Last night, I found myself in Glen Allen, VA, ready to get a first-look at two 804 varsity programs: Henrico and Glen Allen High School. Henrico has started the season off in exceptional fashion, having been 11-1 prior to Wednesday night’s matchup. The Warriors kept their winning streak alive, now bumping it to six games, after maintaining a focus for all 32 minutes in going against the Glen Allen Jaguars. The game wasn’t in Henrico’s control for the entirety, however, as Glen Allen made a fairly strong comeback in the last 1.5 quarters. However, it proved too little and too late, as Henrico moves on to hold one of the best records in the area now at 12-1.
Final Score:
Henrico – 73
Glen Allen – 61
Some Game Notes
- Henrico definitely did their part in putting points on the scoreboard, but team defense stood out as their strongest feature on Wednesday night. In the half-court, they confidently executed their strategy of making Glen Allen’s players uncomfortable with the ball. The Warriors switched well on ball-screens and cut off the majority of attempted lane drives from Glen Allen. As the game went on into the second half, I noticed a decrease in Henrico’s defensive intensity, which most likely resulted from the fact that they already had created a comfortable lead. Some notable lapses occurred in the fourth quarter, however, allowing the Jaguars to cut Henrico’s lead to only eight at one point.
- A lack of success in perimeter shooting hurt Glen Allen most throughout the game. In the first half, they relied on three-point attempts more than anything else, yet couldn’t find any real comfort due to Henrico contesting every possible shot. Once the third period began, the Jaguars did better in scoring off of more paint points, something I felt they could’ve done early on, considering they have enough tools to do so. Glen Allen played their best game in the fourth quarter once they seized momentum and their offense started really clicking. However, time wasn’t on their side by that point. If they had found this surge a bit earlier in the third period, I’m sure things could’ve saw a bigger turnaround.
- I wouldn’t say that Henrico shot all that much better from the perimeter compared to Glen Allen. Still, the Warriors had the advantage of using their speed to get past defenders for finishes in the lane with either floaters or strong finishes through contact. Playing a transition game suited Henrico best, as their guards showed great bursts of speed and hang time to complete plays at the rim. Henrico also gave the bigger effort in going after rebounds, which often led to drawn fouls. In all, it just seemed like their nose for the ball was more superior.
- Glen Allen’s defense looked best in the Jaguars’ late-game effort. They showed a capability at times to take away penetration drives and pickpocket opponents once they crossed half-court. However, their defense wasn’t as consistent, evident by Henrico’s high-scoring first half. If Glen Allen can improve in getting more transition stops and boxing out, I can see their defense taking more of a leap. They already rotate to close out on the perimeter fairly well. Showing their hands on defensive sides is another small notion that can get better.
Wednesday Night Standouts
Jahme Ested ’20 – Henrico: The Warriors didn’t really have a true floor general, but Ested performed well in using his talent to both get his teammates involved and look for his own offense whenever Henrico needed a bucket. Standing at 6’0,” he has a solid frame on him as a primary ball-handler and changed speeds well to get into the lane for floaters. This tactic especially worked in the later stretch of the game; he pretty much put the game out of reach on his own while Glen Allen worked to hopefully take the lead. His body control, finishing touch, and handle all make him an exciting guard to watch. Ested currently leads his team in scoring with about 16 points a game nightly, to go along with six rebounds and five assists. College programs should start taking notice of the 2020 guard if they haven’t heard of him already.
Garrett Cox ’21 – Glen Allen: One of the youngest players on the floor during Wednesday night, Cox showed some of the most promise in his production. The 6’4” guard has a lengthy build to him with a wingspan that stands out above all other physical traits. In addition, he showed comfort in both shooting the ball from the deep and putting it on the floor to get looks near the rim. Whenever Cox got past his defender’s hip, he only needed 1-2 dribbles to extend toward the basket for soft floaters. As a shooter, I liked the form on his release and he has the looks of a guy who can pick-and-pop or spot up for shots. His handle didn’t look too strong but that’s obviously something that has more time to develop. Cox’s confident approach to the game already makes him a player whom opponents cannot afford to take lightly; I see him making greater strides as his season and career continues on.
Jaden House ’20 – Henrico: Similar to Ested, House plays as an aggressive driving guard who gets to the rim both in transition and half-court play. His frame looked the most impressive on Henrico’s roster; he has strong shoulders and stands at 6’4.” I also took note of how swiftly he could handle the ball and create separation. At one point, it looked as though he had fun in just toying with Glen Allen’s defenders by showing off his handle. I only recall House knocking down one jumper. If he can show more value as a guy who can contribute in perimeter shooting, he’ll then become more of a three-level threat. Everything else in his arsenal looked good: attacking, rebounding, defending, and passing. He’s not far behind Ested in his season scoring average so far; 15.6 points per game.
D.J. Jones ’19 – Glen Allen: Playing as a 6’4” forward, Jones provided some of the strongest interior work for the Jaguars, as he used his patience with shot fakes to complete finishes. Jones made himself available down low with positioning during the majority of his time spent on the floor. He has strong hands and a solid motor to make his presence felt on the glass. His touch is still coming along, but I respected how the senior embraced his role of doing whatever he could for the team and giving them much needed paint points in the second half. His value can increase on the offensive end if he keeps being assertive to call for the ball once he establishes position.
Who’s next on my list'