Houston Episcopal downs Austin St. Stephen’s in SPC Matchup
It was the battle of Houston vs. Austin in the SPC yesterday afternoon as the Knights of Houston Episcopal traveled to face the Spartans of St. Stephen’s Episcopal. It was a close and competitive game all the way to approximately…
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Continue ReadingIt was the battle of Houston vs. Austin in the SPC yesterday afternoon as the Knights of Houston Episcopal traveled to face the Spartans of St. Stephen’s Episcopal. It was a close and competitive game all the way to approximately the middle of the third period. Afterwards, the Knights pulled away and won the conference matchup 48-65.
Player Breakdown
D.J. Nussbaum / 6’9″ / C / Houston Episcopal / 2020
Nussbaum came ready to play yesterday afternoon. He displayed a soft touch in the paint and was automatic hitting shots from the high post. The junior big man is a reliable threat from 15 feet. But he needs to be more aggressive in hitting the glass and protecting the rim. He scored a team-high 19 points in the win.
Jahari Long / 6’4″ / PG / Houston Episcopal / 2020
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Long does not need to put up big numbers in the scoring department because of his elite ability to see the floor and make his teammates better. He constantly looked to make the right decisions, whether it be accurate outlet passes or assists in the half-court. The three-star guard can be lackadaisical with the rock at times, but he is always poised and has great size for his position. Defensively, he utilizes his lengthy body and lateral quickness to keep guards in front of him. Long’s recruitment has picked up a bit since the fall because of his upside at the lead guard spot.
D’Avian Houston / 6’1″ / PG / Houston Episcopal / 2020
Playing alongside Long in the backcourt is another two-way lead guard in D’Avian Houston. He brings energy to the court and truly impacts the game on both ends of the floor. The southpaw is one of the best on-ball defenders in his class and will apply full court pressure to opposing guards without hesitation. He also is a playmaking option for the Knights as he threaded the needle with his passes for easy scores. Houston only scored 6 points, but did everything else to affect the outcome of the game.
Adam Kanafani / 6’4″ / SF / Houston Episcopal / 2020
Kanafani has a blue-collared game that fits well within the Episcopal’s system. He has good hands, plays hard, and finishes well at rim. His guards constantly set him up for nice opportunities and he aggressively took advantage of them. The junior forward scored 17 points in the conference win.
Zach Taylor / 6’2″ / SG / Austin St. Stephen’s Episcopal / 2019
It was a quiet afternoon for the Columbia signee. He could not buy a bucket from the perimeter, but he still revealed some athleticism and unselfishness on the floor. Taylor is the lead guard for St. Stephen’s and he found his teammates for good looks that were not always converted upon. He also opened up the game displaying his bounce in the open floor with a two-foot, two-hand slam. Taylor scored eight in the loss.
Nehikhare Igiehon / 6’7″ / SF / Austin St. Stephen’s Episcopal / 2022
The diaper dandy is one to look out for in the Central Texas area. He arguably is the best player in the city for his class currently and possibly could finish his high school career with that title. But Igiehon still is not a finished product. He can spot up and hit the catch and shoot three, is effective on the defensive end, and possesses length. As he continues to play, he will progress and develop more of a feel for the game. He also will need to continue to gain upper body strength for better body control when drawing contact in the paint. The freshman played big for the Spartans scoring a game-high 22 points in the win