Panther Creek vs. Jordan High – Game Report: Standouts
In this article:
Panther Creek hosted Jordan High on Friday night in a tough non-conference matchup. Take a look at the standouts. The Catamounts jumped out to an early 8-0 lead led by a pair of 3-pointers from David Tator David Tator 6'1"…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPanther Creek hosted Jordan High on Friday night in a tough non-conference matchup. Take a look at the standouts.
The Catamounts jumped out to an early 8-0 lead led by a pair of 3-pointers from David Tator David Tator 6'1" | CG Panther Creek | 2023 State NC but the Falcons would come surging back, leading 18-13 with just under two minutes left in the quarter. Jordan led 24-15 after the first quarter.
Jordan led by as many as 10 points in the early going thanks to the play of RJ Bridges RJ Bridges 6'4" | CG Jordan | 2023 State NC and Walker Woodall Walker Woodall 6'6" | SG Jordan | 2023 State NC but Panther Creek would chip away at the lead. They would keep things close thanks to the play of Caleb Surgers Caleb Surgers 6'6" | PF Panther Creek | 2023 State NC , though they trailed 40-35 at halftime.
The pace didn’t change much in the second half as the Catamounts kept battling against the deficit. They finally took a 46-45 lead with 4:45 left in the 3rd quarter. Jordan would come storming right back though as things would go back and forth.
Defense and Chris Uwayo Chris Uwayo 6'1" | CG Panther Creek | 2024 State NC turned things up a notch as Panther Creek built a 52-47 lead with 2:10 left in the 3rd quarter.
After 3, Panther Creek led 56-54 following a strong lay-in by Surgers.
Things would become a defensive struggle in the 4th quarter as the score would be tied at 60 with 4:30 left.
Patient offense put Panther Creek up by four points with 2:59 left, triggering a Jordan timeout. Panther Creek would extend the lead to 66-60 with 2:17 left before a Bridges layup would stop the run.
Panther Creek would lead 68-63 with 54.5 seconds left and never look back, winning 73-63.
Woodall started the game 3-for-3 from behind the arc and was dialed in as he jumpstarted the offense. He didn’t look back as he started 4-for-4 with 11 points to lead the scoring attack in the first quarter and 14 points in the first half; he’s an impressive unsigned senior with Jordan High to keep eyes on despite the result.
Highlights
Bridges got off to a bit of a slow start in the beginning but a barrage of offensive putbacks and And-1 foul got him going in the first quarter. He showed he could operate off the catch and off the bounce in the Jordan offense. He’s a prospect that continues to trend upwards with his ability to be an active defender and finisher around the rim.
Highlights
Tator was impressive with his perimeter shooting, showing that he’s a lot more aggressive and efficient entering 2022-23. He knocked down three 3-pointers in the first quarter and showed off his ability to find others for easy layups down the stretch. He’s one to keep an eye on on the perimeter for Panther Creek.
Surgers was a lot more active in the 2nd quarter, especially on the glass and it opened things up for them on offense. They trailed by 10 points to start the first quarter but his energy on the glass and in the painted area were a big reason things stayed closed in the first half. He turned things up in the second half and had some strong put backs on their comeback in the second half. He’s another unsigned senior forward to watch with Panther Creek.
Uwayo started out slow in the first half but he stayed locked in on defense and found his way in the second half. He did well to work his dribble drives and make plays in the paint. He made Jordan pay with his ability to get to the free throw line as well.
Ja’tez Ward
Ja’tez Ward
Ward came up with some big plays down the stretch with his squad battling for the lead. He knocked down a big 3-pointer with his team up just one to extend the lead to four points then followed that up with a big defensive stop to seal things. He’s a young junior reserve floor general to keep an eye on in the early going.