3A X-Factors in the Great 8 Southern Region

<p>There are star players galore still remaining in the 3A Great 8. These players have done everything in their power to make sure that their teams have advanced to the next round and keep winning. While those players get most of the attention, there are X-factors and players that star in their role that helped lead to games. Here, we focus on one player per team that has helped get their team to this point as well. </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: impact, sans-serif;">Vanguard</span></h3> <p>When taking a look at 3A, the player of the year just might be [player_tooltip player_id="606413" first="Dominique" last="Clifford"] as the Senior wing put up an impressive 24.7 points, 13.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 3.6 steals a game. He has dominated in every aspect of the game, and most game plans have been centered around attempting to slow him down with the idea that the others cannot beat them. Well, that has been one of the worst ideas as the Coursers have a solid surrounding cast that understands what to do and have offered scoring relief when Clifford has needed it. The player that stands out most and will have to have another big-game is Senior guard Joseph Padilla. Padilla is averaging 14.6 points and 4.0 assists a game. He stays ready to shoot, finds holes in the defense, and slashes and is also one of the better ball-handlers for Vanguard. Padilla is coming off of a Sweet 16 game where he was the MVP of the game as he finished with 28 points and also threw out five assists as well. Padilla is one of the voices of the team and will also have to step up if Vanguard plans on getting by a talented Sterling team that is capable of pulling off the victory in any given game. I know that Padilla will be up for the task.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;">Sterling</span></span></h3> <p>Sterling is the No.10 seed in the 3A playoffs, and that is while having a 20-4 overall record. 3A is loaded. Sterling is led by [player_tooltip player_id="915308" first="Axel" last="Henry"] (16.9 ppg &amp; 3.9 apg) that is a true point that shoots lights out from deep and will continue to lean on him as they advance, and the X-factor that will have to compliment him and maybe even take over the reins is Senior combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="915305" first="Brock" last="Shalla"]. Shalla is a 6’0 do-it-all type of player. He is putting up 16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and where the team will need him most is on the defensive end of the floor. He is one of the better perimeter defenders in the class who is putting up 3.3 steals a game and plays a physical style of defense. He is a great perimeter defender, and if he and his teammates can hit shots early on, with the defense that they play, they have a chance at taking down the state’s No.1 player in Vanguard and [player_tooltip player_id="606413" first="Dominique" last="Clifford"]. If not, it might be a long day. Expect Shalla to step up to the task.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;"><strong>Alamosa</strong></span></span></h3> <p>For Alamosa, their X-factor will also be their top scorer this season, and that is point guard Ian Jackson. Jackson is averaging 15 points a game and also grabbing 5.9 rebounds a match from the guard spot. The Mean Moose upset DSST: Byers in the Sweet 16, and while Jackson had a relatively quiet game in that one, he found other ways to step up. He grabbed five boards and did all of the dirty work, but that cannot happen, he has to score. The team relies on Jackson to get the team going. He is a capable shooter but breaks defenders off of the dribble and gets to his spots. Against Faith Christian, a team with size, he is going to have to take care of the basketball, and also control the pace. Brenden Crowther will also have to be special and continue dominating to give Alamosa a chance as he has the size and skillset to match Faith Christian.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif;">Faith Christian</span></span></h3> <p>Faith Christian is 20-4 and is a well-coached and balanced group that can be proud of the season that they have had. The ironic aspect of their four losses is all of those teams remain in the Great 8, and they also have an early-season upset against Vanguard. Faith Christian gets it. They have senior leadership and a player in [player_tooltip player_id="915314" first="Caleb" last="Ruter"] who has been Mr. Everything at this point. He is putting up 15.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game as a big man who has his way inside. He has excellent footwork and a soft touch around the rim as a player that can score in bunches. If Faith Christian wants to advance, though, they will need more than Ruter. Caleb Clark sets the tone and is a big part of the offense. Clark will be the young player that the Eagles use to open things up. He can shoot the 3-ball but also gets inside to disrupt the defense. I expect him to get plenty of shots in this one and to remain aggressive.</p>