Five Takeaways: Thunder Ridge versus Overland

<p>The "Great 8" was underway and it was a battle where Thunder ridge got out to a great start and never looked back against a talented Overland unit. In the game, here is my five takeaways from the game. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thunder ridge depth</strong></p> <p>It is going to be tough to try and beat this Thunder ridge team as they have exactly what it takes to win it all. They are also one of the most balanced teams in the state and that was on display as nine players scored in the game for the Grizzlies.</p> <p>Thunder ridge is a team that is led by their big men but play inside-out which gives them easy perimeter shots with the bulk of their production being inside. Against Overland they got out to a big 16-0 lead due to their defense and never looked back.</p> <p>Austin Holt and Bailey Verk led the way with 32 points combined but it was a total team effort.</p> <p>Kevin Sax was aggressive inside and showed he is more skilled than I originally believed in the post. He finished with 12 points and altered plenty of shots defensively.</p> <p>Garrett Arnold ran the show and had some great no-look passes. He has solid ball handling, knows where his teammates are going to be and is a high IQ guard. He finished with six points and has six assists to go along with it.</p> <p>With all of those players having a good game it was a pleasant surprise to see Justin Smith also join in on the action. He had 14 points and was a perfect 4-4 from the field. He knocked down all four of his 3-pointers and also buried both FT’s. I truly do not know who could beat this Thunder ridge team when they are playing like this.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Defenses for both teams</strong></p> <p>Thunder ridge started out with a big run and it was their defense that was the biggest difference in the game. The Grizzlies went into a press and made things difficult for Overland guards to try and get through it. They switched things up a few times and that kept Overland guessing and when they went into man defense they made it a point to stay in front of their man.</p> <p>Against Graham Ike the Grizzlies are one of the only teams in the state that has the size to matchup with him. He was able to get going as it is nearly impossible to stop a player with his skill and size but they gave him different looks and played a ton of help side defense. The Grizzlies played the passing lanes well and got out on the break and finished. They rotated on defense and played together and that is what why they will continue advancing with that.</p> <p>Overland did not look the same as they have all season long. Their confidence was down, shots were not falling and they started out a bit rough. But where the Trailblazers made up ground in every single game before this was on the defensive end of the floor. They are typically a unit that plays aggressive, stay in front of their man and wins the rebounding battle but the defense did not show up until it was too late. A lot of that had to do with Graham Ike getting into foul trouble early.</p> <p>They settled down in the second half and things started to look a bit like their normal self but by then it was too late.</p> <p>While the two defenses had different points in the game that they showed up the biggest difference in the game was 14 turnovers to six turnovers and the Grizzlies got out and ran with those turnovers and it assured them the win.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Holt and Verk</strong></p> <p>Two seniors that had a big game as they did not want their final game to end in the “Great 8” was Bailey Verk and Austin Holt.</p> <p>Holt had his fingerprints all over this game from the very beginning of the game. He had 14 points but also finished with 12 rebounds to finish off his double-double. He is a guard with great size and is able to affect the game in multiple ways. He has great strength, rebounds well and is capable of knocking down jumpers or finishing inside and the Trailblazers found that out the hard way.</p> <p>Verk is not a big-time scorer but for some reason at the Coliseum he comes alive. He went into the half with 10 points but finished with a game high 18 points including an off the back board lay ups to himself. He gets into a rhythm and is so smart of a player that he often times creates mismatch by just making the right decision. He has good size and eses that size to get to the spots that he wants to get to and on Saturday that ended up with him being the leading scorer in the game.</p> <p>If they continue with this type of production with help from the others a gold trophy is in their future. Unsure how both of these players are not signed yet.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Off game for the Trailblazers</strong></p> <p>Overland could have easily given up after going down 16-0 to start the game but did not have any quit in them as they brought it all game long.</p> <p>Kaleb Chaney gave the Trailblazers the original spark that they needed to get back into the game off of the bench as he finished with eight points and they continued to fight all game long.</p> <p>Hezekiah Swanson is typically their go to guard when the offense breaks down. He runs the show, knocks down shots and gets everyone involved but could not get much to fall on Saturday. It was a bit shocking to see him not shoot the ball as he was the Trailblazers chance at winning the game but the Grizzlies did a great job of limiting his production.</p> <p>Besides Chaney, Graham Ike was one of the bright spots for the Trailblazers. He finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and a block. Although he was in foul trouble he stayed aggressive and made sure the Grizzlies felt his presence. He is one of the most skilled big men with this size that I have seen in a while and when it all comes together he is going to be the top player in the state. He is poised for a big Senior season and this AAU circuit coupled with a big junior year will have division I schools knocking on his door.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Moving forward</strong></p> <p>Thunder ridge is now up against the top team in the state in Chaparral that has already beat them twice.</p> <p>Chaparral matches up with them nicely as it is a defensive minded team that can also get out and run with them. In the previous games the big men for both teams stole the show and whichever guards played better won the game – advantage Chaparral.</p> <p>It will be up to Arnold, Smith and Holt to win this battle.</p> <p>If the guards are able to do what they have to do then there is a chance to knock off the No.1 team in the state that is coming off of a game where they just beat a young and talented Cherry Creek Bruins team.</p> <p>Keeping Bryce Matthews off of the boards and making sure that Kobe Sanders does not get in a rhythm early is going to be in the game plan and if Verk and Sax continue playing the way that they have been playing this will be a game that they can go get.</p> <p>This is a game to be excited about, so be ready as it will be a back and forth affair that might possibly come down to the final shot.</p>