English Valleys Jamboree observations

NORTH ENGLISH — Scrimmages are a great way to get game action in before the real games start.

Three area teams (Belle Plaine, English Valleys and Iowa Valley) competed in scrimmages Monday at the English Valleys boys basketball Jamboree. Scrimmages were 16 minutes, two eight-minute quarters.

Here are three observations from each area scrimmage.

Springville vs. Iowa Valley

1. A fast start

Iowa Valley wasted no time jumping to a lead in this one. A fast-paced offense and energetic defense created an 11-2 lead to start in the first quarter for the Tigers. Playing fast, but under control, may see Iowa Valley get off to several hot starts this season.

2. Full-court pressing defensively

A strength for the Tigers will be their athleticism, and that will be put to use all season by full-court pressuring teams. Both teams applied pressure and forced turnovers in this one, making it an entertaining 16 minutes of action.

3. Balanced scoring attack

Iowa Valley won the scrimmage by a score of 41-35. Cole Long led the way with 13 points. Noah Etzel, who knocked down two three-pointers, had 11. Zavier Pedersen and Owen Ary each had six.

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Lone Tree vs. Belle Plaine

1. Walter handling point guard duties

Mason Walter has the most returning experience of any Belle Plaine player and he’ll be the primary ball handler for the Plainsmen it appears. Walter scored eight points and attacked the paint nicely several times, either scoring or passing to an open teammate.

2. O’Leary’s threes

Quentin O’Leary connected on two three-pointers in the first eight minutes of action. The Plainsmen will need some outside shooting this season, and O’Leary may be one of the team’s best options.

3. Working out the kinks

The Plainsmen have many players with little varsity experience, so it may just take some time for them to gel and figures things out. Areas such as defensive rotations and communication, especially when they run a zone defense. Lone Tree won the scrimmage 25-19.

Highland vs. English Valleys

1. Bender’s late surge

What was a low-scoring affair throughout became a shootout at the end. Everett Bender carried that load for English Valleys and showed he may be the team’s primary scorer this season when the team needs a shot. Bender scored 14 points, including nine in the second quarter.

2. An effort to get into the post

English Valleys wants to play inside-and-out this season and get the ball in the post. On the first few possessions, the ball went inside to post Kane Axmear each time. Axmear finished with six points.

3. Rebound and go

When the Bears got a defensive rebound, and in some cases a steal, an effort was made to push the ball up the court and a get a good shot. The threes weren’t falling for English Valleys, but the Bears had several fast-break points as they looked to push the tempo. English Valleys won the scrimmage 27-23.