DMV Tip-Off Classic: McNamara vs. North Point
The WCAC's Bishop McNamara takes on North Point of the SMAC tomorrow night in DMV Tip-Off Classic action. The tilt has a 900p start time.
Enjoy a look at McNamara below. DMV Tip-Off general information is available at article's bottom.
Bishop McNamara (MD)
Having lost star of the show Jamir Moultrie for an indefinite period, Bishop McNamara’s Mustangs have started the season slow, taking a few losses on the chin. To be exact at the time of this writing, McNamara is 0-5.
How is the team adjusting to not having Moultrie, the senior, LaSalle-committed guard, one of the best lead guys in the DMV?
"It’s been a little rough. We knew it would be tough without him” opined assistant coach Brian Inge, when posed the question. On the positive side, Inge noted “They’re getting a lot of good experience, especially the Big Three, in trying to carry a team when Jamir comes back “and “Even though they are taking losses, they are getting lessons that will help us later in the season”.
What trio was he talking about?
First in line is sophomore guard Jonathan McGriff, a 5’8’, 160 pound, lightening quick sophomore penetrator. Inge noted of McGriff without Moultrie, “For him, he’s had his ups and downs. Early on he was good, but has gotten to a point where he thinks he needs to do too much…if he keeps it simple, does what he does, he’s a really good guard”.
That would be a breaking down defenses off the bounce – increasingly in a straight line – finding teammates and pulling up. The last point, shooting, has been a real point of development for the lefty.
Up next are the twins, Makhi and Makhel Mitchell. The former (6’8”, 240 pounds) and latter (6’9”, 250 pounds) are an interior presence for McNamara, each capable of scoring, rebounding and defending in the paint. Makhi has a better pull up game, while Makhel is more likely to finish through contact.
Inge revealed the Brothers Mitchell - sophomore twins - are a little further along than McGriff in adjusting to Moultrie’s absence, though “They need to step out and be more assertive. They’re really good players and really good kids, they want to be team players. For us right now we need them to push the issue a little bit”.
In terms of recruitment, Kent State has offered McGriff, while G’Town, Cincy, Virginia Tech and Rutgers have done the same to both Makhel and Makhi.
Offensively, the Mustangs still attempt to play inside out, though in Moultrie’s absence can’t rely on him to get everyone involved and bail out stagnant sets. Additionally, the need for ball handlers outside of McGriff exists, leaving opportunities for 5’11”, 170 pound senor Charles Kelly and Garrett Kirkland, a 6’1”, 160 pound sophomore Inge labeled “probably our best outside shooter” to step up and fill the role.
On defense, McNamara is still not a high pressure team, instead choosing to make foes flawlessly run their stuff. Again, perimeter players like Kirkland and Kelly are thrust into the fray, plus those with minutes under their belt, who must all step up to make it happen.
If the Mustangs can handle this storm, one likely to continue in the DMV Tip-Off Classic since Moultrie is not believed to be available, the struggle could have excellent benefits down the road.
