Post by FLHoya on Jul 20, 2012 22:37:45 GMT -5
Higher Level 78 Tombs 76
Nazareth: "Love Hurts"
Hopefully I'm luckier at the casino this weekend than Tombs were this evening.
Friday nights at the Kenner League seldom provide any particularly memorable moments or insightful observations. Even by these low standards, tonight's game was forgettable, if not for two somewhat rare occurrences: (1) the first true Kenner League buzzer-beater I've seen in a while; (2) the first Tombs lineup I've seen in a LONG while without a Hoya on the court.
Bradley Hayes was joined tonight on the Tombs bench by D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, who wore what was likely an ice wrap on his left knee for part of the game. Tombs brought an extra couple of locals to pad their roster tonight, and it turned out they needed the depth: midway through the first half, Otto Porter left for the locker room after taking a minor knock (which I didn't see). He returned to the bench at halftime but did re-enter the game.
Tombs were left with the Bolden-Caprio-Allen troika for the final 3/4 of the game...and even that wasn't totally safe. David Allen had to sub out briefly in the second half after taking a hard fall battling for a loose ball. Caprio got smacked in the face by Will Thomas on a
layup attempt. Finally, Bolden's legs slipped out from under him and he fell on his rump going for a loose ball.
At this rate, tomorrow I half expect John Thompson to go crashing through his wooden chair like one of those unfortunate people in the Subway commercials:
As for the game itself: not bad for a casual fan, though not exactly a recapper's delight.
Higher Level led by as many as 11 in the first half in the minutes after Otto departed the game. Spurred on by the likes of Max Kenyi and Jamal Wise--leading that rare non-Hoya lineup--Tombs chipped away at the lead and went into halftime only down a point.
Tombs grabbed the lead early in the second half and led by as many as six, again buoyed by the non-Hoyas. After Jamal Wise and Will Thomas traded threes, the game was tied at 71 with a few minutes left and set up nicely for a close finish. The teams obliged, as a Byron Allen three tied the game with a minute to go.
Tombs called timeout to set up a play. This did not go well: Higher Level immediately stole the ball and had time to set up the final shot. Byron Allen held the ball, penetrated to the free throw area, and floated in a pretty shot as the horn sounded.
Otto Porter: 3 points, 1-2 2FG, 1-2 FT, 4RB, 1A, 1STL in 11 minutes
Prior to leaving the game, Otto had a nice inside sequence where he faced up at the baseline extended, then backed his man into easy scoring position for a baby hook. He had also been assertive driving from the perimeter in his very limited opportunities. He continues to be an active and skillful rebounder. Brandon Bolden would do well to learn from Otto's positioning and timing.
Brandon Bolden: 13 points, 6-14 2FG, 1-2 FT, 3RB, 1TO, 2STL, 2F
Very much feast or famine for Bolden tonight. On the plus side, tonight saw Bolden get the most opportunities so far in the summer to operate from the post position, a result of Porter being out for most of the game. When he did, the results were Bolden's most consistent: he pulled off a few solid backdown moves and finished well with his left hand (but exclusively his left hand, it needs to be said). He also mixed in a transition layup on a crossover...though he probably didn't NEED to go left there. A small step forward on his post game.
He did completely airball his first jumper, and that part of his game still looks like it needs work.
Defensively, it's the same. He constantly falls for shot fakes and his timing and positioning are just off right now. You see it in the number of shot blocks he whiffs (or is late) on and the times he's on the wrong side of his man down low.
He also needs to compete more for rebounds. Here, the combo of timing and positioning is also a factor. Where Otto Porter is always in the right area for a rebound and times his jumps perfectly, Bolden is often stationary and out-efforted by other players around him.
John Caprio: 5 points, 2-4 2FG, 1-1 FT, 2RB, 1STL 1 F
Well darn, there went the double-double streak.
Last Sunday's game notwithstanding, since Otto Porter arrived and Tombs shifted the lineup, Caprio has taken more of a backseat. He doesn't play as much PG as David Allen, nor does he have the quick trigger of his walk-on counterpart, so his stats will tend to be more modest.
David Allen: 11 points, 2-5 2FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-2 FT, 2Rb, 3TO, 2F
He certainly plays with some swagger...why the heck not take those shots, it's a summer league. Now, what he doesn't have is the speed or the slick moves--he had his pocket picked twice trying to cross-over his defender at the perimeter.
But when he just catches and shoots, or gets that look in his eyes when the baseline is open...it's enough to make you put down the foil wrapped hot dog.
TOMORROW: We'll cover Brandon Bolden in bubble wrap. DCX tips things off at noon...somebody tell Trawick and Whittington to watch out for falling anvils.
