Most Intriguing Prospects: Patterson vs Curley
In a rare Saturday afternoon game, Patterson hosted Archbishop Curley for a season-opening match up. The expectations surrounding Patterson were uncertain. Senior wing Marvin Price transferred back after a year at Huntington Prep, but was sidelined all spring and summer…
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Continue ReadingIn a rare Saturday afternoon game, Patterson hosted Archbishop Curley for a season-opening match up. The expectations surrounding Patterson were uncertain. Senior wing Marvin Price transferred back after a year at Huntington Prep, but was sidelined all spring and summer with a knee injury. Price led the Clippers to a 2A title two seasons ago, but there were questions if he could return back to that form. Jalen Willis transferred from Joppatowne to give Patterson a strong, physical presence on the wing that can also guard bigs down low. These two added with an already dangerous backcourt of Gerard Mungo, TJ Thomas and Zack Blackwell make one of the top starting fives in the area, but it still had to be proven.
Well, it was. Right from the opening tip. The Clippers dismantled the Friars by a final score of 95-53 as they looked to send an early statement to the city. Here are the most intriguing prospects from the game.
Marvin Price | 6’5 | ’19 Patterson
I know this was only one game, but it’s safe to say that Marvin Price is back. He looked even better than the version two years ago that averaged 28 points and won Co-Player of the Year with Jalen Smith (Maryland). Price finished this one with a game-high 27 points in just three quarters of play. What impressed me most was his ability to shoot from three. Price made five three’s, all off of catch-and-shoot scenarios. One was 5-to-6 feet behind the arc. He looked in rhythm and collected when he was shooting, which was a different story a few weeks ago when I saw him in a scrimmage where he was rushing. Aside from him killing Curley from deep, he let his presence be known inside crashing the offensive glass. Patterson has solid size this season, but they’ll depend on Price often, as he is the tallest on the court for them on most cases. He filled lanes extremely well in transition and as a result, saw plenty of easy lay ups come his way.
Gerard Mungo | 6’1 | ’19 Patterson
Mungo is one of the underrated prospects not just in Baltimore, but the state as a whole. In terms of production, he can give you so much from the guard position. He’s very shifty with the ball and after he breaks his man down, his favorite move is to pull up from 12-15 feet where he is very efficient. He has a strong frame and good athleticism that allow him to finish through contact around the rim. Mungo can also stretch the defense with his shot from three. He capitalized yesterday in transition breaking away for catch-and-shoot three’s on the wing. Defensively he’s versatile in that he can guard point guards to small forwards. His combination of quickness and physicality allow him to be effective in many situations as a defender. The Millersville commit finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Denari Boykins | 6’4 | ’21 Curley
There weren’t many positive moments in this game for the Friars, but the fact that their sophomore wing finished with 20 points said something. As a team it seemed like they had given up early when Patterson came out and punched them in the mouth from the start, but Boykins let his presence be known even late in the game. Boykins finished with 20 points including three three’s. He showed good athleticism after throwing down a one-handed dunk in transition with Patterson players around him. Curley wanted no parts of Patterson’s physicality, but Boykins had an aggressive mindset when he drove to the basket and it paid off.
TJ Thomas | 6’2 | ’20 Patterson
Thomas filled his role of being a floor general as he usually does. Except now this season, he’s equipped with more scorers around him. Patterson plays at a hectic pace and it has to do with Thomas’ initiative as an outlet that is always looking to advance the ball. Often times, he’s crashing the defensive glass himself so that he can spark a quick score for his team. In this game, the 6-foot-2 guard finished with eight points, nine rebounds and eight assists. His stat line is a good representation for what he brings. A conductor at the point guard position with ability to hit open three’s off of drive-and-kick passes.
Jalen Willis | 6’4 | ’19 Patterson
Willis is a bull in a china shop with the ball. Whenever he gets it, he bullies his way to the rim and finishes strong. It’s another wrinkle this Patterson needed desperately in comparison to last year’s roster. Willis sat the first quarter for unknown reasons, but came off the bench to score 12 points in two quarters of action. Aside from his offensive ability, Willis is one of the best wing defenders you’ll find in the area again because of his physicality. He has the strength to guard any position on the floor. His jumper is the glaring weakness in his game, but yesterday he even converted on the lone three-pointer that he attempted. I’d assume he will start the rest of the way, completing a very strong starting five for head coach Harry Martin.
Zack Blackwell | 5’11 | ’19 Patterson
Blackwell is a pest at all times. Whether it’s defensively in how he constantly pressure the ball, or offensively when he’s driving to the basket seeking any contact he can get. The 5-foot-11 guard finished with 13 points in this one, nailing three three’s. He did a nice job finding openings around the perimeter when Curley when zone defensively and making them pay. On defense, he hounded the ball handler immediately when they crossed half court. Even when his man doesn’t have the ball, Blackwell is always looking to sneak up on whoever does and pick their pocket. Doing this both helps and hurts him in situations, but yesterday, it was a plus.