Ten Best: Fort Wayne Blackhawk at Fort Wayne North Side
Game Recap: Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian at Fort Wayne North Side
Final Score: North Side 67 – Blackhawk 41
In one of the worst offensive games ever, Fort Wayne North was too much with their athleticism and rebounding abilities. Junior phenom Keion Brooks Jr lead the Legends in the scoring and rebounding column even after sitting out the first quarter with a busted lip. At the end of the first, there was little to show on the scoreboard for any offense with North Side leading 12-4. Not much changed in the second half and the Legends took a 27-9 lead into the half. This was one of the premier games in the Fort Wayne area this season and it was falling short of expectations.
Brooks Jr came out in the second half and did much of the same. Freshman standout Caleb Furst started to mix it up on the inside for the Braves and rattled off a few quick points himself. The third quarter was more of what people expected in the matchup with North Side playing above the rim and Blackhawk grinding for baskets. At the end of the third, North Side lead 47-25.
As a team, Blackhawk posted a 2-18 clip from behind the arc. It’s tough to win games when you get great looks at the basket but can’t capitalize, especially against last year’s state runner up in Class 4A. Jalan Mull and Caleb Furst were the bright spots for the Braves while Frankie Davidson struggled to get it going from the floor. Brooks Jr, Johnson, Boucher, and Kroft paced the Legends. North Side came away with a big win, 67-41.
MVP: Keion Brooks Jr (North Side)
Keion, aside from sitting out the first quarter with an injury, was by far the best performer on the night. His length, offensive skill set, and athleticism paced him to another twenty plus point performance. Keion finished with a game high 21 points (6-8 2FG, 1-4 3FG, and 6-8 FT), a game high 15 rebounds (13 defensive and 3 offensive), 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. His all-around influence on the game was felt immediately upon his return in the second quarter and the team never looked back. He attacked the rim with a handful of dunks and offensive put backs. He hit tough jumpers over some good defense and proved why he’s one of the top 2019 prospects in the nation.
Best Offensive Performance: Caleb Furst (Blackhawk)
Caleb Furst and the Braves didn’t come away with a win, but he was one of the best players that hit the floor tonight. Extremely efficient on the offensive end of the floor. He created space to operate on the low block and knocked down the mid-range jumper with confidence. Furst finished with 15 points (6-11 2FG and 4-4 FT), 7 rebounds (5 defensive and 2 offensive), 3 assists, and 1 steal. In only his second high school game, he looked calm, cool, and collected in the low post. At 6’9”, he moves well on the floor and gets out and rim runs in transition. He will be one of the best players to come through Fort Wayne as he progresses through his high school career, definitely a name to remember.
Best Defensive Performance: Jalan Mull (Blackhawk)
Although Mull wasn’t able to get it going on the offensive end of the floor, he was able to do what he does best. He has always been a tenacious on ball defender and time and time again proves his worth on the defensive end of the floor. Jalan is exceptional at reading offensive tendencies and capitalizing throughout the game. Mull finished with 5 points (1-9 2FG and 1-4 3FG), 4 defensive rebounds, a game high 7 assists, a game high 4 steals, and 1 blocked shot. He gets into the offensive players space and causes them to make mistakes. He jumps passing lanes with success and turns it into easy transition opportunities.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Brandan Johnson (North Side)
Brandan Johnson is one of those guys that will give great performances night in and night out in some fashion. He never has a terrible game, he gives energy and effort when things are going his way offensively. In the first quarter of this game, he seemed to be the only guy that came ready to play. Johnson finished with 10 points (2-4 2FG, 0-4 3FG, and 6-9 FT), 9 rebounds (8 defensive and 1 offensive), 2 assists, and 1 steal. Johnson has great length at the guard position and is one of the best rebounders from the position in the state. Recently committed to play alongside Mull at St. Francis in Fort Wayne.
Best Quiet Impact: Lucas Kroft (North Side)
Lucas Kroft didn’t necessarily stuff the stat sheet tonight against his old teammates at Blackhawk, but he did find ways to impact the game. Lucas knocked down the long ball early and took on the task of guarding Furst in the post on the other end of the floor. Kroft is often overlooked as a defender but his athleticism, strength, and footwork make him one of the best. Kroft finished tonight’s game with 6 points (0-3 2FG and 2-5 3FG), 7 rebounds (5 defensive and 2 offensive), 2 assists, and 1 steal. Lucas will look to be an all-around guy for the Legends this season and has the potential to turn a lot of heads throughout the season. Keep an eye on Kroft as he gets himself situated to show that he is an elite player with a new program and puts together a great junior campaign.
Best Passer: Jalan Mull (Blackhawk)
Jalan Mull is one of the best as a true point guard in the entire state. He is extremely quick with the ball in his hands and gets end to end in the blink of an eye. Mull gets his defenders off balance with fakes and dribble moves to create driving lanes. He excels at making tough passes as he gets into the paint and looks to find his open teammates with the defense collapses. Jalan will be a guy that posts near triple double performances on a consistent basis and will see some games that he succeeds in doing so. He finished the game with a game high 7 assists on what was an atrocious shooting performance from the Braves. When their offense is clicking, Jalan will pile up assists in a hurry.
Best Intangibles: Frankie Davidson (Blackhawk)
Frankie Davidson is another lethal weapon that Blackhawk will showcase this season but he really struggled to find his stride offensively tonight. Davidson finished with 5 points (1-6 2FG, 1-7 3FG, and 0-2 FT), 4 defensive rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. Obviously, it wasn’t offense that set Davidson apart tonight but it was his toughness and physicality with Keion on both ends of the floor. He moves well without the ball and understands where to find his openings in the game. Davidson’s lone basket was an alley-oop finish on the break from Jalan Mull. His high basketball IQ will help him to a breakout junior year.
Best Rebounder: Keion Brooks Jr (North Side)
Keion didn’t manage to play the entire game but it didn’t seem to matter when it go to the backboards. Keion attacked both boards with athleticism, great hands, and good positioning. He is an elite athlete with impeccable timing on the offensive glass. He rose above everyone for a one-handed put back dunk tonight and owned the defensive glass. Keion pulled in a game high 15 rebounds (13 defensive and 2 offensive). Keion will shoulder a lot of the rebounding load for this team with Jaylen Butz (6’11”) having graduated and playing college ball at Depaul. Kroft and Johnson will be two other key guys in the rebounding category for the Legends but Brooks Jr owned it tonight.
Best Underclassmen: Caleb Furst (Blackhawk)
In a game that didn’t bode well for the Braves, at least they can take away that their freshman is ready for the big stage. Fort Wayne Blackhawk is heavily favored this season in Class 1A and Caleb Furst is looking to help carry them deep into the postseason. In arguably one of the biggest games of the season, Caleb looked fantastic. He was controlled on the offensive end of the floor, played physical with one of the best players in the nation, and held his own on the boards. He has a bright future ahead of him as he continues to develop an all-around game. Definitely one of the top 2021 players in the state.
Biggest Takeaway: Blackhawk’s Inability to Make Shots
It wasn’t so much that the Braves were outplayed by the Legends. They just couldn’t seem to buy a basket. They got good looks time and time again, as they will all season with Mull at the helm, but just couldn’t get it going. Blackhawk finished the game13-37 2FG, 2-18 3FG, and 5-7 FT. Those stats won’t win many games. North Side was able to get to the rim consistently and finish strong through the defense. They also outpaces Blackhawk with 24 free throw attempts, making 18 of them. All in all, both teams are in for great seasons and should be putting together deep post season runs come March.