Perhaps it’s the desire to break away from the standard norms of basketball schedules that pit high school teams against the same opponents year in and year out. Constrained by region schedules, it is easy to understand why most schools don’t go the extra mile to play in additional shootouts. For those that do, however, they gain the added benefit of playing top-tier competition that they might not ever face otherwise.
This year, Kennesaw State University was the site for the inaugural Hoops In Overdrive Shootout, which provided a weekend of basketball games showcasing some of the top teams in the southeast.
McEACHERN VS. FAYETTE COUNTY
On Friday night, the McEachern Indians played a very formidable opponent in Fayette County. Midway through the third quarter, McEachern guard Trae Golden dribbled the ball up-court. Eyeing the defense from the top of the key, he took two dribbles, spun through the lane between two defenders, and casually finished by dropping in a lay-up. The fans in attendance wildly cheered the drive, which marked two of Golden’s 28 points en route to McEachern’s 81-57 victory of Fayette County.
Not to downplay the presence of Kadeem Batts, Collin Reddick or Alioune Diouf’s play in the paint on offense and defense, but it was impossible not to hear the whispers amongst the crowd anticipating Saturday night’s marquee matchup of McEachern against South Atlanta High School. If there was one player in the shootout who could match Golden’s explosive play on offense, it would be South Atlanta’s 6-foot-9 power forward Derrick Favors. A one-man wrecking crew on the boards, Favors scores points in bunches and turns players away in the paint with his shot-blocking skills. Make no mistake about it: it was no accident that this game was the headliner in the Hoops In Overdrive Shootout.
MARQUEE MATCHUP
As spectators moved to fill empty seats, it seemed as though everyone—even McEachern fans—could not help but be intrigued by the gifted Favors. Even in warm-ups, it was evident that he is a special player.
As the tip went up, the first play of the game seemed to be an omen for what the next 32 minutes had in store. After the ball was tapped to a teammate, McEachern forward Kadeem Batts sprinted toward the basket and received a perfect pass, which led to an authoritative dunk. The first quarter proved to be an up-and-down affair in which neither team could establish dominance over the other. Both teams looked to challenge each other physically and not give up easy baskets. The style of play took its toll on Favors, who got called for his third foul midway through the second quarter, forcing South Atlanta to turn to their bench. McEachern was more than eager to take advantage of Favors’s misfortune and stormed to a 37-26 lead at the half.
The Hornets came out of the locker room and seemed determined to make a comeback by consistently feeding the ball to Favors in the low post. One characteristic that separated Favors from the rest was his soft shooting touch. Given space he will dunk the ball, but if closely defended he has the ability to make short-range jump shots at a high percentage. Despite the Hornets’ best efforts, however, McEachern was not going to let South Atlanta take the game over easily. Golden and Diouf caught fire for the Indians and showed they were not afraid to use their speed to challenge the Hornets in the lane. After the third quarter, McEachern was still clinging to a 60-51 lead.
Trae Golden owned six minutes of the fourth quarter and it looked as though the Indians were well on their way to victory, but late miscues and timely 3-pointers got South Atlanta back in the game. Incredibly, the Hornets were down only one point, 73-72, with 37 seconds remaining and had possession of the ball. Running down the clock, the ball was put in Favors’s hand with the game on the line. With five seconds left, he delivered a bucket in the lane to put the Hornets up one and bring the crowd to its feet. Despite McEachern’s valiant effort, they were not able to muster an answer and lost a heartbreaker, 74-73.
FINAL LOOK
The McEachern vs. South Atlanta game was easily the premier matchup of the shootout and proved to be the best game. Favors finished the game with 32 points and Golden scored 26 points.
If this game is any indication, all bodes well for the future of the Hoops in Overdrive Shootout, which looks to reload invitees in its attempt to duplicate the same success next year.
Gupta can be reached at r.gupta71@yahoo.com.
Loading ...
