Lessons Learned: Sunlake at Springstead

<p>It was a battle between Pasco and Hernando County on Wednesday as Sunlake visited Springstead.</p> <p>Both programs have been steady all season long. Sunlake was ahead by double digits for much of the game but Springstead made it interesting late, ultimately falling 56-51 at home. The two schools now both sit at 16-7 respectively. </p> <p>Here is a look at some lessons learned from the matchup.</p> <p><strong>Guard play is on Sunlake's side</strong></p> <p>The ball movement from Sunlake in this game was fun to watch. The Seahawks have many rotational pieces that can make it happen between 2020 guards<strong> Justin Lucena</strong> and <strong>Matthew McDonald</strong> and 2021 5'10" guard<strong> David Barr</strong>. Lucena and McDonald each had nine points while Barr finished with a team-best 12 points. Lucena is a fancy ballhandler and a confident one at that. McDonald is a shifty guard who likes to take on contact and push the ball up-tempo. As for Barr, he's the best shooter of the trio and can hurt you with a quick jumper. The guard play will help Sunlake stick around in the playoffs.</p> <p><strong>Torain is blazing fast</strong></p> <p>2021 6'5" Springstead guard <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/unique-torain/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/unique-torain/">Unique Torain</a></a></strong> added all 10 of his points in the second half alone after struggling with foul trouble across the first two quarters. He had a one-handed dunk on a defender in the third quarter and showed off his blazing speed often. Most impressively, Torain made an instant impact in the third quarter going to the basket and drawing fouls which put the Eagles into the bonus rather quickly as they cut into the 20 plus point deficit. A varsity piece since his freshman year, if Torain can add strength and a more reliable 3-point shot, he'll be awfully dangerous. </p> <p><strong>Sunlake has intriguing inside duo</strong></p> <p>I liked what I saw from 2020 6'6" forward <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-golden/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-golden/">Jordan Golden</a></a></strong> and 2021 6'7" forward <strong>Brayden Tuel</strong>. Golden looks the part with his strong upper body and nice outside shot. He had eight points and was physical on defense all night long. As for Tuel, he finished tied with Barr with 12 points, finishing on six buckets in the paint. He is a reliable cutter who plays well off inside feeds.</p> <p><strong>The Carswell brothers are solid</strong></p> <p>2022 6'1" twins Saquan and Jaquan Carswell are intriguing prospects. They both do similar things in terms of controlling the ball and taking mid-range shots and floaters. It was Saquan that was a big lift to his team in the fourth quarter with eight of his team-best 12 points. As for Jaquan, he recorded seven points, doing a lot early on for his side. Both players will benefit from more training and getting onto a good AAU program this summer.</p> <p><strong>Springstead is young</strong></p> <p>Graduating just four seniors, including 2020 6'6" forward<strong> David Battle</strong> (11 points), a high flying inside piece, Springstead looks good for next season. Torain returns as the key upperclassmen back while the Carswell twins and 2023 6'1" guard <strong>Divine Torain</strong>, the youngest Torain brother (Unique is the middle brother and Sincere, a 2019 grad was a standout before) will all have major roles. Also, 2022 6'1" guard <strong>Gavin Korth-Loder</strong> has mixed in at times this year. Once it clicks with the underclassmen, the Eagles should have a chance to be one of the top teams from their area in 2020-21.</p>