BOYS-
Mt Spokane was in the mood to defend their home court tonight as they fell behind and came roaring back in the last few minutes. They had the inside advantage with 6-5, Justin Smith, who looks like he could turn into a force on the block as well as the high post. Smith understands when to call for the ball in the post and supplies basketball enthusiats with some nice post moves when he’s given the opportunity. Ben Stevens another 6-3 post type player battled down low and rebounded well. HE did his best to bring the Wildcats back in the fourth quarter nailing a three and showing he can step out with confidence and sink the deep ball. On the Pirate ship stood the man on campus, KJ Hassett who kept the game out of reach forcing steals, dropping his trademark floaters and then icing the game with 2 clutch free throws. KJ has shown over and over again that he can handle any amount of pressure the defense applies on him. He’s as legit as it gets in this league when it comes to top point guards. Mandela Kalu also showed leadership and poise for the Pirates all game long. The score sheet may not prove that he was a major factor in this game but when you can handle the ball without turning it over and then make the game saving block in a BIG way, you are a needed component to any team.
GIRLS-
Mt Spokane girls team was led by Aspyn Adams an up coming freshmen guard who can shoot the rock! This kid is impressive as a freshmen in the league at 5′-7″ has good size and ability to handle and pass. This game was more about her finding the opening outside of the arc and draining them. Shes a player to watch for sure! Jordan Lyman is proof that big things come in small packages. The 5-2 laser beam is fast, fast, fast! She flies threw defenses and makes plays on both ends. She helped set up her teammates for all of the 3s they dropped tonight. Great point guard. As for Rogers, they are in a sense starting from scratch, losing most of their firepower from last season. A couple of things jumped out to me right away as they also possess a freshmen starter in Shaeli Morrison. With time and development she can become a good player. She has the ability to handle just needs time with a new system and teammates to get things to click. Kendall Tillet who is a 5-10 Post, knows a thing or two about being strong with the ball and finding her position under the basket. She had two nice offensive rebounds and put backs that I noticed, both because of her persistence for positioning and aggressiveness snatching the board.
NEXT?
