Class 2A must see semi-final games
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Mark Morris (GSHL #1) will square off with Black Hills (Evergreen #2). In the other semi-final it will be Tumwater (Evergreen #1) vs. R.A. Long. (GSHL #2) . Both games are tonight. Here’s a breakdown of what to watch for.…
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Continue ReadingMark Morris (GSHL #1) will square off with Black Hills (Evergreen #2). In the other semi-final it will be Tumwater (Evergreen #1) vs. R.A. Long. (GSHL #2) . Both games are tonight. Here’s a breakdown of what to watch for.
Mark Morris
The Monarchs ran the table in the GSHL to take back the league title from R.A. Long after a few dominant years from the Jacks. They come in at 22-1 with their only loss to 4A Jackson. Since then they have ran off 19 straight wins. Players to watch
He leads MM in scoring at around 23 points a game. He is touagh and can score from all levels. He is a great shooter and his mid-range game is on point. More about this later. He has been a scoring machine all year. He is great at getting to the basket and has a lot of craftiness when he does get to the rim. He is a quicker, stronger, and better version of last year’s self w5hen he averaged 19 points a game.
He has one of the most impressive pull-up jumpers in the state. I say it is the best. The best I have seen and he can pull it from anywhere. It’s lightning quick and accurate. He is a skilled ball handling guard and uses that to create space for buckets. All level scorer who owns the single game three point field goals made record at Mark Morris. He is averaging 21 points a game. This is the best scoring duo in 2A with both capable of putting up say 40, like he did vs Woodland earlier in the season. You can count how many were pull-up jumpers. I already have.
He could be the x-factor this team needs after missing a lot of the season due to injury from football. He has been back for a few games now and has the ability to put up points. He is a very skilled player who has been a varsity player for four years. He has a toughness he brings to the game and gets after it on defense. He is big enough to score from anywhere, and has a nice jumper himself. He is still finding his way back in the scoring column but it would be no surprise to see him over 20 points. He is more than capable.
Black Hills
This team has been knocking on the door for a state berth for the last couple of years. They are a solid group who has had different players stepping up all season long.
Simon Nysted Simon Nysted 6'1" | SG Black Hills | 2024 WA
Simon Nysted Simon Nysted 6'1" | SG Black Hills | 2024 WA
Top returning scorer from last year’s team that brings most of their scoring back. He was a consistent scorer for Black Hills all season long, putting up some big numbers and finishing up the regular season at 13.4 points a game. If he gets his feet set he is deadly from three. He has gotten better as a scorer this year, making himself into a complete player who knows how to put the ball in the basket.
Keegan Rongen
Keegan Rongen
A tough and physical post-player who averaged 12.3 points on the season. He gets the extra effort points and can score from the block with his strength. He has been a solid piece for Black Hills for a couple of years now as their top post player.
Johnnie Stallings is a multi-year starter at point guard and can get some tough buckets at around 11 points a game. Harrison Pilon averages just over 7 but exploded for 36 points vs W.F. West late in the regular season with a bunch of threes.
Prediction – Mark Morris 79-67
R. A. Long vs Tumwater
This should be a fascinating match-up. R.A. Long features the best scorer in 2A or the state for that matter. Cavin Holden Cavin Holden 6'1" | CG Ra Long | 2023 State WA , who dropped over 50 at least twice.
Tumwater
He leads the team at 18 points a game but is capable of bigger nights at any time. One of the most complete guards in 2A who can score from all levels. He is an elite shooter, and has the mid-range game that he has put to work this season. He is getting his points from both, and has added some dunks to the mix showing his athletic ability. He sees the best the defense has to offer nightly, he knows it and he knows he has capable teammates to help him out. He is unselfish and will do whatever he can to help win games. He can take over or get his teammates going.
Highlights
He is a highlight reel waiting to happen with some high flying dunks and alley-oops. He has been the number two in scoring for Tumwater the past two years. His game has developed and he can score on all levels. He has done a great job of making teams honest and taking some of the pressure to score off of Brewer. Tumwater is a deep team and that could be the difference.
R.A. Long
He is fun to watch. He broke the schools all time scoring record this year after having himself a monster season. He can do so many things well. He can score from anywhere and is an elite shooter. He takes what the defense gives him and can pick you apart. He is averaging 34 points a game. That is a lot of quickness and some great ball handling skills that he throws on top of unlimited range. Decisive, quick, and crafty.
Here is a player that can step up and hit big shots for this team. Mainly threes as he is a good shooter from long range. He is more than capable of putting up some good secondary scoring behind Holden, who is great at finding people when teams throw three guys at him. He is averaging 10 points a game as the 2nd leading scorer for the Jacks.
Jaxson Cook and TreMayne Jenkins are also players that will play an important role. Cook is 6’8 and Jenkins can guard any position on the floor.
Prediction – Tumwater 75-73 OT