Biggest Takeaways: McCluer vs McCluer North

<p>It was a rivalry showdown Thursday evening as the McCluer North Starts took the short ride across town to take on the McCluer Comets.  The Comets came in to the game with an overall record of 10-2 and were ranked 6th in Class 4.  The Stars had their eyes on an upset.  After a slow start, the two teams battled in a back and forth contest that eventually saw McCluer hold serve at home and survive with a 50-46 victory.  Here are our biggest takeaways from the game:</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Both Teams Shorthanded</strong></em></span>:</p> <p>Both teams played shorthanded Thursday night, and it made an impact early on before both teams settled in offensively.  McCluer was without leading scorer 6'6 Sr Devon Barshow, while McCluer North was without talented junior point guard Marlon Owens.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Who Stepped Up?</strong></em></span></p> <p>McCluer was the favorite coming into the game, but they knew someone had to pick up the slack offensively with Barshow not in uniform.  Insert emerging standout <em><strong>Jeremiah Johnson</strong></em>.  The 6'0 senior was tremendous for the Comets and showed a takeover ability we have yet to see.  He torched the Stars to the tune of a game high 27 points and was clearly the difference in the game.  He showed great poise as the primary ball-handler throughout.  He is a legitimate threat from beyond the arc, but made his money last night attacking the basket off the bounce with crafty finishing ability.  He knocked down some tough mid-range jumpers, asserted himself on the offensive glass with a number of big put backs, and was automatic from the charity stripe down the stretch to seal the win.</p> <p>For the Stars, it was a tale of two halves.  In a sluggish first half, star guard <em><strong>Sylvon Mosley</strong></em> was held scoreless.  It was <em><strong>Jermond Mosley</strong></em> who picked up the slack with a number of key transition baskets and slashing drives to the rim.  Sylvon got it going in the second half, putting up 14 points and willing his team back into the game down the stretch.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Battle of the Bigs</strong></em></span>:</p> <p>There was a very fun match-up of talented forwards who play different styles.  For McCluer, <em><strong>6'5 Sr Kameryn Hubbard</strong></em> was a huge factor.  He is long, athletic, and extremely bouncy.  He is a menace defensively.  He boards the ball at its high point, alters nearly every shot around the rim, and has quick hands and feet that allow him to switch on screens effectively and use his length for deflections and steals.  Offensively, he is a solid rim runner and a must box-out that will rise up and flush one any time he gets a chance.</p> <p>McCluer North countered with strong, physical <em><strong>6'6 Jr Quentin Hall</strong></em>.  He used his body very well to clear space and was a monster on the offensive glass where he either pulled down or tipped out several balls that led to extra possessions for the Stars.  He has some athleticism as well and had a couple eye opening dunk attempts in traffic.  He is one to keep an eye on the next couple years.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Block Party</strong></em></span>:</p> <p>I'm not sure I have ever seen as many blocks as I did in this game.  Quentin Hall and Jermond Mosley came up with several rejections for the Stars.  For McCluer, Hubbard did a nice job protecting the rim, but it was <em><strong>6'2 Jr Anias Futrell</strong></em> who put on his own personal block party.  On one possession he blocked back to back pull-up jumpers and followed that up shortly after by swatting away a dunk attempt and then recovering to block yet another jumper.  Tremendous defensive effort by both teams.</p>