Osas is dominating for Pflugerville

[Guest mffl]

Guy is probably the defensive presence in the post we're missing, and he is only going to get better.

Sometimes a job can be just like basketball. You go to work each day prepared to accomplish a task. However, you do not do it alone. Co-workers and managers, each with various strengths and weaknesses, provide the tools necessary to help you attain your objectives. Friday night at the Bowie High gymnasium, Pflugerville, led by Deon Mitchell and Demetrius Smith, didn't have many weaknesses as they used a workmanlike effort to down Bowie 51-37.

The game started a bit sluggish as both teams turned the ball over and couldn't find much rhythm offensively. With Pflugerville leading 9-8 at the end of the first quarter, the Panthers began to take control, holding the Bulldogs to just 4 points in the second quarter. During this time, Mitchell and senior point guard Jonathan Garza, combined for 16 of the Panthers 21 first half points. For Bowie, Isaiah Collier had 9 of the Bulldogs 12 first half points and single-handedly kept the Bulldogs in the game.

After halftime, Bowie played aggressively but still couldn't find things any easier with the play of the Panthers 6-foot-8 inch senior Osas Ebomwonyi (Lamar bound). With Smith (14 points) and Mitchell (16 points) headlining the scoring effort, Osas impacted the game on both ends of the floor with his length and athleticism. While he only had 8 points, Osas altered Bowie's approach offensively and swallowed up anything in the paint. Altering several shots and finishing with 6 blocks and 8 rebounds, Osas effort kept Bowie away from the basket most of the night.

Bowie coach Celester Collier was disappointed by the penetration that his team allowed as they couldn't get any closer than 7 points in the second half. When Garza was bumped and came out of the game as a precautionary measure (and some well-needed rest), it allowed Mitchell to take over the point guard duties for Pflugerville. He took advantage by consistently penetrating into the heart of the Bowie defense and finding Smith for easy baskets.

Pflugerville, now 11-0 in district play and 28-3 overall, never trailed in this game and looked confident as they went about their business. They next face Pflugerville Connally at home on Tuesday while Bowie (22-7, 8-3) travels to Bastrop.

Pflugerville 51 Austin Bowie 37

Deon Mitchell, Sophomore, Point Guard, 5-foot-10, Pflugerville

This sophomore played like a senior and beyond with his sharp basketball acumen. While the game program listed him as shooting guard, he is very much a point guard too as he dished out 7 assists to go with his 16 points. Mitchell felt most comfortable with the ball in his hands as he consistently broke down Bowie's defense, penetrating and getting into the lane, and either finishing himself or dishing to some of his cohorts. Mitchell doesn't need much space to get his feet set and dial it up from long distance as he was 2 of 3 from downtown. As mentioned previously, when Garza went out of the game and Mitchell took over the ballhandling duties, Deon created opportunities for others while still being a dangerous scoring threat.

Demetrius Smith, Junior, Forward, 6-foot-4, Pflugerville

This 6-foot 4-inch junior is a match-up nightmare. He can shoot from long range while also having the ability to finish inside. Smith was 5 for 11 from the field ending the game with a strong 14 points and 6 rebounds. While Smith is lanky, he has strong hands and seems to always come away with a loose ball, get a deflection, or come away with a rebound. Bowie used different defenders to try to slow him, but he was able to find different avenues to score. For example, he routinely used his athleticism within Coach Murphy's offense to get the ball on the perimeter and either dribble-drive to the basket or shoot from distance. When he wasn't the one creating the scoring opportunities, he let his point guards penetrate and deliver to him for a powerful finish at the rim. Smith also made his presence felt on the defensive end shadowing Collier for much of the second half – holding him to just three points during that second stanza.

Osas Ebomwonyi, Senior, Forward, 6-foot-8, Pflugerville

If Smith is a nightmare for opposing teams, Osas can be even scarier. Against Bowie, Osas scared the Bowie shooters anytime they got close to the paint. His ability to alter shots around the rim cannot be underestimated. Officially, Osas blocked 6 shots on the evening, but may have altered six or seven others. If the Pflugerville shooters weren't so accurate, he would have had a bigger impact on the offensive glass, though he did come away with four offensive rebounds, three of which he converted into points. Osas knocked down two free throws, both of which had good form. That was as far as he stepped away from either basket on the night, doing plenty of damage around the rim.

Jonathan Garza, Senior, Point Guard, 5-foot-10, Pflugerville

This senior point guard contributed 4 of his 6 points in the first half and finished on 3 of 11 shooting. Garza exudes confidence when he has the ball and does not discriminate between shooting, passing, or driving – he does all three equally well. On nights like tonight, Garza recognized he wasn't shooting the ball well and continued to get both Mitchell and Smith involved. He plays aggressively on defense, but did get beat on the dribble a couple of times by the speedy Bowie point guard, Aaron Urbanus. With that aside, Garza had a solid game in running the offense and keeping the Panthers undefeated in district play.

Isaiah Collier, Senior, Shooting Guard/Forward, 6-foot-3, Austin Bowie

This rugged guard/forward helped Bowie keep the game close in the first half. Collier contributed 9 of Bowie's 12 first half points and looked good both inside and out. Hampered by tight defense in the second half, Collier still managed with 15 points and 3 rebounds for the game. Offensively, Collier scored from various methods. He would shot fake, pound it twice on the floor, and then shoot from 15 feet. He would also catch and shoot from the three as well as post, face up to the man guarding him, put the ball on the floor, and go hard to the hole. Collier always plays hard and would not let the game get away from the Bulldogs. Defensively, Collier did a good job moving his feet and keeping his man in front of him; however, Collier could not be everywhere, and on this night, needed more help.

DeAnde Perry, Senior, Forward, 6-foot-4, Austin Bowie

As mentioned above, Collier could have used more help from the likes of Perry. However, Perry was bottled up for the most part as Osas dominated this match-up. Perry ended with 4 points and 5 rebounds and was just 2 of 10 from the field. Like Collier, Perry is a gritty player who always plays hard. He looked much more confident when Osas wasn't in front of him and even put the ball on the floor on a couple of occasions, pulled up, and hit a nice jumper. Perry did look to post-up most of the night and would continue to go after Osas despite the difference in height and length. He showed a nice jump-hook over Osas using his left shoulder to create space. Perry played determined defense and made Osas work for any of his points.

Trey Lindsey, Junior, Shooting Guard, 6-foot-4, Austin Bowie

This junior sharp-shooter was kept under wraps for most of the night by the stingy Panther defense. He came away with 8 points (2 of 3 from 3 point range), but could rarely find his way offensively. He moved diligently off the ball, but couldn't get enough touches to really impact the game. Lindsey struggled some defensively as he had trouble keeping the Pflugerville guards in front of him. Even though he has a fragile frame, he took the ball to the hole with authority a couple of times, but got the wind knocked out of him and came out of the game briefly.

Game Notes

Brian Todd, one of the Pflugerville captain's and senior forward, played like a man wanting more playing time as he was aggressive and even tried to dunk over the Bulldog defenders. Although at times he is overshadowed by the likes of Smith and Mitchell, he can contribute on both ends of the floor. He provides a steady, solid presence and isn't afraid to mix it up and get a loose ball or two.

Aaron Urbanus, Bowie's 5'11'' senior point guard, did a nice job of trying to contain Jonathan Garza as he contributed to Garza's poor shooting night. Several times he beat Garza off the dribble and got to the rim. Urbanus is a pure point guard who looks to get everyone involved and does a nice job of finding the open man.

[Guest abovetherim]

mffl, you are great at finding this stuff!