Got to see Howerton play today

Coach · December 28, 2004

I watched our signee Justin Howerton play today in the Whataburger Tournament today against Lipan. Thanks to Marty for posting a heads up on this a while back. Howe won the game by 6, and I guess because Howerton goes to a small school, I need to preface the type of game that was being played.

Lipan was packing in a 2-3 zone centered on Howerton. At all times he had someone fronting him and the backside was glued to him. Despite the size difference, Howerton's teammates did not get him the ball very often. Every time with one exception, that he got the ball near the lane, he got points. He had a few dunks, and one very nice quick and strong baseline move for a slam. That move made me feel better than any other play because it didn't matter how big the guy was guarding him, he made a quick move, sealed off the defender, and threw it down. On defense, he absolutley owned the inside. Lipan just quit even going in there because they were being turned away so often. They didn't care because their 3 point shooting kept them in the game. Howerton sealed the win with an offensive rebound and putback that put Howe ahead by 5 with 15 seconds left. I can say without reservation that had Howerton not played, Lipan would have won by 20-25 points.

Good signs:

He is strong, and figures to get stronger.

Is great at getting in position for rebounds and to block shots. Only drew one foul.

Is quick with his moves on the block.

Not so good signs:

He is not 6'10, he may grow to be 6'10, but isn't right now. I would say he is around 6'8.

Missed 3 of 4 free throws.

What I think he will be like at North Texas:

I think he is going to be a strong, reliable, and consistent power forward. Don't expect him to dominate like Shawnson Johnson or anything, but he will be a guy that gets rebounds, sets picks, and defends. When the time comes for him to be a major contributor, I expect him to be very strong. He already has some muscle on him, and after he gets on a program at NT, he will add more. When I first came in and was let down by his size I was down on his signing, but as the game went on, I found myself smiling more and more.

Final line:

23 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocks, 3 turnovers, 1 foul

I will try to catch him tomorrow, Thursday, or both at this tournament and have a little more to go off of. I wore my gray North Texas shirt but didn't really yell for him. If anyone wants to go the game tomorrow, he plays at 11:00 am at Haltom High School, PM me or post on here and we could wear green and show him some North Texas support. If that is a bad time, he will play again on Thursday, TBD.

IslandEagle · December 29, 2004

I watched our signee Justin Howerton play today in the Whataburger Tournament today against Lipan. Thanks to Marty for posting a heads up on this a while back. Howe won the game by 6, and I guess because Howerton goes to a small school, I need to preface the type of game that was being played.
Lipan was packing in a 2-3 zone centered on Howerton. At all times he had someone fronting him and the backside was glued to him. Despite the size difference, Howerton's teammates did not get him the ball very often. Every time with one exception, that he got the ball near the lane, he got points. He had a few dunks, and one very nice quick and strong baseline move for a slam. That move made me feel better than any other play because it didn't matter how big the guy was guarding him, he made a quick move, sealed off the defender, and threw it down. On defense, he absolutley owned the inside. Lipan just quit even going in there because they were being turned away so often. They didn't care because their 3 point shooting kept them in the game. Howerton sealed the win with an offensive rebound and putback that put Howe ahead by 5 with 15 seconds left. I can say without reservation that had Howerton not played, Lipan would have won by 20-25 points.
Good signs:
He is strong, and figures to get stronger.
Is great at getting in position for rebounds and to block shots. Only drew one foul.
Is quick with his moves on the block.
Not so good signs:
He is not 6'10, he may grow to be 6'10, but isn't right now. I would say he is around 6'8.
Missed 3 of 4 free throws.
What I think he will be like at North Texas:
I think he is going to be a strong, reliable, and consistent power forward. Don't expect him to dominate like Shawnson Johnson or anything, but he will be a guy that gets rebounds, sets picks, and defends. When the time comes for him to be a major contributor, I expect him to be very strong. He already has some muscle on him, and after he gets on a program at NT, he will add more. When I first came in and was let down by his size I was down on his signing, but as the game went on, I found myself smiling more and more.
Final line:
23 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocks, 3 turnovers, 1 foul
I will try to catch him tomorrow, Thursday, or both at this tournament and have a little more to go off of. I wore my gray North Texas shirt but didn't really yell for him. If anyone wants to go the game tomorrow, he plays at 11:00 am at Haltom High School, PM me or post on here and we could wear green and show him some North Texas support. If that is a bad time, he will play again on Thursday, TBD.

Thanks for the scouting report, coach.

Coach · December 30, 2004

I went and saw Howe & Howerton play again today at the Whataburger tournament. Today they beat Fort Worth Christian 62-56.

Howerton had by my count, 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks.

Even though his numbers weren't as good as Tuesday, he showed me a lot more today. FWC was much, much deeper than Howe and pushed the ball every possesion. Howerton showed the ability to stay out on the break, and was never burned by it.

He shot free throws MUCH better today, and looked good doing so, I would take free throws off my "not so good" list from Tuesday now. He also hit a nice mid-range jumper from the high post. Also, from the high post he had a nice pass to a cutting teammate.

The play that made me the most excited out of either game about Howerton came late in the game. Howe was clinging to a 3 point lead and there was a loose ball. Howerton outran 3 FWC guards to get the loose ball. He really has some quickness and I saw why Texas A&M wanted him and why Jones signed him. He was once again strong inside, and does a remarkable job of blocking out for rebounds and blocking shots without using the body.

scoop dog · January 3, 2005

I saw Howerton play a good number of times this summer, and the evaluation from coach on this post seems like a very good one.

Justin is not a great leaper, and he is somewhat slow of foot, but he does work very hard, and I would also point out that he is an extremely tough kid. He is a warrior through and through, and always plays hard against contact.