Five Takeaways: Smoky Hill versus Chaparral
The Tip-Off Classic put together some of the state’s finest talent in a tourney to go to at it and standing in the way of going to the championship in the tourney was possibly the game of the week in…
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Continue ReadingThe Tip-Off Classic put together some of the state’s finest talent in a tourney to go to at it and standing in the way of going to the championship in the tourney was possibly the game of the week in Smoky Hill versus Chaparral. It was a back and forth game that was exciting from start to finish and a second-half run secured the victory for the Buffaloes. Here are my five takeaways from the game.
Interesting defense
One of the initial things I look for in big games is how are the two teams going to defend each other and limit top players from going off. Smoky Hill has gotten off to slow starts against the top teams but has used their bench to build on leads and also defensively they come alive in the second half. In the first half, they changed things up a bit with man to man defense and then they go into their trap that turns the opposing team over a few times and also pushes the pace. The Buffaloes put sophomore standout, Dylan Sanders, on Kobe Sanders and although Sanders was able to get going by coming off of the screen and a couple of pull-up 3-pointers, the youngster that was tasked with the assignment of the night did his best at slowing him down while he defended him. He finished with four steals in the game and also a few baskets at the rim. His defense got him started. Chaparral tried a bit of man but understand the athleticism that Smoky Hill has which caused them to switch things up a bit as well. Their zone defense helped them catch up as it slowed the Buffaloes down just for a bit and the Wolverines capitalized on that. I am excited to see if Smoky Hill keeps putting Sanders on the opposing team’s best guard and how he progresses in that aspect as well as to see how often Chaparral runs their zone.
X-Factors
In a game with so many heavy-hitters, it is great to see players emerge in different ways. There were a couple that stood out for both teams.
For Smoky Hill, although it may not show in the box score, Dasani Darnell had a mini-run in the 3rdquarter that regained the momentum that was lost for the Buffaloes. He keeps plays alive, he finds gaps in what the defense gives him and he doesn’t need to score to impact the game, His presence defensively (two blocks) as well as easy baskets at a time that the Smoky offense stalled stood out. He has to keep the same kind of aggressiveness throughout the game.
Might be the craziest dunk I’ve ever seen @antharrisjr @SmokyHillHoops pic.twitter.com/5V908DMXwk
— Colorado Hoops (@COHoops5280) December 15, 2019
Anthony Harris Jr. is the top athlete in the state and I do not believe that it is close. It does not matter the sport. The way that he flies on the court is incredible as he had arguably the dunk of the season and the scary part is there is a lot of basketball left. He finished with only four points on the night but when you are there his dunks make such an impact on the game and give Smoky Hill so much momentum that you truly felt as if he had 20 points in the game. He is a force defensively as he alters shots at the rim and a game-changer with highlights ready to happen.
For Chaparral, the X-factor player that will be making plays for the next two years is Jeremiah Coleman. Coleman makes an already dangerous team even better as his presence allows Kobe Sanders to play off-ball a bit more and the defense cannot just key in on him as Coleman is capable of beating a team as well. He is a smart guard with a quick first step that makes it difficult for defenders to stay in front of him. He can score inside or out but is best with his ability to playmaker. He runs the offense, does not force much and adds another scorer and ballhandler for the Wolverines. He finished with 14 points and had three steals in the game.
Joel Speckman was also great in the game. He was a glass cleaner that knew his way around the rim. His 14 points and seven rebounds were welcome as Chaparral found him on the block and he was also about to board and go straight back up. He is a player to watch.
Sanders puts on a show
The guard battle in this one was great and one that we were looking forward to. It was the top point guard in the state up against the second-best point guard and both of them had quite the game. Albeit in a loss, Kobe Sanders was sensational. He knocked down 3-pointer after 3-pointer as he finished with six shots from beyond the arc for a game-high 25 points. What is interesting to see is how he does it. He can create for his own with a hesitation that leaves the defender on their heels and then pulls up right in their face. He also creates for himself off of the dribble and finishes well at the rim. The way that he takes over games is second to none and he is not afraid of it all relying on him. In a game that saw a few of the state’s top players, Sanders refused to take a back seat and he gave his team a chance to win.
Weaver and Rock take over
In a battle of the top two guards in the state, Quentin Rock put together his best game of the season. It was a game that he controlled the tempo, did not force many shots and he led by example as he put up a team-high 24 points in the game. He showed off his IQ and patience offensively and made smart reads that broke down the Chaparral defense all night and was able to get going on that end as well. He hit three 3-pointers in the game including a buzzer-beater to give the Buffaloes momentum. He attacked the defense all night and he also finished with nine free-throws made in the game. Solid game for him where he did all of the right things and was the MVP for the game.
Jalen Weaver has quietly put his name in as the top player in 5A to begin the season and it is only his junior season. He has scored at ease, he has taken over in games and whenever the Buffaloes need a basket – go to Weaver. This was a game that his baskets were a bit quieter that what we have become accustoemd to. He leaked on the fast-break and had a couple of easy baskets, he grabbed the rebound and just went and even showed a bit of range as he knocked down a 3-pointer. Weaver is a player that gets after it and you see his confidence starting to build even more. He shows up no matter who Smoky Hill is up against and none of his baskets are forced shots which have called for an efficient year of taking over. He finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists and looks like the best player on the floor every single game.
Looking ahead
Smoky Hill is starting to find a rhythm and is not looking back. They finished off as champions of the Tip-Off Classic with a win against Valor Christian and then have a game against Northfield where they should roll before getting into the thick of their season. They are 5-1 on the season and their best ball is in front of them. They are only going to get better and with wins against some of the state’s top teams already they will be ready when it is all said and done with a chance to take it all home.
Chaparral is coming off of a loss to Smoky and followed it up with a big win against Thunder ridge but things do not get easier for them. They go to California to go against a pretty good Arcadia team that is 6-2 on the season and then return back for a stretch that sees Cherry Creek, Overland, Lewis-Palmer, Denver East and then Columbine. YIKES!! Cannot say that Chaparral is ducking anybody as they have one of the strongest schedules in the state. How they come out of that will be interesting if they are able to put together a few wins. One thing that is for certain is they will be battle-tested and ready when it is all said and done.