3A Finals Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Yuma </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a 55-54 victory, Yuma took the 3A title last week over The Vanguard School. Yuma finishes off their title run with a 22-4 record, handing Vanguard only their second loss of the season. Both groups displayed elite shotmaking along the perimeter, boasting great depth of three point shooting across the board. Yuma clawed their way back through the second quarter, following a dominant first quarter from Vanguard. The second half remained within a couple possessions up until the end, finally going to Yuma.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwin Munoz was a difference maker for this group, nailing 7 threes alongside the team high 21 points in this matchup. He was red hot all game, a dependable perimeter shooter. The guard was assertive off the catch, ready and willing when provided minimal space to operate. Even versus incoming contests, there was little opponents could do to slow him down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2175367' first='Brody' last='Sheffield']'s shotmaking continues to empower this Yuma offense, a dependable shooter off the dribble or catch. Defenders had a tough time getting up in time, given his quick release. They did well pushing the pace when necessary, active changing speeds to get opponents off balance. In his 13 point, 2 assist performance,  the sophomore guard will be a name worth following over the coming seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonathan Thomson's physicality helped Yuma maintain a consistent impact around the paint. Particularly dependable grabbing offensive and defensive rebounds, he managed to challenge Vanguard's frontcourt all game. A large component of Thomson's multifaceted impact came from his passing, active on kickouts to perimeter shooters. Thomson drew in the defense through his strength advantage many times, influencing great shots, particularly throughout the second half. This Yuma offense would not be the same without Thomson's constant motor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cesar Gamboa stayed ready to attack the lane in transition, an often recipient of outlet passes. Willing to attack the versus a contest or contact, the guard stayed ready against an assertive opposing defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>The Vanguard School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowney was an especially efficient three point shooter throughout the first half, actively relating for quick attempts off the catch. Among the most consistent faces out in transition, their willingness to push the pace helped get Vanguard easy looks. Alongside his shooting came dependable decision making while handling the ball, effective at slowing down the pace when necessary. Notching 6 assists in this matchup, Rowney did great setting up teammates for open looks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They received valuable shotmaking from scoring guard [player_tooltip player_id='2764914' first='JJ' last='Wetters'], yet again proving himself as a dependable three point shooter, knocking down 4 in this matchup. Arguably their best perimeter defender, they were quick to contest shots out on the perimeter. His lateral quickness set him up for success relocating to shotmakers, blocking a couple shots.  [player_tooltip player_id='2394295' first='Matty' last='Dessalegn'] should be a name worth following over the coming seasons, a 6'5 forward with soft touch around the rim. Effective operating along the baseline, the forward contributed multiple floaters from this region. Defensively, he was a steady help side defender, providing active hands on that end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->