PHD Scout: Canistota vs White River
In one of the feature games of the DWU Cullver’s Classic, Canistota led White River most of the game and pulled off a key 61-51 Class B win. Both are top five ranked teams in Class B and this is…
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Continue ReadingIn one of the feature games of the DWU Cullver’s Classic, Canistota led White River most of the game and pulled off a key 61-51 Class B win. Both are top five ranked teams in Class B and this is a big momentum victory for Canistota heading into the playoffs.
Shay Jolley is the Hawk leader and everybody understands that. He’s a knowledgeable player who doubles as one of the best shooters in the state. However, tonight his touch was off and one would think if Shay was struggling to complete attmepts his team would be in trouble. This was not the case.
Senior wing Jerad Nielsen scored a game high 15 points, fellow senior wing Mason Decker scored 14, and the Hawks received extra contributions from everybody in the line-up to make up for what Jolley usually produces. And credit to Shay as well who played hard and made contributions in several other ways.
Entering the fourth quarter White River held their only lead of the second half but that did not last long (they scored a lay-up at the third quarter buzzer). Canistota coach Pat Jolley drew up one of his two fourth quarter scoring sets out of time-outs and more importantly in the last four minutes of play the Hawk defense sat deep in stances, cut off angles on the many White River attacks, and forced bad shots and turnovers building a four score lead that they carried to the 61-51 final.
Quick Notes (Player)
Canistota
Mason Decker (6-ft-3, Sr, SF). Long and agile player who slashed for his baskets from the three spot. Good body control to catch and finish against out of place but closing defenders and was good with one dribble as well. Tough player to score on because he is longer than most wings at this level and moves his feet laterally as well as most.
Jerad Nielsen (6-ft-1, Sr, SF). Jerad may have been the biggest key to the win because he is a three score a game role guy who stepped up to lead the team in scoring. Simply put Jerad played hard. He produced his usual active baskets (putbacks, transition runs, off ball rim cuts, etc) but he also faced up and took defenders off the bounce for a couple key scores too using the window for touch finishes.
Scott Jolley (6-ft-0, So, PG). Very interesting player. The kind of guy that seems to enjoy doing everything on the floor while his teammates take care of the scoring. His biggest role is playing point guard and running the team’s offense which Scott does very well executing his father/coach’s offense with excellent initial reads. Defensively he took an important charge late and was one of several players moving their feet to cut off attacks to put the game away. A tough, dependable young lead guard who already has a great understanding of the game.
Shay Jolley (6-ft-1, Sr. SG). No way to sugarcoat it, tough shooting day for Shay all around. One of those days where things simply don’t make sense even on the short jumpers. What I liked about Shay was that he did other things to contribute. He definitely had three or four assists and if this was hockey you could double that total. Moved his feet to cut off angles late when his team needed him to and played some lead guard making the right reads. Tough day but he made up for it in other ways.
White River
Nicholas Young (6-ft-2, Sr. PF). Young gets just about everything out of his frame he can and you can tell he is a guy that soaks up teachings from his coach. His v-cuts consistently open him up for reversals, his screens commonly open up White River attackers, and the effort on the glass is always solid. What caught me off guard was how good he was attacking with a dribble. Young is so strong you won’t knock him off balance so he gets several And1 chances.
Justice Morrison (5-ft-10, Jr, PG). The attack from Morrison off a ball screen hurts teams. You can see how an average squad would get eaten up by his attack off a Young pick as Morrison is very good at pushing to the edge and then quickly pulling up to touch in from ten feet or attack the rim before the defense is able to move into help position.
Dru Espinoza (6-ft-1, Sr. SG). Was supposed to be out with an ankle injury but came off the bench to score like he usually does. The White River leading scorer on the season had three different scoring runs of his own pushing in transition and getting into the paint to complete. Has no fear in his attack nor does he care when in the possession he attacks. If there is space he will attack it and look to add numbers.
Russell Leader Charge (5-ft-11, So, SG). A young player that definitely caught our eye with his effort plays. Standout in transition, Russell was a constant in the White River running game completing four open floor scores himself. Should be able to step into a bigger scoring role next year without too much issue, has the talent to do so.