NEO D1 and D3 Regional Semifinals Top Performers

<p>Over the past two days, I was in Twinsburg, Ohio to catch the NE regional semifinals in Divisions I and III. In this article I’ll be talking about some of the top players that I saw. Congrats to Lutheran East, Norwayne, Medina and Mentor for advancing to the elite 8 in their respective divisions.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="919043" first="Jalen" last="Knott"], 6’2 SG Lutheran East 2021: Knott has taken his game to another level this year and might be playing better than any other guard on the Falcons this season. Knott has range out to 25 feet with the spot-up 3-pointer. I’ve always loved how Knott defends on the perimeter, I thought he would be an amazing defensive back on the football field with his athleticism and length.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1078606" first="Jared" last="Lary"], 6’5 SF Lutheran East 2021: Lary has been a bit up and down this season, which was to be expected from a transfer on a team that had a lot of chemistry. Lary was more aggressive on the interior than I’ve previously seen him, looking to finish around the rim and even going above the rim for a dunk. Lary kept the game simple, making shots against the zone and getting the ball to the middle.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918962" first="Corey" last="Tripp"], 6’3 PG Medina 2021: Tripp was sensational in this one, continuing his absolute tear he’s been on his senior season. Tripp had a couple splits of hedge defense on the pick and roll that were absolutely filthy. I liked how Tripp got to his spots and was confident with his mid-range pull-up. Analytically it’s not the highest percentage shot, but Tripp is a guy who I’m fine taking those looks off the bounce. What you want to avoid is having your 4th or 5th offensive option on the floor taking a heavy dose of mid-range looks. Going back to Tripp, he had a clear athletic advance in this one and used it to his advantage throughout the game. It’s about time that Tripp is getting the looks he’s been overqualified to receive, but he’s no longer a secret on college radars.</p> <p>Cade Henne, 6’0 PG Nc Hoover 2022: Henne fought through an injury suffered earlier in the playoffs and led his Vikings squad in scoring against the more talented Bee’s. Henne scored well off set plays designed by the Hoover offense, the Vikings execute their offense well. Henne hit a 3-pointer with a min to play in the third and the first possession of the fourth, each time cutting the Medina lead to three points. Henne didn’t look very explosive, but battling through an injury, maybe he has a little more athletic upside than he showed in this one. I was impressed with Henne’s efficient scoring in this game.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="805148" first="Luke" last="Chicone"], 5’9 PG Mentor 2021: Death. Taxes. [player_tooltip player_id="805148" first="Luke" last="Chicone"] balling out in the playoffs. After getting his junior tournament run cut short due to COVID, Chicone has been on a mission all season. Chicone is a much improved pull-up 3-point shooter from last season, as he hit 3’s on the first two offensive possessions of the game. Chicone did struggle to finish with his right hand, Chicone shoots jumpers with his right hand, but is a natural lefty. I think Chicone left the gym thinking he left 6 or so points at the rim that he’ll want to score next time out.</p> <p>Ben Sullivan, 6’2 SG Massillon Jackson 2022: Sullivan led the Polar Bears in scoring and with him, Kevin James and [player_tooltip player_id="1090157" first="Owen" last="Woolbert"] back next season, you’ll see Jackson competing again for a regional title. Sullivan shot the ball well from the outside, including a 3-pointer where he sized up [player_tooltip player_id="805148" first="Luke" last="Chicone"] and used his height advantage to shoot it right over his head. Sullivan also made some nice cuts off the ball to get open looks in the half-court.</p>