North Houston’s Standouts to Kick Off February – Wings
Prep Hoops was in attendance for three games in the North Houston area from February 4th to 8th and several players put on impressive performances. On Friday, February 4, the 21-7 Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors played host to the 17-14…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops was in attendance for three games in the North Houston area from February 4th to 8th and several players put on impressive performances. On Friday, February 4, the 21-7 Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors played host to the 17-14 Lutheran South Academy Pioneers, with the Warriors coming away with a convincing 67-46 victory. On Saturday, February 5, the 22-8 College Park Cavaliers visited the 11-18 Conroe Tigers, and while it was a close one in the first half, the Cavaliers pulled away in the 2nd for the win on their opponent’s home court, 65-48. Lastly, on Tuesday, February 8, the 29-4 Cypress Falls Eagles traveled to the 18-12 Bridgeland Bears’ home court and finished with a dominating 68-35 victory. Below we review the standout wings.
Also check out: Standout Ball Handlers | Standout Wings | Standout Bigs
#10 – Josh Bento – 6’1″ – SG – Senior – The Woodlands Christian Academy vs. Lutheran South Academy
Bento was an absolute sniper in this game between the Warriors and Pioneers. It seemed as though he and Lutheran South’s Paul Lindberg were in a shooting contest the entire time, going back and forth with huge and timely 3-pointers of their own, but ending with Bento and the Woodlands Christian Academy coming out on top. He started off extremely hot, hitting several shots in the 1st quarter, which were much needed as his star teammate, Austin Benigni Austin Benigni 5'10" | PG The Woodlands Christian | 2022 State TX , seemed to struggle with his shot early. Then he had the perfect finish in the 3rd quarter hitting a huge 3-pointer with the foul to get the 4-point play to help push his team to a huge lead for the convincing victory.
#15 – Chanse Perkins Chanse Perkins 6'5" | SF The Woodlands Christian | 2022 State TX – 6’5″ – SF/SG – Senior – The Woodlands Christian Academy vs. Lutheran South Academy
Perkins didn’t start against Lutheran South, but once he made his first appearance later in the game, he made an immediate impact with his aggression and slashing, and he played important minutes the rest of the way. He hit a midrange shot in the 3rd quarter, but it was his off-ball movement and his constant and timely cuts to the basket that opened things up for his teammates, giving the Warriors’ ball handlers, like Austin Benigni Austin Benigni 5'10" | PG The Woodlands Christian | 2022 State TX , easy outlets off their drives to the paint. Perkins was a fighter on the offensive boards, either boxing out or grabbing the rebound himself, and he had a strong putback in the 3rd quarter through contact to get the and-1 play. He finished off several other close shots throughout the game as an imposing inside presence, and his length and strength allowed him to be a plus on the defensive side of the ball, as well.
#1 – Paul Lindberg – 6’4″ – SG – Senior – Lutheran South Academy vs. The Woodlands Christian Academy
Lindberg was Lutheran South’s answer to the Warriors’ Josh Bento. Both were hitting 3-pointers at a ridiculous rate and Lindberg nearly matched whatever Bento threw at them. He was constantly moving around the court looking for the opening in TWCA’s tough defensive scheme and he succeeded multiple times, getting an open look at the basket from the perimeter several times throughout the game. Whether he was open or had a hand in his face, though, Lindberg’s shot was falling, hitting at least one or more 3-pointers in each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. He didn’t necessarily have any highlight plays on the defensive end, but he was one of the most vocal players on the court and was constantly fighting to stay in front of his man and get his teammates on their right defensive assignments.
#10 – Drake Kelley – 6’1″ – SG – Junior – College Park vs. Conroe
Kelley had the ideal inside-outside game against Conroe. He hit a 3-pointer in each of the 1st and 3rd quarters and then operated beautifully in the paint with his strength and agility. He fell in love with the spin move, utilizing it multiple times to get a good look at the basket on several layups. He was also very impactful on the offensive boards, leaping through traffic to secure the second chance opportunities and fighting for loose balls as they bounced off the rim into the crowd of players. He even managed to get a strong putback to fall through contact in the 3rd quarter getting the basket and the foul.
Video credit to Brian Shaw, 8th Grade, Knox Junior High
#24 – Rashaad Salih – 6’0″ – SG/PG – Sophomore – Conroe vs. College Park
Salih was a defensive menace against College Park on Saturday. He may be 6’0″ but he played with strength, aggression and determination, challenging his matchup on every possession and impacting nearly every play on the defensive side of the ball. He had at least one or more steals in every quarter and was making life difficult for whoever he was guarding every time down the court. He even had a strong two-handed block on College Park’s start point guard, Darel Reece, in the 2nd quarter, not backing down from the challenge of stopping him. On offense, he kept his energy high with his constant off-ball movement, keeping the defense on alert, but most of his impact on that end actually came from his relentless pursuit on the offensive boards. He secured a few second chances and even finished strong on one offensive board, getting the putback to fall through contact in the 2nd quarter and getting the foul.
Video credit to Brian Shaw, 8th Grade, Knox Junior High
#24 – Daylon Porter Daylon Porter 6'4" | SF Cypress Falls | 2024 State TX – 6’4″ – SF/PF – Sophomore – Cypress Falls vs. Bridgeland
Porter was everything you want in an off ball forward during Cypress Falls’ game against Bridgeland. He played with energy, going after every rebound and fighting for every loose ball on both ends of the court. He played with aggression, getting into the paint and hitting tough layups and taking contact in the post, getting a strong and-1 to fall on a fast break in the 3rd quarter. He moved the ball quickly and willingly to the open man and was relentless with his off-ball movement around the court. He was simply making all the right plays while allowing the primary ball handlers on the team to go to work and allowing the Eagles’ star big man, Joseph Tugler, to do his thing. He was active on the defensive end, as well, keeping his hands up and staying aware of where both the ball and his man were at all times.
Video credit to Brian Shaw, 8th Grade, Knox Junior High