<p>Took in Westlake visiting Kell from Tuesday night’s 6A Playoff action on NFHS, where the Longhorns advanced to the program’s first-ever state semifinal over a gutty group of Lions. Here’s what came out of the contest:</p>
<p><em><strong>IT TAKES THE VILLAGE</strong></em></p>
<p>Eight of Kell’s top 9 off their bench scored in the game, and while [player_tooltip player_id="598763" first="Scoot" last="Henderson"] (pictured above, in black) was tremendous yet again with a 25-13 double-double, Kell has built a rotation that can contribute from multiple spots on the floor and at multiple junctures in the contest. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="869648" first="Jaylen" last="Harris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="869606" first="Najhae" last="Colon"] are steady as a rock and provide poise and big shotmaking, 6-3 junior Dylan Cambridge was superb off the bench getting finishes in close and battling at both ends, and good-looking sophomore prospects PJ Johnson (smooth slasher with a nice deep stroke) and [player_tooltip player_id="820314" first="Aaron" last="Smith"] (slow night but a versatile athlete can score inside and out) are somewhat overlooked but have been steady producers taking pressure off Henderson.</p>
<p><em><strong>WIN IT AT THE DEFENSIVE END</strong></em></p>
<p>Kell’s defense was at times smothering, forcing a boatload of Westlake turnovers that played a role in the overall number of possessions for the Lions. Henderson was at the forefront of that effort, and when your All-American is out near the timeline harassing ballhandlers and using active hands to knock the ball free it inspires the entire lineup. Colon and Harris once again enjoy high honors in this category as well, and having the 2 veterans do so many winning things on the floor will continue to be massive as Kell heads to the semis.</p>
<p><strong><em>DILLON WHO?</em></strong></p>
<p>All-American Dillon Hunter left Westlake before the season for Ypsi Academy in Michigan, but the Lions still won a very competitive region going 10-1 and 16-4 overall. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="1050039" first="Gaddis" last="Heath"] came in from Douglass and brought win him an impressively versatile game filled with carving drives to the basket, 3-point launches from deep, tremendous rebounding from the guard spot at long 6-3, and 3 blocks a game on the defensive end. He’s flown up our rankings and will be one of the top 2022s to watch this summer. He joined holdover [player_tooltip player_id="870198" first="Jalal" last="McKie"], another 2022 riser who at a stout 6-5 is one the ATL-metro’s most physical guards. He’s a ton to handle off the dribble facing the basket getting downhill or pulling one from 15 feet, but can take his game down into the paint and cause plenty of havoc right at the cup as well. The Lions lose key senior pieces Chris Johnson, Donald Davis and Cire Cray, but have other young talent and will be right back in the mix next fall in 6A.</p>
<p><em><strong>UP NEXT</strong></em></p>
<p>Kell will make the drive down outside of Albany to face Lee County (17-10), an upset home-winner over defending 6A champs Chattahoochee, a loss for Hooch that ended the 2,000+ career of stellar guard [player_tooltip player_id="830573" first="AJ" last="White"]. A Kell win, potentially combined with what would be a seriously hard-fought road win by defending state champs Wheeler at surging Centennial in the other semifinal, would set up a 4th meeting for the Cobb County neighborhood rivals. </p>
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