NHSHF: DeMatha vs. Wheeler

The last Saturday, National High School Hoops Festival tilt lines up DeMatha Catholic and Wheeler, hailing from Maryland and Georgia, respectively. Fans are in for a treat, one that starts at 915p.

Basic event information is at the bottom of this article, while a look at these teams follows immediately:

DeMatha Catholic (MD)

Nationally known as a basketball power, DeMatha Catholic has a rich hoops tradition. Apparently, it’s likely to continue into at least the near future.

“We have some veteran leadership returning, and some very good young players” said head Stag Mike Jones. “It provides a good mix for us this year, and obviously going forward”.

Schemes: “With the versatility we have, we’ve got some shooters, can put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket, and some really good post players” ran down Jones on his offense's attack. “We have not had many good post players in a few years. The focus is to get it inside”.

That isn’t the only way DeMatha wants to score, as Jones reiterated “We can play a multitude of ways”. That goes for defending also; “When we’re big we can play zone and half court defense. When we play smaller guys we can get up and down the floor and press…Versatility describes this team, we can play a bevy of ways”.

A few players of note: Senior guard/forward D.J. Harvey is the headliner this year. A 6’5”, 185 pound athletic performer, Harvey has become a shot maker who will likely be the Stags’ offensive go-to. He’s headed to Notre Dame.

Ryan Allen mans both guard positions, where he uses his strength and speed to score, shoot, defend and dime. The Delaware Blue Hens welcome him next year.

Patrolling the lane is 6’9”, 235 pound, UConn bound Josh Carlton. A senior who has worked hard to fine tune his post skills, Carlton is also capable of scoring in the post rebounding, rim protection transitioning cup to cup. He gives the Stags an advantage inside.

X-factor: Jones identified Justin Moore as somebody who "is going to have a huge impact on our team”. Moore, a 6’3”, 190 pound sophomore guard “will play three positions” for DeMatha, and given his ability to drive, shoot and pass "will have games where he scores 25 points, others when he has eight assists”. Jones summed “He epitomizes our versatility”.

Xavier, ODU and Notre Dame have all tendered Moore scholarship offers. G’Town and Maryland are showing interest.

Wheeler (GA)

Head Wheeler Wildcat Doug Lipscomb likes where his squad is now and its direction. Though he allowed “We just have to continue to get better as a team”, Lipscomb stated “I think we play well together” and perform in an up tempo manner on both sides of the floor. That’s bad news for foes.

Schemes: Offensively the Wildcats are flexible, leaving Lipscomb to say “It depends on what they (opponents) are playing” defensively. The common denominator is “We try and make sure we execute”.

“We try play zone, play man to man” stated the coy Lipscomb on his defensive approach. It’s really depending on the opponent. We will press”.

A few players of note: Jordan Usher is a Wildcat to pay attention to; A 6’7”, 220 pound senior forward headed to USC in 2017, Lipscomb simply responded “All of the above” when asked if Usher could slash and shoot. He’s a skilled presence.

New York transplant Jordan Tucker must also be acknowledged - standing 6’7” and 200 pounds, Tucker is a senior swingman that shoots, drives and finishes, putting the ball in the hoop. Going forward, his size will give one of the colleges on his recently released final five list of “Syracuse, Villanova, Indiana, Maryland and Arizona”, perimeter position flexibility in 2017.

Louisville-bound, Darius Perry runs the Wildcat’s show as a point guard. This class of 2017 floor general is offensive minded, excelling in up tempo environments. He’s a 6’2”, 185 pound force to be reckoned with, one that dimes, pulls up from deep and gets into the lane, while also being a threat to pluck steals.

X-factor: Future Auburn forward E.J. Montgomery scores “inside and out”, per Lipscomb. A Class of 2018 guy, Montgomery stands 6’9” and 210 pounds.