Treynor Over CB-Saint Albert: Standout Performers and Evals

Before inclement weather hit the area, Thursday evening (2/11/21) saw one of the more competitive games of the entire weekend, as CB Saint Albert traveled to Treynor. The Falcons and Cardinals battled in a game that saw multiple ties and lead changes throughout the contest. Treynor, behind the early scoring of Noah James, got out to an 18-12 first-quarter lead. However, St Albert scored the first 8 points of the second frame to take the lead, in large part to Greg Fagan’s 10 points off the bench for the visiting team from Council Bluffs. During that serge, the Falcons would grab their largest lead of the affair at 30-26, but Treynor would real them back in. The first 16 minutes proved to be a draw as both teams head for the intermission tied at 33. In the second half, Treynor clearly made an effort to stop settling for three-point shots against St Albert’s zone, as they had at times in the first half, and began to attack the paint. Tim Zimmerman, who struggled from behind the arc, put his fingerprints on the game in the third quarter attacking and scoring 8 of his 10 points during a stretch that seemed to give the Cardinals some breathing room at 45-38. However, just as Treynor caught up to St Albert in the second quarter, the Falcons returned the favor. Behind the play of St Albert’s [player_tooltip player_id="796165" first="Sam" last="Rallis"], the visitors went on a 10-2 run to reclaim the lead early in the fourth quarter. The final 8 minutes was played at a frenetic pace, as defenses turned up, scoring slowed down, free throws were missed, and turnovers began to plague each unit as both teams struggled to stretch for the finish line. In fact, the game found itself tied at 50 with still 4:26 to play, but only one Saint Albert basket and a 5-0 mini-run by Treynor's James and [player_tooltip player_id="964920" first="Sid" last="Schaaf"] would prove to be all the remaining points either team could squeeze out; as Treynor held on for the 55-52 victory. Players of Note: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Noah-James.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1132157 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Noah-James-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></a>Noah James PF 6’4 180 lbs Senior Treynor High School The senior finished the evening leading his team in points (19), field goals made (7), 3pt field goals made (2* tied), free-throws made (3), and rebounds (8). James (#11 pictured) started off with his team’s first 6 points, showing his length and athleticism finishing at the rim over would-be defenders. The 6’4 forward has nice range as well, connecting on 2/3 from behind the arc, the second one giving his team what proved to be the go-ahead points for the contest. Noah showed toughness throughout as well, as evident with playing the game with a faceguard needed to protect from an injury earlier this season. His strong "and 1" three-point play early in the fourth quarter tied the game for the final time at 50. James, also a football and track athlete, has received college interest in basketball; but track is where the 6’4 high jumper plans to continue his athletic endeavors. Noah currently is weighing opportunities from several track programs including UNI, but is currently leaning towards heading to jump for the Iowa Hawkeyes next fall. [player_tooltip player_id="796165" first="Sam" last="Rallis"] SF 6’1 180 lbs Senior Saint Albert High School Had the Falcons pulled off the road win, it would be Rallis pictured, not James. The senior was perhaps the most consistent player in the contest for either team. Treynor had little answer for the 6’1 forward, as the lefty continued to drive, spin, and attack to that side of the floor all night for buckets. Rallis finished both the 1st and 2nd quarters with baskets under 4 seconds to play, drawing the Falcons to 18-12 after one, and knotting the contest up a 33 at halftime. Sam ended his evening with 17 points on 8/11 shooting and converted on his one free-throw, an "and 1" early in the second half. What made it impressive was all his baskets came from inside 5 feet, showing his toughness (he wore a shoulder brace from a previous injury), strength, and athleticism to finish hard baskets all evening. Those characteristics are what earned him a commitment to play football at Wayne State University for his collegiate career. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Sid-Schaaf.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1132159 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/02/Sid-Schaaf-218x300.jpg" alt="" width="218" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="964920" first="Sid" last="Schaaf"] SG 5’11 175 lbs Senior Treynor High School In an "old school" game where all the other standouts scored mostly inside 10 feet, Schaaf (#20 pictured) was the primary guard of note. The 5’11 guard helped control the tempo of the game, along with junior Cardinal point guard [player_tooltip player_id="962645" first="Thomas" last="Schwartz"], as well as protect the ball in the half-court. Sid scored the majority of his 14 points against the Falcon zone with nice mid-range catch-and-shoot or pull-up jumpers; also knocking in one three-point field goal. As mentioned, he and James appropriately finished the evening with the final 5 winning points of the game. While Schaaf has received recruiting interest in track for his performances as a 400 and 400-meter hurdles specialist, such as Northwest Missouri State and Nebraska Wesleyan; he also has some suiters including Central College (Pella, IA) among others hoping he will continue to shoot the basketball for them. Currently the Cardinal senior is weighing his options and is open to both sports as being his college activity, and is also entertaining the possibility of continuing to compete at both sports perhaps somewhere next fall. Greg Fagan PF 6'3 200 lbs Saint Albert High School Along with the performance of Rallis, the other storyline for Saint Albert was their bench play. In a game that was even on virtually every stat line, the one glaring difference was points off the bench. St Albert owned that category. Along with the help of Isaac Sherrill's 9 points, Fagan's 10 points gave the Falcons a 19-0 advantage off the bench. In fact, the game might not have been close without the two seniors; as 15 of those 19 points (and all of Fagan's points) came in the first half of play. Greg knocked in shot-after-shot from the vulnerable short corners and high post in Treynor's defense to keep the game even by halftime. The 6'3 200 lbs senior has interest from football recruiters including an offer from Grand View University.