DLS, Mack tough to beat

Kevin McCarthy
 

De La Salle and McClymonds, though stylistically from alternate universes, are the best two high school boys basketball teams northern California. So just how would you prepare your team and what would be the emphasis of your game plan if you were an opposing coach set to face these two powerhouses? Plus, just what player skills sets are needed in order to make it a game?

Taylor excels in the classroom and on the court

We recently asked longtime Bay Area basketball figure, Slam N Jam Director (Drew Gooden Soldiers) Carl Foster to ‘take on’ these formidable teams.

Let’s begin with his game plan and personnel needs versus De La Salle:

"First, realize that it is next to impossible to rattle De La Salle (DLS) ," Foster said, "they will control both the pace and tempo of the game. You must be ready to concede that prior to the beginning of the game."

He continued, "You have to have players on your roster who can create and make plays off the dribble. You want to get [the DLS players] out of position, in situations where you can create foul trouble, where they have to reach or lunge to make a defensive play. Being patient offensively is necessary, as is an understanding that you are not going to get a good shot every time down. There will be a lot of possessions where you will come away with absolute nothing positive offensively. What’s also imperative is having one or two players who can create baskets out of nothing; players who can go to the offensive glass get you a bucket in that manner."

One of the state’s top coaches, De La Salle’s Frank Allocco coaches the game like a chess match

Foster added. "What is also needed is finding ways to turn them over so that you can score some with your defensive play. Hopefully, you have the ability to press them fullcourt or trap them in the half court. Plus, your team needs to be significantly more athletic than DLS. With this athleticism, you might garner five or six baskets with that speed advantage and ability to make plays in the air with your jumping ability. Also, you have to make sure that you closeout strongly on their perimeter shooters, which will be many and keep the “backdoor” closed at all times."

Finally, Foster offered, "DLS believes they are going to win every game and you have to match that confidence. It’s like a chess match with Frank Allocco (the DLS head coach). When he stomps that right foot on the court multiple times to get his players’ attention, hopefully your players don’t get caught off guard!"

As for McClymonds, Foster began with high praise for Quincy Hill, Will Cherry and Justin Standley, Mack’s primary guard contributors: "They are the best high school backcourt I’ve seen in a long time."

"What’s needed against McClymonds is a primary ballhandler who can handle pressure," Foster said, "plus at least two other perimeter players who can ballhandle and make good decisions while matching up with Hill, Cherry and Standley. Mack is extremely well coached defensively and is very disruptive, applying pressure with a purpose."

Also required to match up with Mack per Foster, are "at least two big and strong post players who can match up with Damon Powell and company."

Quincy Hill is the unsong hero of a potent Mack backcourt

"Getting Powell into foul trouble is a necessity because the players feed off his intensity, energy, and passion," he said. "You also must block him out on every possession because there is no better offensive rebounder in the country than Powell. If he gets a couple of those trademark tomahawk dunks, either via a great pass or tip-dunk, watch out below because that will infuse the rest of the team, their fans, and possibly anybody within earshot."

Foster continued, "Another requirement is three or four players who can shoot deep, perimeter jumpers. Why? Because you’ll need to shoot a high percentage from the trey line, in order to have any chance of beating Mack. Plus, the team needs to be good with offensive passes to the wing. Mack is excellent at denying passes to the wing, which focuses you to start your offense much further away than normal. Hopefully, your guards are talented at ball reversals, along with the ability to penetrate and kick, since that will be a huge factor in any winning scenario. Additionally, you have to possess players who can provide seven or eight extra possessions off the offensive glass. Maybe even a couple of easy put-back buckets."

Defensively, Foster said, "a team must protect the lane from penetration of Hill and Cherry, but then there is also Standley’s pullup jumpers and deepballs. Did I mention the ability of Will and Quincy getting buckets off easy steals?"

What adds to Mack’s effectiveness per Foster is "all the players are tough and fight for loose balls and long rebounds."

Foster also specified "there’s just about NO chance beating McClymonds on Mack’s homecourt. You need to be home or on a neutral court and even then Mack travels well," referring to the Warriors’ loyal fans.

These two behemoths actually met earlier this season with De La Salle winning 43-38 and concluding a 49-game winning streak for McClymonds.

With a post script, Foster issued this stipulation: "You can have the right personnel and do all the things mentioned in the scouting report and still lose to both teams. Both De La Salle and Mack are well-coached, loaded with talent, and play with hearts of champions."