Perry at Sunnyslope: Varsity Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, December 8th I attended the 6A&nbsp;<strong>Perry Pumas</strong>&nbsp;at the 6A&nbsp;<strong>Sunnyslope Vikings</strong>&nbsp;freedom game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams were in the inaugural State OPEN Championship last year. These two teams have a chance to be back in the OPEN Finals again with a lot of talent. A wild game at Sunnyslope with [player_tooltip player_id='1150901' first='John' last='Mattingly'] blocking a shot at the buzzer to send away a potential game winner for the Pumas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>53-52 Sunnyslope won.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were the Varsity Standouts:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1129193' first='Koa' last='Peat'] Perry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top player in the AIA had a phenomenal second half with tough shots in the lane over and thru potential defenders. His mid-range jumper off the dribble was clicking and kept moving without the ball to gain position. He hit multiple clutch shots down the stretch and consistently found teammates. He had one nasty offensive rebound dunk to close the gap and made the perfect pass the last play off of a double team. He had around 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks with multiple assists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996172' first='D'Andre' last='Harrison'] Perry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A force in the first half kept them going with 14 points. He scores on offensive rebound put backs, tough and-1's in traffic with his left, pull-ups from mid-range and a polished hook shot. He rebounds everything near him and is very steady for the Pumas.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1350772' first='Jonas' last='Cederlind'] Perry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lefty guard was a big boost in this contest. He got downhill in traffic and hit multiple catch triples with a quick trigger. He is a good on-ball defender and the southpaw is a good passer in the post. Stock up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351133' first='Dominic' last='Avalos'] Perry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sixth man comes in and provides a spark with his shooting, ball handling, defense and team ball movement. Next year he will start and be that consistent shooter playing off of Peat and Harrison.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='994680' first='Jai' last='Anthoni Bearden'] Sunnyslope</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top AIA senior forwards held his own versus Peat as well as he could. He took multiple charges to get him in foul trouble initially in the first half and hit two important catch threes. He rebounds well and scores on inside buckets. Peat did play well in the second half but Bearden's effort and motor to defend was noticed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1482165' first='Rider' last='Portela'] Sunnyslope</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long wing guard defends multiple positions and scores in transition and in the half court. He hit and-1's in traffic with a quick burst to the basket or after a ball fake. His deep ball wasn't clicking on this night but providing defense and a threat of scoring on every possession.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1150901' first='John' last='Mattingly'] Sunnyslope&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the stars of the night belonged to Mattingly. Besides his game saving block he was the top scorer for the Vikings. He will rise up after a ball fake and fall away from mid-range. He is so calm with the ball. He hit huge step backs threes back to back to give them a chance to win. He hit a clutch runner off the glass in the fourth quarter as well. He is a one of the most competitive players of the AIA.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1555180' first='Delton' last='Prescott III'] Sunnyslope</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The dynamic pure point guard was another scorer for the Vikings He hit shots from mid-range off the dribble he had a beautiful tear drop and made threes off the dribble and catch, which seems to be more confident each viewing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1482163' first='Cristian' last='Simmons'] Sunnyslope&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man controlled the glass and scored on offensive rebound put backs. He can rip thru to the rim, he takes charges and he defended well down the stretch when it mattered.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1759332' first='Dom' last='Rojas'] Sunnyslope</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The undersized point guard is tough and fearless. He gives them another very good ball handler who makes good decisions and can shoot. He scores on catch threes and can get into the paint off the dibble and score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1555179' first='Darius' last='Wabbington'] Sunnyslope</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man didn't play the entire game but enough to see what he can be for them down the road. He has elite size and length for a freshman. He walls up inside to defend and gobbles up all rebounds near him with two strong hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->