Quick takes from Millennium vs Ironwood

On Monday night I attended the 5A Chip at ASU with Millennium vs Ironwood. Millennium was the 1 seed and Ironwood was the 2 seed. Some could argue that these were the best two teams regardless of classification since Winter Break.   Ironwood started fast with a slim first qtr lead 19-16 and led at the half 42-33. The quartet of guards were showing up strong and Millennium had 14 turnovers that led to easy scores for Ironwood. 3rd qtr Millennium went on a run and cut it to a 57-51 lead heading into the 4th. In the 4th, the quartet made some key stops, shots and made their FT's when they needed to. Coach Jordan Augustine earned this one and they win the 5A Chip 78-70.   Millennium has A LOT of studs coming back for their senior season next season and will most likely be right back in the Finals if everyone is healthy. They unfortunately lost in the Chip two years in a row and will look to get it next year.   Final score was 78-70 Ironwood. Here were some of the standouts from the game: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trent-hudgens/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trent-hudgens/">Trent Hudgens</a></a> PG 6'1 2020 Ironwood -One of the faster out there and his speed was on display. He is an unreal on-ball defender with the quickest hands and feet arguably in the state. He is stronger than he appears as well. His core is strong with a really quick first step. He then has the uncanny ability to throw a perfect dime to a cutter or kick it to an open shooter. He is very athletic to get to the rim and his floater game is a thing of beauty. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominic-gonzalez/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dominic-gonzalez/">Dominic Gonzalez</a></a> SG 6'3 2020 Ironwood -A smooth operator that can score from all 3 levels. He doesn't get sped up and plays controlled and confident. He is a smart passer, much improved rebounder and knows how to get to the FT line better than most in the state. It also doesn't hurt that he is a 88% FT shooter. He went 12-13 in the game and made some to virtually ice the win. His mid-range jumper is consistent and although he's not blowing by the defense, he gets you on his hip and goes to work with long strides and long arms to finish vs shot blockers. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bailon-black/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bailon-black/">Bailon Black</a></a> CG 6'4 2021 Ironwood -A bigger combo guard has a pretty deep ball with very good passing skills. He is unique where he uses his left often over his dominant right hand. He throws laser passes with his left in the shooting pocket. He also has a nice handle and hesitates to get the defense off balance and uses his height and length to get into the lane and score it. His ball rotation is one of the better in the class, where his spin is nearly perfect. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jj-white/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jj-white/">JJ White</a></a> SG 6'2 2021 Ironwood -The glue guard of the team will do anything it takes to win a game. He has a strong build/frame and defends with a high motor with using his length and strength. He is a catch 3-pt shooter with an unorthodox shooting release but gets the arc needed to make his shots at a good clip. He is your classic 3 and D. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robby-devries/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/robby-devries/">Robby Devries</a></a> CG/SG 6'4 2020 Millennium -A highly skilled bigger off guard who handles it well. His 3p shot is polished and he made many clutch shots to keep the game within reach when you thought it could of been 10+. He makes smart reads and he may not have an elite burst but uses his size, IQ, changes speeds and tight handle to get himself in a good situation to be successful. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justice-marmara/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justice-marmara/">Justice Marmara</a></a> SG 6'3 2020 Millennium -A physical defender and capable deep shooter. He has a stronger build to get to the cup and is very effective and efficient with it. He was a little over aggressive and fouled out but had quality minutes for the Tigers. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-batchelor/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/michael-batchelor/">Michael Batchelor</a></a> SG 6'1 2020 Millennium -A high IQ guard who can shoot it and take it to the cup. He smartly chose his spots to do some damage. He moves without the ball, shoots it from the perimeter and plays with a lot of energy. He always seems to make plays in every game. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justus-jackson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justus-jackson/">Justus Jackson</a></a> PG 6'0 2021 Millennium -A slick scoring lead guard with deep shooting range. He is very fast and strong plus more athletic then he gets credited with. He is a very good passer and actually over-passed in the game in my opinion. When he wanted to take over, he got by his man with the use of his tight handle and rises high on his jumpers with high elevation. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daron-holmes-ii/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/daron-holmes-ii/">DaRon Holmes II</a></a> PF 6'8 2021 Millennium -A long and skilled forward has a nice shooting touch. His go-to move is now a crossover until a mid-range pull-up and it looks good every attempt. He has a high release with nice rotation. He has a little wiggle to get in the lane and score it but he can improve his handle moving forward to be even more effective. He is becoming a top-tier shot blocker and showed it with his 5 blocks in the Chip.