Film Room

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='1335753' first='De'costa' last='Ricks'].</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallatin played William Blount High in June during BCAT Team Camp II. I watched only a sliver of that game live, instead scooting over to the main gym for a different matchup. <br><br>In an effort to construct a well-rounded William Blount HS team preview, I checked out the game as November opened.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first quarter was filled with scalding shooting and finished 25-18 in Gallatin's favor.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1305604' first='Caden' last='Windle']</strong> (William Blount) can really, really shoot. Perhaps this should be no surprise, as the senior averaged over 22 points per last winter, but seeing it is different than hearing about it. Windle hit three three-pointers in a row, all from corners. Windle is now listed 6-foot-6. His team graduated some stalwarts like Riley Everett and needs all of his production from last year and then some if they expect to win the District again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>William Blount Head Coach Kevin Windle made a couple of interesting early substitutions. Coach Windle brought<strong> Lukas Henson </strong>in quickly to improve the team's post defense. He pulled <strong>Alex Walker </strong>out in that swap. Later in the opening half, Coach Windle inserted<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2621673' first='Jaxon' last='Dabrowski']</strong>. Dabrowski is one of only two sophomores on the varsity. He might get some real minutes this year. The team is loaded at wing, but they graduated most of their point guards and need to find stability with the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallatin entered the off-season with two proven stars in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336416' first='RJ' last='Crenshaw']</strong> (Gallatin) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1335753' first='De'costa' last='Ricks']</strong>. Early in this game, both showed why. Crenshaw is a silky wing with impressive athleticism. The knock on him has been and remains his limited shooting range. Crenshaw played elegantly and scored in traffic with relative ease. Ricks was fantastic, knocking down difficult three-pointers and carving up the WB perimeter defense with a quick, bursting dribble. He really is a balanced offensive player. Added muscle in the last few months too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1659744' first='Grady' last='Robertson']</strong> (William Blount) remains unselfish, perhaps even too unselfish. His first shot did not come until the second quarter. He is apparently improved as a three-point shooter. Much of his success to date came in the 8-12' range. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second quarter, [player_tooltip player_id='1305604' first='Caden' last='Windle'] earned his way to the free throw line. If he continues that habit, then he will be averaging in the 25-30 ppg range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallatin is a feisty team defensively, kind of like Riverdale. They don't have a lot of size, but appear to be eager to play zone defense and deny passing lanes. The team features six seniors and six juniors, so there is a lot of institutional knowledge in the locker room. One of the seniors <strong>Marshall Hansen</strong> hit a three-pointer in the second quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->