2 Big Time Games: AF vs. Davis and Orem vs. PG

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Fork vs. Davis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing at American Fork is tough, and after the game, one thing that we learned is that 6A is wide open. Although there will be favorites and the seeding will matter but anything can happen as AF pulled out a great home win against one of the best teams in the state in Davis. American Fork was lights out from beyond the arc as they hit 7 three-pointers, but Davis was also just as good as they hit 7 of their own. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standout Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2089441' first='Jax' last='Clark'], American Fork</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark continues to prove that he has Division 1 skills and just needs an opportunity to play at that level. Clark did a great job of feeling the defense and knowing when to open up and swing the ball, even when his teammates didn't convert. You have to respect the fact that Clark knows how to read defenses and play the right way. Clark was aggressive early, and he has a great, quick first step with his back to the basket, turning over his left shoulder and attacking. Clark has mastered the mid-post as he can take dribbles inside and get to the middle, and go over his shoulders when there is no double team coming. One of the best things we saw from Clark last night was his ability to get to the rim from the perimeter. He has improved his off-the-bounce attacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539677' first='Cameron' last='Brower'], Davis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The comfort that Brower is playing with is just something that stands out as he has these sposts in teh short corner that are tough to defend that he gets to and can rise up and hit that tough jumper with confidence. If you closeout to hard he will get by you and if you are reluctant to get to him on a closeout he will just shoot the ball over you. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Consistent Play</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278451' first='JT' last='Turley'], Davis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turley brings a lot to the floor. He defends bigger players, and he is really good at getting downhill. Even when Turley wasn't getting all the way to the rim, he put so much pressure on the defense with that midrange game as well. Really enjoyed watching his consistent play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1439711' first='Bryce' last='Mella'], American Fork</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mella plays with good poise and teams try to speed him up with pressure and he just does a great job of keeping his composure and balance and get off some good open looks with his jab and that quick fluid step back that he has. Mella has been on the ball playin the lead guard and he reads the defense so well, timing when he attacks, passes or puts the ball on the floor is fun to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Solid Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bridger Burnside, American Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashton Hucks, American Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connor Brown, Davis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pleasant Grove vs. Orem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PG has really picked things up as of late with wins over Layton, Davis, and now Orem, as they have learned a lot from a tough pre-season. Even though Orem battled and PG escaped with a 1 point win, a win is a win in this brutal region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Standout Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125357' first='Brennan' last='Blackett'], Pleasant Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blacket has been playing great as of late and you know that he is always ready to play Orem. Blackett led PG in scoring as he poured in 17 points and had 3 big three-pointers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1724358' first='Troy' last='Kaufusi'], Orem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2306605' first='Simeon' last='Suguturaga'], Orem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simeon is a "throw it up, and I'll get it" type of player. He has an elite motor, and his versatility truly stands out. He was active on the glass, and inside, he is a superior athlete. PG was in a 2-3 zone, and they ran a nice "duck in" play that freed up Suguturaga for a highlight-reel, two-handed dunk early in the game. Suguturaga for a hammer two-handed dunk early in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Off the Radar Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539675' first='Junior' last='Moala'], Orem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2539675' first='Junior' last='Moala'], despite not scoring many points, displays impressive court movement. He effectively utilizes screens, creating mismatches and problems for the defense due to his size and strength. Moala possesses soft hands and a refined touch around the rim, showcasing promising offensive skills. His mobility truly stands out. He showed that mobility tracking down rebounds as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashton Palmer, Pleasant Grove</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid came ready to shoot the rock. He has a quick release, and if he gets going, that rim seems to look a lot bigger as he was shooting with a lot of confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1598261' first='Jaxon' last='Brown'], Pleasant Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1724363' first='Preston' last='White'], Pleasant Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->