Becker at Central thoughts

Ah Saturday, the best (and busiest) day of the week as I can tour the kingdom for multiple games. Since I saw Dylan Hale last night, I figured it would be only right to see his old school today. Therefore I begin this 1st full Saturday at St. Paul Central for their game against Becker. Central redid their gym this summer with a new floor and new black bleachers. Very nice. This was actually the 1st boys game with the new setup. LeDarian Horton sits out the 1st half for Central. One of Becker's better players Andrew Neuman (10.8 PPG last season) didn't play.

The beginning is ugly as we have multiple turnovers each way. 4 all before Taylor Smaller gets hot. A triple at 12 and then another at 11:20 and a 3rd, this one in transition at 8:37 to finish a 14-3 Central run over 3 and half minutes. Central getting on the offensive boards with Jordan Larson. Becker running "The World's Worst Offense" the Flex. Central having some success with some surprise traps in the full court. Becker settles down and counters with a 12-4 run of their own to cut it to 3 with 3 minutes left in the half. Larson with 2 buckets and another Smaller 3 give Central the last 8 of the half. 30-19 Minutemen at the half. Smaller with 12 on 4 triples. Larson 8. Michael Lindsey with 5.

LeDarian Horton starts the 2nd half for Central. Very active with a bucket and 2 fouls in the 90 seconds of the half. Nathanial Kado with back to back triples, Smaller with a layin, a jumper and a steal for a layin. You get the drift. He makes 2 more triples for a 64-33 lead with 9 minutes left. Central runs away in the 2nd half for a 87-49 win.

Becker was 5-22 last year and their prospects look bleak again this year. Junior Michael Lindsey at 6'5 is a respectable point guard and junior Brady Hannon is an OK post. 6'4 soph Dusty Wander is a nice post on the JV squad but beyond that there isn't much.

For Central, Taylor Smaller with 7 triples for 29 points. Caution flammable. Jordan Larson with 14 and he's a big body inside. With Michael Adams and Smaller the Minutemen have a quick backcourt with Horton and Larson up front to crash the glass and score inside. They have as good a chance as anyone to finish 2nd in the St. Paul City. Obviously Hale is a big loss as he'd be the clear goto guy with this squad if he would have stayed.