Player Spotlight: Silas Love (2018)
The Pool play matchup that just about everyone in the gym was looking forward to see was The Fayetteville Elite vs Raid Nation 17U game. Both teams were deep with talent and there were multiple matchups that seem to be very intriguing on paper, one of those matchups was Raid Nation Silas Love vs Fayetteville Elite Emmanuel Izunabor. It was a tale of two halfs as Izunabor was dominant in the 1st half while Love stepped it up in the 2nd half to help his team come up with the win.
Love is about 6’7 with long arms and nice athleticism, he uses his length to cause problems for Fayetteville Elite in the 1-3-1 full court press defense which helped Raid Nation make a major comeback. He’s also a very gifted rebounder, shot blocker, and solid finisher inside the paint which we got to see in the 2nd half of this game. Love would go on to finish with 14 Points on the day and not only help the Raid Nation squad to a win but also the #1 seed in bracket play and a boost in the teams confidence which is huge for a squad that is just now beginning to get to know each other.
What was the changing moment In that game for you guys that helped you all to get going and make a run?
Silas Love: Coach had changed the defense up to a 1-3-1 defense, we just pressed the ball, got some steal and executed off the steals that we got.
You were in a pretty good matchup with the Fayetteville Elite Center, prior to this game was that a matchup you looked forward to?
Silas Love: Yes I looked forward to, last time we played them he had Malik and Telly Johnson on his team and they beat us last time so I was looking forward to playing them again.