DePaul Prep vs. Englewood STEM: Key Takeaways

<p>DePaul Prep played host to Englewood STEM on Tuesday, November 20th, in a welcoming kickoff to the 2023-24 season, setting the stage for an exciting Battle of the Bridge Thanksgiving tournament. The reigning Class 2A champions, the Rams, seamlessly resumed their winning ways, seamlessly picking up where they left off in the previous season. Here we will discuss the notable takeaways from both teams that emerged during the course of the game. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rams Defense Was Constantly Disrupting</h2>   <p>Right from the tip-off, DePaul Prep displayed a mindset to play superb defense throughout the entire game, and they succeeded. All players, including starters and reserves, performed admirably in executing aggressive man-to-man defense, speeding up the game for Englewood, and causing deflections and steals. [player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1385297' first='Jonas' last='Johnson'] secured the paint with their height advantage and strong rebounding skills. [player_tooltip player_id='1385311' first='Robert' last='Walls'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1978593' first='PJ' last='Chambers'] put their bodies on the line, totaling three drawn charges. [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] was feisty all night with his active hands and managed to secure two steals. The energetic defensive style allowed DePaul to push the ball in transition and capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Englewood Trio Are The Foundation</h2>   <p>Englewood boasts a trio of guards, quietly laying the foundation for their team this season. In a game that may have been lopsided, the under-the-radar players, 6'2" Demarion Coleman (2024), Martrell Britten (2024), and 6'2" Marcus Owens (2024), each showcased distinct skills that left a mark. Demarion Coleman, impresses with a refined ball-handling package, coupled with an aggressive drive to the rim that adds a dynamic element to his game. Marcus Owens, stands out for his three point release, providing a rapid scoring boost when needed. Martrell Britten exhibited finesse in transition, delivering smooth pocket passes and displayed his eagerness to push the tempo up-court. Despite the contest's uneven nature, these guards demonstrated their individual strengths, offering a glimpse into the diverse skill set that makes Englewood's guard trio fun to watch. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McElroy Put On A Show</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] was absolutely dominant across the entire court. On the defensive front, he showcased an impressive combination of length and quickness, relentlessly pressuring Englewood's guards and disrupting their passing lanes. In transitions, McElroy absorbed contact to convert opportunities, punctuating the game with a couple of exhilarating breakaway dunks. Against Englewood's 3-2 zone defense, McElroy asserted himself as a formidable presence in the paint, securing rebounds and emphatically slamming down standing dunks. One of the night's most electrifying moments occurred when he capitalized on a missed layup with a standing put-back dunk. As an uncommitted senior, McElroy's stellar performance at the start of the season underscored why he holds a high ranking in the class of 2024.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3-2 Zone D Showed Positive Signs For Englewood </h2>   <p>While it might not boast the flashy appeal of other defensive strategies, Englewood STEM's 3-2 zone defense escalated their defensive pressure over the course of the game. Faced with a restricted roster and a height disadvantage, the decision to employ a zone defense by Englewood became a strategic move, effectively slowing down the game in the half-court and minimizing the risk of players getting into foul trouble. As the game unfolded, the Panthers visibly grew more confident within their zone. A surge in energy became evident as the team dynamically flew around the court, causing increased deflections and posing heightened challenges for DePaul's bigs. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DePaul Prep's All-Around Contributions</h2>   <p>The Ram's starters all had a well-rounded, team oriented game, but let's not overlook how well their key substitutions competed as well. When the rotation players started the second quarter, things started to slow down offensively, but they eventually removed the rust and got things going. 6'3" Gus Donohue (2025) chipped in 7 points which included a three pointer that swirled around the rim until finally falling through, plus he played solid on-ball defense. [player_tooltip player_id='2538922' first='George' last='Richardson'] (2024) was strong on the glass and contributed a nice 6 points from inside. [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] displayed his all-round athleticism as a he's looking to become an important player coming off the bench in his second year on varsity. [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'], the younger brother of PJ, scored his first varsity points. Collectively, the team played with exceptional chemistry on both ends of the court. The Rams depth and versatility were evident and impactful, and will be a driving force throughout the season. </p>

DePaul Prep played host to Englewood STEM on Tuesday, November 20th, in a welcoming kickoff to the 2023-24 season, setting the stage for an exciting Battle of the Bridge Thanksgiving tournament. The reigning Class 2A champions, the Rams, seamlessly resumed their winning ways, seamlessly picking up where they left off in the previous season. Here we will discuss the notable takeaways from both teams that emerged during the course of the game.