EYBL Monday: Pulley finishes strong

<p>The Howard Pulley Panthers finished off their EYBL year with a nice 71-59 win over CIA Bounce giving the Panthers a 7-11 record.  The seven wins is a nice jumpstart to the future as four key players will be returning next year and they grabbed valuable experience.  The Panthers are left wondering “what if Amir was available this year” but also they leave Maple Grove knowing that they grabbed two wins from a schedule that was as daunting as any and they played hard in front of their hometown fans.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Peterson.</strong>  Tyler kicked off the game hitting three treys giving the Panthers the early jumpstart from a fresh face they needed.  Peterson later hit a one handed runner to reach double figures and had an overall strong rebounding game snaring five in about 15 game minutes.</p> <p><strong>Cameron Kirksey</strong>.  The Apple Valley power forward put the exclamation point on the victory with three standing vertical blocks taking baskets away from a guard, an explosive forward, and a massive big man.  The long arms of Kirksey denied shots in a special way.  Kirksey played hard all weekend and the blocks, along with three scores and five boards, was a nice way to finish things up.</p> <p><strong>Brad Davison</strong>.  What I’ve seen from Brad this weekend is a guy that has become a steady, dependable defensive player who you know will always be in the correct defensive spot on and off the ball.  Offensively he’s been a Pulley two guard sometimes in the traditional since and other times like a PG playing the two.  In the traditional way his focus was often come off screens, cut hard to get into space before the defense recovers, and hit shots.  He did some of that, but Brad also caught in the halfcourt set and became the passer he is at times.  Brad’s post entry feeds gave the bigs chances to catch the ball in the right spot when the big actually had a seal and that is rare as most guards have no idea what I’m referring to and every big knows exactly what I’m talking about.  Brad has that feel.</p> <p><strong>Gary Trent Jr</strong>.  Excellent final game from Gary who electrified the crowd with a nasty one hand put-back dunk that will be remembered.  Gary scored on 8 of 15 shots including three treys for 22 points.   One of his three-pointers was Gary’s transition pull-up three which is nearly unguardable as defenders are already scrambling back and they don’t have the time to get a good shot contest on a scorer who is 6-foot-5 and growing so fast he may be 6-foot-6 soon.  Trent had a rip, sprint, and dunk that was fun and I really liked his spin baseline into a quick pull-up before the help could arrive.  CIA tried to be verbal and physical with Gary and he took it right back at them early.</p> <p><strong>Amar Miller.</strong>  What more can we say about Amar Miller this weekend, the PG has been tough.   Defensively he played the best I’ve seen him with active pressure, a fight around screens, and an active mind after his man rotated the ball and Amar moved with him in correct position.  In transition his quick scoot opened up quick lay-ins or sudden passing assists.   Amar did a great job attacking in the halfcourt and then finding teammates for zipping kickouts plus I thought his passes to teammates in sets were well timed. Scored 13 points with five assists in last game.</p> <p><strong>Theo John</strong>.   What I’m seeing for Theo are some growing things a coach has to love.  Like every time a shot goes up in the EYBL Theo is locating and making an instant hit to his man to stun them and stop movement and then Theo finds the ball and often goes and gets it.  His incredible length is of course a shot blocking presence which started with a dozen blocks in two games on the first day.  You also have to love his massive two hand throw down finishes.</p>