More Versatile Davis Will Need To Carry Much Of The Load For Rams
KENILWORTH, NJ–Thursday’s scrimmage between the Rams of Wardlaw-Hartridge and the Bears of David Brearley was a low scoring, but competitive matchup. Â Brearley got the edge in the scrimmage thanks to its aggressive defense that forced many turnovers. Â Wardlaw had trouble getting its offense going during the first two periods of the exhibition. Â The Rams were outscored by a 17-9 margin during the span including a 14-4 Brearley run over the last 10:48 of the first half.
The third period saw Wardlaw play with more passion on both sides of the basketball. Â The Rams were more in sync on offense, especially over the first 3:37 of the period. Â Led by Justen Davis, who had a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds over the final 26:48 of the scrimmage, Wardlaw jumped out to an 8-1 lead. Â Davis, who collected 8 points, 4 rebounds, and a block in the frame, showed some versatility by hitting a three pointer, and bringing up the ball on offense. Â He also made some nice passes that could have been assists if his teammates were able to finish.
Unfortunately, the Rams weren’t able to sustain their strong start to the second half. Â Brearley would rally with a three pointer and another score to draw within two at the 2:13 mark. Â Davis would seal the 11-6 quarter edge by responding with a traditional three point play off a drive to the basket at the 2:02 mark. Â However, Wardlaw’s struggles on offense toward the end of the third persisted into the fourth. Â Instead of trying to take the ball to the basket, the Rams settled for jump shots and three point attempts, and ended up with only one field goal the entire period as the Bears came away with the 9-2 edge. Â The score came on a foul line jumper that banked in from the foul line at the 5:25 mark.
Last season, Wardlaw showed flashes of becoming a contending team in its first year in the GMC.  The Rams opened the season with a tough loss on the road at Dunellen.  Tough losses plagued Wardlaw for much of the season, and  it really didn’t get into a groove until the end of the season with a stretch of four wins in six games during the final month.  Among those victories was a win on the road at eventual GMC Gold champ Piscataway Tech, which had not suffered a loss in Gold Division play prior to that contest.  Losing Ian English will hurt the Rams in terms of having a solid threat from the perimeter.  Davis may have to be called upon to fill some of that void.
Expanding his game to the perimeter as well as showing some playmaking ability, Davis is going to be tougher to guard. Â Coupled with his ability to go to the basket, the junior forward can now draw his defender out to the perimeter. Â This element could help open things up for his teammates eventually, but for Davis, it allows him to score from more areas of the court. With defenders now having to consider his ability to shoot the jumper, Davis now has it a little easier to drive to the hoop Wardlaw will need to rely on Davis for a good deal of the scoring load, but it can’t afford him to fall in love with taking shots from the perimeter. Â He can’t forget what has made him such a solid player for the Rams, and that is his ability to go to the basket. Â During the fourth quarter of this scrimmage, there were moments where the Rams were not really trying to score inside.
With Piscataway Tech returning its starting five as well as adding some new faces, Dunellen returning a veteran group of players, and Amboy Tech having their duo of 1,000 point scorers in Rashad Adams and Malcolm Batts coming back, Wardlaw may have to fight it out with the likes of Timothy Christian, South River, South Amboy, and East Brunswick Tech for the middle of the pack in the GMC Gold.