(05-09-2022, 03:13 PM)BosCard Wrote: A quote form the writeup "Lepolo was considered one of the top defenders and top point guards in the state". This makes me think that Lepolo starts next year (maybe towards the middle or end of the year). We need a ball handler so that Jones doesn't have to do everything. And Tara loves loves loves defensive-minded guards.
I hope you are right!
We have discovered that short, defensive point guards without enough offense can be our Achilles' heel. Not saying that is going to be Lepolo...just that we need our point guard to have enough offense to keep the other side honest--Orrange-like, for example. The ability to drive and to finish and the ability to make either a midrange jumpshot or a trey when left open are essential ingredients to avoid the other side double teaming Jones or Brink all the time.
I wonder about Emma-Nnopu or Harriel as potentially developing into point guards over the summer. None of us have the slightest idea of what Harriel can do--four years of eligibility with a full year of Tara-instruction under her belt--that sounds promising. She should be ahead of the freshmen.
And while I've never thought of Emma-Nnopu as a point guard before, why not? She is exceedingly disciplined. True, she had 3 assists for the year and 5 turnovers--but she might be quite different given ample play time and a half a year or more to prepare for a new role. Her defense is fabulous and she has shown she can hit jumpshots. Am I remembering correctly that Pohlen was basically given a summer to gain point guard skills and take over that role? And it just so happens that Pohlen is available to help out!
I bet Jones is pg for a while, as the others work to improve their skillsets to take over. Who will emerge? It could be Emma-Nnopu, or Harriel, or a freshman, or an unknown transfer. Well, I suppose it could be Bosgana or Jump, but I find that highly unlikely. Although, in thinking about Bosgana.....hmmm....
But yes, if I were taking odds, I would say it is Jones giving way to Lepolo.
