Groton Area Tigers vs Vermillion Tanagers: Key SD Matchup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops was able to watch the anticipated meeting between two key teams in Class A as the Groton Tigers faced off against Vermillion in Groton Friday night. Groton came into tonight's game with a Record of 4-1 with there only loss coming to powerhouse West Central, Vermillion's record entering the game was 2-1 again with there only loss coming to West Central also. Groton Lead by the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1548633' first='Keegen' last='Tracy'], [player_tooltip player_id='1548634' first='Ryder' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1548641' first='Gage' last='Sippel'] squared off vs all state player [player_tooltip player_id='1929459' first='Trey' last='Hansen'] and company of Vermillion. Loads of talent from great guard play/combo bigs and excellent coaching were all on display tonight in Groton! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams were ready to go from the start in this one and the game had a guards pace from the start and stayed that way almost the whole game. Both teams used alot of the drive and kick game to get the offenses going in the first quarter, the bigs for both teams did an excellent job of cleaning up the rebounds off of any misses lead by [player_tooltip player_id='1548641' first='Gage' last='Sippel'] with 11 boards and . First half was close the whole way with Groton leading at the half 34-28. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Second half was a different story as Vermillion shot a high percentage and outscored Groton 38 to 23 in second half ! [player_tooltip player_id='2132824' first='Luke' last='Jensen'] had a big 3rd quarter grabbing several rebounds and scoring all 10 of his points in the quarter. Vermillion had there highest scoring quarter of the night with 22 points as Groton was only able to manage 13. Fourth quarter brought much of the same as Vermillion scored 16 compared to Groton's 10 to win the game 66-57. Always nice to play these early season games and use them to see where your team is at, both teams will get better from this and be factors in the big picture come post season time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarter Scores</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Groton 18-34-47-57</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vermillion 16-28-50-66</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some Player Notes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1548634"],"_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-6958a3763d64b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finished game with 21 points, showed once again he can score from all three levels. Attacked the basket several times when he didn't finish he got to the foul line, made a couple three's one from about 24 ft out. Liked his energy on defense, played hard the whole game. Grabbed a 3-4 rebounds also did what team needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1548633"],"_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-6958a3763d6af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keegen did most of his scoring damage in the first half and fished with 12 points. Keegen does so much more then just score for his team. Finished with 4 assists but had several other passes/drive n kicks that on most nights his teammates would nock down and make, coulda easily of had double digit assists tonight. Played with a ton of energy as always. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1548641"],"_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-6958a3763d6fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gage was very good and efficient with his opportunities tonight and was 8-10 from the field scoring 16 points but also collecting 11 rebounds and adding 4 blocks. When Gage does get a post touch you can almost count it, his footwork is excellent, touch around the basket is top notch and when he is doubled he's a more then willing passer/also seems to have a great feel for when the double team is coming. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1929459"],"_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-6958a3763d742"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lead all scorers tonight with 22 points, attacked the basket relentlessly and was able get by his defender almost at will at times it seemed. Didn't shoot the best tonight but made 8 of 11 free throws, scorers find ways to put up points and thats what he did tonight. Crafty ball handler and does a nice job of keeping defender off balance with good change of pace. Great finisher with either hand at the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2449686"],"_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-6958a3763d788"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Was impressed with this kid's quickness, his first step was awesome honesty and haven't seen many better in that category. Has good handles, showed a nice pull up jumper inside of 15ft, excellent energy on the defensive side of the floor. Was not shy about going inside against bigger players. Let's game come to him, plays under control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2132824"],"_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-6958a3763d7cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big man inside for Vermillion had a real nice all round game tonight scoring 10 points all in the 3rd quarter which sparked the 38 point second half for his team. Grabbed 9 rebounds and showed nice scoring touch inside of 15ft but also nocking down one three in the game. Strong/tough presence inside. Ran the floor well showing some athleticism for his size and stature. Kid could easily get 10/10 a night and probably will more nights then most. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Trenton Thomas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vermillion ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6958a3763d877"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This kid was fun to watch tonight did alot well and showed he had excellent range and accuracy nocking down four three pointers tonight and scoring 16 total points. Showed great energy and effort on the defensive end of the floor, boxed out hard! Made several passes that lead to fast break points for his team. Scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, had couple timely three's late that put the game out of reach. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->