Erik Williams - Houston Chronicle Player of the Week

[Man Clam Chow]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/6265182.html

• Name: Erik Williams, Cypress Springs

• Notable: In wins over Langham Creek and Cypress Ridge, the senior averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds and 15 blocked shots to help the Panthers clinch a playoff berth despite starting district play with three losses.

• Quotable: "He competed every single possession, and he has been fantastic. He has been our anchor defensively."

[Ready2Fly]

15 blocks in one game is absurd, not to mention averaging that over a multiple game stretch.  Can't wait to have him on campus.

[ErickJD08]

15 blocks in one game is absurd, not to mention averaging that over a multiple game stretch.  Can't wait to have him on campus.

30 blocks in two games.  Who is he playing against?  Those girls who got beat 100 to 0?

[Henry Sugar]

From an interview with Erik's HS coach.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/01/erik-williams-high-school-coach-tells.html

What is the most surprising aspect of Williams' game that will impress Marquette hoops fans?
He is a great shot blocker. He has the best timing/coordination combination I have seen at the high school level. He blocks shots with his left hand in order to get his body out of the way. He has had several double digit block games this year, including a school record 16 against Cy-Fair.

[esotericmindguy]

30 blocks in two games.  Who is he playing against?  Those girls who got beat 100 to 0?

He plays 5A ball in Houston, which is quickly becoming one of the best basketball hotbeds in the country.  He's a stud.

[Norm]

Anyone on this board ever get a chance to watch him play?

[Marquette84]

30 blocks in two games.  Who is he playing against?  Those girls who got beat 100 to 0?

Langham Creek is 22-10  (2nd place out of 8 teams, 12-3 in District)
Cypress Ridge is 12-16 (5th place out of 8 teams, 6-7 in District)

As an aside, Williams' team, Cypress Springs, is  in 4th place, 14-17, 8-5 in district.


http://www.chron.com/sports/highschoolsports/results.html?site=default&Season=2008&tpl=Standings&SearchType=Standings&Sport=6&DistrictID=5

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I remember reading that Houston sends an absolutely insane amount of players D1......I would guess his competition is better than MPS, which is a pretty high level.

[esotericmindguy]

I remember reading that Houston sends an absolutely insane amount of players D1......I would guess his competition is better than MPS, which is a pretty high level.

Just a tad, Houston sent 81 kids to Division I schools in 2006 and 2007....no city across the country could match it.  How many does MPS produce?  My guess would be about 4-5 a year.

[ErickJD08]

He plays 5A ball in Houston, which is quickly becoming one of the best basketball hotbeds in the country.  He's a stud.

My comment was more of a joke because I have no idea.  15 blocks in one game is ridiculous regardless of where you play.  That means that he is blocking every attempt near him.  You would have to assume that after the 7th or 8th block, teams would design plays away from him.  Or players not guarded by Williams would be shooting.  Its a crazy stat.  Due to his size, could he be a Maxiell(sp?) from Cincin with more offensive skills type of player?  I would love it because that guy was a blocking machine.    

[HoopsMalone]

It will be nice to have a Terrence Williams type of bigger athletic guy.  Hopefully he can get in some passing lanes with his long arms like Scottie Pippen used to do.  He will compliment Lazar's strength/savvy ability at forward next year if Buzz plays them together. 

[Pakuni]

My comment was more of a joke because I have no idea.  15 blocks in one game is ridiculous regardless of where you play.  That means that he is blocking every attempt near him.  You would have to assume that after the 7th or 8th block, teams would design plays away from him.  Or players not guarded by Williams would be shooting.  Its a crazy stat.  Due to his size, could he be a Maxiell(sp?) from Cincin with more offensive skills type of player?  I would love it because that guy was a blocking machine.    

Or it could be because as a 6'7" kid with long arms, his coach stations him near the rim on defense and he swats at everything that comes near the paint.
Regardless, it's a remarkable stat. I'm not sure I could block 15 shots in a one-on-one game with my five-year-old daughter.

[DaCoach]

I've seen Erik play twice this year. He's great in the open court and has all the tools to be excellent. Remember he was on an outstanding team last year that might have won state if he hadn't busted his foot. This year he's the only returning starter and he and the team struggled to find their identity from the beginning of the season. He had a breakout game a few weeks ago when he got chewed out at halftime. The 2nd half he scored 26 points, I believe, and the team won. Since then he's been a power inside. He shoots only 33% from 3 but about 57% from 2 and he's 70% on the line.

I'd guess he'll have a good but not great start next year. Depending, he may get 15-20 minutes in next year. However, by his soph year he'll be starting and he will have outstanding jr and sr seasons. Above all, he's a great kid who will quietly grow in skills much as Hayward has done. I haven't seen him lately but he's moved more inside because of team needs. I was surprised at his shot blocking stats but it shows his ability to adjust and succeed. He does need to improve his defensive skills on the perimeter but that's true of most big HS players.

[StillAWarrior]

Regardless, it's a remarkable stat. I'm not sure I could block 15 shots in a one-on-one game with my five-year-old daughter.

In all fairness to you, I've seen your daughter play.  She's a stud.

[Skatastrophy]

In all fairness to you, I've seen your daughter play.  She's a stud.

I hope you know Pakuni... otherwise that was a super creepy statement.

[StillAWarrior]

I hope you know Pakuni... otherwise that was a super creepy statement.

Never met him...and only creepy if you have really creepy thoughts.

[bma725]

Or it could be because as a 6'7" kid with long arms, his coach stations him near the rim on defense and he swats at everything that comes near the paint.

Bingo.  From John Harmatuk's interview with CS:

"I need him to protect the paint; block shots and rebound. So he doesn't get the opportunity to guard the ball on the perimeter very often."

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/01/erik-williams-high-school-coach-tells.html

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/6265182.html

• Name: Erik Williams, Cypress Springs

• Notable: In wins over Langham Creek and Cypress Ridge, the senior averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds and 15 blocked shots to help the Panthers clinch a playoff berth despite starting district play with three losses.

• Quotable: "He competed every single possession, and he has been fantastic. He has been our anchor defensively."

Great to hear

[Brewtown Andy]

How is he blocking the shots?  Is it a "look at me, I just sent that ball into the 12th row" block, or is it a Bill Russell style tip to make it a turnover?

[Pakuni]

In all fairness to you, I've seen your daughter play.  She's a stud.

Pfft. She's got no left hand (figuratively speaking, of course).

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I wonder ih he's adept at the ultimate block shot where instead of deflecting the ball you snatch it.