What opponent knowledge might help a team win? Personnel, base offense and defense, PnR coverage, special situations.
Division 1 powerhouse Wachusett (14-0) hosts Bishop Fenwick 2/4/24, so I thought I'd look at some recent tape. Wachusett usually winning by 20-30 points, has not scored less than 55 or won by less than 16.
Wachusett scores on the opening tap play off a cut.
They get a steal defending the BOB with man defense but don't score on the live ball turnover.
Wachusett has aggressive defense with active hands.
Against the Framingham zone they rebound well and kick out for a three.
Creating a long closeout generates an open shot for Framingham.
Aware passing ahead gets a transition basket for Framingham.
Wachusett has a post player willing to attack the rim.
They often looked for the give-and-go with ball reversal/inside-outside action. Some read-and-react principles.
Wachusett will 'face guard' offense on the press.
Fundamentally well-coached teams block out. Wachusett does.
Wachusett passes well and doesn't hesitate to take threes.
0.5 seconds thinking, move the ball and "think shot first" in Don Kelbick terms.
Observations:
- One word to describe them, AGGRESSIVE.
- Look to run, drive to pass, will shoot threes far-outside the arc.
- If defense is not alert at all times, open threes will rain down.
- Often face guards against the press.
- Switch heavy on the perimeter.
- Active hands, reach in, could be vulnerable to fouling if ball protected
- Limited BOBs but initially used man defense
- Undefeated thus far, their system has worked well.
