Ten Best: Shawnee Heights (83), Hayden (71)
Ten Best: Shawnee Heights (83), Hayden (71) TOPEKA, Kan. — This game was closer than the final score would indicate as Shawnee Heights pulled away in the game’s final moments at the free throw line. In fact, the Thunderbirds were…
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Continue ReadingTen Best: Shawnee Heights (83), Hayden (71)
TOPEKA, Kan. — This game was closer than the final score would indicate as Shawnee Heights pulled away in the game’s final moments at the free throw line. In fact, the Thunderbirds were 11 for 11 from the line in the final frame as they put the game on ice.
The game featured several compelling individual match-ups, pitting two of the top point guards in the state against each other as Trey Brown and Jett Canfield battled, while big men Poncho Freeman and DeShawna Hanika went toe-to-toe in the paint.
For Shawnee Heights, the win was their ninth straight as the Thunderbirds improved to 14-2 this season.
MVP: Poncho Freeman (Shawnee Heights). He’s a handful in the paint, big, strong and physical and moves bodies. He finished with 22 points and nine rebounds and was an unstoppable force in the second quarter as he went for 10 points. He also knocked down a 3, showing a diverse skill set.
Offensive Player of the Game: DeShawn Hanika (Hayden). He went for 20 points despite going scoreless in the second quarter and scoring just two points in the fourth. Hanika scored 12 points in the third quarter and helped give Hayden a two-point lead at the end of the frame. He is an active interior player with a good shooting touch and the ability to score in the paint or on the perimeter.
Defensive Player of the Game: Shawnee Heights put together a solid team effort to hold Hayden standout Zack Harvey in check. The talented 6’5 2019 wing had three points in the first half and finished with 15, well under his season average.
Best shooter: Jett Canfield (Hayden). Kid came to play, knocking down four 3-pointers and playing a heck of a floor game. A talented 5’11 2018 points guard, Canfield went toe-to-toe with senior Trey Brown and the two played to a draw.
Best rebounder: DeShawn Hanika (Hayden). Finished with 10 boards and was a handful on the offensive glass, especially in the third quarter. A strong, athletic 6’6 2018 forward, Hanika got on the glass at both ends of the floor and showed why he is a riser in the 2018 class.
Best passer: Trey Brown (Shawnee Heights). Brown went for 18 points, including 11 in the second half and the point guard helped set up several easy buckets for the Thunderbirds. A 5’10 2017 points guard, Brown has signed to play at Missouri Western.
Best player off the Bench: Michael Brooks (Shawnee Heights). A 6’3 2017 forward, Brooks was instant offensive off the bench for the Thunderbirds in this one, going for 14 points as the Shawnee Heights bench outscored Hayden 25-5.
Young players to watch: Zach Harvey (Hayden). Yes, he struggled in this one and probably didn’t play his best game, but he still showed off the skills that have him pegged as a high major recruit. He can handle it, shoot it, is a nightmare in the open court and has the ability to make the most difficult shots in the paint look easy. He still has some room to grow, but the sky is the limit for the 6’5 2019 wing.
Under the Radar Players: Tyler White (Shawnee Heights). Not really a young player per say, as White is a 6’4 2018 wing player, but with the Thunderbirds graduating a large senior class, White will likely be taking on a much bigger role next year. He brings size and a nice outside shooting touch to the court.