Gopher Basketball
A team of Spencer Tollackson, Rico Tucker, Vincent Grier, Brent Lawson and Kerry Wooldridge dominated play winning nine of its ten games and “œholding court” most of the time. Tollackson and Tucker were the big two for this team providing much of the scoring, spark and the two greatest one-on-one matchups.
Despite a four-year difference, the Tollackson/Gilbert matchup was the highlight of the day with the freshman-to-be Tollackson dominating. The two matched up in four games with Spencer showing a variety of post-moves and solid range from the outside, which seemed to frustrate Gilbert as play progressed. It came to a climax when Tollackson and Gilbert started to isolate against one another with each demanding the ball. Spencer easily got the better of Gilbert as he spun baseline, rolled to the middle, took Gilbert off the dribble and also nailed a fade-a-way in four consecutive possessions.
Tollackson also passed the ball very well tonight in a few high-low sets with Grier cutting down low. He still has some work to do defensively, but he played aggressively tonight and he owned the glass on both ends of the floor.
Tucker also had a highlight day matching up against conference foe, Kam Taylor. Tucker got the better of this matchup as he hit five three pointers and three mid-range jumpers in his three games against Taylor, all-the-while holding Taylor scoreless and forcing four turnovers. This one-on-one matchup did not get as intense as the Tollackson/Gilbert matchup, moreso because this one was so one-sided.
Maurice Hargrow was also impressive and looked more like the Hargrow from his sophomore season. He was dominant for a two game stretch as he hit three straight three-pointers and a variety of mid-range jumpers. His defense was also outstanding as he held McKenzie scoreless for two games after McKenzie was on fire early on with Hargrow not on the court.
Another impressive performer tonight was J’son Stamper. After missing the first few games, Stamper made his presence felt on both ends of the court. I am not certain which position Stamper will ultimately settle into, but he will find minutes awaiting his constant hustle. He moves without the ball very well offensively and plays good help defense. He did not crash the boards much tonight, but he did show some surprisingly nifty ball handling.
Here are some other notes:
- In four games, Kam Taylor was 1/8 with two airballs and seven turnovers. His only bucket came on an open-floor wide open lay-up.
- Lawrence McKenzie was brilliant in his first game hitting three three-pointers and a crafty lay-up in a crowded lane.
- Brent Lawson provided four highlight dunks; three put-back rebounds and one towering dunk over a sky-high Johnnie Gilbert who went up to block him. Lawson also picked Taylor’s pocket on two separate occasions. He will definitely find a consistent role off the bench this season.
- Two things that Vincent Grier does very well are playing within himself and utilizing his strength. Grier slashes to the lane very well and has great vision in a crowded lane. He also has great body control which will land him at the free throw line a lot this season and will also make him a solid rebounder.
- Miles Webb was impressive from the outside for a stretch, nailing four three-pointers in two games.
- Tucker and Tollackson seem to have great rapport together. The both feed off one another’s intensity on both ends of the floor and they run a fantastic fast break together.
- Adam Boone was steady as usual. In his seven games he only had two turnovers. He also hit a few shots off the dribble and nailed two three-pointers coming off screens. He and Lawson appear to be the team leaders.