Dynamic Duos To Watch
With the season underway, there have been some entertaining performances by duos. Cohesiveness, this early in the season, between teammates is a good sign for things to come as everyone is adapting to the new rule changes and other variables…
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Continue ReadingWith the season underway, there have been some entertaining performances by duos. Cohesiveness, this early in the season, between teammates is a good sign for things to come as everyone is adapting to the new rule changes and other variables to this particular season. Here are some dynamic duos that have stood out this week that we should look forward to watching as the year progresses.
Whitman- Hansen Regional High School:
Nate Amado – G – SR
Opening Night Stat Line: 27 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts, 3 stls
This wingman can put on a laser show from the outside. Amado is a long, athletic shooter who shoots effortlessly from beyond the arc. He lit up Silver Lake High with 27 points and 4 triples in a 29-point victory opening night, and this is not an unusual game for the senior guard. The previous season, he had a game against Charlestown where he nailed 6 three-pointers. An impressive showing in game one, I am sure this is the beginning of a huge season for Amado.
Cole Levangie – F – SR
Opening Night Stat Line: 10 pts, 10 rebs, 1 ast, 2 stls
Levangie is the best all-around player on the team. He is another 20+ point scoring threat and can beat you with perimeter shooting and penetration. An underrated part of his game is his playmaking ability. His ability to get to the basket draws so much attention from the defense that he sets up open shots for snipers like Amado. His 10-point performance in the opener was an off game for his standard, so expect some of that rust to fall off as the season continues. Levangie and Amado complement each other well because, although lethal scorers, their skillsets are not redundant, making it difficult for opposing teams to defend.
Archbishop Williams High School:
Andre Mills – F – SO
Season Avg/Game: 13.2 pts, 5.8 rebs, 3 asts
Mills is going to be an enjoyable player to watch this season. One of the most athletic players in the Catholic Central League, Mills loves energizing the team with a fastbreak jam! He is a more versatile player than that, though, proven by his deadly outside shooting. The lefty is excellent at finding holes in the defense and spotting up for three-pointers. Scoring in double figures in 3 of the first 4 games for Archbishop Williams, he has the potential to be an elite wing by season’s end.
Will O’Malley – G – SR
Season Avg/Game: 18.7 pts, 5 rebs, 2.2 asts
The senior sniper does not often miss from three-point land. Taking over the primary scoring role this season, O’Malley has impressed with two 20-point games thus far. Other than the deadly jump shot, I like the way O’Malley runs in transition. Off of turnovers, he is always racing up the court to convert an easy bucket. This bodes well for players like Mills, who loves leaking out for easy fast-break dunks. As we advance, I love the dynamic of O’Malley and Mills. O’Malley will receive a lot of attention from defenses, and that should open up lanes for Mills to drive and use his athleticism to score more at the rim.
Plymouth North High School:
Julian Llopiz – G – SR
Season Avg/Game: 22 pts, 2 rebs
Llopiz was born to be a lethal scorer. In the season opener against Quincy, he had a quiet game of 13 points, but he revealed his brilliant offensive repertoire. Whether it was a dribble mid-range pull-up jumper, step-back three, or burning the defense with his speed for lay-ups in transition, Llopiz showed he had a scorer’s mentality. That was very apparent the following game in a 31- point effort vs. Hingham, which resulted in a win. The senior point guard took over the game and showed the ability to get to the basket, draw fouls, and finish through contact.
Cam Shaughnessy – F – SR
Season avg: 13.5 pts, 10 rebs
At 6’4”, 280 lbs, the senior big man has tremendous value in the pick-and-pop game. What makes a combo of him and Llopiz dominant is that Shaughnessy sets bone-crushing screens on defenders that opens up driving lanes and jump shots for Llopiz. His physical advantage alone will make him a double-double threat every game, but I like the fact that he can open up the floor with his outside shooting. Having a big man who can hit three-pointers and stretch the floor will make life so much easier for a scoring point guard like Llopiz. Once teams start keying in on Llopiz and force him to be more of a passer than a scorer, Shaughnessy should get many open perimeter jumpers, and it will make for a very efficient half-court offense for North Plymouth.