Class 2 Sectional Standouts: Greenwood vs Hartville
There will be a new king crowned in Class 2 next weekend in Springfield. In a much-anticipated game that more than lived up to the hype in front of 2300+ fans, the #2 ranked Hartville Eagles knocked off the #1…
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Continue ReadingThere will be a new king crowned in Class 2 next weekend in Springfield. In a much-anticipated game that more than lived up to the hype in front of 2300+ fans, the #2 ranked Hartville Eagles knocked off the #1 ranked defending champion Greenwood Blue Jays 49-47. This game had a championship feel in a championship atmosphere, and it is a shame to see either of these teams magical seasons come to an end. The Eagles were poised, balanced, motivated, and executed with precision on both ends of the floor. They have the look of a champion. The Blue Jays were battle tested and their talent and experience shined brightest with a furious fourth quarter rally that ultimately fell just short. Here’s a look at the key contributors for each team:
Hartville Eagles:
6’2 Jr Recko Bailey Recko Bailey 5'10" | PG Vashon | 2021 State MO : Ryce played a fearless and determined game from tip to final horn. While he wasn’t a part of the Eagles 3-point barrage, he was instrumental as a physical driver that finished over the Greenwood trees and converted his opportunities at the charity stripe, including the final two of the game with under 6 seconds remaining to seal the win. His effort defensively and on the glass was relentless.
6’2 Jr Braden Branstetter: Braden punctured the Greenwood zone with dagger after dagger in a brilliant shooting performance that lead to a team-high 16 points. He nailed 4 three-pointers during the contest and a pair of tough pull-up mid-range jumpers. He did a nice job of staying within the flow of the offense and finding open space for quality looks.
6’1 Sr Holton Simmons: Holton made key contributions on both ends of the floor. He pitched in five points on the offensive side, including an impressive bully finish on a larger defender. He also got loose for a transition score through contact and broke a late tie with a clutch free throw.
6’1 Jr Brady Ward: Brady got in on the three-point frenzy and provided a big time spark for the Eagles as a sixth man. He scored 9 critical points and deep range from beyond the arc.
5’10 Jr Cody Mahan: I love the way Cody plays the game with such passion and motor. He really gets after it and provided some offensive punch in the victory. He knocked down a pair of clutch three-pointers, are you seeing a common theme in this one, and also had a very nice headfake to juke a defender and finished with a floater. 8 points for Mahan.
6’1 Jr Preston Fortner Preston Fortner 5'10" | PG Francis Howell | 2021 State MO : Eli only scored two points in the game, but there is zero chance Hartville secures that victory without him. He was absolutely huge on the defensive end. Eli took numerous charges that frustrated Greenwood drivers and put key contributors in foul trouble. He kept the athletic Blue Jay front-line away from the offensive glass with big boy box outs that cleared the lane. Job well done.
Greenwood Blue Jays:
6’5 Jr Aminu Mohammed: There is really only one way to slow down Mohammed, get him in foul trouble. Hartville was able to do that in the second half, and Aminu struggled more than I’ve seen in quite some time. Want to know how good he is? Despite those struggles, he still finished with a game-high 24 points and yet another double-double. With Harper in foul trouble, Aminu assumed the role of point guard. He did a nice job of slicing his way into the lane and finding open shooters for kick-outs. He made a living, as usual, operating from the wing and knocking down mid-range opportunities, and had an inspired burst with his team down in the 4th quarter where he rattled off 8 straight points on a pair of threes. His historic season comes to an end, and we will wait in anticipation for what an even more motivated Aminu can do next year.
5’10 Jr Grant Harper: This was not one to remember for Grant, who was held scoreless and saddle with foul trouble right out of the gates. Despite his struggles yesterday, his development this season was impressive. Harper is a head-up player and a stabilizing force in the Greenwood back-court that is starting to show his chops as a scoring threat with a feathery touch on his floaters and runners.
6’1 So Tommy Pinegar: One of the most prolific and clutch shooters that Class 2 has to offer, Pinegar nailed a go ahead fourth quarter three to cap of a furious Greenwood rally. Unfortunately, that was the only time he was able to get loose for one yesterday. Look for the marksman to continue expanding his game heading into his junior season.
6’5 Fr Kaden Stuckey: Kaden is very much on our Freshman Watch List and for good reason. The long, fiery lefty has come a long way since the early part of the season. He was big on the glass, offered some rim protection, and knocked down a pair of key mid-range jumpers for Greenwood yesterday.
6’2 Fr Nic Burri: Speaking of that Freshman Watch List, Burri has projectability as a three and D wing. He scored 8 points for Greenwood yesterday including knocking down three straight from the charity stripe after drawing a foul, burying a drive and kick three, and sneaking behind the defense for a backdoor lay-up.
6’2 So Ryan Gibbons: Ryan provides some instant offense and a floor spacing threat off the bench for Greenwood. He came up clutch against Hartville with a buzzer beating three before the half to cut the deficit to just 2 points and later buried a huge three during the Blue Jays comeback run.