5 Takeaways: Chaparral vs. Sunnyslope
With a number of competitive games taking place last night, I stopped into Sunnyslope to catch the Chaparral vs. Slope game. My 5 takeaways from the game are below. Despite both teams having talent, Sunnyslope looks like they are on another level. Deer Valley may have done the rest of 5A a grave disservice by awaking the beast so early in the season.
5 Takeaways: Chaparral vs. Sunnyslope
1. Sunnyslope: Right Where They Need to be
Although they lost early in the season to Deer Valley, Sunnyslope is just fine. Deer Valley has earned the right to be ranked number 1 at this point in the year. However, being ranked number one does not guarantee a team a state championship. Sunnyslope played with a focused intensity the entire game and rarely made any mistakes on the defensive end of the floor. They communicate well, pack the paint, and closeout well on shooters. In addition to being the biggest offensive threat for Sunnyslope, Kyle Fischer demonstrated that he is one of the best on ball defenders in the state last night.
Final warning to all who are about to play Sunnyslope: Do not make mistakes. They turn turnovers into transition layups and threes at a rate that is alarming. Those four and five point swings are demoralizing to the opponent and aid them in building leads one possession at a time. For opposing teams looking to scout – this is your biggest of the 5 takeaways!
2. Winning teams take charges
Sunnyslope took four charges last night and lined up for a number of other ones. Any time the offensive player leaves his feet to pass or gets out of control, the Sunnyslope help side defense is ready to take one for the team. It seems like a little thing to many people. However, when guards have to constantly be worried about contact and an offensive foul when driving, it shuts down the paint and deters others from creating. Although other guys were willing to take charges, Jaran Whitfield sets the tone for Sunnyslope in this area. He is willing to give up his body to ensure that Sunnyslope wins any 50/50 basketball.
3. Constant Sealing
Part of Sunnyslopes’ key to success is that they are constantly working without the basketball. While the opposing team is in help side, Chris Orozco does a great job of sealing back side and creating space while waiting for the basketball to rotate to his side. In addition to sealing well, Orzoco has improved his ability to finish around the rim with either hand. His versatility and work horse mentality contribute greatly to him being effective on the block despite being undersized.
4. Shooters!
Although Sunnyslope has a number of shooters in their program, some of their guys would have been labelled as “capable shooters” instead of “knock down shooters”. If last night was any indication, Sunnyslope has improved in this area. Both Fischer and Bryson Mewhinney, who are more known for their mid-range jumpers and ability to attack the rim, knocked down some threes last night. If this team continues to shoot the basketball well from deep, they will be an extremely tough out in the state tournament.
5. Bright Spot Shinning in the Lose
Although there was not a lot of positives for Chaparral last night, Blaise Threatt was one of them. He played hard from buzzer to buzzer and demonstrated that he is an exceptional teammate. Despite the game being out of hand early on, Threatt continued to battled. Further, he constantly gave his teammates praise any time they did something well. Being a good teammate is an under-rated skill that a number of college coaches want to see.