Five Takeaways: Sioux City East’s 7-0 start

<p>Ras Vanderloo's squad is off to its second consecutive seven-win start and is currently ranked second in the Prep Hoops Poll and fourth in the AP Poll. It's a program that has demanded perfection on every possession and to do whatever it takes to come away with a win when the game is on the line. In the last five seasons, the Black Raiders are an astounding 20-2 in games decided by five points or less. With East's 7-0 start to begin the 2019-20 campaign, it will be looking to reach 20 wins once again. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1.  The Black Raider backcourt </strong></p> <p>Between <strong>Jaleque Dunson</strong>, <strong>Sayvion Armstrong</strong>, and <strong>Danny Callahan</strong>, the Black Raider backcourt is amongst the best in Class 4A when it comes to production.  The three seniors all have their own individual roles and have had success thus far. Dunson is the team-leader who is going to be the consistent scorer, Armstrong will be that scrappy guard who creates plays for his teammates, and Carlson is the gritty player that scraps for 50-50 balls and is a workhorse on both ends of the floor. It should be noted that all three players are averaging over 14 points per game. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. Jaleque Dunson is ready to step up </strong></p> <p>For the past few seasons, it was all-state selection Aidan Vanderloo that took over and made crucial plays when the game needed to be won late in regulation. Last season at Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Vanderloo made key shots and free throws down the final stretch of a 74-73 overtime victory. It was almost deja vu on December 20th when East came from behind late in the 4th quarter and eventually won at Sergeant Bluff-Luton in overtime, 59-52. Dunson knocked down a key three-pointer with 30 seconds left in regulation to put the Black Raiders within two points. In overtime, Dunson converted on a crossover jumper that helped put East up for good. The senior guard is currently averaging 21 PPG. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3. Maxey's toughness on the glass.  </strong></p> <p>There was going to be a void left by Javonte Keck, who had a breakout senior season as the Black Raiders' big man last season, it was just a matter of who was going to fill that role. Thus far, 6-foot-6 senior center <strong>Jacob Maxey</strong> has been strong both in the paint and on the glass. He isn't Keck when it comes to explosiveness and athleticism, but he has a big body and gives East length when it comes to battling on the boards. While he's averaged only 5.9 PPG, he's recorded a team-high 46 total rebounds. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4. Super Sayvion! </strong></p> <p>Remember last season when Sayvion Armstrong drove the length of the floor and hit the runner as time expired at Sioux City West to give the Black Raiders a 65-64 win? Well, he's making those types of key baskets again. Armstrong threw an inbounds pass off the back of Sergeant Bluff-Luton's Daniel Wright on the baseline and scored a lay-up to tie the game with three seconds remaining in regulation on Dec. 20th.  Armstrong is currently averaging 14.7 PPG and leads East in both assists (28) and steals (19). </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5. Ability to win late in games </strong></p> <p>As mentioned above, the Black Raiders have found success winning close games and that's why the program is an impressive 88-14 since the 2015-16 season. Following winter break, the Black Raiders will have to go through the gauntlet right out of the gate. They'll travel to top-ranked Yankton (SD) on Tuesday, face off in the CNOS Invitational against a tough Omaha Central squad, then host MRAC rival Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 14. East is going to have to continue to be clutch down the final stretch of games if they are going to go unscathed through these three contests.  </p>