Region Play in the Upstate

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops made the trip to the Upstate for the weekend. First of all, Friday night brought Shannon Forest vs Oakbrook Prep here in Spartanburg. The game on paper looked to be a good one with both teams setting to start region play. There is a reason why we don't play games on paper. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Seniors, Seniors, Seniors</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shannon Forest Crusaders continues it hot play with a big win over Oakbrook Prep on Friday night. The Crusaders were looking to make a statement and they sure did that tonight at the Oakbrook Prep gymnasium. The Shannon Forest Crusaders starts five seniors in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1439787' first='Nolan' last='Paladugu'],[player_tooltip player_id='1490166' first='Chris' last='Agbomi'],</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226086' first='Brandon' last='Wilkins']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734697' first='Rickey' last='Morris']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734698' first='John' last='Cardinal']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>New Name for the Database:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One new name that came across the board tonight was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734781' first='Zenai' last='Davis'].</strong> Zenai a small forward really likes to finish around the basket with his left-hand quite comfortably despite being right-handed. Davis was able to complete some mid-range jumpers tonight. He has good length and nose for the ball. Davis finished with 11 points according to my unofficial stats tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Never Looking Back: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders jumped out to a 41-17 halftime lead and just cruised to a 76-32 victory over the Knights. The Crusaders move to (14-1) on the season while the Knights fall to (11-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Dandy Duo: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1490166' first='Chris' last='Agbomi'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226086' first='Brandon' last='Wilkins']</strong> both scored 17 points tonight the Crusaders in this lopsided win. Agbomi was able to get the ball to the basket and finish drives with his good body control. Chris was able to leak out in transition at times and score some cheapies going the other way. Agbomi has a good strong frame and likes to play the game in attack mode. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1734702,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/4833E987-3743-471C-8E63-2DF54F298BB5.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/4833E987-3743-471C-8E63-2DF54F298BB5.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1734702" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkins came into the game averaging 20.7 ppg this season. Brandon was able dial up some long distance three pointers when he didn't look to attack the baseline. Wilkins started to take off in the second quarter for the Crusaders tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Stat-Sheet Stuffer:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1734700,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/0EC59015-7B16-45BD-ABDE-68A2F4A8483F.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/0EC59015-7B16-45BD-ABDE-68A2F4A8483F.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1734700" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1439787' first='Nolan' last='Paladugu']</strong> continues his great play all season long. Nolan is a very crafty left-handed guard who really directs this Crusaders squad. He plays the game extremely UNSELFISH and really buys into the TEAM FIRST concept. Nolan makes winning plays along and never tends to force shots or passes. He was pinpoint all day long with his crisp passing skills to teammates or just showing SENIOR leadership on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paladugu finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists according to my unofficial stats tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Role Guys: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1734758,"width":300,"height":196,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/387F94D1-FDCD-4DB0-B1BC-64CB0CADFE8B-crop-3226x2118-1673091294.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/387F94D1-FDCD-4DB0-B1BC-64CB0CADFE8B-crop-3226x2118-1673091294.jpeg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1734758" width="300" height="196" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734697' first='Rickey' last='Morris']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734698' first='John' last='Cardinal']</strong> don't need to score a ton of points every night for the Crusaders. This duo does their job very well and it really impacts the Crusaders moving forward. Morris was all over the glass and in the passing lanes today for the Crusaders. Rickey really brings the energy and willingness to work on both sides of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal is a very deceptive forward down low in the paint. He has a soft set of hands to finish around the cup when given the opportunity. John has good length to alter and challenge shots on the defensive end of the floor. Cardinal has the ability to face-up from a short distance when needed for the Crusaders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Knights Will Need to Regroup: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1734693,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/B3262A62-F5AC-4D00-AB79-A65E23CA34E9.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/B3262A62-F5AC-4D00-AB79-A65E23CA34E9.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1734693" width="256" height="192" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Oakbrook Prep Knights will have to regroup quickly and forget this game that's for sure. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1363756' first='Chris' last='Wilkins']</strong>, <strong>Eyob Hall </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225594' first='Brad' last='Caldwell']</strong> will have to push forward the rest of the way this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->