Prospects A Plenty As Preston And Burley Are Set To Do Battle Again
photo credit: ktvb.com
Tonight the Preston Indians and Burley Bobcats will face off, however, this time it will be on Preston’s home floor. These two prospect filled teams faced off to start their respective 2017-2018 campaigns, and as they get set to do battle once again, we take a look at the key players to watch for in the big game.
Entering the game, Preston has seemingly waltzed through their schedule thus far as they have not dropped a game all year. In fact, the Indians, led by head coach Tyler Jones, could be riding at their highest as they enter tonight’s game against Burley coming off a huge win over 5A Rocky Mountain 70-66 last Saturday. The team has averaged 70.7 points a contest and are a high powered, experienced bunch that will likely be more than ready to try and take their record vs Burley on the year to 2-0.
For the Bobcats, it will be first year head coach Trent Whiting’s second opportunity to knock off perhaps the top team in the entire state. Whiting has Burley rolling as of late, especially on the offensive end. In their last five games, Burley has averaged 76.8 points a contest and all have ended as wins for the team. A team similar to Preston as it features a number of players who can step up and lead the way, Burley can make a large statement on their season and in the state if they can topple this Preston team seeking a three peat in terms of state titles.
As we eluded to, each of these teams has a number of quality players to watch for. Here are our five to watch for tonight in what will be an exciting, action packed game.
Preston
Brayden Parker, 2018, 6’8, Center
Surprise, surprise, Brayden Parker‘s name is yet again being mentioned here at PHID. This bruiser can’t help himself from infiltrating our articles each and every week and we don’t mind giving him the ink because he is more than worthy. Following up his 4A Player of the Year season from a year ago, Parker has picked up right where he left off and in a rather smooth style. The Preston big man, who holds an offer from Idaho State, has really expanded his game and now can impact it in more areas than just rebounding and protecting the rim.
Yet, his last outing and perhaps the team’s biggest win of the season, Parker posted a monster line of 29 points, 10 rebound, and eight blocks. It was one of the best single game performances of the entire season from any prospect, and it also solidified Parker as the state’s most dominant player. Strength and smarts on the court are two of Parker’s best attributes and if Burley wants any chance to walk away from this game with a win, they will have to at least slow down Parker in some fashion. Good luck.
Derek Wadsworth, 2018, 6’0, Guard
Derek Wadsworth has gone out and proven that he is as important to this bunch as his teammate Parker. This tough nosed guard has led the team in scoring in a few contests and has always demonstrated his leadership as well. It was just a few games ago that Wadsworth poured in 24 points to get a win over Rigby in their Preston Indian Classic Tournament.
One of the many worthy skills Wadsworth has is his solid free throw shooting which he displayed in his team’s win 76-73 win over Logan (UT) earlier in the season. Wadsworth cashed in at the charity stripe going 8 for 8 in the fourth quarter and overtime. Keep on eye on this stud tonight and for the rest of the season as he remains a top guard in the 2018 class, and for this Preston Indians team.
Burley
Ryan Bagley, 2018, 6’1, Guard
The Times-News GBC Player of the Year in 2016, Ryan Bagley, was up to his usual ways in Burley’s last outing which resulted in a 75-65 win over Rigby. Bagley finished the game leading all scorers with 24 points as his team notched their fifth consecutive win. Bagley has been well known as a potential triple-double threat for this group and remains that and more with the growing supporting cast he now has at Burley.
It seems that under new head coach Whiting, Bagley has found an excellent role and will keep contributing for this team as they move forward in the season. This matchup with Preston will require Bagley to be at his best and impacting the game in all categories if they want to secure the win.
Andrew Ferrin, 2018, 6’8, Forward
Andrew Ferrin has really hit our radar lately as an impact player for Burley. Ferrin’s size and abilities has enabled him to be a player head coach Whiting and his team can count on for production in a number of areas. Recently, Ferrin coupled two performances that highlight what he can do out on the floor. First, against Canyon Ridge, Ferrin tallied 11 rebounds while blocking three shots as his team cruised to a 88-73 win. Next, Ferrin splashed home 18 points in a 75-65 win over Rigby.
The versatile Ferrin will be a player to watch in this matchup, especially as Burley will need him as a source of rebounds going against Preston’s interior. If Ferrin can continue his solid play, Burley will be in good shape down low tonight.
Jace Whiting, 2020, 5’3, Guard
Similar to Ferrin, Jace Whiting is firmly on our radar now for this Burley team. Whiting, despite his stature and youth, has been a force for this team that has found an offensive groove with the help of the nifty guard. In his last two games, Whiting averaged 20.5 points including his game against Canyon Ridge where is scored 9 of his 23 points in the first half.
Whiting has the smarts and maturity to already make an impact at this level with the tall test against Preston once again on the horizon, a bit more seasoning for himself could lend itself to a better result for the team.