5 Takeaways From Shadow Ridge vs Bonanza

<p>If you are a fan of heart stopping thrilling basketball look no further than Wednesday's  track meet of a game between Shadow Ridge and Bonanza. Bonanza ultimatley pulled out the victory in a 101-100 nail biter. This game featured a number of big plays by <strong>C/O 2020 and 2021 </strong>prospects and several other talented prospects.Here are my 5 takeaways from this instant classic.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1) Kendall Burrell is the Real Deal</strong></p> <p>Mike Tyson once said "Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth." That's how I would describe Burrell's game. Bonanza lost arguably their 2nd and 3rd best players before the season even started. Burrell often sees a multitude of coverages. From double to often times triple teams. On Wednesday he showed why he is one of the better scorers in all of the state with a game high 38 points. Burrell was a man on fire knocking down 7 out of 10 three pointers and he also got to the charity stripe multiple times. It is a great reality when teams come in knowing what you want to do and still can't stop you. On the season Burrell is averaging 21 points 2.7 assits 4.1 rebounds 1.7 steals. Even though Bonanza's win loss record isn't the best. Burrell has rised to the occasion and the pressures of being the focal point of a team's offense. He constantly shows why he is one of the best off the dribble shooters in the state and he can shoot it in your mouth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2) Shadow Ridge Has Some Ballers</strong></p> <p>When a player on the opposing team scores 38 it is often easy to be overlooked. A multitude of Shadow Ridge's guys came to play and shouldn't have to take a back seat. <strong>Zach Jefferson 6’3 SG 2021</strong> continues to flirt with being a ranked player as he has had a number of standout games this year including a 33 point effort against Dobson. On Wednesday he was tasked with going toe to toe with Burrell and he wasn't shy about playing a top scorer. Jefferson scored 24 of his own points along with 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Jefferson all year has displayed great energy on the floor and has proven he can lead his team. 100 points are a lot in a high school game and Jefferson was a driving force.</p> <p>Often times when you see 100 points you may ask "Where the hell was the defense?" Shadow Ridge also had a big performance from <strong>Brady Joyner 6’5 F 2020- </strong>Brady Joyner is a two sport athlete he is a pitcher on the varsity baseball team. As far as his basketball prowess is concerned this year he leads the team in rebounds with 9.3 rebounds. Wednesday he was all over the place logging 20 points 17 rebounds and 4 steals. Yesterday was a game he could truly be proud of in a strong all around effort.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3) Roddrik Junior Had a Career Game.</strong></p> <p>I always root for seniors to have big games. For most seniors a scholarship offer to play ball in college isn't always determined. It's important to play every moment like you are fighting for your future and that is what Junior did on Wednesday with a strong 29 point game for Bonanza. There is often pressure playing next too a bonified scorer someone else has to knock down shots and Junior did that and then some yesterday. Junior was a sniper from mid range converting most of his 29 points from mid range. He was able to get open and knock down key shots when the team needed that extra boost. Not only that he lived at the free throw line hitting 8/11 attempts. It was certaintly a performance he can build on as the season rolls on. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4)</strong><strong> Karson Roberts Has A Bright Future.</strong></p> <p>Roberts has the pressure of being the only freshman in a  Jr and Sr laden team. Bonanza's coach shows real trust in him. Is his game perfect? By no stretch is it. There is a lot of potential there and he can be worked with. When Burrell is on the bench Roberts is one of the ball handlers on the floor. Which indicates to me he is going to be the guard of the future. Roberts made no real big mistakes or took no  ill-advised shots. Which is a very easy in a high scoring affair. The moment wasn't too big for the young man. He is a young guy that will be on future rankings in his class.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5) How Did Bonanza Win?</strong></p> <p>Momentum! Momentum! and more Momentum! The crowd really gave Bonanza that extra boost they needed. Kendall Burrell did what he normally does. However, when you get help from a friend in Roddrik Junior it just makes a win that much sweeter. The game was a back and fourth affair all night. For Shadow Ridge two things stood out for me and explains a 1 point lost. Shadow Ridge missed a lot of free throws they went 24/47 from the line and they also had a lot of turnovers with 22. It gave Bonanza a lot of fast break opportunites that they turned into baskets. If football is a game of inches basketball is a game of oppertunites and Bonzana capitalized on one more oppertunity than Shadow Ridge did.</p>