Scouting Report: Paradise Valley vs. Shadow Mountain
Overview: The #2 Division II team in the state, Paradise Valley, headed to challenge #1 ranked Shadow Mountain on their senior night. The Matadors emotions carried them to a 7-0 start, using pressure and traps to bother the Trojans early.…
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The #2 Division II team in the state, Paradise Valley, headed to challenge #1 ranked Shadow Mountain on their senior night. The Matadors emotions carried them to a 7-0 start, using pressure and traps to bother the Trojans early. Though they were able to turn Paradise Valley over some early the had trouble protecting the ball themselves and finishing in transition. Early on both teams were very good at keeping the other out of the paint offensively, relying on threes and offensive rebounds. When Shadow opted to sub in the freshman backcourt duo of Jovan Blackshear and Jaelen House, however, the game took a turn. Both guards brought energy to the floor and helped to extend the lead to 17-3 before the end of the first quarter. The Trojans were certainly overwhelmed by the length and athleticism of the Matadors and when one of their senior leaders CJ Van Beekum went out midway through the second quarter, it did not help. Shadow went into halftime with a 34-8 lead. Paradise Valley opened the second half with a quick three and was able to get on the board by getting to the free throw line. However, JJ Rhymes took over midway through the third and Bibby finished it off. The Matadors cried to a 76-37 win.
-Paradise Valley-
CJ Van Beekum 6’4″ 2016 SG
Van Beekum was good on the boards for the Trojans. Though he was not as aggressively as we would have liked him to be, he was patient and made good decisions with the ball. Where he stood out most was his ability to rebound, grabbing eight rebounds in the first half, equally on both ends of the floor. A D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
Jacob Brown 6’1″ 2016 SG
The South Dakota State football commit helped to get the Trojans going. Jacob played tough and physical. He drew a foul on a nice drive to the rim and looked to make plays when he had to the opportunity to do so.
Andy Mora 6’2″ 2016 F
Though undersized Mora played on the interior for the Trojans. He was, both, tough and physical and battled on the glass. He drew fouls around the rim and also knocked down a shot from the perimeter. Where he was most effective was his ability to rebounds on the defensive end. Small D3 programs could give him a look.
Dominic Rogiers 5’10” 2016 PG
Rogiers was not shy on Friday night. The senior leader played with good toughness and wasn’t afraid to let shots go. He didn’t connect from the perimeter but, in the second half, finished at the rim and got to the free throw line. A D3/NAIA D2 prospect.
Terriq Tshaka 5’9″ 2017 PG
Tshaka was the most aggressive player for the Trojans. He did not seem to be affected by the pressure as he played was able to dribble or pass the ball out of traps. Though not known as a reliable shooter he shot the ball with confidence. When he was on the floor he put pressure on the defense and seemed to be a key in getting Paradise Valley to put the ball in the basket. A D3/NAIA D2 prospect.
Tashon Brown 5’11” 2018 PG
Brown played with great pose and confidence tonight. Only a sophomore, Tashon looked like a veteran with the ball in his hands, rarely turning it over. He made good passes and, late in the game, knocked down a pair of threes. Thoughts by those around him are that he will grow in the near future.
Cole Murphy 6’1″ 2018 SG
The sophomore guard didn’t play until late in the first half but he came in confident. Murphy knocked down a three less than a minute after entering the game and made multiple plays on the defensive end.
-Shadow Mountain-
Michael Bibby 6’1″ 2016 PG
Bibby was very impressive on Friday night. The senior guard led all scores with 21 points, opening the game with a pair of quick baskets. Though he’s not overly athletic, he understands how to utilize his body and his dribble to create space and get where he wants on the floor. He has a pure stroke and lit it up from beyond the arch as well as with some mid range pull ups. He’s a solid mid major recruiting that would fit well at a WCC power type program.
JJ Rhymes 6’3″ 2016 SG
If Bibby wasn’t the best player on the floor then Rhymes sure was. The 6’3″ senior played with a big time motor, attacking the glass on both ends of the floor. Though he was pretty silent on the offensive end in the first half, he came alive in the third quarter by scoring on five of seven possessions including two dunks in traffic. He is a mid major prospect and if he continues to add consistency to his outside shot then his ceiling is even higher.
Bryce Fisher 6’1″ 2016 PG
Fisher was dominant on the defensive end as always, using his length, quickness, and anticipation skills to cause havoc. However, he has progressed on the offensive end. He got to the paint numerous times where he was able to make controlled passes to open shooters on the perimeter. He played within himself the majority of the night and was very effective. A solid D2/NAIA D1 prospect that could see his recruitment sore after a junior college stint.
Harrison Hilliard 6’5″ 2016 SF
Hilliard brought a lot of energy to the floor. He played with a good motor the entire night and affected the game in a variety of ways. He was good on the glass, used his length and athleticism to disrupt the Trojans offense, and made some really nice plays in transition. He’s a junior college bound prospect that could land anywhere from the D2/NAIA D1 level to the low major level.
Darion Spottsville 6’3″ 2017 SF
Spottsville came in the game early as a reserve and made an immediate impact. He was noticeably physical, attacking the rim from the high post area and attacking the glass hard. He drew contact at the rim and also made a nice play off the bounce in transition. A D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
Jordan Pace 6’2″ 2017 SG
Pace had a solid night. The junior guard didn’t have to do much as the team’s stars assured that the game was in control but he did knock in an open shot and finish in transition. A D2/NAIA D1 prospect.
Tyler Jafary 6’5″ 2017 PF
Jafary had a solid night. He played extremely hard all night and came up with multiple rebounds and blocked shots. A D3/NAIA D2 prospect.
Jovan Blackshear 5’10” 2019 PG
Blackshear’s defensive pressure changed the game when he was subbed in. The freshman created two straight turnovers to lead to easy baskets for the Matadors. He was controlled in the half court, attacking the paint and knocking down open shots. He also made the extra pass to go from a good shot to a great shot.
Jaelen House 5’10” 2019 PG
House, like Blackshear, brought a lot of energy to the game. His reputation drew defenders which helped open the lane for penetrators. He shook loose offensively in the fourth quarter when he knocked in three straight 3’s.