Five Things to Know: Park Center vs DeLaSalle

<p>Park Center earned a hard fought win over DeLaSalle 62-52 in front of an excited, and strong crowd in a great atmosphere.  Here are your five things to know.</p> <p><strong>One.  Pirates Can Get Even Better on D</strong>.  DeLaSalle scored only 52 points meaning the Pirates did a nice job working hard on defense getting their length to spots and battling to harass the Islanders.  The all out effort was good, but what's scary is I think that the Park Center defense can be even better (I know, that's scary).  As good as they were, two months from now when they are more disciplined with closeouts, better in communication, and much cleaner in defensive rotations, they will be even better.  DeLaSalle had some high percentage looks that came from Pirate breakdowns so I strongly believe that two months from now the Pirates have a chance to be even better on D.  A big reason for that is.....</p> <p><strong>Two.  The PC Edge</strong>.  Park Center isn't just talented, they have legit prospects that have a strong edge in physical gifts and veteran play. [player_tooltip player_id="958757" first="Cody" last="Pennebaker"] used his length and active lateral feet to make defensive plays and then he went the other way and finished explosively.  Cody has the physical ability to do things both ways that will give him the edge in nearly every match-up he has this year.  Then you have [player_tooltip player_id="850710" first="Braeden" last="Carrington"] playing both guard spots and doing it in such a clean way.  Braeden is a veteran player that has learned when to be patient and when to strike.  I love his ability to push at times, but then the smart to know when to strike with the jumper, and when to move the ball.  His jumper in space was made several times last night and at his size and explosion he's a physical mismatch for most guards out there.  When you add in what [player_tooltip player_id="1143878" first="Leo" last="Torbor"] and [player_tooltip player_id="958729" first="Ayouba" last="Berthe"] can do, and when the Pirates get [player_tooltip player_id="962202" first="JJ" last="Ware"] back, the potential of this team is scary. </p> <p><strong>Three.  The Odd Ending</strong>.  There were a ton of fouls called in the second half that led to Carrington, Torbor, Berthe, and Pennabaker all fouling out (plus Ware and another reserve were out).  That left center [player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"] (who had some big time defensive boards in the second half), reserve Jackson Sowkles who did a great job in his role, and three JV players to fend off the Islanders down the stretch.  DeLaSalle pressured the remaining Pirates and with all the main Islander five on the court it got dicey for a bit but the Pirates prevailed.  I thought that Spencer, Sowkles, and the JV kids managed a tough situation well enough to finish off a long half two.  </p> <p><strong>Four.  Chavis Has Big Potential</strong>.  [player_tooltip player_id="1172835" first="Casmir" last="Chavis"] aka Cash, has big potential and you have all seen that in the highlight clips.   He's a video guy's highlight dream and because of that questions are flying in to me about what he could be as a prospect.  First off Chavis is a sophomore so he has a lot of time to grow.  Physically at 6'2/6'3 with some of the best bounce, quickest first steps, and explosive lateral steps the potential for Chavis to be a big time two way combo guard is there. The dribble separation attack finishes last night were big eye openers of what he can do. People ask, is he a high major nationally ranked level guy?  My answer is he has the potential to be for sure.  It all comes down to how hard he works to advance his skills as well as how he learns to play both ways with more experience. Considering he's a sophomore playing a third year of varsity, you can obviously see that coaches trust him both physically and as a two way decision maker/two way player.  At this point he is on a high upward projection and last night was another great example. </p> <p><strong>Five</strong>. <strong>Prospect Thoughts for College Coaches</strong>. We go Basketball in Bullet Points!</p> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="850710" first="Braeden" last="Carrington"].  This is a nationally ranked top 125 caliber player.  Gophers got a good one</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="1172835" first="Casmir" last="Chavis"].  I believe every mid major and high major should be calling and checking on him in preparation.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"].  He's a worker and better all around player than I thought.  Would be awesome in the MIAC but also, if I have a partial at D2, I would have a look.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="962218" first="Nasir" last="Whitlock"].  So tough to keep in front, if I am a mid major I grabbing his film and looking hard at it.  And he's a PG that most in the Midwest should be keeping an eye on. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="958757" first="Cody" last="Pennebaker"].  I'm totally convinced he's a D1 player.  Skills are better than I thought, athletically he is there, and if he can become a lock down defender, the world opens up.  If you are a D1 needing a hard working athlete on the wing, I would look at Cody.</li> <li>Randy McClendon Jr.  I am still not exactly sure what I think he will be three years from now, but he had six buckets last night and has a touch. </li> </ul>