Paragon Academy Goes 1-2 In Their First EIBC Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paragon Academy was in Denver over the weekend to play in their first EIBC games of the year. They went 1-2, but overall they played well and had some strong performances from [player_tooltip player_id='1945207' first='Dominic' last='Rudd'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2147726' first='Payton' last='Fowler'] (2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1638176' first='Jayden' last='Thompson'] (2025), and Alan Anderson (2027).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I should also note that EIBC also uses the "Elam Ending" where 8 points are added to the leading teams score in the final minutes of play. Whichever team hits the target score first, wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paragon Academy</strong> <em>75<strong> </strong></em><strong>vs V3 Prep</strong> <em>73</em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seemed that the scout was out on [player_tooltip player_id='1945207' first='Dominic' last='Rudd'] and V3 Academy locked him off in the first half. Rudd went into halftime with only 2 points. Things took a turn though and Rudd started to go off. The junior guard was lighting it up from beyond the 3 point and connected on some NBA range threes. Then he made it a tie ball game after he converted his first of two free throws. Each team was knotted up at 73 and Rudd realized that it might be the time to pull out the game right then and there. So he had his reliable big man, [player_tooltip player_id='2147726' first='Payton' last='Fowler'], sub in to get down on the block. He then purposely missed the second free throw and Payton grabbed the board and hit the game winner. It was an incredible finish for the Paragon squad. After the game, [player_tooltip player_id='1945207' first='Dominic' last='Rudd'] was recognized as the game MVP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paragon Academy </strong><em>78</em><strong> vs Colorado Prep Black</strong> <em>85</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 2 was also a tale of two halves for Paragon. [player_tooltip player_id='1945207' first='Dominic' last='Rudd'] was once again being face guarded and locked off. Despite Colorado Prep's defensive tactics, Paragon kept it close early thanks to Fowler's shooting and and AJ Anderson's mid-range game. It was a 12-12 ball game with just a few minutes left in the first quarter. But then Colorado Prep got scorching hot and went on a 22-1 run, making 34-13 halfway through the second quarter. Luckily [player_tooltip player_id='1638176' first='Jayden' last='Thompson'] and Fowler got the offense going again and helped Paragon go on a 22-7 run. The score was 41-35 at halftime. Colorado Prep started off the second half pretty strong and had double digit lead when the third quarter ended. But then Rudd woke up and hit a ridiculously tough step back 3 over a defender to open the fourth quarter. From there he was in the zone and couldn't miss. Colorado Prep did all they could, and put their 6'10 forward on him. But he still splashed 3-pointers after 3-pointer and also got fouled on two other 3-point shots that he missed, so he got to the line. All of a sudden he made it just a 2 point ball game, and it was 74-72. Colorado Prep found a few open shots down the stretch though, and ended up pulling away. It wasn't the result that Paragon wanted, but they showed good fight. Rudd had 24 points in the fourth quarter, and finished with 25 total.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paragon Academy </strong><em>58</em><strong> vs Bella Vista </strong><em>76 </em>(Final Score Will Be Added)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paragon fell to Bella Vista by 18 in their last game of the weekend. It wasn't their best showing and they just couldn't seem to close the gap after Bella Vista jumped out to a lead. Hopefully they see them again down the road and get a second crack at them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2147726"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b84a3c3d79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fowler shot well in the Mile High City. The 6'6 Paragon forward has a knack for getting the party started, and drained multiple 3-pointers and distant twos at the beginning of the Colorado Prep Black game. If he can continue shooting well, he should be moving up in the class of 2025 ranks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1945207"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b84a3c3dd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rudd had an outstanding weekend despite the opposing team's defense's best efforts to shut him down. His ability to score in bunches and in crunch time is very impressive. I also think that he's continuing to prove that he is one of the best 3-point shooters on the west coast. He has been averaging 23 points this last month, and about five 3-pointers per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b84a3c3e16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1638176' first='Jayden' last='Thompson'] has been playing well this last month. He absolutely has some craftiness to his game on offense. I like how he accelerates as he drives to the rim, and I've also noticed him knocking down a couple of 3-pointers per game. In the Colorado Prep game he also made his presence felt on defense and forced a few turnovers. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He had 16 points in the Colorado Prep game, and has been averaging about 15 PPG this past month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667941"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-673b84a3c3e59"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alan Anderson has been a great addition to Paragon Academy. He knows how to get to his spots, and has a very solid mid-range game. I'm also a fan of his footwork in the paint, he times his shots well when he is going against taller "bigs". Anderson had more than a few difficult finishes against Colorado Prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->