Ten Best: J&C Classic – West Lafayette at Benton Central
Night two of the J&C Classic got underway with West Lafayette and Benton Central squaring off at Lafayette Jeff High School. West Lafayette came out in a man to man defense but quickly changed into a 1-3-1 zone that they…
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Continue ReadingNight two of the J&C Classic got underway with West Lafayette and Benton Central squaring off at Lafayette Jeff High School. West Lafayette came out in a man to man defense but quickly changed into a 1-3-1 zone that they remained in for a good majority of the game. They held a 22-17 half time lead after Benton Central made a strong second quarter run. In the end, West Lafayette’s defense won them the game forcing 25 turnovers in the 46-33 victory.
MVP: George Karlaftis (West Lafayette)
George Kaflaftis ended the game with 12 points (5-12 2FG and 2-3 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals. He was game high in rebounds and steals. All this production came off the bench as well. He was a major impact on both ends of the floor. He used his strong frame to knock people around and always seemed to be in a position to score. Karlaftis was the most impactful player for four quarters.
Best Offensive Performance: Charlie Nycz (West Lafayette)
Charlie Nycz posted a game high 18 points (5-10 2FG, 1-4 3FG, and 5-8 FT) along with dishing out an assist. Charlie scored from every level tonight but was most successful when he was going to the basket. He was able to get around the first defender and finish a couple plays off with a nice soft touch around the rim. He also saw the most playing time for West Lafayette.
Best Defensive Performance: Luke Staton (West Lafayette)
Luke Staton was great on the defensive end of the floor. He finished the game with 3 steals and 6 rebounds (4 defensive and 2 offensive). He was played the center and top positions in the 1-3-1 zone that caused so many turnovers by Benton Central. His footwork and size allows him to guard positions 2-5 on the floor and rebound the ball on both ends of the floor.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Blake Morin (Benton Central)
In his limited minutes due to foul trouble, Blake Morin finished the game with a team high 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. His aggressive nature and position on the floor lead him to being the leader for Benton Central tonight. As the starting PG he had the ball in his hands most possessions and saw the most success when he drove to the basket, converting multiple and-ones.
Best Player Off-The-Bench: Alex Thurston (Benton Central)
The freshman guard came off the bench and was ready from the word go. They ran Thurston on the baseline against the zone to get him open shots and he ended the game with 12 points (4-6 3FG) and 3 rebounds. Alex has a quick release and a consistent jump shot that will prove to be lethal as he continues to develop his game. He was a key asset in Benton Central keeping the game within striking distance.
Most Intriguing Prospect: Nelson Mbongo (West Lafayette)
Nelson Mbongo is a 6’4” Sophomore forward with high potential. Mbongo played the top of the 1-3-1 zone the majority of the night and caused major issues with Benton Central’s offense. He also got out on the break and had two, two handed slams in the first half. His athleticism and soft touch gives him the stepping stones to take his game to the next level. Be on the lookout for Nelson Mbongo as the season passes.
Best Intangibles: Colin Merriott (West Lafayette)
Although Colin Merriott never really got it going on the offensive end, he found other ways to impact the game. He was one of the few hustle players during the game and used his IQ to help his team to victory. He finished the game with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 0 turnovers. He was one of the most consistent players for West Lafayette all game long and never seemed to make a bad decision.
Best Rebounder: Pete Sevenhuysen (Benton Central)
Pete Sevenhuysen was tough when he was on the floor. He came off the bench and played close to 10 minutes and was able to haul in 6 rebounds. His productivity on the glass is directly related to how aggressive he plays the game. He attacked the glass on both ends with his athleticism and strength and came away with all 50-50 rebounds.
Best Underclassmen: George Karlaftis (West Lafayette)
As a Sophomore and the MVP of the game, Karlaftis definitely falls into the category of best underclassmen. Karlaftis is every bit of 6’4” and has a wide, athletic build. He had Benton Central’s bigs in foul trouble all night and was relentless on both ends of the floor. His motor off the bench was outstanding. Be on the lookout for Karlaftis to make a major impact for West Lafayette this season.
Biggest Takeaway: West Lafayette’s Sophomore Big Men are Crucial to Success
The biggest takeaway from the game is that West Lafayette has two sophomore forwards that are going to be key to their success. Nelson Mbongo and George Karlaftis will be crucial for the team moving forward. If they can get consistent play from these two, they will be tough to handle as the season wears on. Benton Central is still searching for their identity but is a team that can get hot from deep.