Middleton over Madison East

Probably going to keep this one a little shorter then normal as I'm posting this in a hurry after being a week behind on this game and trying to catch up with my post of the Midwest Classic. This was a game that gave me the first shot at seeing East star 6'6 junior Keshawn Justice play and see where Middleton is at, at this point in the season.

Justice didn't disappoint early on as he came out firing and I think hit four huge threes in the first half. Justice has really filled out in the past year and seems to have grown physically, which shouldn't between shocking between a sophomore and junior year. I really see Justice will be even most successful at the next level because he's really a shooter that could be a great second or third option where he can sit outside and drop the threes, where right now he has to be the man and Mr. everything at the high school level. For Middleton 5'11 senior Storm Murphy really struggled early on and couldn't buy a basket but, thankfully team mate 6'5 senior Tyree Eady came with a ton of energy and was grabbing rebounds and really making those "dirty" buckets on the inside with his hustle. It kept seeing like East was on the verge of taking this game over but, every time East would turn the ball over and it let to fast break buckets for Middleton.

In the second half 5'8 junior Datril Thompson got things going as he was nearly impossible to keep from getting to the rim. Thompson drove time and time again to the rim and Middleton had no one to stop him. Murphy did eventually hit some threes in this game but, he shot a lot and I mean a lot. 6'1 senior Myron Ashford hit a pair of monster threes which he seems to do every game. I also have to give a shoutout to Middleton junior Alan Roden. Roden is only listed at 5'11 but, he gets a ton of rebounds and I swear when he's in the game every rebound is his and he's usually one of the shorter guys on the court. 6'6 senior Steve Wooten didn't start the game for East for whatever reason but, he did show some good play in this game rebounding and scoring in transition. Late in the game Middleton was able to salt the game away with some sweet free throw shooting from 6'5 senior Ben Jackson who has a very nice three point shot as well as a free throw shot that doesn't hit the rim.

Top Players 
Storm Murphy 5'11 senior Middleton- Despite his troubles he does control the game and he got his 15 points. Can get his shot at any time and can finish at the rim with either hand but, sometimes he does settle for difficult he shots he can make but, he's settling.

Tyree Eady 6'5 senior Middleton- Controlled the glass on both side and worked incredibly hard scoring on the tough buckets on the inside.

Keshawn Justice 6'6 junior Madison East- Couldn't miss in the first half and he doesn't need much room to get that shot off with his size and quick release.

Datril Thompson 5'8 junior Madison East- Was limited in the first half due to foul trouble but, he could get to the rim any time he wanted and everyone knew he was driving the ball.

Box Score
MD 70- Eady 17 Murphy 16 CJ Fermanish 11 Jackson 9 Jack Smith 5 Ashford 6 Brogan Brunker 4 Davis Rouquet 2 Parker Sigmon 0 Alan Roden 0
ME 61- Justice 22 Wooten 12 Thompson 10 Kenny Jones 8 Cameron Cratic 6 Chris Warren 2 Davion Washington 1 Earl Lewis 0 Nick Wilcox 0

I know this wasn't much of a post but, just trying to get it in, in a short time where I don't have a ton of time to write. Also something to take note of is that Madison Memorial has defeated Middleton for the second time this year and seem poised to take a 13th straight conference title. Both of these teams were thought to have the ability to take Memorial down and they may both need to wait another year as Memorial is rounding into form but, there is still a lot of season left.