Ten Best: Lapel vs. Liberty Christian
The first quarter came fast and furious as LC and Lapel finished 19-22 with Lapel leading. Ronny Williams hit a ton of shots early on and so did the entire Lapel team, especially from three. However, Lapel’s depth really started…
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Continue ReadingThe first quarter came fast and furious as LC and Lapel finished 19-22 with Lapel leading. Ronny Williams hit a ton of shots early on and so did the entire Lapel team, especially from three. However, Lapel’s depth really started to wear on Liberty Christian and in the second half the were able to slow down Ronny Williams and take the win, 64-51.
MVP: Jon Ross Richardson (Lapel)
Senior Jon Ross Richardson was the backbone of this team and anytime Lapel needed a play he seemed to be the guy that was making them. He scored 25 points and pulled in 8 rebounds. His size and ability to shoot on the perimeter was something that Liberty couldn’t handle with their roster makeup. Richardson isn’t a guy that is going to play inside and not even drive a ton so as a catch-and-shoot guy, he’s pretty much unstoppable against a smaller lineup.
Play of the Game: Ronny Williams (Liberty Christian)
The play of the game was consecutive plays that came with Ronny Williams hitting back-to-back triples in the first quarter and hitting his first four overall. He was feeling it early and really got Liberty Christian out to a great start. He’s a sparkplug that can really help jumpstart a team.
Best Offensive Performance: Ronny Williams (Liberty Christian)
The biggest area Williams has to work on is his ability to finish out a game because when he is on and getting looks, he’s pretty good and can put up points in a hurry. He had 20 points at the half and hit his first six shots of the game and first four three pointers. He’s had some big 40+ point games this year and that has to be on games where he’s got it going. He can really rip it from deep and once he has some better players around him in college he’s only going to get better.
Best Defensive Performance: Preston Scott (Lapel)
The best defender all game was Preston Scott. He’s not the tallest guy but he’s much stronger than last year and is being used more under the rim on defense where he’s become a pretty good rebounder. Early on when LC was scoring a ton, Scott was picking up key rebounds that helped at least slow down their offense and give Lapel a little breathing room. He can be phsyical in the post and with LC’s small lineup.
Best Guy Off The Bench: Luke Richardson (Lapel)
Would assume that Luke comes as a starter most nights but he came off the bench as Lapel went smaller early on. However, he’s the easy pick for bench player because nobody outside of starters really was able to contribute. Liberty Christian isn’t real deep this year, unlike last season, and Lapel is the same. Having Richardson give minutes from start to finish really helps to keep his older brother away from the rim where he is more comfortable but still allows Lapel to spread the floor and go 5-out if they want to.
Best Intangibles: Trajan Dixon (Liberty Christian)
Really like what Dixon has made himself into the last few years. He’s still not yet a big offensive weapon but he’s pretty good as an all-around player that can give you qute a few areas of help. Liberty misses this because they had a few more guys last year that could do the same thing, which does make Dixon really valuable this year because the lack of size hurts. Trajan can shoot a bit better now and when you pair that iwth his slashing ability and rebounding, along with his ability to handle it, he’s giving LC everything he can.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Josiah Hudson (Lapel)
Going into this game, it was hard to know the makeup of the team and if Lapel would have found a solid replacement from Kamron Herrington. Josiah gives thema guy that can handle the ball a bit and give anouther perimeter shooter to make up for the loss from last year. He doesn’t have to be the guy on the ball because they have a few guys that can handle but it is nice to have a guy that keeps the floor spread and can distribute a bit.
Best Underclassmen: Luke Richardson (Lapel)
Luke is definitely not his older brother. Much more of a forward than a wing, where he’s thicker frame allows him to be more productive early on in his career. Although, he looks like he is going to be able to stretch it out to the perimeter as he matures the next couple years. Already 6’5 and could get taller than J.R.
Best Improved Since Last Viewing: Austin Lyons (Lapel)
Really like where Lyons has come in the last year. He’s much more assertive and his ability to drive has gotten better along with his body. He’s still a thin framed kid but as he packs on the pounds the next few years he’s going to get even better. Solid jumper and really gave Lapel a second scoring option in the second half.
Biggest Takeaway: The biggest takeaway is how weak the 1A North is this season. Blackhawk Christian looks legit but Liberty Christian is going to have a tough time when they need to find their second or third scorers in close games. They could still escape and make a little run but it might be tough. Tri-County and Lafayette Central Catholic might be the only other 1A North teams that could really give Blackhawk a run.