Brother Rice’s Niego Closes Senior Night with Game Winner

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your annual su</em></a><em>bscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday night I checked out a contest between Lake Forest Academy and host Brother Rice.&nbsp; It was the Crusaders senior night and wow did their star senior go off in the second half!&nbsp; In a tight, low scoring game throughout Lake Forest Academy tied it up with under 30 seconds.&nbsp; Brother Rice ran the clock down and [player_tooltip player_id='2823126' first='Joseph' last='Niego'] buried a dagger three at the buzzer for the win 43-40.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Niego Comes Up Clutch in Second Half</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He didn't do much in the first half, but when it mattered most on senior night 2026 power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2823126' first='Joseph' last='Niego'] turned it up to another level scoring 17 points in the second half including the game winning three as time expired.&nbsp; Niego has had a very good senior campaign emerging as a high level small college recruit.&nbsp; Can really space the floor with his shooting from three along with the mid-range.&nbsp; Can deck it from the mid-post area and has touch inside 10 feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brother Rice Gritty Wing Play</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior guard Adam McBreaty made some things happen in the first half for Brother Rice on both ends.&nbsp; Crafty lefty wing that likes the spin move and is effective posting up.&nbsp; Also did a nice job defensively scoring 5 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2832910' first='Zach' last='Grabowski'] is a tough wing that had a three and baseline take for 5 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2398368' first='Charlie' last='Wizgird'] stepped up scoring on cuts, floaters, in transition, and nailing a three for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lake Forest Academy Front Line is Massive</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without their best player LFA played very well in this game.  It starts with their big frontline of upperclassmen.  Senior 6'7” center [player_tooltip player_id='1848551' first='Elijah' last='Eschmeyer'] showcased his ability to be an impact small college big man.  Stretch five that buried a couple threes.  Like the mobility around the hoop including a sweet layup on a slip screen.  Also rebounded well going for 12 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2632014' first='Boti' last='Szabo-Zsamaba'] is a bulky 6'9” center that has a super strong frame.  He seals well for scores on the block, was a force on the glass clearing the defensive boards at a high rate, and we liked what he brought as a passer.  Notched 8 points.  [player_tooltip player_id='2877543' first='Landon' last='Lethunya'] is probably the best athlete of the trio at 6'9” with length and bounce.  Junior flies in for rebounds and got to the foul line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shot Making in LFA Backcourt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2125684' first='Tej' last='Johnson'] showed off his ability to knock down shots in the second half.&nbsp; Athletic guard that banged in multiple pull ups including one to tie the game.&nbsp; He had 9 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2837337' first='Aditya' last='Chandhok'] hit a couple of threes for 6 points while point guard Scottie Watson ran the show with his passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->