Five Takeaways: Aiken vs. Shroder

<p>The talents of the Aiken Falcons backcourt were on full display Friday night against Shroder. <strong>Top 200 senior</strong> <strong>D’Arris Dean</strong> <strong>and top 40 sophomore Jakda Stone</strong> combined for 44 points as the Falcons cruised to a 71-53 road victory. Dean was a one-man band early as scored 17 of Aiken’s 20 first quarter points, outscoring Shroder by himself 17-14. As the 2^nd quarter began and the defense turned their focus to stopping D’Arris the young fella Stone started to get in on the act turning defense into offense, getting to the rim off dribble drives and knocking down perimeter shots. The duo caused havoc for Coach Will Johnson and his squad all evening.</p> <p>The before mentioned<strong> Dean</strong> lead all scorers with 24 points on the evening while<strong> Stone</strong> finished with 20 points on the evening for Coach Ty Cass and company. The Jaguars were led by the 2020 forward tandem of <strong>Kyle Cardenas and Anthony Felder</strong> as Cardenas finished with a team-high 17 points and 5 rebounds while Felder finished with his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and a team-high 10 boards.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><u>Five Takeaways</u></strong></p> <ul> <li>Regional D-II/JUCO programs should be calling Coach Cass right now in regards to <strong>D’Arris Dean (2019 PHO #187). </strong>According to the CMAC website Friday night was Dean’s 13^th game of the season with at least 20, including a season-high 43 December 15^th at Cincinnati Christian. Always known as a shooter/scorer, Dean also impressed with his ball-handling/off the dribble game showing off excellent handles in tight spaces while using effective jab steps and head fakes to keep defenders off balance. And as the game went on he also showed off his passing ability as well setting up his teammates for easy looks. Currently he is in the top in the CMAC in points (20.9, 5^th) and assist (3.4, 10^th).</li> <li>The right knee of Shroder junior <strong>Anthony Felder</strong> should be a major concern for the Jaguar community. Already playing with a heavy knee brace, Felder took a hard tumble to the floor in the 1^st half and did not look comfortable the rest of the contest. With his knee being a source of concern, sitting out the rising junior the last two games of the regular season might be the best move as the Jags have a matchup with Roger Bacon in the 1^st round of the playoffs on February 23, a winnable game for Shroder if Anthony is healthy.</li> <li>I am very impressed with the improvement that I have seen in Jaguar junior <strong>Kyle Cardenas. </strong>Mostly a back to the basket player in the past, Kyle has shown face up ability from the free-throw line extended along with being a capable shooter from the perimeter in pick and pop situations. And as he has shown in the past with his strength and size he does not mind mixing it up in the paint and is a solid finisher around the rim. With a good spring/summer this is a young man who could find himself in Prep Hoops rankings before the start of next season.</li> <li>The key to the Falcons making a deep postseason run will be the play of <strong>2019 F Tremaine “Noodles” Smith</strong>. Smith, the 91^st ranked player in his class, has the size and length to effect the game in multiple ways. Along with the before mentioned attributes he also has the ability to make plays in transition. If he can stay focused on the task at hand, Aiken could be the Nati’s D-II representative in Dayton.</li> <li>Well Friday night looks like it will be for all the marbles in the CMAC. With Hughes win over West High Friday night they clinched at least a share of the CMAC title while a win at Aiken this Friday will give them the title outright. But if Aiken can pull off the upset then they will be co-champions with Hughes. And let us not forget Taft who with a win can clinch a share of the title as well depending on the Falcons/Big Red outcome! Did you get all that?</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>