Fab 5: Mattoon vs Salem
Salem and Mattoon played a thriller in the consolation championship game at the Salem Invitational Tournament. It was a game where both teams played at a high level. Every time one team would leave the slightest opening the other team…
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Continue ReadingSalem and Mattoon played a thriller in the consolation championship game at the Salem Invitational Tournament. It was a game where both teams played at a high level. Every time one team would leave the slightest opening the other team would capitalize. It went into double overtime. That is when sophomore point guard Jadyn Princko drilled the game winning three to give Mattoon the 67-66 win. Here is our breakdown of the prospects in Fab 5: Mattoon vs Salem.
MVP
SF Drake Jeffries (Mattoon – 2017)
Jeffries is a long and rangy wing that returned for the first time on Saturday after injuring himself against Salem a month ago in a conference game. After a bumpy start in the morning game Jeffries lit up the Wildcats again. The smooth wing opened with a three off the catch. He has a feathery jump shot from both mid-range and three. Creates space for his jumper. Gets elevation off the floor and has sound mechanics. He also rebounded well. Jeffries went for 16 points and 5 boards. Should be a high level D3/NAIA prospect.
Best offensive performance
SF Damond Crosby (Salem – 2018)
Crosby is a 6’4” small forward that is uber talented. His issue is consistently playing hard and being aggressive to live up to that ability. He flashed it for sure in this game. He is a skilled wing that can really shoot it from mid-range. Loves to hit one or two dribble pull ups from 15-18 feet. Drilled a corner three as well. He brought the intensity on the defensive end particularly in the second half where had several steals that he turned into points on the other end of the floor. Crosby had 15 points. Potential D3/NAIA prospect in the junior class.
Best passer
SG Brenden Boles (Salem – 2017)
Boles had an outstanding game. The crafty lefty wing got to his spots throughout the game and scored it well. He likes to work in the mid-range where he can hit 12 foot jumpers. Did hit a big three late. Got on the glass for a couple put backs. Passed it extremely well in the half court making sound decisions most of the time when the ball was in his hands. Competed on the defensive end. Boles had 19 points.
Best catch and shoot guy
PG Jadyn Princko (Mattoon – 2019)
The 5’10” sophomore point guard was the difference maker in this one. He hit clutch three after clutch three. Princko was lethal off the catch from beyond the arc. Quick release and was consistently in great rhythm when receiving the ball. Princko had 21 points.
Best under-the-radar performance
PG Dawson Linder (Salem – 2017)
Linder was lights out from the perimeter. For a team that hasn’t shot the ball well this season it was a much needed boost. The Wildcats point guard drilled threes consistently throughout the game including one that sent it to OT. He finished with 15 points.