GameDay Preview: vs High Point (13–13,9–4)
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Freshman Jorge Laham-Perez has solidified High Point’s offensive attack.[/caption]
Where: Historic Willett Hall
When: Saturday February 22, 5 PM
TV/Streaming: Big South Network (FREE)
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There are more good feelings in the air than bad coming off of Wednesday’s tough loss against Radford. Most of those positive feelings have come from Tristan Carey’s monster dunk that has been featured pretty much everywhere in the sports world by now. While all the national publicity, for the second time this year, is certainly exciting, Longwood needs to focus on staying in front of Liberty for the fifth seed in the North Division.
Last time Longwood matched up with the Panthers these two teams were struggling and both were looking for their first Big South win. High Point took a tightly contested affair 83–75 on their home floor. Since then High Point has figured out how to play without Allan Chaney and the guard play of Jorge Perez-Laham has steadied the Panthers. High Point is 9–2 since that affair and in the thick to take a top seed in the North Division.
Another person who is no stranger to ESPN highlight reels is High Point’s John Brown. Brown is on a collision course to upgrade his Big South hardware from Freshman Player of the Year to Player of the Year as he’s now averaging 19.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.7 blocks, and a highlight reel dunk per night. Simply put, you can’t stop Brown. Longwood did a good job slowing him down in the first half of the first match up but Brown got his mid-range jumper going in the second half and finished with 24 points and 7 boards.
The biggest criticism I personally had with High Point preseason was their lack of quality guard play. Freshman guard Jorge Perez-Laham has changed that a bit and has stepped in and stepped up for the Panthers due to injury. Since getting the starting nod against Longwood Perez-Laham is averaging over 6 points per game and, more importantly, 4.8 assists. The Puerto Rican native has given the Panthers the true point guard they need to contend in the Big South.
In the Millis Center the Lancers had one of their most balanced games of the year with Lucas Woodhouse, Tristan Carey, Karl Ziegler, and Leron Fisher all posting at least 13 points. Ziegler’s 13 points and 3 rebounds were particularly impressive since he was suspended for the first half of the game. Woodhouse lead the Lancers with a double-double thanks to 13 points and 10 assists.
The scouting report doesn’t change much from Wednesday’s game against Radford. Longwood needs to crash the boards and take pride in their defense. The Lancers actually out-rebounded the Panthers in January 25–24. Like I said before, you can’t stop John Brown. Longwood will need to limit Brown why also making sure someone else doesn’t go off like Devante Wallace did going for a then season high 21 points last month.
Tip-off is set for 5 PM in Willett Hall on Saturday and it’s a Alumni Night for all those Lancers’ graduates who may want to make their way to Farmville. If you can’t make it to “the Will” then you can catch the game on the Big South Network for free.
