Standouts: Huron vs. Sioux Falls Lincoln

Sioux Falls, SD - Coming into this Class AA game, Huron had a record of 1-6, and Lincoln had a record of 3-3. The Patriots have been receiving votes in the State Polls. This game was played Tuesday, January 18th. Scores 1st - Huron 15 Lincoln 15 2nd - Huron 25 Lincoln 29 3rd - Huron 26 Lincoln 46 4th (final) - Huron 44 Lincoln 68 Game Notes The first quarter was all Lincoln for 90% of it. The Patriots had a 9-point lead at one point but Huron started hitting 3-pointers and closed the gap. Dylan Lichty hit a last-second desperation deep 3-pointer to tie the score at the end of the 1st quarter. To start the 2nd quarter, Huron’s [player_tooltip player_id="1369120" first="Max" last="Kranzler"] nailed a 3-pointer to help the Tigers go up 18-15. After that the Tigers built a 5-point lead, their zone-D was giving the Patriots problems, they took a charge, and it seemed like they had all the momentum. Lincoln overcame adversity and kept battling. The Patriots took the lead just under the 3:00 mark in the second half with a 23-22 lead. Lincoln did a nice job moving the ball against the zone and getting it inside for good looks. The Patriots extended their lead and went into halftime with a 4-point lead and with the momentum riding on their backs. Huron would score the first basket of the 3rd quarter to cut the gap to 2-points. From that point on it was Lincoln’s game and they never looked back. The Patriot press started to wear down the Tigers and they turned them over and went on a mini-run to end the 3rd quarter. Lincoln went into the 4th quarter with a 10-point lead. The last quarter was all Lincoln, they built a comfortable lead and they were in complete control. I have to hand it to Huron, they never gave up and they showed that they have potential. Overall, the Patriots had too much and their size really gave the Tigers problems. Good luck to both Huron and Lincoln as the season moves on. <h6>Scoring</h6> Huron - [player_tooltip player_id="1369120" first="Max" last="Kranzler"] 19, Isaiah Decker 6, [player_tooltip player_id="963776" first="Reilyn" last="Zavesky"] 5, [player_tooltip player_id="968188" first="Brandon" last="Decker"] 4, [player_tooltip player_id="963763" first="Dawsyn" last="Rogers"] 3, Dylan Lichty 3, Jayden Beck 2, Roger Puterbaugh 2 Lincoln - [player_tooltip player_id="812198" first="Caleb" last="Hiatt"] 16, [player_tooltip player_id="1265221" first="JT" last="Rock"] 15, [player_tooltip player_id="968195" first="Khalil" last="Cisse"] 14, [player_tooltip player_id="1296085" first="Eli" last="Olson"] 6, Kyler Dah; 5, [player_tooltip player_id="963749" first="Elliot" last="Whitney"] 5, [player_tooltip player_id="968163" first="Cameron" last="Jackson"] 4, [player_tooltip player_id="968208" first="Saif" last="Shah"] 3. <h4>Top Tigers</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="1369120" first="Max" last="Kranzler"] (2022) |6-0 G| He was the best offensive player for the Tigers and he created multiple TO’s on defense. Max started the Tiger scoring with a point-blank layup early in the game. Kranzler has a quick first step and a nice spin move. He did a nice job running the court, catching a fullcourt pass, and going up for a shot to get fouled. Max cashed in both FT’s. Kranzler hit three 3-pointers, all in the first half. He hit them when catching and shooting. Max has a very quick release and he needs little room to get his soft shot off. He showed some nice passing skills with a soft-touch lob pass on a BLOB. That showed great awareness. He looked like a pick-pocket in the open court when he would steal the ball from dribblers. At one point in the second half, Max picked off a pass and he went to the other end for an uncontested "mailman" finish. One of his best plays was a tough finish vs. the Patriot 7-footer. He used his body to protect the ball and he got the shot off at the last second to make the shot. Isaiah Decker (2022) |6-5 C| He is a strong, thick, and powerful BIG. Isaiah is great at carving out space around the rim. He may be big, but Decker moves well. He showed this off with a cutting basket in transition and a smooth finish. Decker also scored baskets when the Tigers broke the press and they found the big man open around the basket. I liked how Isaiah would gather himself, gain his balance, and then go up for the shot. He had a beautiful pick-n-roll finish early in the 2nd half. Decker also showed some nice passing ability. He was posting up, did a reverse pivot, and found a cutting teammate for 2 easy points. [player_tooltip player_id="963776" first="Reilyn" last="Zavesky"] (2023) |6-2 F| This lefty has fluid shooting form. Reilyn also showed a smooth spin-move. I was impressed when Zavesky drove baseline and he finished with a hand directly in his face. It was a tough shot and he showed excellent hangtime to get the shot off. Reilyn also had an efficient cut when his teammate had the ball in the post. Zavesky received the pass and scored an easy two points. [player_tooltip player_id="968188" first="Brandon" last="Decker"] (2022) |6-3 F| He is a versatile player that had the ball in his hands often. Brandon can play multiple positions and he often brought the ball up the court. He has good handles with multiple effective moves. Decker picked off multiple passes when the ball was in midflight. That showed excellent concentration and reaction time. In the second half, Brandon ran a nice pick-n-roll with the other Decker. Brandon