Nazareth: "Love Hurts"
Hopefully I'm luckier at the casino this weekend than Tombs were this evening.
Friday nights at the Kenner League seldom provide any particularly memorable moments or insightful observations. Even by these low standards, tonight's game was forgettable, if not for two somewhat rare occurrences: (1) the first true Kenner League buzzer-beater I've seen in a while; (2) the first Tombs lineup I've seen in a LONG while without a Hoya on the court.
Bradley Hayes was joined tonight on the Tombs bench by D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, who wore what was likely an ice wrap on his left knee for part of the game. Tombs brought an extra couple of locals to pad their roster tonight, and it turned out they needed the depth: midway through the first half, Otto Porter left for the locker room after taking a minor knock (which I didn't see). He returned to the bench at halftime but did re-enter the game.
Tombs were left with the Bolden-Caprio-Allen troika for the final 3/4 of the game...and even that wasn't totally safe. David Allen had to sub out briefly in the second half after taking a hard fall battling for a loose ball. Caprio got smacked in the face by Will Thomas on a
layup attempt. Finally, Bolden's legs slipped out from under him and he fell on his rump going for a loose ball.
At this rate, tomorrow I half expect John Thompson to go crashing through his wooden chair like one of those unfortunate people in the Subway commercials:
As for the game itself: not bad for a casual fan, though not exactly a recapper's delight.
Higher Level led by as many as 11 in the first half in the minutes after Otto departed the game. Spurred on by the likes of Max Kenyi and Jamal Wise--leading that rare non-Hoya lineup--Tombs chipped away at the lead and went into halftime only down a point.
Tombs grabbed the lead early in the second half and led by as many as six, again buoyed by the non-Hoyas. After Jamal Wise and Will Thomas traded threes, the game was tied at 71 with a few minutes left and set up nicely for a close finish. The teams obliged, as a Byron Allen three tied the game with a minute to go.
Tombs called timeout to set up a play. This did not go well: Higher Level immediately stole the ball and had time to set up the final shot. Byron Allen held the ball, penetrated to the free throw area, and floated in a pretty shot as the horn sounded.
Otto Porter: 3 points, 1-2 2FG, 1-2 FT, 4RB, 1A, 1STL in 11 minutes
Prior to leaving the game, Otto had a nice inside sequence where he faced up at the baseline extended, then backed his man into easy scoring position for a baby hook. He had also been assertive driving from the perimeter in his very limited opportunities. He continues to be an active and skillful rebounder. Brandon Bolden would do well to learn from Otto's positioning and timing.
Brandon Bolden: 13 points, 6-14 2FG, 1-2 FT, 3RB, 1TO, 2STL, 2F
Very much feast or famine for Bolden tonight. On the plus side, tonight saw Bolden get the most opportunities so far in the summer to operate from the post position, a result of Porter being out for most of the game. When he did, the results were Bolden's most consistent: he pulled off a few solid backdown moves and finished well with his left hand (but exclusively his left hand, it needs to be said). He also mixed in a transition layup on a crossover...though he probably didn't NEED to go left there. A small step forward on his post game.
He did completely airball his first jumper, and that part of his game still looks like it needs work.
Defensively, it's the same. He constantly falls for shot fakes and his timing and positioning are just off right now. You see it in the number of shot blocks he whiffs (or is late) on and the times he's on the wrong side of his man down low.
He also needs to compete more for rebounds. Here, the combo of timing and positioning is also a factor. Where Otto Porter is always in the right area for a rebound and times his jumps perfectly, Bolden is often stationary and out-efforted by other players around him.
John Caprio: 5 points, 2-4 2FG, 1-1 FT, 2RB, 1STL 1 F
Well darn, there went the double-double streak.
Last Sunday's game notwithstanding, since Otto Porter arrived and Tombs shifted the lineup, Caprio has taken more of a backseat. He doesn't play as much PG as David Allen, nor does he have the quick trigger of his walk-on counterpart, so his stats will tend to be more modest.
David Allen: 11 points, 2-5 2FG, 2-3 3FG, 1-2 FT, 2Rb, 3TO, 2F
He certainly plays with some swagger...why the heck not take those shots, it's a summer league. Now, what he doesn't have is the speed or the slick moves--he had his pocket picked twice trying to cross-over his defender at the perimeter.
But when he just catches and shoots, or gets that look in his eyes when the baseline is open...it's enough to make you put down the foil wrapped hot dog.
TOMORROW: We'll cover Brandon Bolden in bubble wrap. DCX tips things off at noon...somebody tell Trawick and Whittington to watch out for falling anvils.
