Tuesday Night Tip Showcase: Walton tangles with Etowah
PGA Tour pro and Etowah alum Chris Kirk’s golf bag adorns the trophy wall above Eagles Nest gym, and both of these teams feature some “big hitters” you may not know much about. The Eagles came into this season with…
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Continue ReadingPGA Tour pro and Etowah alum Chris Kirk’s golf bag adorns the trophy wall above Eagles Nest gym, and both of these teams feature some “big hitters” you may not know much about. The Eagles came into this season with some roster holes to fill and new key roles to be assumed. Judging from Tuesday’s 52-49 win over a solid and well-coached Walton side, this Etowah team cannot be underestimated as it seeks a 4th straight Region 4 crown. Players from both sides fought through choppy shooting patches to distinguish themselves in a hard-fought contest.
Will Garvey (Etowah), G – The 6-2 senior showed his maturity, athletic ability and leadership throughout the evening, and it wasn’t that he totaled just 9 points on the night as it was when those points came. His four 4th quarter points were both huge buckets, one getting the rim strong (which he showed a knack for all night), and the last deuce off a steal which took a 1-point Eagle lead and stretched it to the final 3 point margin. Along with junior Cole Ellis, he’s a key backcourt cog for the 7-1 Etowah machine.
Colby FlaigColby Flaig (Etowah), F – Flaig impressed with both his athletic ability and knack for being in the right spot all night, and he used both of those traits effectively getting all of his 15 points in a second-half which saw his squad turn a 9-point halftime deficit into a win. The 6-4 junior was physical in close against the Walton defenders but also showed range, stepping out for two monstrous 3’s in the fourth quarter. It wouldn’t be off the mark to see Flaig find his way into our 2021 rankings list as the season wears on.
Mason Etter (Etowah), SW – The sharp-shooting Etter occupies a spot on our 2023 Watchlist, and with good reason, as the swingman started the game with three 3-point darts in the first on his way to 13 points before the break. Walton wisely locked down on the 6-2 freshman in the second half, keeping him scoreless, but he did other things to help his team to the win, drawing a key charge in the 4th quarter and also dicing the Walton D for a pretty drive and kick to Flaig for one of his big 4th quarter knockdowns. The development of this clearly gifted young talent will be one of the fun stories to watch for the rest of this season.
Luka AvalianiLuka Avaliani (Walton), PG – Walton looked the epitome of a team that, while it may not feature any big names to gawk at on a preseason watchlist, is much more impressive viewed as a group. Avaliani stands at the forefront of that to me, and together with poised and disciplined guards Dylan Pumpian (15 points), David Sickle and Carson Adler, formed a dangerous 4-man perimeter attack. The smooth 6-3 lead guard has the look of someone who makes the game look easier than it is. A potent combination of ballhandling and driveability gave Etowah fits in the 1st half before the Eagles began to turn the tide, but I expect the junior to only impress more as the season wears on and make a play for our 2021 rankings.
Jonathan Awoleye (Walton), C – Just as impressive inside the Walton team concept was the 6-5 sophomore Awoleye, who came off coach Bo Abney’s bench to impact the game at both the offensive and defensive ends. He finished with 10 points showing a nice ability to finish at the rack, but also added 3 blocks and stands out as an under the radar 2022 big man to watch for the 7-2 Raiders.