NHSHF: NCA vs. Albany Academy
Sunday, the National High School Hoops Festival continues, with its first high school battle boasting National Christian Academy talking on Albany Academy. Tip-off is 1030a EST.
Below is a brief write up on the match up. Scroll to this page's bottom for general NHSHF information.
National Christian Academy (MD)
“They are trying to find their own identity” said head coach Trevor Brown of where his team is right now. “Can’t live off of Chris Matthews, Mohammed (Kabir, both former NCA standouts)…they are starting to realize that. We’ve taken two losses, we’re injured, but it’s still two losses”.
Nevertheless, the Eagles can meet that challenge. “We’re long, athletic and for the most part they play hard. The majority of them” noted Brown. “They’re pretty interchangeable…6’5”, to 6’7 that kind of play multiple positions”
Schemes: “All the teams I’ve coached, there has never been one player who does the scoring, with a few exceptions” said Brown on how his squads put the ball in the basket. “Offensively, we’re trying to get everybody involved. Trying to get four people in double figures and showcase their skills”. The latter is important, as the coach opined “Basketball now is turning into what skill set you provide…What skill set does the kid have you can maximize”.
Defensively the Eagles “Just change up according to the team we’re playing. Try to play different defenses” he revealed. That includes man or zone.
A few players of note: “Terrance Lewis is going to be our most consistent scorer” noted Brown. “You can expect 15 to 20 (points) from him, every night”. Lewis is 6’5”, 175 pounds, excels 17 feet in offensively and has no offers, though Radford, Rider and JMU have shown love. Brown labeled the senior “a hybrid guy”.
The Eagles are led on the court by poing guard Jimmy Kadeh. A 5’11”, 175 pound floor leader, Kadeh is a sophomore whose recruitment is fledgling.
X-factor: “Whose probably going to make the difference is Irwayne Connel, Jr.” shared Brown. “He’s real athletic, has had a triple double. Can shoot it, put it on the floor a little, is good around the basket”.
At 6’8”, 200 pounds as a senior frontcourt guy, Connell is expected to be courted by “low to mid major Division I” schools, per Brown.
Albany Academy (NY)
According to their coach, Brian Fruscio, his team is still in the midst of finding itself, as “It’s tough because we have some vets, and some young guys trying to cut their teeth”. To be clear “Our young guys are going to be in their second varsity game this week”.
In sum he noted “So far our leaders are leading and followers are following”.
Schemes: Fruscio said of his offensive focus “I think we run sets on the offensive end, and run…If we don’t get what we want, we try and get some kind of set”.
Defensively “We try to be a Michigan State scenario – we try to guard in man and rebound”. Doing so has led to New York State success, including a crown last season.
A few players of note: Hameir Wright immediately jumps out; an eventual ’18 guy that will prep next season, the 6’9”, 205 pound Wright is “a wing, but as any good high school player understands, he’ll go into the paint for us at some points”. Wright can post, drive and shoot the rock.
Colleges have taken notice, with Fruscio indicating “I just talked to Miami and Michigan State”, while Maryland, Kansas, Villanova, Syracuse plus Penn State have all recruited him to various degrees.
Captain, senior point guard and good student Will Bennett (5’11”, 165 pounds) is being evaluated by Ivy League along with high academic Division I and Division III schools, per Fruscio. Heady and on the controls, Bennett made NY All State Tournament last year.
X-factor: Fruscio tabbed two guys with this label, senior forward C.J. Mulvey and sophomore shooting guard August Mahoney.
The former (6’8”, 215 pounds) finishes well around the rim using both hands and good footwork, while also stretching defenses. Alternatively, the latter (6’2”, 160 pounds) tickles the twin from multiple perimeter spots.
Vermont and Albany have inquired about Mahoney, while Mulvey, a good student himself, is getting Division I and III love.
