SHADY SPRING, WV- We are just a few days away from the Greenbrier East boys’ basketball team’s season opener against the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles which will be this Friday night, Dec. 8.
The Spartans scrimmaged the Ripley Vikings on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Shady Spring High School as part of a preseason showcase. The score resets each quarter in scrimmage action, but after it was all said and done, East picked up a 64-52 victory.
Here are some observations from the game:
Half of the Spartans scoring came from two players, Brody Hamric and Gabe Patton. Hamric led East with 18 points and Patton finished with 14. I thought even though the scoring was bunched together between the two, other players played their roles nicely. Hamric hit a couple 3s, as did Patton, and Patton also put the ball on the floor a few times and got to the basket. Based on this one game, both players will do the bulk of the scoring, but this was just that, one game. There will be ample opportunities for other players to get in the scoring column and take some pressure off Patton and Hamric.
Turnovers and Fouls were a slight issue for the Spartans against the Vikings, but one thing that worked in East’s favor was Ripley also fouled a lot and turned the ball over frequently. The Spartans style of play under head coach Jared Patton is chaotic on the defensive end. They love to get deflections, play the passing lanes, and go nonstop the whole defensive possession. East may turn the ball over on offense quite a bit, but it could even out as the opponents will do so as well.
East does not have a whole lot of experience after the graduation of eight seniors a year ago. This year, there are just two seniors on the roster in Patton and point guard Peyton DeHaven. DeHaven is one of the scrappiest players on the roster and is quick with the ball. If he plays under control, he will be a positive on both ends of the floor. Jakob Tomlinson, Layne Lambert, Nathan Dixon, Donovin Penn, Reed McCraw, and Darius Burns all saw extensive time and will be counted on to provide depth to the team. Penn is a defensive stalwart and had at least three strips of the ball when a Ripley player drove to the basket.
All in all, the second scrimmage for the Spartans appeared to be a good tune-up for the huge opener looming this Friday. Beckley will bring a talented team into Spartan Gym in what is sure to be a packed house season opener for the biggest rivals of East, and it’s also a sectional contest.
Look for a complete team preview this week on WVDN.com.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.