Takeaways from Highland Park’s win at Hayden
Highland Park exploded to a big lead at Hayden, only to see the Wildcats nearly pull off a dramatic comeback. Highland Park improved to 5-1, while Hayden dropped to 2-4. Here are some takeaways from the Highland Park win at…
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Continue ReadingHighland Park exploded to a big lead at Hayden, only to see the Wildcats nearly pull off a dramatic comeback. Highland Park improved to 5-1, while Hayden dropped to 2-4. Here are some takeaways from the Highland Park win at Hayden:
1) Highland Park’s CJ Powell is a handful:
Powell did it inside and outside with 2 threes and two midrange jumpers when the Scots bolted out to a 23-8 first quarter lead. Powell is 6-foot-7 and thickly built, but his smooth, agile movements belie his size. He came in averaging 15, but scored an easy 22 at Hayden.
2) John Roeder leads a determined Wildcat bunch:
Hayden fell behind 23-8 in the first quarter and could easily have phoned it in. But the multitalented Roeder led a valiant comeback with eight points and spirited leadership in the second half. The Wildcats closed to within one point three times late, but couldn’t quite get over the hump.
3) Highland Park is more than just a big three:
Juan’Tario Roberts entered the Hayden game scoring 21.6 a game. Powell averaged 15, while Jahi Peppers averaged 11. But Roberts and Peppers were just two of several guards who contributed to the Scots win at Hayden. Senior Donald Daniels was the second-leading scorer for Highland Park with 12. Jeremyah Kendrick and Mu’Khajhae Daniels each scored four and received compliments from their coach, Michael Williams, following the game.
4) The Scots are young, and improving:
Highland Park won more games, four, than it did all last season. Coach Williams was quick to point out that his Scots went just 3-18 last year, and are still learning what it takes to win.
Roberts, the Scots leading scorer, is just a sophomore. Powell, Peppers, Kendrick and Mu’Khajhae Daniels are all juniors. Highland Park played just two seniors in the win at Hayden – Kelvin Curry and Donald Daniels.
5) Cade Pavlik is a three-point weapon for Hayden:
Pavlik entered the game shooting threes at a 32% clip. He showed against Highland Park that at 6-foot-2, he can get his shoot off against smaller opponents. He buried back-to-back threes in the third quarter to fire Hayden’s comeback. Pavlik finished with four triples, a couple of them quickly released with defenders in his face.