PIAA 4A Championship Game: 5 Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last night, the PIAA 4A state tournament championship tilt provided arguably the most thrilling game we have watched all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this intense, see-saw contest out in Hershey, Lincoln Park (Pittsburgh area) outlasted defending champion Neumann-Goretti, 62-58.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that basic information out of the way, below are five takeaways from last night's PIAA 4A state championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] is a Superhero</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright III (Gatorade Pennsylvania POY; Baylor commit) was an unstoppable one man show last night. Thanks to his deep bag of dribble moves Wright III (27 points; 2 triples) scored at the rim whenever he wanted. He also splashed jumpers and turned steals into transition buckets. Additionally, Wright III manipulated Lincoln Park's zone with dribble penetration for kick outs to open shooters. However, his most impressive play may have come as time was expiring in the 4^th quarter. A made floater gave Lincoln Park a 60-58 lead with just seconds remaining. Wright III then took the inbound pass and weaved his way coast to coast through the entire LP team for a lay-in attempt that…mysteriously and unfortunately lipped out. Even though he did not score on the play, Wright's length of the court dribble drive was a thing of beauty to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='991401' first='Brandin' last='Cummings'] are as Good as Advertised</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having seen both players burn on the grassroots circuit, we knew Thomas and Cummings were talented. But you do not realize just how elite they are until you see them playing in an organized system during a pressure packed game. Thomas scored 22 points (2 threes and the game winning floater.), grabbed 8 boards and handed out 5 dimes. Meanwhile, Cummings (Pitt commit) was the high scorer for Lincoln Park as he poured in 25 points (2 threes). The 6'4” Thomas is super athletic and does a tremendous job of getting to his spots off the dribble. Despite the cold shooting stretch Thomas endured in the 2^nd half, Lincoln Park still had the confidence to put the ball in his hands at clutch time and he delivered. Cummings is a fast and agile three level scorer who contributes on the boards as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='1823683' first='Bruce' last='Smith'] is a Legitimate College Prospect</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith's (7 points; 1 three; 3 steals) reputation as a high-level “3 &amp; D” prospect is well earned. Still, this uncommitted senior also needs to be recognized for his dribbling skills, passing, ability to keep his team connected on defense and his high basketball IQ. Smith would be perfect “glue guy” for any college program. Under the right coaching staff, Smith could develop into a key starter. Coaches need text him immediately.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Lincoln Park's [player_tooltip player_id='991351' first='Deandre' last='Moye'] Impressed</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moye's stat line from last night -- 7 points (2 threes), 10 rebounds and 5 assists – will not blow you away. But if you watched this game closely, you had to be tremendously impressed with Moye's Swiss Army knife skill set. First, he is a relentless force on the glass. Last night his pursuit of offensive rebounds was especially impressive. Plus, Moye possesses tight handles, a good finishing touch and precise passing skills. His intangibles include good court vision and next level instincts for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. This Game was an Instant Classic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 4A championship game was played at an extremely elevated level and featured dramatic swings from opening tip to the final horn. Superstar level prospects going toe-to-toe, brilliant coaching moves, accurate shooting, 13 ties and 11 lead changes, a game that was locked at 58 with twenty ticks remaining on the clock and of course a dramatic conclusion (A “game winner” by LP, then two just missed close-in attempts by NG as time expired). This game had it all. You had to catch your breath when it was over. Last night is how a state championship contest should play out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->