Top Performers: Wharton at Lennard

<p>RUSKIN - Two teams with opposite records met on Wednesday night.</p> <p>Lennard (0-4) hung tough all night with visiting Wharton (5-0) and led at the half, 29-28. However, the Wildcats took an 8-point advantage into the fourth quarter, slowed the game down and did more than enough offensively to put it away, 61-49.</p> <p>Here is a look at the top performers from the matchup.</p> <h3><strong>Gio Reyes (Wharton)</strong></h3> <p>It seemed as if 2020 5'10" guard<strong> Gio Reyes </strong>couldn't miss in this one. Ending the night with a game-best 18 points, he connected on four 3's which included three in the second half alone. Reyes was active on the break, leading his squad and making life tough for the defense with his mix of foot speed and high IQ passing. Reyes is one of the most overlooked guards in the state and would make for an ideal NAIA kid. Division III's would be lucky to get him.</p> <h3><strong>Jayden Lacey (Lennard)</strong></h3> <p>Hitting a 3-pointer to beat the first quarter buzzer and notch the game up at 14-14, 2020 6' guard <strong>Jayden Lacey</strong> had a very nice night offensively for Lennard. He had some early turnovers as a ballhandler, but overcame them and got involved often for his group. Lacey recorded a team-best 16 points and kept his team around until late in the third quarter. He will be needed to have even bigger games as the season gets into full swing.</p> <h3><strong>Josh Barnett (Wharton)</strong></h3> <p>Whenever I see 2020 6'5" guard/forward <strong>Josh Barnett </strong>suit up, I know what I will see from him: a ton of energy. He is a long and athletic kid who is starting to understand his advantage inside against smaller teams. Barnett has a reliable jumper as he hit two 3's in this one and finished with a total of 12 points. He is a key piece to this Wharton attack and he plays quietly confident.</p> <h3><strong>Tarence Guinyard (Lennard)</strong></h3> <p>The leadership, speed and shiftiness of 2021 6'1" guard <strong>Tarence Guinyard</strong> opens up a lot for his Lennard unit. He can shoot when he clears an opening for himself, but again his ballhandling and transition play is fun to watch. Guinyard had 12 points and will continue to reach double digits against almost any team with his consistent and smart play. Also for Lennard, 2020 6'3" guard CJ Peterson chipped in with seven points and displayed his toughness near the rim as an attacker.</p> <h3><strong>Carr Thiam &amp; Elijah Barnes (Wharton)</strong></h3> <p>With just four combined points in the opening half, 2020 6'4" guard <strong>Carr Thiam </strong>and 2021 6' guard <strong>Elijah Barnes </strong>made an impact after the break. Thiam had nine of his 11 points in the second half while Barnes added seven of his nine points in the second half as well. Thiam was getting inside frequently down the stretch and found openings. Barnes hit some big jumpers and controls the tempo with his handles and creativeness. A name to watch for Wharton is 2023 6'3" guard <strong>Chandler Davis</strong> (5 points), he got going early and is a long freshman with clear upside.</p>