NHSHF: McNamara vs. Greenforest
A Saturday, December 10th, 2016 tilt, Bishop McNamara and Greenforest Academy's tilt stands as a good interstate, National High School Hoops Festival battle. Tip-off is set for 215p EST. General information is at the bottom of the page.
Following is a look at both teams:
Bishop McNamara (MD)
Skinny: The Mustangs are big and skilled. Just ask assistant coach Brian Inge.
“I would say this team is on the most talented McNamara teams in the last 15 years, top to bottom” opined Inge. “With that being said, we’re really young, but our guys have a lot of experience, been in big games last year, a baptism of fire so to speak”.
Schemes: Expect McNamara to play inside-out on offense, given their size, but don’t assume that means creeping along, as Inge indicated “We don’t want to slow down, we are not afraid to run with anyone”.
Defensively, the Mustangs want to “Just make teams run their offense”, since “we have guards that can pressure and they enjoy rim protection”.
A few players of note: McNamara’s lead horse is senior Jamir Moultrie, a 6’1”, 185 pound guard headed to LaSalle. Moultrie, is on track to become the school’s all-time leading scorer, yet has learned to mix his offense and setting the table for others. He’s a force.
Makhi Mitchell, McNamara’s 6’8”, 240 pound sophomore forward is becoming a nationally known entity, with Georgetown, Cincinnati, Rutgers and Virginia Tech having offered. A guy capable of facing up – where he drives or shoots from midrange – also rebounds and runs the floor. He’s a talent.
As a companion to Moultrie, sophomore guard Jon McGriff stands as an emerging floor leader, one that has learned to play north and south, further enhancing his effectiveness. Kent State has tendered him a scholarship opportunity.
X-factor: Makhel Mitchell, Makhi’s twin brother has impressed Inge, given “He looks really good and will surprise some people. Makhel is probably our best defender, talks the most. Scores around the rim, shoots from midrange and passes well out of the high post”.
The Mitchell Brothers have expressed they will play together in college. Consequently, the same schools have offered each.
Sophomore, 6’5”, 210 pound forward Brandon Joyner has a multifaceted role for McNamara, akin to the NBA’s Draymond Green, according to Inge, as the grinder rebounds, scores in the paint/midrange, shoots, handles the rock, defends, battles and plays with energy and effort.
Losing 20 pounds between this and last year, something Inge correctly noted as rare, has done nothing but enhance Joyner’s impact and team standing.
VS.
Greenforest Academy (GA)
Skinny: The Eagles’ bench leader, Larry Thompson coaches a big high school team, one that’s versatile, or as he put it “We can play a mixture of styles”. Even with guard, captain and leading returning scorer Justin Forrest unavailable due to a broken ankle, Greenforest has options.
Schemes: When attempting to score, the Eagles deploy “False motion, flex” and other attacks, including “Feeding it into bigs versus zone, move it, and penetrate”. Summing he tabbed his squad “An inside-outside team”.
Defensively, Greenforest is holding opponents so far this year to “45 to 50 points per game” shared Thompson. How? “We like to mix up matchup zones”, using the team’s length, though “Typically to start we’ve played man”.
A few players of note: Seven foot, 245 pound senior center Ikey Obiagu anchors the Eagles defensively; a recent commit to FSU, Obiagu is on the short list for best high school shot blocker. He scores around the tin, many times on stick backs and short power moves.
Aiding him down low is senior forward Victor Enoh, who Thompson labeled “A man on the boards”, one that will be a walking double-double for the Eagles. A Memphis signee, Enoh adds more strength, size and length down low.
X-factor: Thompson identified two -seniors David Quimby and Jandan Duggan - the former being a 6’3”, combo guard weighing 175 pounds, the latter a 6’1”, 165 pound guard. They bring different, yet equally indispensable things to the table.
Of Quimby, Thompson shared “He’s stretching the defense, putting it on the floor, creating offensive possession for us”. His offensive impact has helped compensate for Forrest’s unavailability. Lincoln Memorial and Clayton State are recruiting him.
“Duggan is really big for us guarding the other team’s best perimeter guy” noted Thompson. “He’s been a pleasant surprise”. Schools haven’t shown love yet.
