Prep Hoops 10 Best: Doherty at Denver East
One of two top-10 games in 5A took place Tuesday night, with No. 8 Denver East hosting No. 7 Doherty in a game between two teams trying to improve their playoff positioning. In a largely defensive battle, the Spartans scored…
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Continue ReadingOne of two top-10 games in 5A took place Tuesday night, with No. 8 Denver East hosting No. 7 Doherty in a game between two teams trying to improve their playoff positioning.
In a largely defensive battle, the Spartans scored an impressive road win, 61-53 over the Angels. Doherty improved to 16-3 this season while extending its winning streak to 10 games. Denver East dropped to 14-6 and had its four-game winning streak snapped.
Here’s a closer look at how the game played out:
MVP: Brevin Brimble, Doherty
Denver East used a 16-4 run to turn a 20-14 deficit at the end of the first quarter to a 30-24 lead in the opening moments of the third quarter. That’s when Brimble, who finished with a team-high 19 points, went to work. He nailed two 3-pointers in the quarter, the second of which tied the game at 34-all. The Spartans never trailed again. Brimble couldn’t find his shot in the first half — outside of a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter (below) — but he kept plugging away until he found his rhythm and then helped Doherty finish things at the free-throw line.
.@BrevinBrimble hits a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give @Doherty_Bball a 20-14 lead over @DenverEastHoops after the first quarter. pic.twitter.com/dhmfhhVYvS
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) February 8, 2017
Offensive Player of the Game: Daylen Kountz, Denver East
The 6-4 junior wing has been gaining more and more Division I attention of late, and Tuesday night provided good insight as to why. Attacking the rim with efficiency and consistency, Kountz scored a game-high 28 points. He used his long and quick stride to knife into the lane where he was able to finish through contact, completing three different three-point plays. Kountz also showed off a nice mid-range jumper and rebounded it well. It should be one heck of a spring and summer for Kountz with the Colorado Hawks, and he’ll have plenty of eyes on him.
Defensive Player of the Game: Joe Golden, Doherty
Tasked with defending the 6-9 Alex May, the 6-6 Golden more than held his own. He finished recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and his strong post defense helped negate May’s size advantage. Golden, a talented tight end for the Doherty football team, brings a strong dose of toughness to Spartans team that prides itself on toughness, and he was on his game Tuesday.
Play of the Game: Kyrele Benford, Doherty
Early in the second quarter, Joe Golden caught an outlet pass in transition and saw Benford sprinting from the left side. Golden floated the ball toward the rim and Benford through down a nasty dunk — one of the best we’ve seen all year — with one hand. The bench roared as Benford ran back down the court.
Little oop tonight from @kyrelebenford_3 assisted by @iamjoemoney pic.twitter.com/cHamhM7v32
— Doherty Basketball (@Doherty_Hoops) February 8, 2017
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Emmanuel Burleson, Doherty
In addition to hitting some clutch free throws in the second half, the 6-0 senior guard helped calmly handle the pressure applied by East’s talented guard trio of Jamison Washington, Joe Abiakam and Kountz. Burleson always seems to make the intelligent play, and Doherty frustrates opponents by how well they take care of the ball.
Best Kickstarter: D’Angelo Shepherd, Doherty
The 6-2 junior guard splashed two early 3-pointers that helped Doherty to a 9-2 lead. Though the Angels would eventually regain a lead that grew to as many as six points, the quick flurry seemed to embolden a Doherty team that played with good togetherness and confidence throughout the game.
Best Intangibles: Joe Abiakam, Denver East
The 6-2 senior guard was a spark plug on both ends for much of the game, finishing with 10 points and a handful of assists. Abiakam has come a long way since his junior season and is playing with good confidence.
Toughest Finish: Jamison Washington, Denver East
Check this out from the 6-2 senior guard, who finished with 10 points:
.@jaymowash with a tough lefty layup to give @DenverEastHoops its first lead. pic.twitter.com/5sVdC2kg5j
— Prep Hoops Colorado (@PrepHoopsCO) February 8, 2017
Moment That Mattered: Doherty’s Close
Golden knocked down a jumper to put Doherty up 49-44 midway through the fourth quarter. The Spartans didn’t tally another field goal the rest of the way. They didn’t have to. Great ball security forced the Angels to foul down the stretch, and eight consecutive makes at one point between Burleson, Brimble and Golden helped seal the deal.
The Story Going Forward For Doherty: Win Away From League Title
A victory over Rampart on Thursday would all but secure a second straight 5A Colorado Springs Metro League title for the Spartans. Doherty won an 89-87 overtime thriller between the two teams on Jan. 17. It should be another great game the second time around.
The Story Going Forward For Denver East: Goals In Sight
The Angels suffered a tough loss Tuesday, but they still have big goals in sight. East has three Denver Public League games left. A win over Denver South on Saturday and Denver West on Monday would likely set up a winner-take-all game against George Washington on Feb. 18. With Kountz returning to face his old school, that should be as hyped a regular-season game as you’re likely to find.