Scouting Report: Mead vs. Green Mountain
About 15 hours after a tough, narrow loss to Holy Family, Mead was back on the court on Saturday afternoon, securing an impressively thorough 67-47 victory over non-league 4A foe Green Mountain. “We were in a tough one Friday not and…
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Continue ReadingAbout 15 hours after a tough, narrow loss to Holy Family, Mead was back on the court on Saturday afternoon, securing an impressively thorough 67-47 victory over non-league 4A foe Green Mountain.
“We were in a tough one Friday not and honestly didn’t play that well,” Mead coach Darin Reese said. “So to come back quickly the next morning, in a way it was good, and I was proud of the way we came out, showed maturity, shared the ball. We played well today.”
Green Mountain played without leading scorer Austin Fritts (6-4, unsigned 2016 wing, 17.6 points per game), who was nursing an injured shoulder. The Rams came out with good fight anyway, and actually led 16-15 after the first quarter.
But it was all Mavericks after that, as Mead shared the ball, forced turnovers and found easy transition opportunities.
Player of the Game: Mead’s Michael Ward, 2017 6-1 guard. Ward scored 28 points and helped fuel an explosive 32-point second quarter for the Mavericks.
Below is an in-depth look at players from both sides.
MEAD
Walker Korell, 6-3 senior wing
Korell was highly impressive Saturday, demonstrating all the tools that would make him, I believe, a strong Division II, RMAC-type player. He’s bouncy and solidly athletic, but that is only part of his game. Korell moves efficiently without the ball, making defenders work and putting himself in position to catch the ball in scoring position. He has good balance on a consistent mid-range jump shot and uses a good pump fake and solid footwork to create shots around the basket. There were several times Saturday he simply out-leaped people to grab rebounds and finish in transition. Defensively, he applies strong pressure on the perimeter and has the ability to defend athletic guards. Korell is simply one of Colorado’s top unsigned 2016 players.
Michael Ward, 6-1 junior guard
Ward is a solid all-around guard, who is especially strong on the defense end. Has good awareness and the requisite quickness to stay in front of his man on the perimeter. Demonstrates a strong grasp of help concepts. Offensively, he handles it well and can create well off the dribble to create shots, both for himself and others. Really excels in transition, where he attacks with his head up and sees the whole floor well. Good shooting form and gets into mid-range opportunities well, plus can shoot it from the perimeter. Certainly a strong DII/DIII/NAIA prospect.
James Maher, 5-10 senior guard
Scrappy, aggressive guard who applies strong ball pressure, Maher is a strong floor leader for the Mavericks. Quick hands on defense that helped create turnovers and transition opportunities for the Mavericks on Saturday. Can knock down open shots and distribute in transition.
Alex Sandstrom, 6-6 junior wing
An intriguing player with good length who demonstrates ability to play multiple positions. Sandstrom does well coming off screens and can shoot very well from the perimeter. Runs the floor well and is active in transition. Needs to build his frame a little, but certainly possesses good upside.
Derek Edwards, 6-2 sophomore guard
Another in the mold of Mead guards who plays with good aggressiveness and defense on the defensive end. Can cause perimeter problems for opponents with his reach. Active in transition. Solid role player who should continue to make leaps as he gains experience. Can already knock it down from the perimeter.
Van Lindemann, 6-5 senior forward
Provides solid post defense and good energy. Good depth player for a team that hopes to make a deep playoff run, when rotating in size will become increasingly important.
Bench players Cameron Cheung (5-9 junior) and Michael Rice (6-2 junior) also had some good moments for the Mavericks.
GREEN MOUNTAIN
Alec Stowell, 5-11 senior guard
Stowell is a strong, compact point guard who is solid in most areas. Has good feel for the game, knows how to change tempo with his dribble to get where he wants to go on the court. Uses pump fake well and has a solid mid-range jumper. Developing more strength and using that to attack more would make his game even more diverse.
Jose Hinestroza, 6-6 senior forward
Good size and plays with aggressiveness in the post. Good length he uses to challenge shots around the rim. A native of Panama, his offensive skill set is a little raw, but he shows good upside. Willing to attack and shoots free throws well.
Alex Telles, 5-6 sophomore guard
Telles may be undersized, but he plays with equal amounts of confidence and aggressiveness. Not afraid to let it fly. He knocked down three 3-pointers Saturday in the first half. Handles the ball well and defends on the perimeter. Just a sophomore, he demonstrates good upside, particularly if he experiences some physical growth.
Max Desmond, 6-4 senior wing
Desmond plays with impressive energy on both ends of the floor. Decent athleticism he puts to work to grab loose balls around the basket. Active hands put to good use guarding the perimeter. Good motor and body language that makes him a strong quiet leader for the Rams.