10 Best St. Johns vs St. Vincent Palloti
12-5-17, St. Vincent Pallotti HS. 113 St. Marys Place, Laurel, MD 27007
We would like to thank St. Vincent Pallotti HS Athletic Director Pat Courtemanche, Head Basketball Coach Dennis Murphy (pictured right) for their hospitality at their beautiful high School & gymnasium. Special Thanks to Head St. Johns basketball Coach Patrick Behan & his Assistant Coaches.
Last nights contest featured 2 great Catholic Schools located less than 15 miles apart. St. Johns plays in the Washington, DC 10 team WCAC , while St. Vincent Pallotti belongs to the Baltimore MIAA Red Conference which includes schools BCL Schools & McDonogh. The Panthers play a very tough schedule which includes all the top tier BCL teams which are all members of the the MIAA Red or Black Divisions. The one exception is St. Maria Goretti who play in the BCL & not the MIAA.
This game was a dogfight & a great one for us to watch. When a game is this intense there is usually some chirpiness, but it was minor & in the competitive spirit. The Panthers took the lead in the 1st quarter & widened it in the second & were lead by Gilbert Otoo & Richard Mallory, but Casey Morsell hit back to back 3s to keep SJC within striking distance. The Panthers took control of the 3rd quarter, but Casey Morsell & a revved up SJC defense willed their back into the game. At around the 3 minute mark in the 4th quarter SJC took charge & held off the Panthers 60-54 to even the Cadets record at 1-1. Despite the loss we have very high regard for St. Vincent Pallotti.
St. Johns College HS Cadets. 60 St. Vincent Pallotti Panthers 54
Player of the Game/MVP: Casey Morsell 6’3″ CG, 2019. St. Johns Cadets.
Casey Morsell played a superb overall basketball game & carried SJC on his shoulders. He did everything including scoring a game high 31 points from every angle & distance. He played with a fierce intensity the entire game & his performance was on of the best we have seen in the last year. Casey powered his way inside for rebounds, delivered some great passes, & played very tough defense. This summer Casey took his jumper to another level with superb shot preparation, high elevation, a quick release & beyond the college 3 point line range. During games he makes great decisions on when to break break down his defender off the dribble, score from which level or facilitate.Despite posting 31 points Casey can impact the game without scoring,is a great teammate & winner. Prep Hoops rate Casey at #3 in our very strong & deep 2019 MD/DC rankings & top 125 nationally. Casey has numerous D1 offers which include,Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, George Mason, Penn State, Cincinnati, Penn State, Virginia, Towson State where his older brother Mike is a star senior guard, & a host of other D1 Schools
Offensive Player of the Game : Casey Morsell, St. Johns Cadets
As we mentioned Casey totaled 31 points converting on many critical scores. He handled the ball very well & ran the point on occasion. Casey overpowered his opponent, posted up, ran in transition where he can scored with pull ups with some of them 3s He went to hard to the rim & finished or made the correct pass. Casey is very unselfish & his points came within the framework of the SJC motion offense or transition.
Play of the Game : Casey Morsell, St. Johns Cadets
In each half Casey hit back to back 3 pointers to keep SJC in the game or put the Cadets in the lead.
Best Floor General : Stephen Cannady, 6’0″ PG, 2019. Committed to Wheeling Jesuit College (WV)
We hold Stephen in high regard & he is rated @ #35 in our MD/DC rankings for 2018. Stephen was involved with many key passes, hockey assists & assists last night, He had to deal with a host of SJC guards playing intense on ball defense against him, & he did a very good with ball security & running the Panthers offense. He plays with a very high IQ & while Stephen scored just 5 points last night we know he can hit the 3 ball & score or dish at the rim. He is very reliable & consistent & puts winning 1st.
