Rumble in the Bronx Quarterfinal Notes
by Matthew Moll
BRONX, N.Y. – Before the Rumble in the Bronx turned into a literal rumble, a few players from one of the quarterfinal games stood out.
Playaz
Brian Oliver, Oak Hill Academy – At times Oliver was the best athlete on the floor on the offensive side of the ball. Oliver displayed flashes of dominance with his ability to shoot, run the break and play above the rim. By the semifinal game of the Rumble in the Bronx Oliver’s defense consisted of the occasional block and a lot of reaching and a lot of looks of exhaustion. Oliver proved has the ability to play both sides of the ball and can dominate games when the rock is in his hands. Oliver has received plenty of major Division I interest and has verbally committed to Georgia Tech.
Dominic Cheek, St. Anthony’s – New Jersey native Cheek showed both defensive and offensive range, hitting threes and altering shots with his leaping ability and defensive footwork. Cheek clearly can run an offense, and when the offensive stagnated he easily created his own shot. Cheek managed 22 points in the 73-62 loss.
Gauchos
Durand Scott, Rice HS – Scott is listed at 6’4″ but was able to secure the lane with the ease of a natural big throughout the semi-final contest, altering shots and sending others back before they could reach the rim. Scott’s quickness allowed him to close gaps easily, which made open looks turn into contested shots or blocks. Scott did tend to over-dribble on offense. His over-dribbling usually led to either a brick or a wild missed layup. Scott’s offense flourished when he would move without ball in the half court and when he filled the lanes on the break.
Russell Smith, Archbishop Molloy HS – Smith was listed at a generous 5’10” but his size did not stop him from attacking the lane for a series of runners, floaters and passes that led to layups. In the second half Smith’s speed and quickness in the lane gave the Gauchos the edge they needed to pull away. The guard did have trouble staying on the floor and eventually fouled out. Most of his fouls were the result of reach-ins and defensive mistakes. But Smith overall was an offensive gem. He ran the break, the half court sets and created shots for himself with relative ease against his larger opponents and finished with 24 points.
