The Illini State's high school hoops landscape has taken shape in the opening weeks of the season, according to Two Takes podcast co-hosts Joe Henricksen and Michael O'Brien. Their first impressions are as varied as they are insightful.
"We've got a lot of eyes on teams like New Trier, Geneva, and Lake Forest," notes Henricksen, who's been covering Illinois high school basketball for years. "These schools have consistently produced top-tier talent, and it's great to see them living up to expectations." O'Brien chimes in, mentioning the emergence of some talented players, including Geneva's own star guard.
As the season progresses, trends are starting to emerge. The two hosts note a significant increase in three-point shooting across the state, with many teams adapting to the modern game by becoming more perimeter-oriented. This shift has led to an uptick in possessions per game, making for some fast-paced and exciting matches.
However, not all teams are keeping pace. Henricksen highlights the struggles of some perennial powerhouses, citing issues related to depth and roster turnover. These challenges underscore the ever-present nature of high school basketball: teams must constantly adapt to stay ahead of the curve.
Despite these growing pains, O'Brien emphasizes the excitement that comes with watching talented young players evolve over time. "You can see them making adjustments on the fly," he notes, highlighting a particular instance of a player showing significant improvement in a recent matchup.
As the season unfolds, Two Takes will continue to provide listeners with expert analysis and fresh perspectives on Illinois high school hoops. With their unique blend of insider knowledge and engaging discussion style, fans are sure to find plenty to appreciate.
"We've got a lot of eyes on teams like New Trier, Geneva, and Lake Forest," notes Henricksen, who's been covering Illinois high school basketball for years. "These schools have consistently produced top-tier talent, and it's great to see them living up to expectations." O'Brien chimes in, mentioning the emergence of some talented players, including Geneva's own star guard.
As the season progresses, trends are starting to emerge. The two hosts note a significant increase in three-point shooting across the state, with many teams adapting to the modern game by becoming more perimeter-oriented. This shift has led to an uptick in possessions per game, making for some fast-paced and exciting matches.
However, not all teams are keeping pace. Henricksen highlights the struggles of some perennial powerhouses, citing issues related to depth and roster turnover. These challenges underscore the ever-present nature of high school basketball: teams must constantly adapt to stay ahead of the curve.
Despite these growing pains, O'Brien emphasizes the excitement that comes with watching talented young players evolve over time. "You can see them making adjustments on the fly," he notes, highlighting a particular instance of a player showing significant improvement in a recent matchup.
As the season unfolds, Two Takes will continue to provide listeners with expert analysis and fresh perspectives on Illinois high school hoops. With their unique blend of insider knowledge and engaging discussion style, fans are sure to find plenty to appreciate.
so i'm watching these 3-point shooting stats go up all over the state 
and it's crazy how teams are adapting to the modern game 
like they're more focused on spacing and player movement 
than just trying to muscle it inside 
and i love how some of the smaller schools like new trier and geneva are giving those bigger schools a run for their money 
, making for some crazy-fast-paced matches 
. Meanwhile, it's not all smooth sailing - those perennial powerhouses are struggling to adapt to the changing landscape 
. But hey, it's great to see all these talented young players evolving on the court 
! I'm excited to catch up on more expert analysis from Joe & Michael at Two Takes 
.
. but at the same time, i'm also feeling bad for some of those perennial powerhouses who are struggling with depth issues 
... i guess that's just the nature of high school hoops tho? 
anyway, i love how talented young players are evolving and making adjustments on the fly 
. can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store! 
. If they can't adjust to the modern game, how are they gonna stay ahead? 
It's great to see teams like New Trier and Geneva living up to expectations, but we need to see more consistency from those top schools. The three-point shooting trend is definitely an interesting development, though - it's not just about making money on threes anymore 
.
... and basketball is no exception. teams that were once all about the post game now gotta be perimeter specialists or they get left behind. it's wild to think that these young players are gonna have to adapt on the fly, just like O'Brien was saying. and you know what? i think that's kinda refreshing. we need more kids who can think on their feet and adjust to new situations. but at the same time, it's also a reminder of how much pressure these teams are under to perform... one loss and they're outta playoff contention. anyway, can't wait to see how the season shakes out 
It's gonna be a wild ride this season, that's for sure! 