Division 1 state semis
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:14 am
Watched the state semis tonight at the Schott. As always it was a good experience. I chose this year just to watch these two games being as they will have the most talent and then watching all the games tomorrow on Sports Time Ohio.
First game was LaSalle v Toledo CC. Lasalle I assumed was loaded with a ton of different guys mentioned on rivals and scout. They are ranked 3rd and won the game. The only guy who really stood out was Brandon Neal, a 6-4/3 Sr F/G. I had seen his athleticism before in one of the highlight reels and was excited to see him. He really didn't disappoint and really scored at will. If he were 4 inches taller with his athleticism I would love for him to go to BG. Around the basket he is a stud but I didn't see much outside of that. He doesn't seem to have great handles or shooting ability so he doesnt seem to fit a need for us. His pg is Josh Lemons a Jr who we are listed as being interested in. He was the player of the league in his conference but did not really show much at all. FWIW Dave Esterkamp is on their staff and this is where we got both Crawford and McElroy from so there is a connection. Toledo CC did not have anyone of note. There were a few intriguing guys that we might want to get in on early. There 5-11 So. backup pg Cliff Bussey was great had great handles and was really quick. They also have a 6-5 So who drilled 2 threes and played more on the perimeter and a 6-2 Freshman who started. LaSalle should get beat tomorrow. Northland has way too much size.
Second game was Northland v Garfield Hts. I will start out talking about Garfield Hts because I am just blown away by Northland, I can't imagine how good they must have been last year. In the last 3 weeks I have seen guys going to OU, Michigan and Wisconsin but the Garfield Hts Guard Trey Lewis (Penn St) was clearly the best. He had great handles and an incredible shot. Their 6-6 So will end up being really good because he is a fluid athlete. He did not do too much tonight. They certainly have good size with a 6-9 backup C. Northland is loaded. I have seen them play twice and the guys who played well the first game showed again. Their PG/SG is going to Michigan but I think he might be their 4th best player. They have a trio of Jrs that I would consider offering tomorrow. (Ignoring the fact that its probably not a good idea to get three guys from the same team). That is probably overstating things but I would certainly offer the 2 Bigmen. We discussed them in another thread but it bears repeating because I watched them again and they were just as good. Devon Scott plays more of a Center role but is athletic enough to be a PF for us. He is 6-8 and not thin but looks like he could easily add weight. He is my favorite of the three. He had nice touch around the basket and finishes a ton and is really athletic. The other big man Robinson is probably going to get better offers (and has already gotten better offers) and had a much better night tonight and is even more athletic. He also hit a couple threes. He reminds me a little of Austin Calhoun but not as aggressive offensively. They play together great. Both are pretty good passers and terrific rebounders. (Scott 11.3ppg/9.9r, Robinson 12.9ppg/9.8r) If I had to pick just one of the 2 it would be Scott. He seems to have more of an attitude and be more aggressive which is exactly what we need in our current posts but are not getting a lot of. Both can run the floor and would fit Orrs system well. The guy who I did not notice last time was their Jr PG Jordan Potts. He is listed as anywhere from 5-10 to 6-0. He had a great game tonight and seems to be much more of a distributor. He has great handles and can still score a little bit. He seems longer then 5-10 and seemed pretty good on D, although I admit that I don't watch that enough.
I really recommend watching atleast this game tomorrow. LaSalle with the PG who we are looking at and Northland with the PF who I think we should be looking at.
First game was LaSalle v Toledo CC. Lasalle I assumed was loaded with a ton of different guys mentioned on rivals and scout. They are ranked 3rd and won the game. The only guy who really stood out was Brandon Neal, a 6-4/3 Sr F/G. I had seen his athleticism before in one of the highlight reels and was excited to see him. He really didn't disappoint and really scored at will. If he were 4 inches taller with his athleticism I would love for him to go to BG. Around the basket he is a stud but I didn't see much outside of that. He doesn't seem to have great handles or shooting ability so he doesnt seem to fit a need for us. His pg is Josh Lemons a Jr who we are listed as being interested in. He was the player of the league in his conference but did not really show much at all. FWIW Dave Esterkamp is on their staff and this is where we got both Crawford and McElroy from so there is a connection. Toledo CC did not have anyone of note. There were a few intriguing guys that we might want to get in on early. There 5-11 So. backup pg Cliff Bussey was great had great handles and was really quick. They also have a 6-5 So who drilled 2 threes and played more on the perimeter and a 6-2 Freshman who started. LaSalle should get beat tomorrow. Northland has way too much size.
Second game was Northland v Garfield Hts. I will start out talking about Garfield Hts because I am just blown away by Northland, I can't imagine how good they must have been last year. In the last 3 weeks I have seen guys going to OU, Michigan and Wisconsin but the Garfield Hts Guard Trey Lewis (Penn St) was clearly the best. He had great handles and an incredible shot. Their 6-6 So will end up being really good because he is a fluid athlete. He did not do too much tonight. They certainly have good size with a 6-9 backup C. Northland is loaded. I have seen them play twice and the guys who played well the first game showed again. Their PG/SG is going to Michigan but I think he might be their 4th best player. They have a trio of Jrs that I would consider offering tomorrow. (Ignoring the fact that its probably not a good idea to get three guys from the same team). That is probably overstating things but I would certainly offer the 2 Bigmen. We discussed them in another thread but it bears repeating because I watched them again and they were just as good. Devon Scott plays more of a Center role but is athletic enough to be a PF for us. He is 6-8 and not thin but looks like he could easily add weight. He is my favorite of the three. He had nice touch around the basket and finishes a ton and is really athletic. The other big man Robinson is probably going to get better offers (and has already gotten better offers) and had a much better night tonight and is even more athletic. He also hit a couple threes. He reminds me a little of Austin Calhoun but not as aggressive offensively. They play together great. Both are pretty good passers and terrific rebounders. (Scott 11.3ppg/9.9r, Robinson 12.9ppg/9.8r) If I had to pick just one of the 2 it would be Scott. He seems to have more of an attitude and be more aggressive which is exactly what we need in our current posts but are not getting a lot of. Both can run the floor and would fit Orrs system well. The guy who I did not notice last time was their Jr PG Jordan Potts. He is listed as anywhere from 5-10 to 6-0. He had a great game tonight and seems to be much more of a distributor. He has great handles and can still score a little bit. He seems longer then 5-10 and seemed pretty good on D, although I admit that I don't watch that enough.
I really recommend watching atleast this game tomorrow. LaSalle with the PG who we are looking at and Northland with the PF who I think we should be looking at.
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