Robert Woodard II knows the importance of sharing the basketball.
Earlier this year, Woodard II was one of 12 players to represent the United States in the FIBA Americas Championship in Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
The Columbus High School sophomore averaged 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game in the USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team’s 5-0 run through the tournament.
Lost in the statistical shuffle that saw the U.S. average 107.8 points per game and shoot 46 percent from the field en route to the gold medal was a smaller average: 15.2. That’s the number of assists the U.S. averaged per game. Seven players had five or more to help the team have four players score in double figures. In all, seven players averaged 8.6 points or more per game.
Woodard II hopes the 2015-16 Columbus High boys basketball team can share the ball as well or even better than the U.S. U16 team.
“Moving the ball around and catching the defense off guard and getting people open for open shots is going to be very important,” Woodard II said. “We have to execute and share the basketball and make that connection. There can’t be any selfish basketball.”
If Columbus’ opener — an 88-50 victory against Shannon on Thursday night — is any indication, Woodard II and his teammates have the right idea. Columbus had seven assists in the first eight minutes. Five of the helpers led to dunks as the Falcons punctuated Luther Riley’s first game as the team’s new head coach.
Woodard II had 14 points and was one of four players in double figures. With a stacked front line that includes 6-foot-9 Jartavius Dobbs, 6-9 Antavious McDyess, and 6-9 Demetrice Clopton, opponents likely will implement a strategy similar to the one Shannon used. The Red Raiders sat in a zone and double-teamed the post players immediately after they received the ball. Columbus worked to move the ball and shift it from side to side to try to get the defense out of position. That philosophy led to numerous open perimeter shots for Cameron Douglas (team-high 25 points), Javontae McDavid (21 points), and Woodard II. Clopton added 16 points.
Woodard II said many of the Falcons are going on their second year together, so they know each others’ strengths. He said the team still is adjusting to Riley’s system, but he feels the “connection” he spoke of will come quickly.
“It shouldn’t be a very hard process,” Woodard II said. “It is all about getting up and down the court and finding the open man and that connection with each other.”
A willingness to share the basketball will be key if Columbus wants to realize its championship aspirations. The Falcons have plenty of depth, so they likely will use an aggressive, full-court pressure defense to create as many turnovers and easy baskets as possible. By using the team’s size up front, Riley is working to get his big men in shape so they will be able to run the floor and get even more easy baskets. That was evidenced Thursday night, as all three Columbus post players attacked the rim and ran the floor.
McDavid, the team’s starting point guard, said the team wants to improve its defense, rebounding, and aggressiveness. He knows all three factors will help the Falcons create tempo and get open looks at the basket. He believes sharing the ball will be a key ingredient to the team’s success.
“I have to make sure Woodard gets the ball, Clopton gets the ball, Douglas gets the ball — all of them get a touch,” McDavid said. “I also have to make sure I get myself involved in the game as well.”
Riley, a former point guard, said his goal with all of his guards, especially his “quarterback” is to get those players to think like him. He said McDavid is learning how to be an extension of him on the floor, which is exciting because he feels the Falcons have plenty of weapons, which could make them even more dangerous if they push tempo and share the basketball.
“If you’re talking about a championship team, you’re talking about a team that is averaging 15-20 assists a game,” Riley said. “For us to have seven in the first quarter, that is pretty good. We were doing quite well in the first quarter getting into what we do and sharing the ball.
“The guys are good guys and they care about each other and love each other. That is what championship teams are all about.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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