5 questions answered: La Joya vs Boulder Creek

<p>La Joya Community defeated Boulder Creek, 58-56, in a hard-fought 6A contest Thursday.</p> <p>Here are five questions answered from the game:</p> <p><strong>What's La Joya's biggest strength on offense?</strong></p> <p>La Joya doesn't have a ton of size. It's top scorers are seniors <strong>Bryan Nicholas</strong> and <strong>Alfred Jordan</strong>, who both are good scorers from the perimeter. They both excel with getting into the paint and creating scoring opportunities for themselves and teammates off drive-and-kicks. They do not have much of an inside presence with huge players from the post, but their athleticism can make up for that in the right situations.</p> <p><strong>What does Boulder Creek do well on offense?</strong></p> <p>The team has struggled this year in a tough 6A conference. As shown in this game, Boulder Creek is at its best when <strong>Tyrese Rogers </strong>is getting to the lane and making plays for his team. The junior excels on the dribble, and is fearless driving inside. When his teammates are able to finish some of his passes, they can be an effective offense.</p> <p><strong>Is there anything worrisome about La Joya?</strong></p> <p>I mentioned their lack of size before. Coach Roger Lefebvre has the team doing a good job defensively, especially as junior <strong>Nahshon Harper</strong> is quick and intelligent at the perimeter. He gets a lot of steals and then can make good plays in transition. However, he is one of the many Lobos players who excels in the perimeter, not as much down low. La Joya does not have the same size as most teams, or somebody who can really rebound at a high rate after protecting the rim. Their biggest challenge will be playing help defense when and if they face teams with a big post presence later in the season.</p> <p><strong>Same question for Boulder Creek?</strong></p> <p>The Jaguars don't have the same size problem. In this game, the forward trio of <strong>Kyle Harris</strong>, <strong>Gavin Caldwell</strong> and <strong>Brendan Baker</strong> all have some real height, and each can defend and score the way somebody of that size should be able to do. They all can shoot a little bit from the outside as well. With that being said, none of them are that huge. In a game like this, where the opposing team is small, they can dominate. However, that same level is not as possible when they go up against other tall teams, where the advantage is nullified.</p> <p><strong>What was the play of the game?</strong></p> <p>With less than a minute remaining, <strong>Zach Blackwood</strong> came down with a defensive rebound, and got the ball to Jordan, who took the ball up the floor. Jordan dribbled some of the clock out, and eventually knifed through the group of defenders. He took the ball into his left hand in the air with under seven seconds left, and made a great lay up to break the tie and eventually win the game seconds later.</p>