Kenner report, 7/9

[MCIGuy]

rachi8 said:

The Tombs coach called for the double team several times and the wing defenders throughout the game crashed down on Pops when he was engaged in the post. This lead to alot of loose balls and scrums (sp?) under the offensive basket. Sapp and Ege were very effective in this regard; without this strategy I think Jeff would have been facing similar foul trouble issues as Patrick. Pops' activity forces defensive contact, especially if he is allowed one-on-one coverage in the post.

That's strange because Pops does not have the type of post game that typically leads to opponents picking up fouls; the type of game that forces players to foul him. Now Jai Lewis on the other hand will back you so far underneath the basket and is so wide that you can't get around him to slap the ball away. Therefore he's a type of player that causes opponents to foul as a last resort.

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

My thoughts:

1) The Tombs was lucky to win today with PE not having his best game; taking an 8 pt. lead into the half really helped in the end.

2) The Pops-JG matchup was a little more even than people want to admit. Pops was active in the paint for boards and, yes, his interior game is not nearly as polished as Jeff's but he plays with a lot of intensity/energy. However, he'll never make the NBA unless he adds 25-30 lbs. It was great for Jeff to match up against Jai and Pops underneath (Roy needs that workout even more!!)

3) It was also great for Josh, Jonathan and Jessie to go up against Tony Skinn (Frank Black's role model) in the backcourt. Skinn, as usual, shaked and baked and I really do think if Skinn and Pops had more court time (they sat on the bench too much) the outcome might have been different. Garrison was such a non-factor that I didn't realize it was him out on the court!

4) Incoming Frosh: Tay seemed to have a little rust on his game but he hit a nice high-post j and was active underneath. He will definitely contribute. Eggerson showed me more today than during the last Tombs' game; he plays within himself/his game and is always under control. Sapp had a nice run where he hit a 3 and then immediately made a steal and was fouled. Josh had his typical game; something like 3-8 from 3--he really needs to be open on the perimeter/have plays run for him a la DJ. Otherwise, he can force things from 3 at times. Conversely, he demonstrates great effort on d and is very active/conscious of executing at both ends of the floor.

5) Jonathan didn't have his best outing either and completely allowed himself to be posterized on the dunk by Pops (conversely, he tends to draw those types of fouls because he's hustling/scrapping so much!). Ewing also nearly was posterized by Skinn of all people but he fouled Tony hard enough that Tony couldn't finish the dunk/layin.

Bad news--Tombs almost lost this game. Good news--despite a subpar outing, they still beat a team composed of some of the better college players in the area. I hope to see a sharper/crisper performance manana...

[jerseyhoya34]

1. Egerson
a. He's the most game ready of our freshmen at this time. He is physically ready for this level of play and brings the most to the table in terms of production.
b. He showed his jumper today but I don't recall him taking any three pointers. What impressed me the most was his dribble penetration. He drives and keeps good body control but shows tremendous strength.
c. Egerson can also clear space in the paint for rebounds and got a few today in spite of giving up height to the opposition. I think he'll get more playing time because of this, as rebounding has been a weak point.
d. If the numbers are to be believed, he got his points quietly. He's not a flashy player, but he gets the job done.
e. He started the game along with JW, Thornton, Jeff, and Patrick.

2. Sapp
a. When he was involved in plays offensively, he got things done. His shooting mechanics will be the best on the team this season. He gets good rotation on the ball and has a good eye.
b. Sapp has great floor vision and can make good passes to lead the break. He made a halfcourt chest pass in traffic to get the ball to Ewing on the break. Pretty play.
c. I am concerned at this time with running him at the point. He got into trouble when trapped in the backcourt and picked up his dribble. He relied on JW to bail him out in these situations, which was telling to me. So, he may be more of a two guard to start his career, and I think he could push Ashanti this season simply because Ashanti is inconsistent. Sapp's jumper and mechanics lend themselves to more consistency.
d. Sapp is as advertised in terms of his size, which is definitely 6'3", and his vertical. He had a tough draw today against a player who was 6'6" or so, but he bottled him up nicely.

3. Spann
a. Spann needs to put on weight at this time. He comes in as a skinny body, and it will probably limit his ability to play the 4.
b. The best word to describe his game is efficient. He does not waste a lot of energy when he has the ball and displayed a really nice turnaround from the elbow.
c. He had a tough time on the glass against the taller, bigger GW players.
d. I did not watch Spann too closely today because he is just getting into the flow of the summer program. I will pay more attention to him tomorrow. He did not get as much run as the other guys.

