’20 Jamal West has been the x-factor for St. Frances in the postseason

Colby Giacubeno February 24, 2019 @ 11:15 AM

Difference-making players make big plays in big games. That's exactly what Jamal West has been doing for the 30-5 St. Frances Panthers in their two postseason games in the past week. In the opening round against Annapolis Area, the 6-foot-5 forward finished with a dominant double-double performance of 41 points and 12 rebounds. This performance followed a very disappointing outing in their regular season finale against Mt. St. Joe.   "That game really woke me up," West told Prep Hoops. "I just came in too excited and I started overthinking everything. My teammates kept trying to get me to play my game, but for some reason I just couldn't get my head right and settle down. After that, I got straight in the gym and told coach that I need to refocus myself."   It's hard for West to really have a bad game considering the energy and intensity he plays with every second he's on the floor, but in that game against Mt. St. Joe, you could tell he was trying to force the issue when he got the ball on the block. Since then, he's been patient in letting the game come to him offensively, and it's paid off for both himself and his team.   Following his 41-point outburst, West logged an efficient 14 points against Boys' Latin in the semifinal match up.   Where St. Frances has been so impressive in postseason play is on the defensive side of the ball. Their guards pick up as soon as the ball crosses half court. They have a number of guards who can pressure the ball while staying in good position and the guards who are playing off the ball are determined to deny their man. Sometimes it results in touch fouls throughout the game, but the constant pressure on the opposing back court wears them down. West is a part of the back line that protects the rim, limits the offense to one-shot possessions and is responsible for specific ball-screen coverage.   They'll need to be locked in this afternoon more than ever against Mt. St. Joe. The Gaels have defeated them twice this season, but the winner of this match up will be crowned as the MIAA A Conference champion.   "It's going to be a dog fight," West continued, "we know what we have to do now. We can't allow them to dictate our actions and we have to get out on them early on the defensive end. We've watched all of the film and we know what we have to do. Now, we just have to execute."