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Message: [QUOTE="iommi, post: 935194, member: 249"] Okay, back from the game. What a performance from Battle in this one! OMG. Kid Mamba is Real Deal Holyfield. Just a top notch talent and once again, I reiterate, a MUST GET. If this kid wears another uni in college, I might have a Bjorn-level meltdown. Game was GSB at Watchung Hills. Battle started off slow but a huge 2nd Quarter fueled his team to a blowout win. 1st Quarter: Here are some highlights... Battle jumped center and easily won the tip for his team. He had 4 points in the quarter on 2-4 shooting. His two misses were 3s, each were good shots that went in and out. He had a couple assists too, highlighted by one beautiful touch pass to a teammate for an easy layup versus the press. His first basket came on a sick crossover for a lefty layup...my notes said that he faked his guy out of his jock. His other basket came off another crossover and then he made a pretty floater in the lane. One major observation is that though Kid Mamba shoots righty, he is ambidextrous and actually favors the left side. He played a ton of point guard but when he worked off the ball, he camped out usually on the left side. One note: Watchung Hills fans chanted, "overrated!" at Battle after he missed his second 3... Bad idea, as Battle exploded in the 2nd quarter. Quarter ended with GSB leading 17-13 and Battle had 4 points. ___________________________________ 2nd Quarter The message from GBS's coach to Battle must've been to take it hard to the basket, as Battle did so at will in this quarter... He got to the line 5 times in the quarter and was 8-10 from the stripe. Right out of the gate, he went off...he single-handedly turned the game into a blowout... highlighted by a thunderous LEFTY dunk off yet another sick crossover. The poor Watchung PG tried to get the ball over half court after the dunk but Mamba picked his pocket, leading to another nasty breakaway jam, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd. The Watchung Hills student section changed their tune after a deep Battle 3 led to a Watchung panic timeout...The Watchung students jokingly chanted, "UNDERrated!" Very funny. A high level behind the back, crossover and blow by led to a lefty layup. The Kid has an amazing second gear... One time he faked out his guy so bad the defender literally tripped and went down, as Battle left him in the dust. On another highlight reel play, he went behind the back and finished with a pretty finger roll. His coach took him out with a minute left on the clock...he had 19 in the quarter in seven minutes and he outscored Watchung by himself 19-14. GSB led at the half 45-27. ________________________________ 2nd half was just about all garbage time, so I'll be a little brief. He only had 7 points the rest of the way...displaying an unselfish game, setting up his teammates when Watchung Hills moved their attention to him and only him. He did drain a deep three but had a tough half shooting... Still I had him finishing with 30 points on 9-17 shooting in 24 minutes. I had him for about 5 assists but he could've had more if his teammates converted. His coach took him out with about 6:00 left and his team up by over 30 points. I left when the coach cleared the bench, and I doubt he got in again. He won the game for his team in the second quarter, when he was a one-man fast break and wrecking crew. Some takeaways: his handle is ready to go right now. He's a righty but you wouldn't know it. After the outcome was no longer in doubt, GSB went Tavern League Zone, and Battle played out top for a while... A preview of his future, I hope? He also played the center on defense for a while too in the zone, which was odd but he is one of the tallest guys on his team. His jumper is pretty but a little inconsistent. I wouldn't call him a lights out shooter but it's far from a weakness. He's definitely more of a slasher but his jumper is fine. As he's only a sophomore, I predict Cal and others will jump in soon, as his talents are undeniable. He's also very long, lean and athletic and maybe still growing, based on his frame. He showed great effort all game and plays with a quiet swagger, nothing too fancy or over the top, but the kid is very confident. He has great vision and his passing is top notch as well. His crossover reminds me of Tim Hardaway and I know that's a lofty comparison. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he transfers in order to step up in competition. He was a man among boys in this game. We need to lock this kid up, as he is an absolute stud. [/QUOTE]

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