In the first-ever Hoops For Hope game, the Wyandotte Bears welcomed the Allen Park Jaguars. With the two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum coming into the game, could the Bears knock off the undefeated Jaguars? The answer would be no, as they would fall by a final of 60-20.
Wyandotte Bears
Young Cubs
The Wyandotte Bears are relatively young and have had growing pains so far this season, but those pains could pay off for the team down the stretch. Whenever you hire a first-year head coach, you will have some growing pains, but adding in only one senior on the team will also give you some issues. The Bears do have bright spots, though, as players like Ryder Chavez, Andrew Massingill, Zack Hoffman, and Andrew Briones will form a great core for the Bears and first-year Head Coach Benn Baker. We were very impressed with Chavez’s play as he showed no quit in the 40-point loss. He played hard from the tip to the final whistle, which will give this Bears team something to build on.
Allen Park Jaguars
Low Rollin
The Allen Park Jaguars are rolling dangerously low on their team. While the Jaguars are 3-0 to open up the season for the first time since 2017-18, they’re not that deep on the bench, and that could be their downfall. When the starting five are in the game for the Jaguars, they will be in every game, and that has been evident so far this season. However, once the bench comes in, which is made up mostly of juniors, they will make mistakes, but it will be beneficial for the Jaguars, who are very senior-heavy.
Senior Heavy
Unlike the Bears, the Jaguars are a very senior-heavy team. Six members of the 11-player team are seniors, and that includes the two best players on the team, Brandon Powell and Jack Labiak. Powell can make magic happen from outside the 3-point line and attack the rim. Labiak is a physical presence down low, and that is what gave the Jaguars the edge in this game.