10 Best From Cheyenne vs Palo Verde
Quarterfinal action of the 4A playoffs got underway. The PrepHoopsNevada Twitter fan poll game of the night had me at Palo Verde as they took on Cheyenne. Cheyenne as always was lead by all world wing Glenn Taylor who was…
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Continue ReadingQuarterfinal action of the 4A playoffs got underway. The PrepHoopsNevada Twitter fan poll game of the night had me at Palo Verde as they took on Cheyenne. Cheyenne as always was lead by all world wing Glenn Taylor who was coming off a brilliant 43-10-7 and 5 performance in the second round. The Desert Shields continued their momentum from that game, coming out swinging en route to a 18-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Panthers made their run in the second, thanks to the shooting of Jason Condron who buried 3 threes in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 4 at the half. The two teams traded leads in the second half, entering the 4th quarter tied at 44. The defining play of the game came when rising sophomore Andrick Santallian buried a 3 from the top of the key, extending Cheyenne’s lead to 6 with under 2 minutes to play. His bucket proved to be the dagger as Cheyenne would hold on to win by exactly that margin, escaping with a 59-53 victory.
Now on to the best
MVP: Glenn Taylor 6’5 SF Cheynne 2021 (#4PHN 2021)
Taylor is one of the rare players that has the ability to raise the level of play of his teammates. He receives the Jaden Hardy treatment whenever he takes the floor. Palo did a terrific job of getting the ball out of his hands, using double teams and junk defenses. In the end, Taylor showed that his best trait is the ability to be a winner, as he unselfishly and consistently made the correct basketball decision.
Best Offensive Performance: Jason Condron 6’0 SG Palo Verde 2021 (#60PHN 2021)
Jason Condron is a sniper. He changed the dynamic of the game by hitting 3 three’s in the 2nd quarter. His shooting opened up the floor for Palo providing driving lanes for their slashers. He finished with 14 overall and provided a spark to an at-times lethargic Palo offense.
Best Defensive Performance: Kade Madsen 6’2 SG Palo Verde 2020 (#17PHN 2020)
Although giving up nearly 4 inches, Madsen took the challenge of defending Taylor. He sat in a stance, moved his feet and sacrificed his body. He drew a couple of charges on Taylor and showed why he was deserving of being on the PrepHoops Nevada all-defense team.
Best Intangible: The officiating
I’m not a big blame the official guy, but there were some weird calls in this game. Cheyenne received two 10, second backcourt counts, without facing defensive pressure. The Palo student section was put on punishment and told to take a seat in the stands, and then there was the controversial double technical late in the game. I can’t say whether it was a good or bad game for the refs, but it certainly was a strange one.
Best play: Andrick Santillan‘s 3 pointer
As was mentioned before Santillan hit a dagger. Cheyenne isolated Taylor at the high post. As happened all night Palo came with the double team on the catch. Taylor being an advanced IQ guy, caught, faced and found a wide-open Santillan, all without putting the ball on the ground. Don’t believe me click here. The Sophomore stepped into his shot and buried what proved to be the game winning 3.
Best Coaching Decision: Coach Condron putting Edward Rhambo in the game.
Right of the bat, it looked to me as if Cheyenne was the much more athletic team. Palo struggled to get a good look, or even free themselves up for a clean one. Condron inserted Rhambo toward the end of the 1st and his energy, and athleticism really changed the game. He didn’t score a single point, however, he provided the Panthers with another wing defender, and rebounded at a high level. He was a big part of Palo getting back into the game.
Sleeper: Kyree Hayes 6’2 SG Cheyenne 2021 (#49PHN 2021) (feature image)
I’m old enough to have seen Patrick Beverly play in high school so I don’t feel crazy when I say, that’s who Hayes reminds me of. He’s not the defender Beverly was, but who is? What he is, is a good defender with the ability to make shots. More of a combo than a point, Hayes is a good athlete, with the ability to finish in transition and knockdown 3’s. If I were him, I would copy Beverly’s pride on the defensive end, and market myself as an elite 3 and D player.
Underclassmen: Andrick Santillan 6’4 SG Cheyenne 2022 (#4PHN 2022)
Besides from his 3, I thought Santillan played well. For one he looked the part, there was a moment in that game when I thought to myself, this kid is only a Sophomore? He played tough, he battled for rebounds, showed the ability to handle the ball, and of course knocked down clutch shots. He finished the night with 10 points.
Best Quote: Glenn Taylor Cheyenne
“The young kids that really don’t play a lot played good today and they stepped up big time”
Best aspect of the environment: The Palo Crowd
If you follow PrepHoopsNevada, then you know my affinity for the Palo Verde Student section. They brought it once again today providing a terrific atmosphere.