Columbus Update
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With school starting up I have been going to fewer basketball games these last couple of weeks but I have gone to some grames that have some great talent in them. This article will talk about the top players I…
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Continue ReadingWith school starting up I have been going to fewer basketball games these last couple of weeks but I have gone to some grames that have some great talent in them. This article will talk about the top players I saw in the games of Walnut Ridge VS Columbus South, Reynoldsburg vs Whitehall Yearling, and Pickerington Central vs Pickerington North.
My first time seeing Lawson play this season, he has taken a step forward and it’s evident. He is in a new role for the Panthers. He is now the primary scorer and has to make the plays for the offense. He excels at that. He made great cuts that lead to assists. He knows the amount of attention he attracts so he uses it to pass it to his teammates. He has excelled in his scoring role this year as well. He is an elite finisher. He elevates very high on layups and absorbs contact well. His body control and balance are phenomenal. He also has taken a huge leap forward athletically. He is so dang bouncy and fast. He routinely beats the defense down the court with his speed and applies a great amount of pressure on the rim. Big fan of Lawson’s game.
Bowens is a PLAYER. It was my first time seeing Bowens play and man did he live up to the hype. This kid has got it all athletically. Quick, long, very bouncy, and can guard multiple positions. He is listed as 6’6 and that is my only question with him, will he grow anymore? But even if he didn’t he will be just fine. He was fearlessly attacking the rim all night and he did a great job of finishing with and through contact. He used his length very well to stretch to the rim to finish. His shot looked good on his free throws and limited jumpers he took. I liked how he never forced anything. He knows his role. This kid is the real deal.
Royal showed that he could go play at the next level next week. He immediately jumps out as the biggest and most athletic player on the court when he steps on it. It was the difference in the game against Pick North. He did a great job of being a rim protector. Sent so many shots flying the other way. I like how much of a willing passer Royal was. He could try to force a lot and doesn’t. He reads the help defense and finds the open guy. After getting the rebound he is a really good outlet passer. He was great attacking the rim. He is so strong and just goes through contact like it’s not there. He had multiple dunks in traffic including a thunderous alley-oop dunk on a defender’s head.
Hedgepeth was the difference in the game. The tigers’ game against Pick North lacked shooting greatly besides Hedgepeth. He was the only one on the court that was able to spread defenses out. He showed great confidence as he never hesitated when he was open no matter if just missed his previous shot or not. He gave lanes for his teammates because Pick North was not able to just pack the paint against them. He has a high-arcing shot. His length allows him to shoot it over a lot of defenders when given limited space. He shot off the move well. He did arngood job of resetting his feet to adjust to the pass. His shot is quick. Good range on it. Catch and shoot specialist.
Griffin is just a flat-out hooper. He won’t impress you physically because he is only 5’9 but he will give you a bucket. He does a really good job at shooting off the dribble. He has a tight handle and thrives in the position of being the scorer for South. Knowing that he sometimes forces it and takes a bad shot but they also go in sometimes. As I said he is only 5’9 and the play that got me out of my seat is when he got a steal and then threw it down. He is sneaky and athletic. His talent is not a question with Griffin. His offensive bag is deep.