Top Performers: Whitmer at Toledo St. Francis

<p>Whitmer executed their third win in four tries against Toledo St. Francis on Friday night, beating them 71-65 on the road. </p> <p>Two senior-laden teams expected to finish atop the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, this had the feel of a rivalry game. Although the referees resisted dishing out technicals, there were plenty of moments worthy of a technical foul on a night where Whitmer improved to 4-0. </p> <p>The animosity was partially bad blood, partially the pregame hype, but also Whitmer frustrated the Knights with their play. Really, outside of a third quarter where SFS senior guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/ohio-player/jakiel-wells/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jakiel Wells</a> scored 14 points to keep pace, the visiting Panthers managed to stay in control of the game behind a hoist of seniors. Their four 2019 starters combined for 70 of Whitmer's 73 points! Now, it's time to get specific on those individual performances:</p> <h4><strong>Leon Hughes (2019), 6'5" W/F, Whitmer </strong></h4> <p>The lengthy combo forward might qualify as Toledo's most underrated senior prospect. As always, Hughes used his length to defend the rim and was locked in on that end of the floor. Most impressively, though, Hughes's ability to create a shot off the dribble consistently has improved since the summer. He was more fluid as a ball-handler and more creative with head fakes, jab steps, and crossovers. While he was more a pure slasher months ago, Hughes is more of a threat when he pops on screens now. He finished with 19 points and four rebounds. </p> <h4><strong>Areon Evans (2019), 6'2" G, Whitmer</strong></h4> <p>Evans was tied for second on the team in points at 19, and that's without hardly playing in the second quarter because of fouls. He came out of the gates firing spot-up 3-pointers on his way to eight points in the first period. Usually a defensive specialist known for his toughness on the ball, Evans also connected on three of his five 3-pointers in the second half to close out the Knights. He elevated his game to match the moment.</p> <h4><strong>Eddie Colbert (2019), 6'5" F, Whitmer </strong></h4> <p>Cobert — once again doing it quietly — led the team with 22 points, scoring both inside and out. His athletic advantage made him the most impactful forward in last night's game, where he tracked down and soared for four offensive rebounds and seven total. He also made the night tough for SFS senior Jackson Harris by pushing him off his spots on the block and denying post entries. Although Colbert appears deferential at times away from the ball, he's a natural and efficient scorer with the ball in his hands.</p> <h4><strong>Trey Syroka (2019), 5'10" PG, Whitmer</strong></h4> <p>Syroka, amid taunts from the crowd and physical on-ball defense, had an up-and-down game with 10 points, six assists, and seven turnovers. One thing is for sure, though, Whitmer doesn't win that game without Syroka. His pacing of the game, experience, and confidence are paramount to the team.</p> <h4><strong>Maurice Purley (2022), 5'6" PG, Whitmer</strong></h4> <p>Those seniors above had 70 of 73 points for the Panthers. The other three came on the first play of the game, when Purley pulled a 3-pointer without hesitation on his first touch. The shot speaks to his confidence as a freshman starter. Throughout, it was his vision and passing that stood out. Purley threw four assists, including a sick bounce pass in transition and a crucial drive-and-kick from the corner to the top of the key in the fourth quarter. </p> <h4><strong>Jakiel Wells (2019), 6'1" G, St. Francis</strong></h4> <p>As we said in the lead, Wells' 14 third quarter points kept St. Francis in this game. Once he got the pull-up and step-back 3-point shot going, his ability to use his body on the drive became even more useful. Wells knows how to shield trailing defenders on pick-and-rolls before firing a floater. His physicality is also a factor on defense. Overall, Wells finished with 26 points, four rebounds, and three steals. </p> <h4><strong>Jackie Harris (2019), 6'6" F, St. Francis</strong></h4> <p>Harris started slow, which made his bounce back in the second half all the more impressive. Showing resiliency, he finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Harris couldn't get the outside shot going whatsoever, so his baskets came on contested post finishes, often stepping through double-teams before finishing. His patience and elite footwork were crucial on those baskets. Struggled to corral rebounds in traffic. </p>