Prep Hoops 10 Best: #3 LC Bird vs. #4 Trinity Episcopal
In a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated teams in the top five of the Vantage Hoops Top 30 Power Poll, Richmond area private school Trinity Episcopal took a short trip to Chesterfield to face LC Bird in the LC…
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Continue ReadingIn a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated teams in the top five of the Vantage Hoops Top 30 Power Poll, Richmond area private school Trinity Episcopal took a short trip to Chesterfield to face LC Bird in the LC Bird Classic, and the game did not disappoint. Trinity flexed their muscle early with their big three Armando Bacot, Zach Jacobs and Jason Wade all throwing down emphatic dunks to start the game. In a raucous atmosphere, Bird weathered the early storm and steadily made a comeback, using their defensive intensity to turn Trinity over 14 times in the first half and head into halftime with a 39-33 lead. The game only intensified, as they traded leads throughout the fourth quarter before Harvard commit Mario Haskett hit a floater plus the foul with less than a minute left, and LC Bird senior Jaylen Dillard hit two free throws to seal it for Bird who walked away with a 64-59 win. The Skyhawks improved to 13-0 on the season, while Trinity dropped their first game falling to 18-1. Here’s some of the takeaways from one of the best games of the season so far.
MVP | Cam Henry | LC Bird ’17
Often the forgotten link on the team, Henry was big time for Bird, especially in the first half where he was very aggressive offensively. A scrappy utility win that does a little bit of everything for the Skyhawks, he went on a run in the first half and entered the locker room leading all scorers with 14 points. In the second half he didn’t score it as well, but he defended multiple positions, helped on the glass and made a ton of plays that didn’t show up in the stat book. He finished with a team high 16 points on the night.
Play of the Game
There were a number of high level plays throughout the game, including the three big dunks I mentioned early, but it was the other play in the intro that gets the award. After the Titans’ clawed all the way back and tied things up at 59 with less than a minute to go, the Skyhawks cleared out for their star guard and let him go to work. Harvard commit Mario Haskett seemed to be stuck as he lost the ball, but he picked it up, took a power dribble and finished a floater plus the foul to put the Skyhawks up for good. It was the end to a big half for Haskett, who finished with 11 of his 13 points in the second half.
Best Offensive Performer | Armando Bacot | Trinity Episcopal ’19
He may just be a sophomore, but Bacot was head-and-shoulders the best player on the floor in a talent packed game. The 6’9” true big man ran the floor well, demanded the basketball in the post and finished with both hands around the rim. He also showed versatility with a few nice drives from the perimeter, a couple of deep jump shots and some great passes out of the post. He also protected the rim defensively. He finished with an impressive stat line of 25 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and four blocks.
Best Defensive Performer | Jason Wade | Trinity Episcopal ‘18
Wade had to work his tail off for his 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists offensively, because the LC Bird backcourt hounded him since he’s one of Trinity’s only true ball handlers. However, he gave it right back to them defensively as he guarded the basketball well and jumped passing lanes for easy steals and finishes in transition. The 6’5” combo guard is a criminally underrated defender that takes pride on that end of the floor, and he’s able to use his strength and athleticism to stay in front of opposing ballhandlers.
Best Guy off the Bench | Jyles Webster | LC Bird ’17
Webster has provided energy off the bench all season for the Skyhawks, and it was needed in a big way for them in this game. Going against a much bigger front line that includes Bacot and JMU commit Zach Jacobs, Webster came off the bench in the first half and gave Bird a big lift with 10 points and three rebounds. A scrappy meat-and-potatoes type of guy, the Concord commit provides toughness and athleticism in the post, and doesn’t back down from anyone regardless of their size or name.
Best Intangibles | Johquin “Pinky” Wiley | LC Bird ‘17
A true floor general, it almost feels like Wiley is having a quiet game until you watch the tape and check the stat sheet at the end of the game. “Pinky” finished with eight points, eight assists, eight rebounds and seven steals, making him arguably the most important player on LC Bird throughout the game. He showed great poise down the stretch, getting Bird into their sets and making plays whenever Trinity made a run. The available point guard is still under the radar, but whatever school needs a winner will be getting one that shows up against the best competition.
Best Under the Radar Performer | Jaylen Dillard | LC Bird ’17
Dillard has been shooting the lights out of the basketball for the Skyhawks this season, and he did it yet again for them in their big win Saturday. Dillard finished with 14 points, including three timely three-pointers in the first quarter. He went cold for much of the second and third (partially because others picked it up), but he came up big in the fourth with another triple and the two free throws to seal it. He should continue to boost his stock if he keeps shooting it this well.
Best Underclassman | Armando Bacot | Trinity Episcopal ’19
There’s no question with this one, as Bacot was not just the best underclassmen, but the best player on the floor. He showed touch from the perimeter, scored with his back to the basket and dominated the glass on both ends. What’s most encouraging is the competitive fire that he showed, and he always seemed to come up with a big play when they needed him to. It was a great individual performance that showed how special he has a chance to be moving forward.
Best Passer | Johquin “Pinky” Wiley | LC Bird ’17
Not only is his passing part of what makes his intangibles as good as mentioned before, but it’s the mix of flash and precision that gives him this award too. Wiley got in the lane at will and kicked out for wide open shots, and also exhibited great vision in transition to find his shooters or bigs running the floor. It’s what makes him the straw that stirs the drink for the LC Bird offense.
Best Aspect of the Environment
As someone who has covered games across the state of Virginia, there aren’t many places that rock with the intensity and passion of LC Bird during a big game. Whether it was Highland Springs in their Christmas Tournament two years ago, John Marshall or Norcom last season, or Trinity Episcopal Saturday, Chuck Tester Gymnasium has a buzz during big games that explains why they haven’t lost a home game in over four seasons. The line was out the door two hours before tip off, and it was worth the wait/price of admission for the crowd.