Chaminade-Madonna player preview
With the basketball season a little more than a week away, I took a visit to Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood to check out the Lions as they gear up for the upcoming season. Last year, the Lions went 21-7 before falling…
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Continue ReadingWith the basketball season a little more than a week away, I took a visit to Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood to check out the Lions as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Last year, the Lions went 21-7 before falling to University School in the Florida Class 5A regional playoffs. Chaminade will look to replace one of the top players in the state last year in Toumani Camara. A freshman at Georgia, Camara put on one of the best performances I saw last season when he dropped 40 points on American Heritage at the I Have A Dream MLK Challenge. While he is a tough player to replace, the Lions do return an array of talent for coach Andre Torres.
Let’s break down some of the players.
Andre Weir – 6’9,230 F/Sr. A Northeastern commit, Weir is a big body who could naturally seal out space against defenders in the paint. Furthermore, he possess great hands and footwork to finish around the rim. This was on display firsthand as a junior when he showed flashes offensively against University School and current Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr. An element to his game that might surprise you is his ability to get out and stretch the floor. Don’t be surprised if you see Weir square up from deep this season for the Lions.
“I’m a strong post player that can step out and shoot a little bit,” said Weir. “I’m a solid rebounder who could play good defense and use my body.”
Johnny O’Neil – 6’8,170 W/Sr. O’Neil just recently picked up an offer from American University and they would be lucky to have him. The senior has developed his game inside-out and can flat out shoot the basketball. While defenses should remain cognizant of his range, O’Neil can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim for an easy bucket. He should be a lethal weapon in the Lions transition game and off kick outs on offensive rebounds.
“I’m a stretch four and my strength is my shot,” said O’Neil. “I can use my length to rebound and block shots. I think my guard skills are a strong element to my game and makes me a versatile player.”
Thaddius Franklin – 6’3,190 G/Jr. Franklin is currently playing football for the Lions but will join the team once the season is over. Committed to Miami at running back, Franklin is a tough kid who will naturally take his size and strength on the gridiron to the court. Seeing him last year, he is not a guy you want to get in the way of when he gets rolling to the paint. Franklin could wear down a team defense in a hurry in the fourth quarter and get to the foul line.
Danny Neumann – 6’0,170 G/Sr. One of the strengths of the Lions this year will be depth and experience in the backcourt, which includes Neumann. Torres describes him as one of the best shooters on the team, which is a scary thought when you have players like O’Neil on the roster as well.
Justin Allen – 6’1,170 G/Sr. A big guard who will be active in transition for the Lions. An active defender with good hands, Allen should rack up steals for the Lions and create opportunities for his teammates on the offensive end. All the guards for the Lions are very shifty in the open floor, which was evident in practice.
Outlook: If the Lions have a big season, look for a key stretch in January to be the difference. Chaminade faces the likes of U-School, Stranahan, Calvary Christian and Gulliver Prep. With its shooting ability, the Lions can jump on any team in a hurry and will be a tough out for anyone to put away.