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<p>Thursday night PHI took in a primetime game as #2 DePaul Prep traveled to #4 Warren in a matchup of two teams that could cut down the nets in March as the 4A champs. Warren kept making runs, but DePaul Prep had an answer each time as they won 58-54. We dive into the prospects and takeaways below!</p>
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<p><strong>Veteran Players Make Winning Plays for DePaul Prep</strong></p>
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<p>I think the first thing that jumps out is the veteran poise that this DePaul Prep team has. They took a couple of shots to begin both the first quarter and second half, but stayed locked in and punched back every time with sustained play. They have savvy basketball players with high IQ across the board that just make the right play consistently. In this game they passed it very well and spread the wealth with four guys in double figures. So many weapons that can beat you. Then they limited the offense of Warren's star as Davis got his, but it wasn't as much as usual and made it tough on him all night! They threw multiple defenders at him and gave him different looks throughout the game. DePaul Prep was dominant on the boards in this game with Porter and Lee up front.</p>
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<p><strong>DePaul Prep's Balance Reigns Supreme</strong></p>
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<p>This DePaul Prep team only goes six deep, but they are super balanced with them. They can beat you in so many ways with their top guys. Brown commit [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] is a orchestra leader with the ball in his hands the way he is whipping passes around the court for dimes along with getting his own offense. Straight line blow bys, shot fakes into lob passes, crafty layups, getting to the line, and knocking in a three. So efficient with everything he does. Went for 15 points. His backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] was a big part of keeping Davis' offense contained with his defense fighting through his movement off ball and staying with him off the bounce. As an offensive player he just gets the job done. Acrobatic layups, passes on the move in ball screen action, and wins on straight line takes. Went for 11 points. Their big man [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] who is headed to Toledo had a productive night recording 16 points. Played off the offensive glass with several put backs, finished through contact for and-1s, seals down low, hook shot, and finishes out of the dunker spot. Versatile unsigned four man [player_tooltip player_id='2376273' first='Zion' last='Lee'] showcased what makes him such a great role player knocking in a couple spot up threes, rebounding well in traffic, and using his length defensively in a 12 point outing. Love him at the small college or JUCO level as an elite glue guy!</p>
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<p><strong>Davis, Walker, King Lead Way for Warren</strong></p>
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<p>Warren was not able to pull off the upset on their home floor on Thursday night. Their star top 2027 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] notched 15 points in the loss. He had a couple sweet moves including a shake into a poster dunk early in the contest. Used his handles to get loose downhill a few times for scores at the rack along with making quite a few trips to the free throw line. [player_tooltip player_id='2437519' first='Braylon' last='Walker'] is a strong bodied senior guard that had his moments in this game. Got to his spots elevating with his jumper draining threes and crisp pull up twos. Shoots it well off the bounce. Went for 20 points in the loss. Small college and JUCOs should be all over him! Big man [player_tooltip player_id='2403693' first='Avonn' last='King'] showcased more shooting than we had previously seen extending with his shot along with a couple nice scores in the paint for 11 points. For Warren to beat Benet in a super and DePaul in a semi they are going to need to rebound better against the size both bring, have more role guys step up with their shooting, and in some games Davis might just have to go for 40+.</p>
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Thursday night PHI took in a primetime game as #2 DePaul Prep traveled to #4 Warren in a matchup of two teams that could cut down the nets in March as the 4A champs. Warren kept making runs, but DePaul Prep had an answer each time as they won 58-54. We dive into the prospects and takeaways below!
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