Three Things I liked: Ireton vs. Ryken
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Bishop Ireton advanced to the WCAC Quarterfinals after a 60-47 win at home over St. Mary’s Ryken. Below is a rundown of three things I liked from this contest. IRETON’S RETURNING PROSPECTS James Berry is playing his…
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Continue ReadingALEXANDRIA, VA — Bishop Ireton advanced to the WCAC Quarterfinals after a 60-47 win at home over St. Mary’s Ryken. Below is a rundown of three things I liked from this contest.
IRETON’S RETURNING PROSPECTS
James Berry is playing his best ball of the season right nowWith their senior leader Ethan Lynch dealing with foul trouble, Ireton’s younger players stepped up. Juniors James Berry and Sese Mobutu along with sophomores Ariel Goddot and Sage Uwemedimo each showed promise throughout the game. At 6-foot-4, Berry made an impact with his willingness to rebound in traffic, but also with his shooting ability. Berry knocked down a spot up 3, a catch and shoot 3, and a smooth mid range pull up jumper. Mobutu filled the lanes correctly and showed that he could finish through contact, but also recorded deflections, steals, and blocks with high activity level on defense. Later in the game, Mobutu showcased his trademark pull-up jumper. Goddot was a strong inside presence for the Cardinals. He played with a high motor, was an alert help defender, rebounded and demonstrated good court vision. Uwemedimo, a 6-foot-5 wing, played and defended a variety of positions. He was solid on defense, hit the boards, and showcased his athleticism in transition. Uwemedimo is a speedster who accelerates quickly. He showed that he can really elevate and finish. Another thing I liked about all of the players from Ireton, not just these four, is that they all play off two feet and effectively utilized pump fakes in the paint. Credit Coach Neil Berkman and the Cardinals coaching staff for teaching them proper fundamentals, but also credit the players for implementing them correctly.
DEVIN CEASER’S POTENTIAL
It’s been said before, but it’s worth saying again: now is the time to buy stock in 2021 point guard prospect Devin Ceaser. Ceaser doesn’t turn 16 until the summer, and is still clearly growing into his body, but is becoming more athletic each time we see him. He’s a very good shooter with a smooth, quick release, but can also make shots from the catch, in spot up situations, and off the bounce. Ceaser has intriguing length which help him create havoc defensively. He anticipates well and accelerates quickly which results in deflections, back tips, and sometimes blocked shots. Ceaser does tend to leave his feet when challenging shots, but he should learn at times its better to keep his feet. With the ball in his hands, Ceaser is a confident dribbler with the quickness to blow by defenders and create space for his shot. He does need to improve his decision making as he tends to get out of control at times because he’s playing too fast. It will be a lot of fun to watch this kid continue to grow and develop throughout the remainder of his high school career, and the sky really is the limit for him.
KOUBA KNOCKING DOWN SHOTS
By the end of the first quarter, Jack Kouba had already drained three triples. He settled down for a while, and then almost knocked down his fifth shortly after burying a fourth late in the third quarter. In the past, Kouba never really showcased the type of confidence in his shot we’ve seen recently, and was known more for his toughness and defense. This is a testament to the work he’s put in, and he deserves some love for that. We’d also like to congratulate Kouba on his recent commitment to Catholic University. The Cardinals have done a nice job landing high quality talent from the DMV.