Prep Hoops 10 Best: Linden vs. Hightstown

<p>The final session of the Hearts 2 Hands Invitational might have been the best of the three. This game between Linden and Hightstown was a reason why. For the second game in a row to begin the afternoon, the score was tied after the first quarter. Linden took control in the second quarter and led by four heading into the locker room.</p> <p>The fourth quarter is where the game got interesting. Hightstown cut the deficit to one heading into the final eight minutes. They were able to jump on top and hold a five point lead with 2:32 left in the game. Linden would score the next seven points highlighted by an <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amir-williams/">Amir Williams</a> three-point play to take the lead. Some great execution against the press and free throws would allow Linden to hold on for a 60-56 win.</p> <p><strong>MVP: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/amir-williams/">Amir Williams</a> (2020) | Linden</strong></p> <p>Williams was the unanimous choice for this award. He finished 6-7 from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line for a combined 18 points. He added 11 rebounds to notch another double-double on the season. Williams got hot in the second half and carried Union to victory. He has been their leader all season long and he showed why down the stretch of this game.</p> <p><strong>Play of the Game: Williams' gives Linden the lead</strong></p> <p>This game was starting to go Hightstown's way in the final minutes. They led 53-48 with 2:32 left in the fourth quarter. Linden would score seven in a row beginning with Williams' splitting a pair of free throws. On their next possession, Kaddin Berry would knock down a three to cut the deficit to one. Williams would make it three straight scores when he made a contested layup plus a foul. This put Linden up two and they did not look back.</p> <p><strong>Best Offensive Performance: Kyle Reiss (2020) | Hightstown</strong></p> <p>One of the biggest reasons that Hightstown held a lead late in the fourth quarter was the play of Reiss. He scored a team-high 16 points on 7-8 from the field. Linden had a hard time corralling Reiss on the inside. He scored 12 points from inside the paint. This was an extremely efficient performance from a senior when his team needed it.</p> <p><strong>Best Defensive Performance: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/yasin-willock/">Yasin Willock</a> (2020) | Linden</strong></p> <p>At 6'10, Willock is a true rim protector and he showed that in this win. Willock played limited minutes but made his presence known on he defensive end. The senior finished with five blocks, three coming on one possession which led to a basket by Linden.</p> <p><strong>Best Underclassman: Jaylan Hodge (2023) | Linden</strong></p> <p>Hodge caught fire in this game and that kept Linden in the game when it was beginning to slip away. He finished with 13 points including 3-4 from beyond the arc. Just a freshman, Hodge played well beyond his years in this one. He looked like a veteran player who was not afraid of the big moment of big shot.</p> <p><strong>Best Intangibles: Ben Simon (2020) | Hightstown</strong></p> <p>Simon came into this game as Hightstown's leading scorer but could not find the range in this one. He finished with five points on 2-7 from the field but this did not discourage him from doing the little things. Simon played excellent defense and was always moving on offense. One of his two field goals came on an incredible and-one play late in the fourth quarter where he skied for a rebound and shot it up all in one motion.</p> <p><strong>Best Performance Off the Bench: Ryan Hogan (2020) | Hightstown</strong></p> <p>Hogan did not play in the first half of this game but started the second half and got hot immediately. Hightstown called his number on the first play of the second half and Hogan knocked down a three from the left corner. This was one of three shots from deep for Hogan who finished with nine points.</p> <p><strong>Best Under-the-Radar Performance: Nashawn Holmes (2020) | Linden</strong></p> <p>Williams get a lot of attention and rightfully so, but Holmes is a name to remember. The senior is the real deal and he does it quietly. Holmes finished with 10 points on 4-8 from the field in this win. He dished out a couple assists on the offensive end as well. Holmes was key for Linden down the stretch of this win.</p> <p><strong>Best Coaching Decision: Linden breaks pressure</strong></p> <p>Anthony Drejaj took over as head coach of Linden when Phil Colicchio left. There is naturally going to be a transition period but it will not be long. Drejaj showed that he knows how to navigate the end of games and is a winning coach. Hightstown applied pressure in the final two minutes when they were trying to get a steal and get back into the game. Linden did not panic and an excellent adjustment was made by Drejaj in regards to breaking the press.</p> <p><strong>Best Shooter: Nicky Desmond (2020) | Hightstown</strong></p> <p>It was the first possession of the game when Desmond attempted a three for Hightstown. It was missed but he was able to connect on his next one. In the second quarter, Desmond hit another three and pulled up in transition to make it two in a row within 30 seconds. Desmond scored 12 points in this game all from beyond the arc. He also grabbed six rebounds to turn in a complete game.</p>