4. Thornton
a. He was better today than in the last game. His shot was falling at a better rate today. He continues to display good mechanics, but the shot is slightly rushed. It will be fine once he gets reps and works with the staff. So, I'm excited by the long term potential of Thornton.
b. Still, his decision-making is Ray Reedish in the sense that he does the wrong things at critical times. Today's error was hoisting up threes early in a possession with under two to play with the lead.
c. He needs to do a better job of picking his spots. He likes every spot on the floor, but my guess is that he doesn't shoot as well from some spots as he does from others.
d. I'll be interested to see how he is used this year because it looks like the Tombs coach is really trying to develop him as a PG right now. I am wondering whether he'll share duties there with Wallace and Sapp, but Sapp may also get SG minutes.

5. Wallace
a. Wallace is making a strong move toward keeping his starting spot. At this time, he's the most comfortable PG we have, which I think is important. He's also added in dribble penetration and showed that off today. He has a few blow by moves so he can get to the tin and executes them nicely.
b. He also knows the offense and can see plays develop, whereas Thornton does not. I did not get a great read on Sapp because he didn't play the point too much today. Wallace, out of this trio, has the best sense for how to make himself available for a good shot.
c. The only gripe I have with Wallace is that he's a step slow defensively and does not have the lateral quickness that the others might. In Sapp's case, he can use his body to cut off lanes and close off space.

6. Jeff
a. Jeff is showing more confidence in his wing game and led the break nicely in one situation. He did not take perimeter shots today, which was slightly disappointing, but I've noticed that it is a confidence issue. He sizes up what he has nicely on a given day and adjusts from there. His shot was not falling in warm-ups, so I think he decided to stay close to the tin.
b. He outplayed Mensa Bonsu today and posted better numbers in a quiet fashion.
c. He does not go at full speed in the Kenner games but gets the job done. I think he's improved on the glass, which is very important for our chances next season.

7. Ewing
a. Ewing was not as impressive today because his shot was off, but he still showed a lot in terms of his wing skills. He gets to the basket nicely off the dribble and finds a way to get layups in spite of traffic. He showed a nice baseline move today and goes under the tin for the layup.
b. We saw shades of his father today when he committed a turnover that led to a break, and he hustled back to block the shot and unintentionally hit the other player with his elbow.
c. He and Jeff has already figured out how to play together, and they fed each other nicely when they were both in the game. Hopefully that will be enough to keep Jeff around.
d. He committed some stupid fouls today, which is obviously another place for improvement in his game. I think he's just anxious to compete, which is not a bad thing. He just needs to figure out how to channel that better.

[hoyaboy1]

WBH (assuming I'm right about who you are) - do you know who the player was that was sitting to your left for most of the game (the 6'8" + guy)?

[TBird41]

I wasn't able to attend the game, b/c I was working in the Copley RHO today, which is where all the freshman bball players are staying for the summer session. They all seemed real nice when I was checking them in. I think this was Spann's first day on campus, based on the fact that he checked into his room today. I asked them if they won today, and Sapp's answer was "Of course". Gotta like the confidence.
And whoever it was that reported that Egerson's nickname is "Love" was correct. His parents called him that a couple of times.

[MCIGuy]

wilsonblvdhoya said:

My
5) Jonathan didn't have his best outing either and completely allowed himself to be posterized on the dunk by Pops (conversely, he tends to draw those types of fouls because he's hustling/scrapping so much!).

I disagree about this. Being dunked on Pops is no big deal considering the size difference. Other than that I though Jon was fantastic. I mean he was pretty good when I caught him with the Tombs two weeks ago but today he was even better. He got into the lane almost whenever he wanted and did so without turning over the rock. Oh, and he finisihed with acrobatic moves once he got to the hole. Went coast to coast a couple of times. Hit most of the few jumpers that he took. Of the five times I've seen Wallace play with the Tombs this was one of his better efforts. One complaint is that I wished he looked more for his shot down the stretch.

Ewing also nearly was posterized by Skinn of all people but he fouled Tony hard enough that Tony couldn't finish the dunk/layin.

But Ewing had to come from behind and across one side of the halfcourt to get there in time to stop Skinn (one half of the crowd was probably "ooohing and aaahing" over Skinn getting up so high in the air while the other was going nuts over Ewing's quick reaction and equal athleticism to stop him). When I think of "being posterized" I think of someone throwing it down over someone who is between them and the basket. Small little detail to differ over of course.

Bad news--Tombs almost lost this game. Good news--despite a subpar outing, they still beat a team composed of some of the better college players in the area. I hope to see a sharper/crisper performance manana...