came off the screen, attacked until the defense stopped him, and he hit the big man rolling to the basket for a bucket. Brandon showed off his shooting range with a deep college-range 3-pointer in the 4th quarter. [player_tooltip player_id="963763" first="Dawsyn" last="Rogers"] (2023) |6-4 F| He showed an impressive drive and finish through traffic. Rogers had a beautiful shot fake, which drew a foul and got him to the FT-line. Peyton Grace (2022) |6-2 G| Against the press, Grace threw a fullcourt dime. The lefty dropped the pass right into the breadbasket, it looked more like it should have been a play on a Sunday afternoon. Peyton showed quick hands with a pick-pocket steal from behind the offensive player. Dylan Lichty (2023) |5-9 G| He nailed a college-range last-second 3-pointer to end the 1st quarter. Dylan took a charge shortly after in the 2nd quarter. Lichty plays with heart and passion. <h4>Top Patriots</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="812198" first="Caleb" last="Hiatt"] (2022) |6-5 F| Early in the game, he saw his man leave for a double team and Caleb cut to the basket for an easy 2-points. He showed excellent hustle when blocking a shot from behind. I liked how Caleb fought for loose balls. Hiatt hit multiple tough bank shots from 10-feet and in. He would catch in the middle of the zone. Attack with one or two dribbles and elevate over the defense for a kiss off the glass. He also showed a sweet left-handed baby hook. Caleb grabbed boards and ran the court hard. Hiatt was super effective in the middle of the zone and a difference-maker. It was an overall impressive game for Caleb. [player_tooltip player_id="1265221" first="JT" last="Rock"] (2024) |7-1 C| Early in the game he did a nice job screening and moving his feet. Later on, the Patriots saw zone for the rest of the game and then JT started to work against the zone. Rock showed his agility with a baseline dribble that led into a soft fall-away jumper. He blocked many shots all game and he altered many more. His rim-protecting is game-changing. JT is smart when blocking shots, he goes straight up instead of swatting which is more likely to draw a foul. In the first half, Rock drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key. He is also a good-looking FT-shooter. JT grabbed and tipped many offensive rebounds. He also scored many times on putbacks. He finished many times with two defenders in his face when posting vs. the zone. I was really impressed when Rock grabbed a defensive rebound and he dribbled the length of the court. He weaved through traffic and looked like a guard going up the court. Few 7-footers in the country could make a play like that. There is a reason so many D1 schools are after JT. He is athletic, skilled, and full of potential. [player_tooltip player_id="968195" first="Khalil" last="Cisse"] (2022) |6-1 G| I like this athletic playmaker. Early in the game, Cisse was posting up, he saw the double team coming and he hit Hiatt for a basket on the backside. I also liked how he cut into the post and scored with a turnaround short jumper. Khalil looked more athletic and speedy compared to the last time I watched him. He was always attacking in this game. Cisse made a nice hustle play where he saved the ball from going out of bounds. He was driving and dropping dimes all game. Cisse showed great eyes and court awareness. He also had effective post entries to the BIGS. Khalil had multiple tough finishes and he scored on offensive rebound putbacks. [player_tooltip player_id="1296085" first="Eli" last="Olson"] (2023) |6-1 G| I liked his patience when attacking the zone. Olson had impressive cuts. He is a hustler that forced multiple TO's. This led to buckets for himself and other Patriots. He showed many nice passes. Eli hit Cisse on a good look and he made a soft lob pass to a sealing post player. Olson also took a charge on defense. [player_tooltip player_id="968200" first="Kyler" last="Dahl"] (2022) |6-2 G| He did a little of everything last night. Kyler grabbed offensive rebounds, picked off passes in the press and he hit a corner 3-ball vs. the zone. On a baseline drive, Dahl showed off his verticle. He exploded up to the hoop and finished with a finger roll, right at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="963749" first="Elliot" last="Whitney"] (2023) |6-0 G| He impressed me again tonight with his ball-handling skills. He has many moves and a quick first step. Whitney is skilled with the ball, he threw many 1-handed lefty passes. I really liked how he drove and was actively looking to set up teammates. Elliot also made the easy pass against the zone. He hit Hiatt in the high post many times and he made flawless post entries to Rock. Whitney stood out to me many times tonight with his on-ball defense. He cut off the dribbler many times. Elliot is a hardworking and quick defender. He showed off his range with a corner 3-ball that he got a shooters-touch roll on. Elliot did not score a ton last night, but he was still very effective on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="968180" first="Gage" last="Gohl"] (2022) |6-0 G| I like that he took a charge and sacrificed his body for the team. Gage is a very unselfish point guard that shares the rock with everyone. I loved how Gage attacked, drew two defenders, and hit Rock for an open 3-pointer. Gohl is excellent at pushing the ball ahead in transition for up-tempo opportunities. He also created multiple turnovers on defense.