Five Takeaways: St. Frances vs Archbishop Spalding
St. Frances put their 10-game winning streak on the line last night as they hosted MIAA/BCL foe Archbishop Spalding. Spalding had gotten off to an impressive start in league play with a 5-1 record, but the Panthers are a team…
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Continue ReadingSt. Frances put their 10-game winning streak on the line last night as they hosted MIAA/BCL foe Archbishop Spalding. Spalding had gotten off to an impressive start in league play with a 5-1 record, but the Panthers are a team simply on another level talent and skill wise. When it was all said and done, St. Frances reigned victorious by a final score of 88 to 61.
Steady Staten
When you look at St. Frances’ roster on paper, Khyrie Staten would be one of the last rotational players your eyes would stick to. However, the 6-foot-1 junior guard has been the most consistent scorer on the team this year and led the Panthers last night with 16 points. He connected on two three’s and finished a handful of lay ups thanks to St. Frances’ trapping full court defense. It’s been impressive to see Staten’s development from last season. He’s not just scoring, he’s doing so efficiently.
Whitmore has fast start
The 6-foot-7 sophomore has adjusted smoothly after being sidelined his entire freshman season with an injury. Whitmore got to work early by attacking the rim off the dribble. When he wasn’t finishing with soft touch, he was drawing fouls and converting at the stripe. His production teetered off in the second half, as St. Frances was causing a plethora of turnovers in the backcourt. Whitmore finished with nine points in the contest.
Reese is the definition of an enforcer
Julian Reese has made a strong argument in the early goings here this season to be the front runner for Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 junior finished this game with six blocks, which is a total that is becoming a consistent result. Reese also had 13 points, including a couple of finishes over the rim. One thing that I liked to see from Reese is his improved ability and confidence in putting the ball on the floor. A few times after corralling a rebound or steal, his guards wouldn’t be open so Reese took it upon himself to push in transition and pull up from mid-range. He didn’t convert on any of the shots, but he was in rhythm and didn’t allow the situation to get him uncomfortable. It’s good to see that he’s continuing to expand his skill set while approaching the game with a defensive mindset.
Rivers finds his mark
There wasn’t many options in the paint for the Cavaliers offensively. St. Frances’ size and athleticism prohibits many clean looks around the rim, but fortunately for Spalding, they have a few guys who can really shoot from three. 2022 guard Josh Rivers was that guy last night. The 6-foot-2 sharpshooter converted on four triples, two of which had range. Rivers is a prospect we’ve kept an eye on since growing significantly from his freshman year. As he adjusts to the varsity level and physicality, he’ll be known as one of the better shooters you can find in the DMV by the time he’s a senior.
St. Frances is simply overwhelming
Spalding came out with a ton of fight in the first five minutes of the game. It looked as though they could actually keep up with St. Frances, but once they applied their full court trapping press, Spalding slowly lost control. That’s what has happened with pretty much every team that’s faced St. Frances. One way or another, they wear you down over time. Their length, athleticism and effort all overwhelm their opponents. They turn turnovers into points in the blink of an eye whether it be a transition dunk from 2020 Jordan Toles, 2020 Jahmal Banks or 2020 Jamal West, or a transition three from Staten, 2020 Ace Baldwin, or 2021 Byron Ireland. There’s so many options, which makes the opponent’s window for error minimal.