Top Performers: Edmond North vs Putnam City North
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District play started for Class 6A and 5A programs on Tuesday, with marquee match ups all over Oklahoma. More games will be covered, but the focus game was a look at the opener for Edmond North at Putnam City North.…
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Continue ReadingDistrict play started for Class 6A and 5A programs on Tuesday, with marquee match ups all over Oklahoma. More games will be covered, but the focus game was a look at the opener for Edmond North at Putnam City North. A new look Panther squad traded punches early with the back to back 6A Champions Huskies, but Edmond North pulled away early in the third and never looked back on the way to a 57-26 win.
While Tramble’s scoring production was muted, his impact on the game was anything but quiet. Early on Edmond North’s offense seemed to stall out at times. The second half was night and day, and it was Tramble at the controls. He had amazing finds in transition. In the half court, he was a creation hub. With his physical frame, he’s often able to post up or slow down in traffic, warding off defenders and giving his teammates extra time to cut to the basket or spring open on the perimeter. There also seems to be developing pick and roll/pop chemistry between Tramble and Warlick.
Along with Tramble’s quality cerebral playmaking, he was a key member of a Husky defense that completely stonewalled the Panthers’ second half offense. He’s not the quickest guard, but he understands how to leverage his strength and angles to stay in front of quicker guards. The scoring punch will come, but playing quality team defense and creation are important staples for a traditional point guard, and Tramble looks set to fill that role for his new school.
Potts has often been an impact player off the bench for North, he opened his senior season with a start and delievered. He brought the same bruising mentality around the rim, while also looking trimer and more explosive when finishing and corralling rebounds. The increased versatilely was also apparent when he connected on an early spot up triple. Along with cleaning the glass on both ends, he showed his improved quickness when he was matched up one on one with an opposing guard, moved his feet and then swallowed the shot whole with an emphatic block. Potts would be a featured player for many programs, but his willingness to do the dirty work and excell in his role make an endearing prospect to regional D2 schools.
A breakout candidate, Brown brought the energy throughout for the Panthers. He opened the game with a huge block in transition, and remained springy on the defensive end. He recorded deflections and showed off his effortless leaping ability when challenging shots at the rim. His impact on the offensive end came early when he caught fire in the first quarter, hitting a pair of threes and mid-range. But like much of the Panther offense, he seemed to settle too often for contested looks off the dribble. There were a couple flashes of his potentially dynamic slashing ability, which gives hope that the junior guard is set for a huge season.
The freshman got his feet wet in his first bit of varsity action by connecting three times from distance. There’s more to come from the freshman’s game but he will fill an important role as a floor spacer. Previous viewings of Thomas on the local AAU circuit, have shown that he’s a heady lead guard that will often make the right read. He still seems to be a bit gangly while growing his body, which could pigeon hole him a bit as a shooter early on. But the foundation is there for him to mature into much more than a sharpshooter.
Highlights
The State Player of the Year candidate was his usual blue collar self around the rim. Grabbing boards, powerful drives and taking advantage of mismatches with post ups. It wasn’t a flawless performance, as by his high standards his finishing was a little off in the first half. But he was automatic in the second half as Edmond North poured it on. One continual sign of development for the Wyoming signee, he’s continuing to improve as a passer when he draws a crowd. Last year, it seemed to often be Warlick working high to low passes and hitting cutters, but tonight there were more on the money kick out passes to open shooters.