Panther guards make strides in summer

Checking in from the Pittsburgh Pro-Am Summer League at the Greentree SportsPlex:

Pitt’s… Checking in from the Pittsburgh Pro-Am Summer League at the Greentree SportsPlex:

Pitt’s young guards continue to insist with their play that the shooting guard position might not be as detrimental to Pitt’s success as originally diagnosed.

In the first game of the night, sophomore Bradley Wanamaker and freshman Ashton Gibbs of FWG Realty put on a shooting clinic against Levance Fields, DeJuan Blair and Aliquippa GE.

Entering the game, Wanamaker was wielding a 56 percent clip from behind the arc and led the league in 3-point shooting. Gibbs, knocking down 44 percent of his 3-pointers, also ranked near the top.

Wanamaker started the game off with a 3-pointer and continued his hot shooting throughout. Matched up against Fields for most of the game, he showed a toughness and aggressiveness against the more experienced and physical Fields.

Gibbs did the same.

“[Wanamaker’s and Gibbs’] ability to shoot and drive makes them a threat at all times,” said Fields.

“They also play tenacious defense, so they both really fit what we’re trying to do as a team.”

Wanamaker hit three 3-pointers in the first half to help FWG open up a 22-9 lead just 10 minutes into the game. Using the threat of his jump shot, Wanamaker was also able to knife through Aliquippa GE’s defense at will. Wanamaker finished the game with 27 points and shot 3 for 4 from 3-point range.

Gibbs was equally impressive, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while knocking down all three of his 3-point attempts.

Gibbs showed good quickness with the basketball as well as superior court vision running the break and in transition throughout the game.

Depending on what Dixon decides to do with his lineup, both guards will be competing for the starting shooting guard spot, which was vacated by the departure of Ronald Ramon.

While Gibbs and Wanamaker were impressive from beyond the arc Monday night, sophomore center Blair was as well.

Blair finished with 35 points and 20 rebounds, completely dominating the inside. Blair also knocked down two big 3-pointers to keep his squad in the game in the first half.

In the second half, Fields, who finished with 39 points and four assists, came alive.

With 32 seconds left in the game, Fields drained a crossover 3-pointer to tie the game at 85. Before Fields’ shot, FWG had previously led every minute of the game.

Then, with six seconds left, Fields split two defenders, got to the rim, drew a foul and hit both free throws to give Aliquippa GE its first and only lead.

But the game belonged to Wanamaker. On the ensuing inbounds, Wanamaker took the ball coast to coast and was fouled by Blair. He hit the first free throw to help FWG escape with the win.

In the third game of the night, freshman guard Travon Woodall showed that he also has the ability to help Pitt’s backcourt this season and might be a formidable heir-apparent at the point guard spot when Fields departs after the season.

Woodall efficiently ran PGT’s offense, showing good range and hitting two 3-pointers.

Woodall has shown the ability to shoot from the outside throughout the summer, which gives him a good chance to fight for minutes in a crowded Pitt backcourt when the season rolls around. Woodall’s speed and good decision-making ability gave him 30 assists so far in the summer, ranking him second in the league.

Jermaine Dixon, another option at the guard position, did not play in the summer league this week. Gilbert Brown, a sophomore guard/forward, also did not play.