5 Takeaways: Eaglecrest v. Smoky Hil

<p>Eaglecrest and Smoky Hill faced off for their second battle of the season in a classic back and forth battle. In the first game, Smoky Hill overcame the Raptors in overtime but it was known that this was a game that could’ve gone either way and Eaglecrest would be looking forward to the next time that the two teams faced off against each other for the revenge factor. In this game, it was Eaglecrest that was victorious as they rallied back in the game and won it down the stretch. The Raptors won the game 76-68 and with that, I give you the five things that stood out in the game.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinten-rock/">Quinten Rock</a> Shines Bright</strong></h3> <p>The player that honestly stood out most in the game was <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quinten-rock/">Quinten Rock</a>. The way that he began the game was so scorching hot as he finished with 13 of the team’s 16 points in the first quarter that it became difficult to slow him down. He made his presence felt as he finished with 28 points on the night and the thing about Rock is his poise. He plays with such control and it seems like no matter what or who is thrown at him, he succeeds. He scored the basketball with ease as he finished with a few 3-pointers, a couple of floaters and also dished it off to open teammates for fast dunks. Rock has a competitive edge to him that not many other players in the state have and although he slowed down a bit in the second half, I loved what I saw from him.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Good signs from others</strong></h3> <p>The Buffaloes played a bit awkward in the game as they went through a few spurts where they scored the basketball easily and then went through dry spells as well. While Rock took over in the game early and there were not a lot of points from others, what I enjoyed was how the others for the Buffaloes did in spots. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-sanders/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dylan-sanders/">Dylan Sanders</a></a> is a guard that I am starting to come around on as I can only imagine what he will be next season when he is called upon to do more. He had six points in the game as he got to the rim with relative ease and finished down low with the bigger guys. He played solid perimeter defense as well. DeAngelo Horn had eight points in the game as well as one of the best dunk-ons that not many people will talk about. He started the game and brought energy and his athleticism is a difference-maker. And we cannot forget about <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-harris-jr/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-harris-jr/">Anthony Harris Jr</a></a>. as he finished with eight points and when he puts his head down and attacks the basket, there are no answers for him. I like the fact that Smoky Hill’s role players are building confidence heading into the state tournament and although they have to figure a few things out on how to finish out games, this is a team that is rising.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/skylar-wilson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/skylar-wilson/">Skylar Wilson</a></a> looks a bit different</strong></h3> <p>Wilson’s shot has eluded him in the last week or so but what I have enjoyed about his game in absence of the outside shooting is the emergence of him attacking the paint. He finished with 11 points in the game with him hitting multiple mid-range jumpers and him going inside has started to open things up for him to also get inside and finish and also he had multiple highlight dunks. He rebounded well in the game, he altered a couple of shots at the rim and he was still aggressive on both ends of the floor. The inside game has been the difference for him and Eaglecrest looks best when he is playing that way.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-robinson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-robinson/">Ty Robinson</a></a> Takes Over</strong></h3> <p>Simply put, it was the best game that I have seen <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-robinson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ty-robinson/">Ty Robinson</a></a> in a while. The way that he took over in every single way was a refresher and a reminder of how good he really could be.</p> <p>Robinson had 22 points in the game and he was dealing. He hit outside jumpers but also attacked the basket. He was able to finish over defenders and he responded on every run that Smoky Hill went on with a big shot of his own. While his offense was great what I really enjoyed was his willingness to defend <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-weaver/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jalen-weaver/">Jalen Weaver</a></a>, the No.1 junior in the state. Robinson took the matchup personal and made everything difficult for Weaver on the night. He moved his feet, he was physical with him and limited his looks. That’s what you need from Robinson and when he is locked in and engaged like he was in Wednesday’s game the Raptor team is going to be tough to beat. They’re playing their best basketball right now.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Playoff Look for Both Teams</strong></h3> <p>Both of these teams are going to be teams that NOBODY wants to play come next week. They are figuring it out and they are getting situational basketball in playoff-like atmospheres. Both teams are battle-tested and go on runs that a lot of teams will not be able to bounce back from. They have solid guard play and both can buckle down defensively as well and that is what it going to be the biggest factor. Both teams are capable of playing on the road and there is going to be a dog fight with those teams. If Eaglecrest can figure out a way to maintain the momentum they are on right now with the inside-out force and Smoky Hill is able to close teams out and take off on their big runs maybe they have a chance of meeting later on down the road.</p>