Prep Hoops 10 Best: Smoky Hill vs. George Washington
The highly anticipated 5A matchup Tuesday night between top-ranked George Washington and No. 3 Smoky Hill largely lived up to expectations. Both teams showcased the talent and depth that give each reason to believe it can compete for a title…
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Continue ReadingThe highly anticipated 5A matchup Tuesday night between top-ranked George Washington and No. 3 Smoky Hill largely lived up to expectations.
Both teams showcased the talent and depth that give each reason to believe it can compete for a title this season.
In the end, the Fugett brothers were too much for Smoky Hill to handle in G-Dub’s 80-73 victory that moved the Patriots to 6-0. The Buffs dropped to 4-2.
A tight affair through the first four minutes of the game swung with a 14-0 George Washington run, keyed by pressure defense from junior Jon’il Fugett and his senior brother Calvin. Smoky Hill, behind a team-high 19 points from Kenny Foster and 15 apiece from Jahwan Phillips and Mue Muwwakkil, battled back.
But the Buffs could never close the gap closer than six points.
To the 10 Best:
MVP: Jon’il Fugett, George Washington
The 5-11 junior continues to show why he just may be the top point guard in Colorado, regardless of class. He’s rightfully known for the defense that separates him from the pack, but he’s also become a knockdown 3-point shooter. He was 3-of-4 from deep Tuesday on the way to a game-high 26 points.
Best offensive performance: Calvin Fugett, George Washington
We’ll switch this up a bit and go with Calvin Fugett, who tallied 22 points of his own. Smoky Hill knew it had to limit the penetration of Fugett, who has become a highly reliable finisher when he gets to the rim. Easier said than done, of course. Calvin attacked and found success throughout the game.
Best defensive performance: Fugett brothers.
Their swarming defense in the first quarter helped create the turnovers that ignited a 14-0 run.
Best Smoky Hill defensive performance: Will Becker.
It would have been interesting to see how the game would have played out had the 6-8 junior not been saddled with foul trouble for much of the game. Still, Becker made his presence felt when he was in the game, erasing at least a half dozen GW shot attempts and altering a number more. He can cover up a lot of defensive mistakes when he’s in the game.
Play of the game: Calvin Fugett
Eugene Rivers knifed through the defense for a layup two minutes into the fourth quarter that cut the lead to six points. Momentum was shifting toward the Buffs. But Fugett caught the ball on the wing on G-Dub’s next possession, took a dribble to steady himself and knocked down a huge 3-pointer to push the lead back to nine points. Smoky Hill could never cut it closer than seven points again after that.
Best bench performance: Mue Muwwakkil, Smoky Hill
Mue showed strength and toughness in getting to the basket. At just 6-0, the junior guard rebounds it well and produced some offense on the glass, which the Buffs really needed while 6-8 twin towers Will Becker (foul trouble) and John Harge (illness) saw their minutes drastically reduced. Muwwakkil has the look of a solid Division II guard.
Best under-the-radar performance: Olyver Johnson, George Washington
The 6-6 senior finished with five points, each score seeming to come at a big time in the game. He rebounded well, used his fouls wisely and didn’t give up anything to easy around the rim.
Best intangibles: Shaheem Speer, George Washington
The 6-3 forward plays with a tremendous motor and energy that helps him make up for his size deficit at his position. He won nearly every 50-50 ball that he had a chance to get. He’s continued to make those kind of winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score, and he’s a big reason behind the 6-0 start for the Patriots.
Best underclassmen performances: Quinten Rock, Smoky Hill
Only a freshman, the 5-11 Rock has already demonstrated tremendous poise this season. He finished with nine points Tuesday, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also demonstrated solid ball control.
The story going forward for Smoky Hill: Can the Buffs learn on the fly?
The Buffs clearly have all the requisite talent to win big games. The question is whether they can grow up fast enough to realize all the perks of that talent. With two underclassmen and no seniors in its starting lineup and first rotation, Smoky Hill is still a young team that has a lot of players with limited varsity experience. Whether this team can become a title threat will depend on how quickly it can learn from the mistakes associated with that youth and inexperience.
The story going forward for George Washington: How well will the Pats show in Las Vegas?
The Patriots this weekend are headed to the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, where they’ll play against some of the top high schools on the west coast. Last season, Overland won the tournament by beating Bishop Gorman in the finals. Can the Patriots make it two straight titles for Colorado teams?