Battle of the Bridge: Impact Performers

On day two of the Battle of the Bridge Tournament, I had the privilege of witnessing another group of players who made a significant impact for their teams. While we've already highlighted the standouts, it's time to focus on those who changed the game in their own unique ways.    The Grinnell commit put on a clinic in the first half, heating up like a microwave. Pinto showcased his dynamic offensive game, attacking the basket relentlessly, slicing through gaps, and finishing with confidence. He also displayed excellent court vision, finding kick-out options when the defense collapsed. His touch in the mid-range and smooth shooting stroke from three stood out. Coming off the bench, Pinto's energy and production were pivotal in helping Lane gain control of the game heading into halftime against Niles North. Finished the game with an effective 12 points.     The junior excelled in transition, maintaining a strong tempo whether running off the ball or handling it in the open court. This is where he did the bulk of his damage against Phillips, consistently beating defenders down the court, getting them off balance, and finishing. He carried the same aggressive mindset into the halfcourt, attacking defenders off the dribble and driving to the rim with purpose. On the defensive end, his quickness and activity stood out as he closed gaps and forced turnovers, making an impact on both ends of the floor.     Lam was a steady contributor throughout the game, delivering big-time plays to help the Vikings climb back from an early deficit against Lane. He knocked down three three-pointers with confidence, showcasing a smooth arc on his shot. From the wing, he attacked the basket effectively, putting pressure on the defense and earning trips to the foul line. Lam also displayed his playmaking ability with a highlight-worthy one-handed pass to a wide-open [player_tooltip player_id='2105191' first='Hunter' last='Gawron'] underneath. Defensively, he made a key impact by stepping in to take a charge in the first half.     The sophomore guard proved he has the toughness and skill to compete at the varsity level. Alongside fellow guard Johnathon Duncan, Richmond displayed solid drives to the rim and the confidence to attack the middle, earning himself a few trips to the free-throw line. He also showed his shooting range by knocking down two three-pointers. Richmond competed well against a strong DePaul Prep team, demonstrating potential in a challenging matchup.     Walls continues to shine as an efficient and impactful all-around player. He displayed patience on offense, taking smart three-point attempts and converting two, including an and-1. His strength and control on drives consistently put pressure on the defense, complemented by a soft touch on a mid-range pull-up. Defensively, Walls is always a standout with his relentless motor. He excels at locking down ball-handlers, creating turnovers, providing help defense in the gaps, and simply flying around the court to make plays. A high-energy player who consistently delivers on both ends.     Don't let the four-point performance fool you—Szafoni made a significant impact in many other facets of the game against Niles North. The junior wing brought tremendous effort on the boards, using his bounce and timing to extend in for rebounds. His purposeful cuts and ability to read defenders stood out, creating opportunities even without the ball. While he didn't connect from beyond the arc this time, Szafoni remains a reliable three-point shooter. On defense, his length was a key asset, making it tough for opponents to shoot over him or navigate passing lanes. A player who affects the game in more ways than the box score shows.

On day two of the Battle of the Bridge Tournament, I had the privilege of witnessing another group of players who made a significant impact for their teams. While we've already highlighted the standouts, it's time to focus on those who changed the game in their own unique ways.