I'll add that that team the Tombs faced had played the previous evening and may have had time to gel. The Tombs on the other hand hand't played in two weeks and were rusty. And their lineup has been in flux up to this point with the only constants being Green, Wallace and Ewing. The first game they had Egerson, Sapp and Thornton. The second game they just had Thornton with Isiah Swann filling in. This time they had Egerson and Sapp come back, Thornton (in the loudest gold shorts ever) in the lineup again and Spann joining them for the first time. And then the coach was left with the task of trying to play all of them just to give everyone some run. I'm not making excuses for them. But I don't think they were "lucky" to win either. In both halves Universal made runs that put them ahead and each time the Tombs, despite foul trouble, gathered themselves to take the lead back soon after. That was a heck of an accomplishment by them.

[MCIGuy]

tbird41 said:

I wasn't able to attend the game, b/c I was working in the Copley RHO today, which is where all the freshman bball players are staying for the summer session. They all seemed real nice when I was checking them in. I think this was Spann's first day on campus, based on the fact that he checked into his room today.

It wouldn't surprise me if he stepped on campus for the first time this summer 10 minutes before tipoff. He was the last to arrive today. He came in the gym with his sweats on and the way he greeted Jeff it was as if the two of them hadn't seen each other in a long while.

[RBHoya]

tbird41 said:

I wasn't able to attend the game, b/c I was working in the Copley RHO today, which is where all the freshman bball players are staying for the summer session. They all seemed real nice when I was checking them in. I think this was Spann's first day on campus, based on the fact that he checked into his room today. I asked them if they won today, and Sapp's answer was "Of course". Gotta like the confidence.

Haha thats great.

Just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to do writeups about the game. Those of us who can't be there appreciate it!

[SFHoya99]

Hmm...a victory over a team with a frontline of a senior center from a Top 25 team, a junior PF from an ACC team and the a top player in the CAA? With a backcourt not so distinguished, but older and more experienced and none too shabby themselves?

The Tombs does have three players with real college experience, but nothing like the other team. I'd say the frosh have acquitted themselves well.

Thanks for the reports, everyone.

[MCIGuy]

rachi8 said:

I was surprised at how ineffective Garrison was and I have been pleasantly surprised by defensive skills, as well as, desire to play solid D by our incoming freshman.

I give Garrison credit for showing up each summer at the KL which is more than I can say for most Terps.

[MCIGuy]

I should mention that Brandon Bowman had either 34 points or 36 points in the game before the Tombs and Universal. Unfortunately his team scored a total of 58 points and lost 68 to 58 to Symonds All Stars.

I will go into this with further detail later (just as I will with the Tombs game) but let me say now there was some Bad Bowman (especially early on) and some Good Bowman. He looked like his head and heart wasn't in the game early on but halfway through first half he started to come alive. He settled for too many three point attemps during the game, missing his first three and only hitting two of nine. But he really picked up rebounding the ball as the game wore on and he had some spectacular one on one moves for buckets. He also was the primamry ball handler during the second half, almost exclusively bringing the ball up the floor (which was both good and bad). Besides his three point shooting the worst thing about him today was how he missed some close shots around the basket because again he didn't look ready to accept the contact. Yet he had some amazing moments in trying to bring his team back that made one forget about those misses.

[hoyabinx]

Hey Kurt, i have seen Egerson 3 times and Sapp 3 times (including capital classic) and Egerson is def. the best of the incoming class. I think that Sapp is a close second and will get some good minutes but I also think the predictions about him starting over Wallace are no long founded, Wallace has improved his game very much and is driving a lot more with success. I would say that once Thornton gets his shot selection under control he is going to be a great asset (Tombs coach yelled at him for a couple of ill advised shots, he'll learn and then be a huge threat). Spann was only so-so but was really impressed with his Defense which is great because that is what the team needs.

Sapp also was great on D but I think Wallace's control and experience outweighs what Sapp brings to the table. Can't wait to see them again tommorow in action.

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

hoyaboy1 said:

WBH (assuming I'm right about who you are) - do you know who the player was that was sitting to your left for most of the game (the 6'8" + guy)?

I don't know his name but his team plays Roy's (he was looking forward to playing Roy) and Ashanti's team today. There was a funny moment when Pat had a breakaway jam because he and his friends thought Pat hung on the rim and should have gotten called for a technical since he did the same thing in an earlier game and got teed up by the refs!!!

