NHSHF: Paul VI vs. Pebblebrook
Saturday night, the National High School Hoops Festival boasts an exciting, interstate match up, as Paul VI of Virginia takes on Georgia's Pebblebrook. Event information is at the bottom of the article, and a rundown of these two team's face off follows:
Paul VI (VA)
Glenn Farello, decorated head coach of Paul VI and elsewhere, is known for mobile, aggressive teams that take no quarter. This year should be no different.
“I would say we’re fast. I think we’re fast on the perimeter. We’ll be able to score in the open court” shared the coach. “We’ll be attacking offensively”.
Schemes: What does that mean and how will the Panthers achieve it?
Offensively they will deploy “A little bit of everything” said Farello, being somewhat coy. Historically PVI uses a lot of ball screens and four out, one in motion. This season should be no different.
In terms of stopping teams, the Panthers will also be versatile – a point Farello stressed on both sides of the ball – including “Our pressure will consist of different looks and come from different places”, including full, half and ¼ court schemes. “Mixing up our defenses is the biggest thing”.
A few players of note: “Brandon Slater is obviously playing at a very high level right now” first answered Farello when asked to provide a couple of standouts. Slater, a Class of 2018, 6’6”, 175 pound lefty swingman, is multifaceted, in that he defends, passes, drives, scraps and increasingly shoots well.
A multitude of schools are interested, including Villanova, Maryland, South Carolina and Miami, which have all tendered scholarship opportunities.
Pittsburgh-bound senior point guard Aaron Thompson stands as the hands down, on court leader of Panther Basketball. He’s a 6’2”, 175 pound, pass first floor general who is tough, competes and defends. Thompson is in many ways the heartbeat of PVI Hoops.
X-factor: “The contributions of Anthony Harris goes a long way to how good we play” admitted Farello. A sophomore guard standing 6’2 and a muscular 175 pounds, Harris can get into the lane, hit the open shot, find teammates and when dialed in, defend. He’s a player to track going forward.
West Virginia, Virginia Tech and others have offered, per his coach.
VS.
Pebblebrook High School (GA)
“We’re very talented, learning to play together and exciting to watch” is how head coach George Washington defined his group of Falcons. He’s not exaggerating.
Schemes: Given their talent, the Falcons have options and try to exercise them. “We want to attack the basket, get high percentage shots” shared Washington. “We will run a lot of different sets to get players looks...looking for matchups”.
Washington’s crew is diversified defensively, as foes “are going to see everything, man, press, zone, trap”. Essentially “We just try and throw the book at you, keep you on your toes”.
A few players of note: Collin Sexton, 6’2”, 178 pound, all-everything senior guard headed to Alabama leads the team offensively. Washington correctly dubbed him “A walking bucket”.
Elias Harden (6’5”, 180 pounds) is another perimeter Falcon to watch; Washington said of Harden “As in baseball they say a five tool guy. He’s a do it all basketball player”. A Class of 2017 performer, Harden is headed to Xavier.
X-factor: A sophomore, 6’9”, 240 pound sophomore forward Jared Jones “likes to face up, post up, he’s a modern day big” opined Washington. The versatile four man is officially committed to Auburn.
The Falcons also boast point guard Dru Drinnon, a 6’0”, 168 pound lead man who can also score. “But he will be the guy to set up everyone this weekend” said Washington. Butler, Kansas State, Wake Forest Georgia and Florida have all offered.
