3 takeaways from Arlington’s win over Fayette Ware

<p><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Arlington protected home court Tuesday night, defeating Fayette Ware, 80-62 to improve to 7-0.</span></p> <p>Here are three takeaways from the Tigers’ win over the Wildcats.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="983719" first="Madison" last="Peaster"] didn’t have to force shots.</strong></p> <p>The Tigers were in complete control for the most part during Tuesday night’s matchup. Arlington was beating Fayette Ware on the boards and beating the Wildcats in transition. Arlington has talent, with the ability to have at least four players finish in double-digit scoring every night. But, first, senior point guard <strong>Madison</strong> <strong>Peaster</strong> has to learn not to force shots when he has teammates open.</p> <p>The 6-foot-2 point guard is very crafty with the basketball and was the most explosive guard on the floor Tuesday night. He attacked the rim a lot, but there were times he should have made the right basketball play by passing to the open shooters. Each time he got into the lane, the defense collapsed, leaving junior guards <strong>BJ Gilmore</strong> and <strong>Phil</strong> <strong>Dotson</strong> <strong>III</strong> open on the island alone ready to shoot.</p> <p>Both players made shots from deep Tuesday night. Dotson connected on three 3s and Gilmore knocked down two. Peaster had a productive night, finishing with 19 points on a 10 for 12 effort from the free throw line. Peaster is the floor general and once he completely gets away from trying to force things and make the right pass, the Tigers will be much more efficient offensively.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1011978" first="JaSteven" last="Walker"] needs at least 20 touches per game.</strong></p> <p>The Wildcats can be very effective offensively if junior big man <strong>JaSteven</strong> <strong>Walker</strong> gets 20 touches per game. The offense will have a chance to flow better. Walker had moments where he had his defender pinned down in the post, calling for the basketball and his teammates didn’t give it to him. Fayette Ware’s offense needs to run through Walker.</p> <p>If he gets the ball in the low post and a double team is coming, someone will be open, meaning Walker will be able to kick it out to an open teammate. That means <strong>Jordan</strong> <strong>Hamilton</strong>, <strong>Tyler</strong> <strong>Fitzpatrick</strong> and <strong>Harmonta</strong> <strong>Griggs</strong> will have a lot of easy looks. The offense could be more efficient that way. Another idea to get Walker involved is through pick-and-roll action.</p> <p>Whether <strong>Mario</strong> <strong>Henderson</strong> or <strong>Taki</strong> <strong>Walker</strong> is at point guard, the floor general needs to call for the pick, allow Walker to roll to the basket, either make the pass to the big man or find the shooter on the wing or in the corner. The defense will keep its eyes on Walker as he rolls to the basket, thinking the ball will come his way. The easy shots will come quicker than Christmas. Just like Arlington, the Wildcats have a roster that’s capable of having at least four players to finish per night in double-digit scoring.</p> <p>Griggs led Fayette Ware with 13 points. Hamilton had 11. JaSteven and Taki each had 10.</p> <p><strong>Arlington received much-needed scoring in the fourth quarter.</strong></p> <p>The Tigers built a 43-29 lead in the third quarter before Fayette Ware went on a run – led by Henderson – to get within 56-50. Arlington went on a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter that was capped off with a 3 by Gilmore. Dotson, Peaster and [player_tooltip player_id="537277" first="Isaiah" last="Jones"] made shots in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Dotson led the Tigers with 20 points. Jones added 14.</p>