[GUHoya07]

hoyabinx said:

Hey Kurt, i have seen Egerson 3 times and Sapp 3 times (including capital classic) and Egerson is def. the best of the incoming class. I think that Sapp is a close second and will get some good minutes but I also think the predictions about him starting over Wallace are no long founded, Wallace has improved his game very much and is driving a lot more with success. I would say that once Thornton gets his shot selection under control he is going to be a great asset (Tombs coach yelled at him for a couple of ill advised shots, he'll learn and then be a huge threat). Spann was only so-so but was really impressed with his Defense which is great because that is what the team needs.

Sapp also was great on D but I think Wallace's control and experience outweighs what Sapp brings to the table. Can't wait to see them again tommorow in action.

Thanks man, It's great to hear that Wallace is really picking up his level of play.

[lichoya68]

that big guy who played against roy today sun i believe is james gist from md quite quite good and strong.. also as for sat game i thought jeff was his uaual patrick missed alot of threes an dfor me not so impressed with eggerson and spann didnot playa much i thought the two that were ther were thorton and sapp but hats only one game and just came back from mcdonough and saw the fresmenless tombs they must be studying or orienting or whatever but NO FROSH TODAY goo hoyas

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

lic, you are right! The guy I sat next to yesterday was Gist! And again, I didn't know it! Must have been my day for not recognizing Terps since I didn't know that Garrison was out there also!!!

Can't add much more to what was said about today's action. Hope PE puts in some better performances later on; the first in the Tombs' KL opener now obviously has to be factored against inferior competition....

[MCIGuy]

wilsonblvdhoya said:

Can't add much more to what was said about today's action. Hope PE puts in some better performances later on; the first in the Tombs' KL opener now obviously has to be factored against inferior competition....

An open shot is an open shot whether you're playing the Spurs or a 6th grade basketball team. Ewing's shot has not falling the last two contests. Perhaps its just a matter of the law of averages because he wasn't missing in that first game I saw of him nor supposedly in the game before that.

[the_way]

wilsonblvdhoya said:

lic, you are right! The guy I sat next to yesterday was Gist! And again, I didn't know it! Must have been my day for not recognizing Terps since I didn't know that Garrison was out there also!!!

Can't add much more to what was said about today's action. Hope PE puts in some better performances later on; the first in the Tombs' KL opener now obviously has to be factored against inferior competition....

Gist is going to be a great player for Maryland in the next couple of years. Garrison has no heart. He just doesn't have that drive or competitive will to win. He was an high-school all-american if I'm not mistaken.

[WilsonBlvdHoya]

mciguy said:

wilsonblvdhoya said:

Can't add much more to what was said about today's action. Hope PE puts in some better performances later on; the first in the Tombs' KL opener now obviously has to be factored against inferior competition....

An open shot is an open shot whether you're playing the Spurs or a 6th grade basketball team. Ewing's shot has not falling the last two contests. Perhaps its just a matter of the law of averages because he wasn't missing in that first game I saw of him nor supposedly in the game before that.

An open shot is an open shot but it's not just shots were talking about here. It's blocks, rebounds, passing as well. When the comp. steps up, you have to do the same.

Understand me, this is no criticism of PEJr. He obviously plays with a great deal of intensity/desire and is the first one off the bench to greet/congratulate his teammates on a timeout! In a summer game! I love him already. I just think he's probably put together a lull over the last two games; that's all--he'll certainly show us more later on...

[MCIGuy]

The only game I can be critical of Ewing was in yesterday's game in which the effort wasn't there and his rebounding was nowhere to be found. In fact he appeared to tire considering the lack of depth on his team and had to be pulled a couple of times after bending over to catch his breath (Jeff though played the entire game). Still Ewing was blocking shots, I had yet to see a game in which he wasn't swatting away opponents' attempts. And yesterday he amde the game saving block after his inbound pass was picked off. As for passing....who the hell was he going to pass it too on Sunday? It wasn't as if he just pulled up for jumpers immediately everytime he got the ball in his hands. He passed the ball into Jeff again and again only to have Jeff pass it back out because he was being double teamed in the paint. He looked for Wallace on the perimeter but most times Wallace didn't take a shot because the defenders were up on him. Most of the other guys on the Tombs yesterday weren't all that good with the exceptio of #5 who must have gone 7 for 7 inside the three point line. #5 however could not create his own shot and relied on putbacks and assists from Ewing, Green and Wallace when he was left open underneath the basket.

As for the game on Saturday against Pops' team he only played about 12 minutes. But when he was in there he rebounded, he blocked shots (displaying that he was the only person on the floor who could equal Pops' athleticism) and he did plenty of other little things. I don't want to be an apologist for him, but I want to be fair and point that out.