Penn Wood took advantage of strong front-court play to dispose of Chester 64-45 today at Saint Joseph's University. I was on hand through three quarters of play today and have observations on some of the standout performers.
Aaron Brown- Penn Wood: During pre-game warm-ups, Brown couldn't buy a jumpshot, but that all changed once the action began. In the opening quarter, Aaron knocked down two 3-pointers and converted in close for an athletic layup. Brown is a 6'4, strong, physical, impressively athletic perimeter player. He thrived in the back-and-forth nature of this game. In the second quarter, he leaked out on the break and threw down a rim-rattling two-handed jam where he rose way above the rim. In this game, Brown demonstrated a desire to shut his man down on the defensive end. While pressing, Brown did not let Chester's speedy guards blow past him, using impressive lateral quickness and lower-body strength to stay in front of his man. Midway through the second quarter, Brown picked up his second foul on a technical and sat until the half. Aaron started the second half the same way he started the game, by knocking home a 3-ball from the corner. In December, Brown told Pat Stevens of NBE Basketball Report that he was looking at Providence, Richmond, La Salle, Temple, and Saint Joseph's. He finished the game with 18 points. Brown has all the makings of a very solid college player.
Shawn Oakman- Penn Wood: Oakman (pictured above) is a two-sport athlete, and a player probably considered a better prospect in football than basketball. Standing at 6'8 and checking in around 250 pounds, it is easy to see why. Oakman is as physically imposing a high school big as you're likely to see. On a team loaded with players that can score the ball, Oakman does not get too many touches on the offensive end. When he did get touches, he was aggressive in attacking the basket. In the first quarter, Oakman got the ball on the low block and spun past his man to score on a short bank-shot. Shawn also displayed a soft shooting touch with excellent rotation from the free-throw line. Chester's post players tried their best against Oakman, but he was simply too tall and strong for the Clippers. The junior finished the game 6 points and right around 10 rebounds.
Will Brown- Penn Wood: Every time Will drained a shot from deep, the announcer would announce his name as "Downtown Will Brown," which was fitting for the senior guard. Will finished the game as the high-point man for the Patriots with 20. Just like Aaron Brown, Will had two 3-pointers in the first quarter. He showed great range with his jumper, even completing a 4-point play in the first half when fouled as he drained a 3 right in front of the Chester bench. Will Brown had a great showing today.
Maurice Nelson- Chester: This was my second time seeing Maurice Nelson. The 6-foot guard was not in the starting line-up for the Clippers, but provided quite a boost for the team when he entered in the second quarter. Off the bat, he banked in a 3 from the corner. Maurice paced Chester with 17 points, despite sitting the entire first quarter. Maurice provided one of the game's funnier moments when he stepped to the line after someone was fouled around the basket. He stepped to the line and drained the free throw. The only problem with the shot is that he wasn't supposed to be at the line. Another Chester player was fouled. That player then stepped to the line and missed the front end of the one-and-one with Nelson standing behind the play with a smile on his face.
Picture of Shawn Oakman above courtesy of Phillyhoops.com
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