Central Fall League Week 3: Defenders and Glue Guys

I attended the Central Fall League on September 26, catching games at Deer Valley and Camelback High Schools. The high-octane matchups on the day got decided by the stuff that does not always show up in a box score: guarding the ball, protecting the rim, crashing the glass, and holding an offense together by cleaning up misses and making the extra pass. These are the guys who won those minutes.    Can score at all three levels, comfortably pulling up from anywhere, whether stepping back into the midrange or knocking down an open catch-and-shoot three, and he can get get solid step-back looks over taller defenders. Defensively, physical on the perimeter and in the paint when his man tries to drive on him, staying attached and poking the ball away when opponents go downhill. Has a knack for stripping it or poking it out when they go up at the rim as well, making it difficult for opponents to get easy layups on him.     Big-time rebounder who gets to his spots and is always looking for the put-back. Fights for every loose ball in the paint and along the baseline, playing with a high motor and using his bigger build to get an advantageous position. Excellent post defense on bigger bodies, working to cut off the seal and getting in front of his man to tip entry passes out of the paint. Rim protector as well, blocking shots at the rim in both of his games.     The definition of a glue guy, and he really does do a bit of everything. Strong finisher near the rim who loves to attack downhill, driving into the mid paint before working in a quick spin to get himself an ideal layup look. The list keeps going from there: fights for offensive rebounds and looks for the put-back, hits pull-ups and turnarounds from the midrange, runs the floor in transition for coast-to-coast layups, will knock shots from beyond the arc, and dishes it to teammates in the halfcourt and on the break.     Pesky defender who does his best work on the help side, using long strides to shift over on drivers, cut off the lane and make sure they cannot get a shot off. Reads when to double in the post as well as anyone, moving over and using his length to get a tip on the ball and force turnovers. Then he will kill you in transition with the open catch-and-shoot three, or from the corner in the halfcourt. A prototypical three-and-D guy.     A menace on the defensive end who was flying all over the place. High energy, high motor, and the kind of player who can change a game in an instant without ever scoring a basket. Plays with active hands, smothering anyone trying to dribble past him and fighting for every steal. It was almost like he was shot out of a cannon once he stepped onto the floor, and he helped close out a win by making it difficult for the other team to get any meaningful three-point looks.

I attended the Central Fall League on September 26, catching games at Deer Valley and Camelback High Schools. The high-octane matchups on the day got decided by the stuff that does not always show up in a box score: guarding the ball, protecting the rim, crashing the glass, and holding an offense together by cleaning up misses and making the extra pass. These are the guys who won those minutes.