Best Inside /Out /Versatile : Gilbert Otoo, 6’6″, F, 2019. St. Vincent Pallotti Panthers
Gibert has made great progress this off season playing very well on the Panthers Summer league Team in the DeMatha BSN & with The District Basketball Club. Tonight he scored 16 points & was arguably the second best player on the court. Gilbert has a strong game on all levels & last night showed a superb mid range game in addition to scoring in the paint, baselines & wings. We really like like his live body & bounce, hustle & desire to win, He is a great student & Columbia University of the Ivy League offered him this weekend.
Best Defender : Ishmael Leggett, 6’1″, G, 2020. St. Johns Cadets
Ishmael had an excellent all around game & totaled 10 points with several powerful baskets at the rim where he used his great explosion & vertical. Ish plays with a great motor no matter what the game scenario. He plays with great energy & impacts the game with sheer hustle & performing the intangibles.Last night he dove to the floor numerous times to give SJC possession of the ball. His heart & desire are big weapons for SJC, but Ish at some point this season will go off offensively. On many occasions last might the Cadets played with 4 guards on the floor including 2 PGs. During these periods Ish would battle taller opponents & win most his battles. He is super quick to the ball with great reactions & timing for lose balls, rebounds, & picking his spot for a steal.
Best Under the Radar / Breakout : Mike Mallory, 6’6″, C/F, 2019. St. Vincent Pallotti Panthers.
Michael was the surprise of the evening. The rising junior spent last season on the JV, & is without question a breakout stock riser. He scored 10 points & displayed nice baseline moves, & the ability to score in the paint & mid range. He is very smooth & last week scored 27 points in one game. We really like his mobility, coordination length & court awareness. We will be scouting Michael in the near future & really get a good look at him. Coach Murphy spoke highly of Michael & we are impressed as well.
Best Player off The Bench: Devon Dunn, 6’0″, CG, 2019. St. Johns Cadets
Everything began to click for Devon this summer when he played great basketball for SJC in the DeMatha BSN where we nicknamed Devon “Microwave” after he continually scored in bunches from beyond the 3 point line. However, Devon is much more than a shooter. He can defend, handle the ball & facilitate & really go the rim where he can finish from both sides & hands thru contact. Last night Devon scored 9 huge points & impacted the game on many levels. His play tonight was huge factor in the Cadets win.
Best Underclassman : Victory Naboya, 6’9″, F, 2021. St. Johns Cadets & Delonnie Hunt, 5’10”, PG, 2020. St. Johns Cadets
We are noticing Coach Behan working long & athletic Victory (pictured left) into the SJC games with a gradual increases in playing time. We believe Victory will work his way into the rotation after the Christmas break. Last night he proved he can hold his ground against much older players. We really like his maneuverability in the paint & perimeter. Victory has very quick 1st & second jump & possesses a natural feel for the game. 5’10” sophomore PG Delonnie Hunt has played very well this season in SJCs 1st two games against high caliber teams .However, he has not yet displayed his entire arsenal. Delonnie has great explosion & lift at the rim & will excel in transition.Additionally Delonnie can run the SJC half court offense with his great handle or hit shots from the perimeter. We are very high on Victory & Delonnie & will call this their getting their feet wet period.
Best Intangibles : Richard Njoku, 6’7″ F/C, 2018. St. Johns Cadets. Committed to the USA Naval Academy
SJC needed a lift in the paint & Richard came out with a vengeance in the 2nd half playing in his revved up warrior mode. He made numerous key blocks, collected crucial rebounds &Richard was a force in the paint. He dove to the floor for loose balls & went at the St. Vincent Pallotti offense with a mission to deny. His interior defense was so intense he forced the Panthers outside making them have second thoughts of going to the rim, He clearly did the dirty work & without Richard, SJC would not have gotten their well earned W.
Other Key Players last night.
Amir Warrick, 6’5″, G, 2018. St. Vincent Pallotti Panthers.
Ronnell Giles ,6’4′ G, 2018. St. Vincent Pallotti Panthers.
Kyron Martin, 6’5′ G, 2018. St. Vincent Pallotti Panthers.
Tre Wood, 6’1″,PG, 2018. St. Johns Cadets. Committed to : UMass