scoring guards in the country and can light it up in a hurry. The D1 offers have been flying in for him after some incredible scoring runs, most recently USC. Cook, who has interest from D1s as well, can also fill it up from outside fast. The two combine for over 50% of Damien’s points on most nights and the more they score, the better chance they have of winning. Renaissance Academy only has 3 seniors on the roster, and Thomas and Cook can use that to their advantage. Damien has the smaller team but make up for it in speed. They will have to knock down a ton of perimeter shots to combat the size and length of Renaissance.
Role players stepping up. Chris Nickelberry (Damien, 2021, Guard) is rarely talked about but his play is huge for the Spartans. He can initiate the offense and also find lanes to get to the rim. He does a great job of getting his teammates involved and setting them up in the correct positions to score. When he is aggressive and scores the ball, he transforms into an added threat for the team. Another key will be Nickelberry’s defense as he will be asked to stay in front of 5’7″ Renaissance guard Amir Ndayisaba who scored 18 points in his previous game. RJ Smith RJ Smith 6'4" | CG Damien | 2022 State CA-S (Damien, 2022, Wing) will also need to have a big game. He has shown the potential and upside to be a 3 level scorer and we will see how he does against the taller defenders on Renaissance Academy. Smith will also have to try to keep his matchup of 6’8″ players Kipkemoi or Malith off the boards.
Making use of their height and athleticism, the Wildcats were able to get past JSerra 51-46. Ring Malith finished with 16 points, and Nico Anei had 8 points and 8 rebounds to lead Renaissance Academy.
Keys for Renaissance Academy:
Utilizing their length. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they will be without 6’8″ Koat Keat (Renaissance, 2022, F) who is out with surgery for a torn meniscus. They still will have an abundance of length and height on the team. The 7 footer Nicodemo Anei (Renaissance, 2020, C) will have the huge size advantage inside as he towers over the Damien front line of Austin Cook Austin Cook 6'4" | SG Damien | 2020 State #378 Nation CA-S , Malik Thomas Malik Thomas 6'3" | SG Damien | 2021 State #99 Nation CA-S , and RJ Smith RJ Smith 6'4" | CG Damien | 2022 State CA-S . Their role players all also are similar sized with 6’8″ junior forward Ring Malith (Renaissance, 2021, F) 6’8″ senior bigman Evans Kipkemoi (Renaissance, 2020, C/F) and 6’7″ junior forward Aleng Bol (Renaissance, 2021, F) While they are not one on one shot creators, you can’t teach height and the Wildcats have plenty of that.
Guard play. While their front line is huge, their back court will have to step up and either create for their bigs or score the ball. While only a sophomore, Amir Ndayisaba (Renaissance, 2020, G) is one of the captains on the team. Ndayisaba gets a ton of steals and puts incredible pressure on the ball. He reads passing lanes well and does a great job of gambling when it is needed. The sophomore Wildcat has also shown the potential to score when needed. Against Cathedral Catholic, Amir finished with a team high 18 points to help Renaissance advance.