Interesting game, the first 10mins, to me looked like a serous lack of communication, guys missing their switches and leaving a jump shooter open to often. On offense (1st 10mins) we seemed to try to force some things, seemed clear there was a concerted effort to get RJ cranked up and in doing so the offense seemed to stagnate some. But Elliot Cadeau began to take over, doing Cadeau like things. Kid was every where, didn't need to score a single point but he did. Not enough has been said about his defensive improvement, he is becoming a menace to opposing PGs as a defender.
Last 10mins of that first half our defense was pretty good but give American credit, they simply hit some hard shots, many of their treys were , well ok but no way that lasts, it didn't. There was not a single doubt in my mind after that last 10mins of the first half, this thing was about to get ugly. American started to get in to foul trouble, our defense was getting stronger and that American team was wearing down, inother words those contested jumpers they got in that first half were going to start rimming out and we were about to go on a rip & run spree, we did. Really, only thing that kept this close in that first half was they hit a lot of contested jumpers for 3 and we missed wide open easy jumpers, dang RJ. We were 0 for what ever from trey, despite getting really clean looks, law of averages says that would not continue..
Second half was kinda simple, in addition to the above, Tyson hit a jumper and it was as if the storm gates were opened, the lid cam off the basket and it was just on after that. Cadeau was masterful, JWit had a really nice spurt in that first half, he is making a habit of having those nice spurts. But Drake Powell did a LOT of growing up last night, as they say, Drake is a problem, and Drake is becoming a much bigger problem, he is constant motion, bl;ocking shots (don't ya just love those 2 handed blocks, got 2 of those last night as well as another more standard block), 11 boards and was soaring for them. Drake pulls down a board he is off on a rip and run.
Tyson hitting that trifecta of treys was nice to see but i felt he played hard and well before hitting those. Impressive that we did that without Jack or Brown available, BOTH missed VALUABLE playing time minutes that they both really need. JWash had a nice game and for me maybe the most important madeshot all noight may have been his corner jumper for 2 off an inbounds pass, his being ready and willing to take that can not be over stated, it is critical for this team going forward, he has to do more of that. Felt Lubin just had a solid game, very blue collar lunch pail like. Now, on to Hawaii.
