4A Finals Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both well coached groups, this matchup was largely up in the air for three quarters, until Resurrection Christian finally began to string together a few stops and crucial buckets. Kent Denver has been one of, if not the most high octane offense in the state, although they were held to their lowest point total of the season. Playoff matchups tend to have a slower, more methodical pace, although Kent Denver remained competitive for the majority of this game, in large part from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1509234' first='Caleb' last='Fay']'s scoring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Resurrection Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Resurrection Christian finally gets their title victory with their big 3. Well balanced shotmaking allowed this group to maintain their lead after halftime. Lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1369818' first='Ty' last='Yoder'] was dependable making crucial decisions with the ball and contributing finishes versus contact. An unassuming scorer, he did an excellent job of reading the defense, staying ready to step into pull-up jumpers from the mid-range or beyond the arc. Two-guard [player_tooltip player_id='1369826' first='Cade' last='Crutcher'] demonstrated value knocking down perimeter jumpers when provided space, effective at hitting jumpers past a late contest. Given his shooting gravity, opponents were forced to stay far out along the perimeter, allowing larger openings for drives to the rim. To complete this group is 6'10 big man [player_tooltip player_id='1420310' first='Jacob' last='Barker'], an excellent post scorer whose footwork and soft touch make him an especially dangerous offensive option at this level. Capable of getting to short hook shots off the spin or pivot, there was little Kent Denver could do to slow him down once the post entry was converted. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These three were by no means the only impact players, they had dependable scoring from guard Graham Riggs, who was a knockdown shooter off the catch. His positional size allowed him to stay strong versus most opponents thrown at him throughout the playoffs and this matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='2736489' first='Egan' last='Koenig'] helped put pressure on the rim, particularly active in transition, seeking out attempts around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='1190608' first='Marcus' last='Phillips'] was another name who has been imperative to their depth, adding a bit of physicality and a constant motor on the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kent Denver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1509234' first='Caleb' last='Fay'] should be the name to know from Kent Denver, hovering close to 20 points at the half. A physical downhill scorer, he constantly sought out right hand finishes around the rim, getting wherever he wanted in isolation. Although excellent around the rim, his jumper made him a fairly versatile shotmaker, capable of stepping into the pull-up jumper from the mid-range. [player_tooltip player_id='2634158' first='Elvis' last='Lloyd'] and Clay Tierney were influential halfcourt playmakers, selflessly setting up this group's shotmakers with easy attempts. Both were particularly effective ball handlers, consistently getting downhill scoring opportunities. Lloyd was an excellent point of attack defender, highly active deterring opponent ball handlers. [player_tooltip player_id='1463592' first='Alex' last='Padalino'] was tasked with scoring off the bounce, providing an extra shotmaking punch off the bounce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group made it so far in the playoffs in part from their highly efficient complementary guys. Josh Gonnella provided complementary shotmaking off the catch, certainly worth a closeout after knocking down a few quick jumpers. [player_tooltip player_id='2048293' first='Nicholas' last='Buchenau'] has been this group's most dependable rebounder, often tasked with matching up with the opponent's biggest opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='2672338' first='Gil' last='Schayes'] provided floor spacing and some defensive versatility to more easily close out Resurrection's shotmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->