Scouting Report: Iowa City West-City from Xtream Arena
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CORALVILLE, Iowa – No. 10 Iowa City West and City High took their rivalry to a bigger stage Sunday when they tipped off here at Xtream Arena. The Little Hawks pulled off the upset, 64-63, in front of an engaged…
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Continue ReadingCORALVILLE, Iowa – No. 10 Iowa City West and City High took their rivalry to a bigger stage Sunday when they tipped off here at Xtream Arena. The Little Hawks pulled off the upset, 64-63, in front of an engaged crowd.
I’d seen both of these teams this season, but the intensity of this series drew me in. It did not disappoint.
You can read my previous reports on athletes from these squads below:
The following guys stood out to me on Sunday:
Brady Simcox
Brady Simcox
Simcox is a solid, all-around combo guard. He scored a very efficient 10 points in this game, knocking down 4 of 5 shots from the floor, including his lone three-point attempt. He shows excellent form on his shot with a quick release. He handles it well and finds open teammates. He’s a good athlete, which allows him to defend well on the ball and off of it.
Stevens held up well facing his former teammates at City High. He does a nice job playing under control and not getting sped up. He knows when to use his quickness and burst. He keeps the ball moving and understands how to run an offense. His speed and lateral movement make it tough for opponents to get around his defense.
JuJu Manson
JuJu Manson
I’m more impressed with this kid each time I see him, and that included me watching him twice in the last three days. The left-hander plays a mature game beyond his years and doesn’t easily rattle. He’s a really good athlete, allowing him to score inside over bigger defenders, but he plays within himself and doesn’t force the issue like you see with some young players.
Benton did not play the first time I saw City this season, a loss at Liberty last month. He makes a big difference in the Little Hawk lineup. He’s a supreme athlete that plays a relentless game on both ends of the court. He shows a nice mid-range game and finishes well at the rim even against taller players. He’s also a vocal leader.
Evan Lampe
Evan Lampe
Lampe has impressed me the last few years on the football field. That toughness and high motor translates well to the basketball court. He attacks the backboards with continuous aggression as evidenced by his game-high 13 rebounds in this game. He’s a tough defender and finishes well around the rim with both hands.
Mbingazo battled foul trouble the first time I saw him this season. He picked up a few cheapies in this game as well, but you could see the growth in him understanding how to defend without fouling. He moves his feet well and stays down better on head fakes. He’s also improving seeing the double team coming and moving it on before it arrives.
Andre Wright
Andre Wright
Wright probably would play more on a team not as strong in the backcourt. Still, he’s a tremendous value coming off the bench and being able to run the point. He’s strong with the ball and finds open teammates off of dribble penetration. He can also finish at the rim if he sees an advantage. I like his defense on the ball.