International Academy of Flint at Kingston: 5 Takeaways
International Academy of Flint 74, Kingston 62 International Academy of Flint had Kingston’s number once again on Monday night after winning all three of their North Central Thumb League matchups a year ago. The Phoenix were active on defense early,…
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Continue ReadingInternational Academy of Flint 74, Kingston 62
International Academy of Flint had Kingston’s number once again on Monday night after winning all three of their North Central Thumb League matchups a year ago.
The Phoenix were active on defense early, helping them race out to a 19-8 lead after the first. While Kingston was struggling to get shots to fall in the second, IAF’s transition offense was thriving thanks to stellar play from Janard Willie (2020), Ja’marion Fricks (2020) and Gerrius Williams (2020). Willie notched 10 of his 16 points in the first half alongside Fricks, who scored nine of his 12 before the break.
The Phoenix continued to roll after the half by rattling off a 8-0 run that forced Kingston head coach Dave Lester to call an early timeout. The Cardinals responded with consecutive buckets from Evan Neff (2020) and Nathan Cloyd (2019), a spark that would trim IAF’s lead to 12. But Kingston couldn’t sustain the scoring surge, falling to IAF in the first of their two regular-season meetings.
The Cardinals were led by Neff’s 17-point night while Cloyd finished with 15. Hunter James (2019) tallied nine points on the night.
– Youth Movement –
IAF appears to be picking up right where they left off last season.
A year ago the Phoenix had an impressive run into the playoffs after bouncing Kingston from the tournament early on. IAF was eventually
tripped up by Class D powerhouse and 2017-18 State Champions Southfield Christian in the quarterfinals. This time around, the Phoenix are getting it done with just three seniors on their roster, two of which are starters in Larry McClean Jr. (2019) and Dequavio Copeland (2019). But it was IAF’s junior class that had the most impressive night. Gerrius Williams had a huge night on both ends of the floor, snagging rebounds and scoring a game-high 18 points. Williams, alongside classmates Willie and Fricks, were in sync with each other the entire night. The junior trio communicated extremely well on both ends of the floor while leading the Phoenix with their speed and athleticism.
– True Point Guards are Back –
A wave of true point guards has appeared to make its way back on to the high school scene and Ja’marion Fricks is the latest addition to the list.
Yes, Fricks proved he can score by notching 12 points in IAF’s road win over Kingston. But he checks all the boxes of characteristics held by great point guards of the past. Fricks has the court vision, he looks to pass first, he’s vocal, has quick hands and even quicker feet. Up front on the Phoenix full-court press he made Kingston’s night even longer, constantly blanketing Neff, Cloyd and James. Last season, Fricks averaged nine points a game and had 17
assists in their Regional Championship win over Fulton.
– 1/2 Punch for Kingston –
When Nathan Cloyd and Evan Neff are on, they are really on.
Lost in the thumping that Kingston took Monday was the unspoken communication between Cloyd and Neff. Cloyd is a gifted passer and ball-handler who can also take on the roll of scorer when needed. But lingering on the wing, ready for the rock at all times is Neff, and Cloyd loves to get him the ball. Neff can pull up from nearly anywhere on the floor, create his own shot, get to the rim with ease and defend with the best of them. Even though the two struggled to get past the full-court defensive pressure of IAF on Monday night, head coach Dave Lester is expecting big things from them this season.
The two received numerous pre-season accolades, and rightfully so. The duo accounted for just over half of the Cardinals offense on Monday night and they’ve already asserted themselves as two of the top players in the Thumb area this season.
– Glue Guy –
One of IAF’s three seniors played a big, but quiet role on Friday night…which could be the trend for his final season with the Phoenix.
Dequavio Copeland’s 6’4 frame made sure Kingston got no easy looks at the rim and prevented all second chances Monday night. At times, Copeland had trouble keeping up with the quickness of the Phoenix guards, causing him to pick up several bad fouls. But he had key contributions on both ends of the floor by blocking shots and hauling in rebounds. Any time he got the ball in the paint, his nice footwork and soft touch were just icing on the cake of what he can offer head coach Ed Kendall.
– Time is now for Cardinals –
Led by a talented group of seniors, including Cloyd and James, the time could be now for Kingston and head coach Dave Lester.
It’s no secret that the biggest thing standing in the way of the Cardinals achieving their goals for this season is IAF – champions of the NCTL Stars Division a year ago and the same team that ended Kingston’s season in the Regionals last season. The Cardinals were missing senior transfer Nathan Dawson Monday when they squared off with IAF, but Lester would be the first to tell you that
even at full strength, his squad didn’t have what it took defeat the Phoenix.
Kingston’s schedule still poses several challenging matchups that will be sure to prep them for the postseason, including a road contest against league foe IAF.