GameSetter: Men's Basketball vs Millwood Falcons

HOW WE GOT HERE...
In the 2020-2021 basketball season the Heritage Hall Chargers were very successful, going 21-6, and making it to the 4A State Championship game against Kingfisher on March 13. Leading the way for the Chargers was Creighton signee and current player for the Bluejays, Trey Alexander. Alexander averaged 23.6 points along with 8.9 rebounds and 4 assists a game for the Chargers last year. Alexander was undoubtedly the best player in the state last year and was a big part of why the team made it to state. However, the Chargers came up short. After leading the whole game, Kingfisher was able to hang around and eventually grasp the lead with four minutes left in the 4th quarter. Once they gained the lead, they began to stall and that was the game. The Chargers were minutes away from capturing the Gold Ball but unfortunately lost with a final score of 40-48. This year the team is expecting to be right where they were last year, but this time, winning it all. Despite the loss of Trey Alexander, the Chargers are in the running to become state champions.

MEET THE OPPONENT...
On Tuesday, November 23, the Chargers will start their title run again facing a very good Millwood Falcons squad. Millwood is currently a front runner to win the 3A State Championship, largely due to their exceptional freshman, Jaden Nickens (#23) and their veteran shooter Ricky Hunt (#5). Millwood is a team that likes to get in the lane and score easy buckets, mainly by getting out in transition and running the floor. The Falcons will also rely heavily on their strength and athleticism to get offensive rebounds whenever they miss shots. Defensively, Millwood likes to bring the pressure; they play aggressively by getting into the ball handler and forcing them into traps, thus creating turnovers, which allows them to get out in transition for easy buckets. In the half-court, they want to take away the middle and force a driver into planned help. However, if not successful, their defense turns into a complete scramble.

KEYS TO THE GAME...
For the Chargers, the keys to the game are simple: limit offensive rebounds, and limit transition points. Millwood is not a team that likes to be stuck in a half-court set. Defensively, the Chargers also will have to know exactly where Nickens and Hunt are at all times. Both of these playmakers for the Falcons can fill it up and hurt you in a hurry. It is key that The Hall limits these two players' production in order to come out with the win. Offensively, the Chargers need to get out and run. Millwood struggles with getting back in transition. If the Chargers can exploit this, you expect them to get easy buckets and even build up a large lead. The Chargers will also have to take advantage of Millwood's aggressive defense. The Chargers can do this by getting the Falcons out of position on defense, hitting the slip off of ball screens, and not over-dribbling. Of course, all it boils down to is simply finding their best players and rebounding. If the Chargers do these things, we will come out of this season-opener 1-0.

Written by Orie Walker '23

Photos by Kimberly Richelle

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