Jackson Wins

[Blue & Gold]

I also love how he loves swinging his elbows @ head level after getting a rebound. Mean, competitive streak in him! Me like!!!

[GoZips88]

Henninger gets game MVP.

Final question to him during post-game interview ...

Sideline reporter: "Oh ... you're a senior. So what's next for you?"

Henninger: "Can't State"

Sideline reporter: "Good Luck!" (no, she wasn't wishing you well ... she really meant it ... GOOD LUCK! )

[Dave in Green]

Final score, 57-34. And it wasn't really that close.

For those who haven't seen Jackson play before, tonight was the A option where the offense revolves around Henniger. The two previous games that got Jackson here were the B option, where Egner takes over at both ends.

The main point to me about Egner is that he's a team player who's willing to do whatever is necessary for his team to win. He's always active at the defensive end, and is willing to sacrifice his offensive game to the A option -- Henniger. But he can also take over at the offensive end if required.

"Whatever it takes" is the way I would describe Egner.

Egner is capable of doing whatever he's called on to do. Now it's up to KD to take advantage of an important new piece in the Zips team and use him to the team's best advantage.

[Blue & Gold]

Egner didn't have as dominant a performance tonight as he did against either St. John's or Gahanna-Lincoln and HE LOOKS PISSED right now even though they just won state! I LOVE IT!!!

[GoZips88]

Egner is capable of doing whatever he's called on to do. Now it's up to KD to take advantage of an important new piece in the Zips team and use him to the team's best advantage.

I'm sure we're going to hear KD give us the "He's going to have to earn his way into the line-up just like everyone else ... blah, blah, blah ..." Whatever KD - spare us and just get him out there to cut his teeth from the get-go at the college level.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Eg-tastic! Henninger, I'm now your #1 hater. Egner will shut you down!

[Blue & Gold]

Henniger looks like the typical forward we've had since Romeo graduated - 6'7-8" and a very solid high school performer but doesn't have any hops and actually lays the ball up quite a ways below the rim. Egner is a higher risk / higher ceiling player who has a mean streak and lives to take it strong to the hole and hopes you try to block it so he can break your hand while he gets an and-one. Great looking athlete. If he improves his jumpshot a little bit he may be a special player for us.

Tonight he also had a couple very sweet no-look passes to Henniger down low.

[GoZips]

Henniger looks like the typical forward we've had since Romeo graduated - 6'7-8" and a very solid high school performer but doesn't have any hops and actually lays the ball up quite a ways below the rim. Egner is a higher risk / higher ceiling player who has a mean streak and lives to take it strong to the hole and hopes you try to block it so he can break your hand while he gets an and-one. Great looking athlete. If he improves his jumpshot a little bit he may be a special player for us.

Tonight he also had a couple very sweet no-look passes to Henniger down low.

This was the first time I had a chance to watch both Henniger and Egner heads up for an entire game.

Now I am a believer. The Zips staff is much higher on Josh than on Henny. And, for good reason.

Egner is a far more complete player/athlete than Henny.

Henniger is lost more than eight feet from the basket. Egner is a terror anywhere on the court.

Don't anyone tip Henny off that in college he wont be fronting six foot tall opponents. In fact, at

six-seven he is too short, too slow and too uncoordinated to play the four or five spot.

Thanks, Zips staff. You made a believer out of me. Akron got the much better recruit.

[Dave in Green]

For those of you who saw Egner for the first time, who does he remind you of? I mentioned in one post that the intensity in his eyes and face reminded me a little of Psycho T -- Tyler Hansbrough. Obviously Egner is a little smaller and has a ways to go to reach Psycho T's skill level. But just looking at the intensity level, I see similarities.

The way Egner roams from the perimeter to the paint on D, like some kind of predator coiled and waiting to strike, reminds me a little of Nate Linhart. Egner sure looks like he could fill the role that Linhart played, guarding the other team's best offensive player, big or small. Egner is definitely a floor burn player, always going after loose balls, steals and rebounds.

The thing that sets Egner apart from Linhart is his great leaping ability -- 37" vertical jump according to the Canton Repository. From what I saw at the two games at the JAR, Egner can get above the rim at roughly the same level as former Zip Quade Milum. For those who may not remember Milum, he was a skinny 6-7 forward who cleared 7 feet in the high jump in 2004 while in HS.

Anyone else have any thoughts on player comparisons?

[Zip Watcher]

Frankly, it's really hard to judge one game. It was certainly a game where Jackson could ride Henniger to the title, and they did what they needed to.

Egner didn't have a great game I don't think, but it was clear that the Moeller players were afraid of him. They were reluctant to go anywhere near the rim for much of the game.

Seems like Josh has some things you can't coach, quickness and hops .. and the energy needed to be a good defender. It appears to me he has the tools to be a solid D1 prospect. I'd have to see him again to make any more opinions.

Congrats on the title Josh. Welcome to the Nation.

Go Zips!!!

[GoZips]

Egner didn't have a great game I don't think, but it was clear that the Moeller players were afraid of him. They were reluctant to go anywhere near the rim for much of the game.

Were you watching the same game I was watching?

Its not about the points scored. Its about the entire spectrum of play. Egner is miles ahead of

Henniger in overall performance.

[Zip Watcher]

I was watching the final. It's clear from everyone who saw both games .. that Egner played better on Friday than he did Saturday. He had a nice game, not a great game.

Agreed on Egner vs. Henniger, I think Egner's tools translate better. Time will tell.