2020-21 Catholic League Outlook: John Curtis (Video)
As we’re all painfully aware of, COVID-19 has put a stop to life as we know it since late March. That won’t stop us here at Prep Hoops Louisiana from taking a look towards next season, though, and we’ll start…
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Continue ReadingAs we’re all painfully aware of, COVID-19 has put a stop to life as we know it since late March. That won’t stop us here at Prep Hoops Louisiana from taking a look towards next season, though, and we’ll start with the prestigious Catholic League in New Orleans.
St. Augustine has reigned supreme for the last several seasons in 9-5A and we’ll take a look at each team to see who may have a chance to challenge them in 2020-21. One team will be released each day according to last year’s standings starting with Rummel and ending with the Purple Knights, which will also include a prediction for next year’s standings.
Here’s our outlook on John Curtis:
2019-20 Catholic League Standings
1. St. Augustine | 31-2 (12-0)
2. Brother Martin | 29-6 (9-3)
6. John Curtis | 10-20 (3-9)
JOHN CURTIS
It was a tale of two seasons in 2019-20 for John Curtis. They began the year with an 8-8 record against some pretty stiff competition including wins in their first two Catholic League games over Jesuit (47-44) and Holy Cross (57-52). The last half of the regular season, however, saw the Patriots pick up just one win in 12 tries (Rummel, 53-30) before defeating McKinley, 64-51, in the playoffs prior to a 66-36 loss to Division I runner-up St. Aug.
The good news for Curtis, though, is their top players all return led by 2022 G Buddy Taylor, 2021 G Jourdan Stipe and 2022 G Darius Rockett. I was only able to get eyes on the Patriots once last season, but it may have been Taylor’s best game as he dropped 24 on 8-of-11 shooting including 3-of-4 from three and 5-of-5 from the line in a 53-30 win over Rummel.
He got essentially all of his buckets off the dribble whether it was a jumpshot or layup at the rim, and he also dished out four assists with five rebounds as well. The Patriots are also high on Taylor on the gridiron as the next quarterback to lead the dynastic program.
Taylor’s running-mates Stipe and Rockett added 10 and 17 points in that game, respectively, and the two-sport athlete Stipe showed a pretty smooth jumpshot off the dribble like Taylor. Rockett did most of his work in the second half and is a physical guard that can make an impact on both ends of the floor.
I wouldn’t be overly surprised to see this group finds a way to make life difficult for its Catholic League foes next season led by longtime coach Mike Kracjer.