2021-22 Season Opener, Dragon style

Prologue
Season 15 gets underway and why not get a new building and road trip out of the way on night number 1.  I'm off to Lakes International Language Academy in Forest Lake to see the Dragons take on Liberty Classical Academy in the season opener.  This is a rare conference game to start the season.  Since its me, no surprise that its the EMAC.  Had to weave thru the crowd attending the musical/play that was going on across the hall.  Sadly no concessions or programs but we'll make do.

Game Time
Senior guard Cameron Lacy out of the Liberty lineup.  Junior forward Trent Verbeek still providing enough star power with 3 other juniors and a senior in the lineup.  LILA going with 3 sophomores in their starting lineup.  This one was out of hand pretty quickly.  Liberty gets the 1st 7 points of the game and never looks back.  Turnovers starting about midway thru the 1st half allowed this one to get out of hand.  8 turnovers in an 11 possession stretch turn result in a 17-3 run.  33-7 Liberty at that point.  A 7-0 run across halftime sees the lead briefly dip under 20 points.. But Liberty is too big inside for a young LILA lineup.  They pound the glass inside and run away to a 77-32 win.

Post Game
Lakes International Language Academy starts their season 0-1 overall and in the EMAC.  Junior wing Jake Fakler leads the Dragons with 15 points including 3 triples.  Senior guard Joe Navratil adds 12 points.  But only 5 other points from the rest of the roster.  That looks like a season long issue.  They tried 2-3 zone to start and then some 1-2-2 with Fakler on top to change it up but no great answers for the height inside.  Quick turnaround for the Dragons as they go back to back at Nova Classical.  Next week they visit Kaleidoscope before returning home to EMAC play vs Community of Peace on Thursday.

Liberty Classical Academy starts the season 1-0 overall and in the EMAC.  Forward Trent Verbeek leads the Lions with 20 points and a couple of threes.  14 of those points coming in the first half.  Daniel Kneen also very productive banging inside.  He adds 16 points, 10 in the second half.  Great balance with 5 other players having between 6 and 9 points. They too will play Nova next, but not until Tuesday.  That's part of a 2 game home stand with AFSA as the other game.  Then a 3 game road trip starting with a tough game vs recent rival Avail on Monday Dec 13th.  More on Avail on Monday when they have a big EMAC game with Hiawatha.

Czar Insights

For details on exactly what the value in the chart mean, click here for the full explanation of Czar Insights.  Most notable value here is a 50-8 advantage on points in the paint.  Liberty wins 3 of the Four Factors