Jefferson 78, Cleveland 74: Top Performers

<p>One should never take a league game for granted. All you have to do is look at Thursday night's action between Cleveland and Jefferson to witness the latest example. The Democrats have been rolling through the PIL this season but found things a little tougher in Southeast Portland. The Warriors put up a fight but in the end, Jefferson had what it took to hold off Cleveland, 78-74, to remain undefeated and in first place in the conference.</p> <p>Cleveland really made their push in the second half. Riding the hot hands of <strong>Oskar Christensen</strong> (16 points) and <strong>Eli Mesulam</strong> (15 points), the Warriors kept the game within five points for most of the fourth quarter. But Jefferson has what most teams in the state don't - premium size - and behind <strong>Nate Rawlins-Kibonge</strong>, the Demos were able overcome some turnovers, take the punches, and come out with the victory.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Top Performers</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Nate Rawlins-Kibonge (2021 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 24 pts, 21 reb, 9 blk, 3 ast, 12-15 fg</p> <p>The way the 6-foot-7 junior has been playing he's not only a candidate for PIL Player of the Year honors but also state 6A Player of the Year. He was absolutely dominant in the paint and Cleveland had no answers for him whatsoever on either end. He reached the cusp of hitting a triple double with at least three minutes left in the fourth quarter and folks in the crowd who knew about it were anxiously watching every time a Cleveland player took it to the hoop, hoping to see that tenth block. Will his college future be in basketball, that is the million dollar question as the next day, Rawlins-Kibonge received his latest football scholarship offer, this one from Nebraska.</p> <p><strong>Keshawn Hall (2021 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 23 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 10-15 fg</p> <p>This was arguably the most efficient performance out of Hall that we've seen this season. He has settled into playing off the ball just as effectively as he plays with the ball in his hands, and whether he was knocking down catch-and-shoot jumpers against the zone or taking it strong to the hole and finishing with his patented one-handed floater or at the basket, the junior simply got things done on the offensive side of the ball.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/marquis-cook/">Marquis Cook</a> (2023 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 15 pts, 5 reb, 6-9 fg</p> <p>It was a quiet 15 points for Cook, who seems to be just as comfortable in a supporting role as he is leading the charge (which is what he did in a few games earlier this season). He had some strong finishes at the rim but also stepped out and canned a three - something that had been missing from his game as of late. Cook is still working on improving defensively, especially with his lateral movement, but did some solid work on the glass on both ends.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lamar-washington/">Lamar Washington</a> (2022 Jefferson)</strong> - Stats: 9 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast</p> <p>Washington is still a bit hit-or-miss with his outside shot, especially from deep. But since that wasn't falling, the sophomore took it strong to the hole where - especially in transition - he's very difficult to contain becuase of his strength and size. Washington has also seemed to become Jefferson's chief ball-handler and passer - which makes sense as he's probably the best passer on the team and is currently leading them in assists.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/chris-zakariya/">Chris Zakariya</a> (2020 Cleveland)</strong> - Stats: 18 pts on 7-18 fg</p> <p>Zakariya was the high point man for the Warriors and he did his damage in multiple ways. The 6-foot senior guard canned long-range jumpers (he was 2-for-3 from three-point range), hit some dribble-drive pull-ups, and also completed some creative buckets at the hoop. Zakariya has a strong frame which allows him to create space against defenders on his forays to the basket.</p> <p><strong>Oskar Christensen (2021 Cleveland)</strong> - Stats: 16 pts on 7-11 fg, 4 reb</p> <p>Christensen largely operated on the baseline and in many ways was Johnny-on-the-spot, being in the right place at the right time to either receive a pass from a teammate or grab an offensive rebound for an easy bucket. The 6-foot-3 junior has solid size and length, and showed that he could move fairly well without the basketball to get into the right spots on the basketball floor.</p> <p><strong>Eli Mesulam (2021 Cleveland)</strong> - Stats: 15 pts on 6-10 fg, 3-4 3pt</p> <p>Cleveland made a big push late in the game and a lot of it had to do with Mesulam's play. The 5-foot-10 junior guard was very crafty off of the dribble and was able to sink some deep threes to keep the Warriors on Jefferson's heels. Mesulam is quick with the rock, finishes well in transition, and in general he made good decisions in playing turnover-free basketball.</p>