Five Takeaways: Bishop McNamara vs Bishop Loughlin
In the third annual Shirts vs Skins Basketball Classic, Bishop McNamara faced off against Bishop Loughlin in the second match up of the opening day of action. McNamara squeaked by with a 75-74 win in a game that offered plenty of excitement and big plays.
Here are five takeaways:
McNamara rides Garrett Kirkland’s hot shooting
Kirkland finished with a team-high 19 points that included three three’s. He got off to a scorching start by scoring 10 of his 19 in the first quarter to help set the tone for the Mustangs. Because of his ability to knock down three’s in bunches, the defense had to focus on him for the remainder of the game, which spaced the floor in the half court and presented open lanes for driving teammates.
Justin Champagnie puts on a show for the Lions
Champagnie put on a scoring clinic for the Lions finishing with a game-high 22 points. What made it so impressive was how he scored from all three levels. Whatever look the defense gave them, he made them pay. In the fourth quarter, he erupted for 12 points to bring the Lions back late in the game before they eventually came up short. The 6’6 wing should be on the radar of college coaches looking for a versatile, scoring wing.
McNamara shows relentless energy
The Mustangs were severely out-matched when it came to size differential. There were points during the game where they struggled to limit Bishop Loughlin to one shot, but they were as close to perfect as you can get in areas such as forcing turnovers, diving on the floor and making the little plays that ultimately help you win games. McNamara’s zone defense led by Nigel Marshall‘s pressure at the top caused issues for the Lions’ guard and resulted in plenty of fast break opportunities.
Nigel Marshall continues his strong overall play
Marshall has been a valued transfer thus far for the Mustangs. He continued his high level of play against Bishop Loughlin, scoring 12 points and made his routine three or four uber-athletic finishes. He was also key on the glass, and although he stands 6’4, his strength and athleticism countered the pure height of the Lions’ frontcourt.
Looking forward for the Mustangs
Since escaping with this win against Bishop Loughlin, the Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season to IMG Academy (FL). Nevertheless, they’ve had some key wins to start their season and will look to keep it going as we approach the bulk of team’s schedules. In the next couple of weeks, they’ll have tough games against teams such as St. Mary’s Ryken, St. John’s and Bishop Ireton.