Top Ten from the Putnam City Invitational Championship: Heritage Hall versus Putnam City West
Heritage Hall defeats Putnam City West 70-56 to become the Putnam City Invitational Champions. Here are the top ten performances of the big matchup: MVP: Trey Alexander 2021 Heritage Hall Alexander dominated from beginning to end. He scored 31 points and…
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Continue ReadingHeritage Hall defeats Putnam City West 70-56 to become the Putnam City Invitational Champions. Here are the top ten performances of the big matchup:
MVP: Trey Alexander 2021 Heritage Hall
Alexander dominated from beginning to end. He scored 31 points and controlled the pace of the game due to his elite ability to score in transition. Alexander is unstoppable one-on-one and that was apparent against PCW.
He was the best player on the floor Saturday night and it wasn’t close.
Play of the Game: Will McDonald 2019 Heritage Hall
McDonald was one-on-one at the top of the key and he dribbled to his left and got the defender leaning one way and McDonald put the ball behind his back and immediately hit a cutting Alexander for the and-1 reverse layup.
Best Offensive Performance: Michael McLaughlin 2019 Heritage Hall
Alexander obviously dominated the game but McLaughlin was an excellent contributor on the offensive end. He finished with 18 points and he handled the full court pressure really well.
Best Defensive Performance: Phillip Smitherman 2020 Heritage Hall
Smitherman had the unenviable task of guarding Rondel Walker but he was up for the challenge. Walker was in foul trouble most of the game but Smitherman did a great job of following the game plan and trying to make things tough for Walker with or without the ball.
Best Guy off the Bench: MJ Warrior 2020 PCW
Warrior was the best player for PCW on Saturday night and he had a great comeback after missing the last few games with injury. Warrior scored 25 points and scored key baskets which kept the pressure on Heritage Hall.
Best Intangibles: Will McDonald 2019 Heritage Hall
McDonald is a versatile wing who fills in the gaps for the Chargers. He was great on the boards against PCW and he did a great job of staying calm and made the right plays off the dribble. There isn’t many players who can rebound but also be a primary ballhandler.
Best under-the-radar prospect: Jaylen Rainey 2019 PCW
Rainey was a load to stop on the glass. He has a great build and he is 6’3 which allows him to carve out space under the basket. Rainey is also a great finisher in the paint. The only dunk of the game was a two-handed throw down from Rainey.
Best Underclassmen: Trey Alexander 2021 Heritage Hall
It isn’t often when you can make the argument that a sophomore might be the best player in the entire state in only his second season of varsity basketball but Alexander is making this hot take not so hot.
Biggest Surprise: Jack Spainer 2020 Heritage Hall
Being my first time seeing Heritage Hall, I was skiptical if Spainer could hang in this type of game. He had a few early turnovers but after the first quarter, Spainer looked liked he belonged.
He finished with 11 points and hit some big open jumpers to open up the HH lead.
Best Story Moving Forward: Can Heritage Hall go undefeated?
Heritage Hall has all of the tools to go undefeated. Great player, great role players around him who fit around that great player, and the ability to get stops. The Chargers have had some good teams but this may be the best team they have ever had. It will be interesting to see if they can sustain this productivity and end the season without a loss.