Richfield proves they...are a Class AAA title contender

In one of the biggest games of the year, the drama of a 2 vs 3 game delivered yesterday when Richfield defeated DeLaSalle 69-68. Why do we now think that the [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] are a title contender? Who stood out in this game? We break it down now!   The [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] have always been considered a top three team in the state but we had three potential concerns in terms of them being in that mix with DeLaSalle and Totino-Grace. Those concerns were depth, handling the lead guard position against the best teams, and will they have enough perimeter shooting (from several guys) to hurt these very athletic teams with range?   Depth. Two [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] that have really stepped forward to make Richfield deeper are six foot junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140560' first='Ben' last='Heidgerken'] and junior big [player_tooltip player_id='2835654' first='Nathaniel' last='Clifford']. The [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] have a really talented group, they don't need the reserves to average double figures or total double-doubles, they need them to be smart team basketball players that work hard and produce in their roles . Heiderken and Clifford did that and have done that. Ben handled the ball enough against pressure without too many mistakes, he passed the ball well, grabbed six rebounds and he defended. Clifford came off the bench and got size on the floor plus made his foul shots, made his free throws, and grabbed six boards. They played the roles needed helping the team win.   Shooting. We are all aware that [player_tooltip player_id='2126145' first='Waleed' last='Muhammad'] can be a shooter, and we are surely aware that [player_tooltip player_id='2140700' first='Tyrece' last='Hagler'] is a shooter but do the [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] have another option to stretch the floor when key scorers are having a tough tday? Yes and that is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1560817' first='Adin' last='Inda'] who is scoring 12.4 points a game. His two early threes stretched the floor and Adin eventually hit his average with a third triple and three foul shots made. Richfield can stretch just about any team with potential shooters as Inda is a weapon that I'm not sure teams watch close enough.   Handling against pressure. I though [player_tooltip player_id='2126145' first='Waleed' last='Muhammad'] did a better job than I was expecting of getting the ball up the floor against Islander pressure and starting the offense. He sacrificed attempts and offense to get his team going. He had seven points and six boards but I thought he played his biggest role in this game well as did Heidergerken. They did the job enough starting the offense to help their team win.   One more thing.....the response. Richfield is a junior dominated team. They have three seniors total: Inda who starts and scores the 12.4 a game, [player_tooltip player_id='2857135' first='Evan' last='Buhl'] who is 6'6 as the 8th Man who had a smaller role yesterday, and a third senior that does not play.   Sometimes a junior team may not have the experience but this team does, and they responded. Ben responded to the ball pressure, Waleed responded to the important moving the ball role, Clifford responded on the glass and with a key three, and [player_tooltip player_id='2574749' first='Gideon' last='Horne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2412724' first='Dre' last='Collins'] both responded after a challenge.   Omar McMillan does a very nice job with this team. Horne and Collins each had moments of high emotion that their coach instantly responded to and he was able to get those two players to the right focus for the win. Collins went from frustration of foul trouble and a scoreless first half, to 16 second half points making a crucial impact at the rim down the stretch. And Horne had been averaging in single digits but he scored a game high 19 points on 8 of 13 shooting plus he had four assists moving the ball.   What's wild is that [player_tooltip player_id='2140700' first='Tyrece' last='Hagler'], the Spartan second leading scorer, had a tough day shooting at 2 for 9 from the field for six points and the [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] still won the game. Hagler won't have many games like this again.   Wallace-Johnson Emerges   When college coaches go to fall workouts they regularly stop by DeLaSalle because there is so much talent there. This year I feel like every coach left talking about junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2533408' first='Deon' last='Wallace-Johnson'], a 6'3 175 pound guard. We have seen the potential from Deon before and he really stepped up for [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] 16u as the year moved on handling the ball last summer. But we really hadn't seen the "yep, that's it" type of game from him quite yet.   Yesterday we certainly did.   I'm aware that everybody is going to talk about this lay-up simply jumping over Waleed, and with good reason. That was incredible. And the dunk from the wing was sensational too. Those things should be talked about as a prospect.   Honestly though, I think Deon's ability to handle the ball for the Islanders and his all around toughness and decision making stood out to me more. No bad shots, no plays off, defends the way his team wants him to and moves the ball the way they need him to. Plus Deon scored 13 points on 6 of 9 shooting with six boards and five assists. He made a strong impression Saturday.   The Flop Calls   A very interesting part of this game was the flop calls. First off, very glad to see it from the officials. The warning and the actual technical call were a long time coming for these type of plays. That is all fine, it's the response after that is on my mind.   Once officials issue the technical foul (for the flop) the response in plays after is such a big thing. The opposing team and likely the opposing coach (tough to know about that from a video stream) are going to want that call too any time it looks close.   When Waleed was jumped over and fell down, the Islander fans and players wanted a flop. Watching that play, I don't think that was a flop. I think he was bracing for contact and was off balance while being shocked that he was hurdled.   And when Heidergerken fell trying to shoot a pull-up jumper on the right side back to his left, I feel like he fell because he lost his balance on a tough shot.   These are decisions officials are going to have to make against the angry crowd and opposing team after they blow the whistle. I hope they have the courage to keep issuing the warning and expected technical if it's deserved, with the knowledge that every fall to the floor after is going to come with the "what about that?"

In one of the biggest games of the year, the drama of a 2 vs 3 game delivered yesterday when Richfield defeated DeLaSalle 69-68. Why do we now think that the Spartans are a title contender? Who stood out in this game? We break it down now!