Despite success against most of the other teams in Division B, Team Griffin has struggled in games against the EYBL’s elite. They will have the opportunity to pave their way into the second spot in their division with a strong showing in Hampton, but they will need to find more consistent scoring, especially from the perimeter. Just one player on the roster has been making more than a third of his three-pointers, and that will need to change soon for Griffin to climb back into the race.

Coming into the season, Brady Manek (14.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG) was a bit under the radar for most outside of the state of Oklahoma. However, with his great all-around efforts throughout the first two sessions, the Team Griffin wing has established himself as a versatile star in this league, in the mold of Chandler Parsons. Manek is big enough to post up and defend other forwards, and athletic and skilled enough to take big men out to the perimeter and create mismatches all over the floor. Manek will need to continue his impressive production for Team Griffin to be successful in the second half.

The team’s best perimeter shooter is EYBL veteran Ethan Chargois, who has a game that is eerily similar to Manek’s. Far from a one-trick pony, Chargois (11.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG) is also one of the team’s most reliable defenders and rebounders, and his experience will be key. Edmond North (Oklahoma) product Marques Wilson (8.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG) has been solid as a third option, but he will need to find his stroke earlier and more often for Griffin’s offense to run efficiently. Both Caleb Nero, Mason Harrell and Omar Boone are all capable of making plays, with Harrell leading the team in assists (2.4 APG). Backup guard Marvin Johnson (5.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG) needs to be more aggressive, as he put up three straight impressive performances to close out Indianapolis.

With tough matchups coming up in Hampton, the time is now for Team Griffin to begin playing their way into the Peach Jam conversation. Chargois’ development into a potential second star alongside Manek will be one storyline to follow with this team, as will finding a second perimeter scoring threat who can dial it up from the outside on a consistent basis. Enough talent is here to make a run, but they’ll need an infusion of offense quickly.