Ten Best: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger at Norwell
Game Recap: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger at Norwell
Final Score: FWBD 48 – Norwell 41
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger is a team that returns a good amount of the guys that saw significant playing time last season, aside from the guard positions. Hayden Smithey is the one returner that has proven in the past that he can handle the ball but the Saints will be looking for someone to step up as a primary ball handler this year. They didn’t come out of the gates overly strong and struggled to get into a rhythm in the first half. At the end of the first quarter, Dwenger and Norwell were tied 10-10. The Knights are in the same boat. They return a few guys on the interior with some good experience but have some new guards who will need to step into their roles for this team to be successful. The second quarter was much like the first where both teams struggled to get it going from the field. Norwell won the second quarter 9-8 and took a 19-18 lead into the half.
Bishop Dwenger faced some early foul trouble with Lucas Lehrman and John Henry Reith getting into first half foul trouble that hurt them on the glass. Sophomore Will Geiger took advantage of the lack of size on the floor and lead the Knights to a 30-27 lead after three quarters.
As the game wore on, Lehrman’s length and timing on defense began to make an impact while he and Smithey got it going on offense as well. Their two man game will be a dangerous combo for the Saints this season and they carried this team through the fourth quarter to a comeback win on the road to open up the season. Bishop Dwenger won the fourth quarter 21-11 to finish the game off. They took the win with a final score of 48-41 and will be preparing for their next game Friday night against Homestead.
MVP: Lucas Lehrman (Bishop Dwenger)
Lucas Lehrman was all over the stat sheets last night. He put together a complete game on both ends of the floor. Lehrman looked comfortable making plays with the ball in his hands out on the perimeter and late into the game. Lucas finished with 13 points (5-9 2FG and 3-6 FT), a game high 11 rebounds (7 defensive and 4 offensive), a game high 7 blocks, and 5 assists. The 6’9” forward was one of the reasons that the Saints found themselves ahead after a dominating defensive game and solid finish to the game in the second half. If Lehrman can stay out of early foul trouble, he will turn in great numbers throughout the season as his team will rely on him to play well every night.
Best Offensive Performance: Hayden Smithey (Bishop Dwenger)
Hayden Smithey was the high point man in the game but didn’t seem to get into a comfortable offensive flow until the second half. He came out of the gate ready to play and had great looks at the basket. It was good to see him come out as aggressive as he does because he will be the go-to-guy for them this year on offense. Smithey finished with 16 points (3-7 2FG, 2-7 3FG, and 4-6 FT), 6 rebounds (5 defensive and 1 offensive), 5 assists, and 1 steal. He continually got great looks on the offensive end of the floor both inside and outside. His coach continued to call his number down the line which reiterates the importance of Hayden playing well this season for this team.
Best Defensive Performance: Lucas Lehrman (Bishop Dwenger)
Lucas had his fingerprints all over the game on the defensive end, literally. With 7 blocked shots in the game, it started to deter the Knights from taking the ball inside and trying to get easy layups. Lehrman rotated quicker on the back line of the defense than he has in recent years and is much more agile and athletic. This will become a common occurrence this season if Lucas can continue to use his basketball IQ and time shots on defense. He moved well in ball screen defense and used his length to close passing lanes and seemed to be in the mix on every defensive rebound last night. Outstanding defensive performance from the big man.
Best Under-The-Radar Performance: Will Geiger (Norwell)
Will Geiger found himself coming off the bench last night for Norwell but that won’t be the case going forward. He was the most aggressive player on either team last night and helped the Knights get the lead in the second and third quarters. Aside from a few charges late in the game, Geiger turned in a great performance for Norwell but will need some help going forward. Will finished with a game high 19 points (5-12 2FG, 0-1 3FG, and 9-12 FT), 8 rebounds (7 defensive and 1 offensive), 1 assist, 1 block, and 1 steal. He is poised for a breakout sophomore season.
Best Quiet Impact: Brandon Nicholson (Norwell)
Brandon Nicholson showed his skills and size early in the game with a strong first quarter performance but didn’t see the floor much again until late in the third. He attacked the backboard well and he was definitely helpful inside at 6’7”. Nicholson finished with 8 points (3-8 2FG, 0-1 3FG, and 2-4 FT) and 7 rebounds (4 defensive and 3 offensive). He should get some more run in the future depending on the matchups. Nicholson is a true big man that can guard opposing size for the Knights.
Best Passer: Hayden Smithey (Bishop Dwenger)
Hayden Smithey made some big time plays down the stretch for the Saints. He attacked the basket with poise and composure in the second half. He had a couple good pocket passes in pick-and-roll action with Lucas Lehrman last night and that may have been Dwenger’s best offense. He runs the floor extremely well and has improve on his court vision in the open floor over the summer. Look for Hayden to post some great assist numbers this season as one of the best second option ball handlers in the Fort Wayne area.
Best Intangibles: Matt Kochanski (Bishop Dwenger)
Matt Kochanski could be that guard that steps up for the Saints this season. He got the start at point and played within himself throughout the game. He can step up and knock down the long ball when he gets his feet set and looked calm and collected during some key free throws late in the fourth quarter. Kochanski finished with 7 points (0-2 2FG, 1-4 FG, and 4-4 FT), 3 defensive rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. Matt took two charges in the fourth quarter on the baseline look from the 1-3-1 zone that swung the momentum in Dwenger’s favor. He is truly out there to do what he can to help his team win.
Best Rebounder: Lucas Lehrman (Bishop Dwenger)
Lucas Lehrman used his size, length, athleticism, and positioning extremely well last night. Not only did he lead the game with 7 blocks, he was able to secure 5 of those blocks as defensive rebounds. He is getting better at keeping the ball in play and tracking it off the rim. Lehrman moved well inside the paint last night and was aggressive on the boards when he wasn’t in foul trouble. He grabbed two straight crucial defensive rebounds to help seal the comeback win in the fourth quarter.
Best Underclassmen: Brenden Lytle (Bishop Dwenger)
Brenden Lytle worked off the bench as the seventh man in the rotation last night in his first ever varsity action. The 5’11” true point guard prides himself in his on-ball defense. He moved his feet well and forced opposing guards into some mistakes and turnovers that lead to easy runouts for the Saints. Lytle stepped into two big three-pointers in the game with confidence and looks poised to be another strong player to go through the Dwenger program. Lytle finished with 6 points (2-2 3FG), 1 offensive rebound, and 2 assists last night. He was excellent with his minutes and was the only freshman to see the floor in the varsity game, also in crucial moments. Could be a player that plays himself into the starting lineup before the end of the season.
Biggest Takeaway: The Trio for Dwenger v The Duo from Norwell
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger will rely heavily on 2019 Hayden Smithey, 2018 Lucas Lehrman, and 2018 John Henry Reith to lead this team. Reith was in foul trouble throughout the game and didn’t get the chance to show his true abilities. He rebounds the ball extremely well and is a force to handle on the inside. The tandem of him and Lehrman on the glass will be tough for some teams to handle. Smithey looked good in the second half and should turn a lot of heads this year. Norwell boasts a two-headed attack underneath with 2020 Will Geiger and 2018 Brandon Nicholson who will need to own the paint for the Knights to be successful. Both teams are looking to learn from last night’s game and move forward with the season.