Through four games, the Dominion High School boys basketball team is 1-3. They have scored just over 59 points per game and have allowed just over 63 points per game. They beat Washington High School and lost to the Potomac Falls Panthers, the Millbrook Pioneers and the Stone Bridge Bulldogs. What’s gone right? What’s gone wrong? What should they change?
What’s gone right
Shelton
Junior guard Sam Shelton looks good. Shelton is leading the team in scoring, averaging 15 points per game.
He has a great deal of potential, with natural talent that’s not hard to see. He’s big, fast, and explosive. He can score the same 15 points per game, he is averaging right now on 50% shooting just by improving his shot selection. Shelton’s the lead dog on the Titans right now, and as the season progresses, he should continue getting better to keep up with that title.
Thomas
Junior forward Adam Thomas is one of my favorite players to watch on the team. The transfer from Paul VI Catholic made the team and has been spectacular on defense. Long and athletic, Thomas has the ability to be the best on-ball defender ball in the Potomac District.
Thomas missed two games with an ankle injury, but in his first game back, he had 4 deflections and 7 seven steals. SEVEN STEALS!! He also scored 15 points in the game, including one play when he gathered a rebound and went coast-to-coast for the score, displaying his ability to lead a fastbreak. He’s going to draw the toughest matchup on the opposing team almost every night and with his wingspan and defensive instincts, he’s well equipped for that challenge.
Schroeder
Junior forward Mark Schroeder is probably the best story on the team. Before the year, he didn’t expect to play at all. He entered in for a few garbage-time minutes against Potomac Falls, and the coaches loved what they saw. He saw his playing time pick up a bit against Millbrook, and then against Stone Bridge, he…I don’t know how to describe it.
Schroeder scored 27 points, missing just one shot the whole night. He saw himself elevated to the starting lineup the next game, the first Titan win of the year. He scored 10 in that game.
He’s got a nice post game, including a soft hook shot that’s extremely effective. He has some ability to stretch the floor, as he’s shooting 60% on threes, albeit on just five attempts.
Defensively, he’s extremely solid. Great footwork and long arms let him compensate for his speed, which is nothing to write home about. He has some ability to switch out onto the perimeter (more on that in a bit).
What’s gone wrong
Injuries
They’re a part of every team, but Dominion has been hit extremely hard. Max Mancuso, who was supposed to start, hasn’t played a game yet. Adam Thomas missed both the Millbrook and Stone Bridge games. Michael Discher, a starting big man, missed the Millbrook game. Jake Mancuso missed the Millbrook game and the Washington game.
The Millbrook game especially was brutal, as Dominion was missing three potential starters in Max Mancuso, Thomas and Discher and lost by six.
Max Mancuso is a huge loss. He can shoot the ball extremely well and also has a polished one-on-one game.
Dominion has been prone to cold streaks that have led to their losses this year. Against Potomac Falls, it was a third quarter where they were outscored 20-9. Against Stone Bridge, a fourth quarter where they were outscored 31-15.
They are prone to these slumps in games, and the re-insertion of Mancuso into the lineup should give them some ability to weather those slumps due to his scoring ability. He just gets buckets.
What should change
Get the ball to Discher
I’d like to see the Titans get the ball in Discher’s hands a bit more. He’s been oddly quiet to start the year, one I thought he’d truly emerge in due to the new offense and added talent. Instead, he’s averaging under 3 points per game. Part of that could be attributed to a slow return from injury and some tough matchups, as he opened the year going against All-LoCo first team forward Ian Anderson of Potomac Falls, but he’s also been oddly passive, taking only four shots per game.
Discher has great size and strength that makes him lethally effective on the block. Last year, there were moments where he took over games, dominating inside. There aren’t many big men who have the strength to bang with the center in the post and the quickness to stick with him when he faces up.
The team has to do a better job of getting him involved in the offense. While I like his game in the low post, I also like what he can do matched up with the defender at the area around the free throw line. There, he’s got the skill and speed to blow past his defender and get right to the rim, where he can finish through contact or get fouled.
The team has struggled as a whole offensively, shooting just 36% overall and 23% from three-point range. How much of that can be attributed to injuries and small sample size? I’d say a decent amount, and the return of Mancuso should help the offensive flow in the times when Dominion is prone to go cold.
What’s holding Dominion back?
I really like Anthony Eifler’s offensive system. They move the ball, swinging it around the perimeter and attack defenses well.
On defense, the Titans have played mostly man to man but it looks like they shifted to a 2-3 zone against Washington, which worked out well for them. Playing that zone allows their defenders like Shelton and Thomas to jump passing lanes and harass ball handlers.
Dominion’s done a great job of running in transition. When they get steals, they run the court and fill lanes, getting some easy buckets. If they can do that more, they can get that shooting percentage up.
Getting healthy is the biggest concern for the Titans, as the return of Mancuso should help them as they begin their district schedule against Heritage on December 17. Luckily for Dominion, he’s targeting a return against Potomac Falls on December 14, giving him some time to adjust to his teammates and get back into some sort of playing shape.
