St Thomas Moore Wins the National Prep Championship: Day #2 Recap

March 11, 2011 Norman Waterman

Andre Drummond is all smiles and was named MVP

National Prep Championship: Day #2

Semifinals Game #1:

11:00AM St Thomas Moore 90, Hargrave Academy 76

Recap:           

St Thomas Moore lost to Hargrave at Hoop Hall 2011 by 20-points in January and clearly had revenge on their mind as they lined up against them in the National Prep School Championship.  Hargrave features an impressive roster of talent, by St Thomas Moore had a different aura about them this week and appeared supremely focused on the task at hand-a championship. 

The game was close early as Hargrave Senior big-man was out to prove he could compete with much heralded Andre Drummond.  Drummond was out played in January, but would have none of that today.  Early Drummond cleanly and emphatically blocked a dunk attempt by Barksdale.  It was a sign of things to come from the talented junior.  Barksdale did score 23 for the game, but that speaks more to his effort to clean up misses that were challenged by Drummond than it does his outplaying him.  Drummond dominated the game physically and changed the way Hargrave played. Senior Dez Wells was unable to penetrate and finish above the rim with Drummond patrolling the paint.  Wells finished with only 3-points and sat out much of the second half. 

It also forced Senior Point Guard Marquis Rankin into a different mode of play because the paint was closed and as the game wore on, it was apparent they did not have the ability on this day to adjust.  St Thomas Moore led by 7 at the half and came out in the second half strong.  St Thomas opened up the lead to 10 early in the second half and led by as many 12 before Senior PJ Hairston and crew made a little run but it was too little too late.  St Thomas Moore poured it on late, made free throws and won by 14 when the buzzer sounded.

Stars:

St Thomas Moore Senior Damion Lee was impressive.  He showed a nice touch on his deep jumpers, solid handle as he took the ball to the rack and impressive athleticism with strong finishes at the cup. Lee is uncommitted, but showed he can play at a high level.  He was clearly the emotional leader of the team.

St Thomas Moore Senior Roy Mabrey is heading to Division two St. Anselm’s College in the fall and showed why they are excited to have him.  Mabrey showed a soft touch from deep as he nailed 4 threes and also displayed a knack for finding open sport on the floor.

Hargrave Senior CJ Barksdale is joining teammates Marquis Rankin and Robert Brown at Virginia Tech this fall and showed he will not be intimidated by the ACC.  Barksdale spent the entire game banging bodies with Drummond and more than held his own.  He cleaned up on the glass and showed some nice post moves while scoring 23.  There was no fear as he tried a couple of times to dunk on Drummond, but the big fella would have none of it.  Barksdale displayed a good motor and excellent quickness around the paint.

Underclassmen:

As is the case most of the time when talking underclassmen in America, it begins and ends with Drummond.  I’d seen him play 4 or 5 times and had never come away this impressed.  Some thought he was good on Tuesday, but I thought he had more in him.  This game showed he does.  He dominated the paint by challenging every shot, bumping cutters off their mark and making it impossible to drive to the basket successfully.  Drummond finished at the rim with power and finesse, though he still touched the ball far too little for a player of his skill set.  Playing with a group of Seniors, the big Junior often seems to be deferring to his older teammates and that has led to indifferent performances and questions of his motor.  Not after today.  He ran the floor like a gazelle and set himself up for scores several times.  He had only 14-points, but it was an efficient 14 and easily could have been 24 had an extra pass or two been made.  Games like this are why scouts drool when his name is mentioned.

Semifinals Game #2:

1PM Game: Notre Dame Prep (MA) 76, Brewster Academy (NH) 71

Recap:

Coming off of an emotional win the previous day against Tilton, ND Prep came out a little sluggish against Brewster Academy.  Early in the first half, the ND offense struggled to find the same rhythm it had the day before.  Senior Todd Mayo sensed that and basically took over and scored 16 of the 34 points ND Prep had in the first half.  For Brewster it was an effective defensive half, but a half that could be seen as a lost opportunity.  Senior Markus Kennedy was all but unstoppable, though he only scored 11 points.  With more touches he could have had 20 or more, because his size and strength were something ND could not handle.

The second half saw ND Prep find their game more and begin to control tempo.  Junior Ricardo Ledo, who was unstoppable in the quarterfinals started to find some rhythm, but was clearly the focus of the Brewster defense.  They forced Ledo left all day and trapped him off of every pick and roll situation.  To his credit, while clearly frustrated and showing it, he never forced shots and had at least 3 shots rim out after being half way down.  With his partner slowed, Mayo continued his dominance in the second half.  Mayo finished with 33 for the game, including several big shots down the stretch.  ND Prep adjusted their defense and held Kennedy to only 6-second half points, which provided them the edge they needed because their perimeter players were stronger on this day. 

Stars:

ND Prep Senior Todd Mayo was again the focal point of the offense and responded once again.  Adam Zagoria is reporting on Twitter that Mayo was just offered a scholarship by West Virginia after this week’s performance, and it’s easy to see why.  He has a complete offensive game and can score on anyone in any way.  He showed a strong jump shot and pull up, while also displaying the ability to finish in traffic amongst the tall tress.

Brewster Senior Markus Kennedy showed once again he is ready for Big East.  In the first half he was unstoppable and scored almost every time he touched the ball, though touches were limited.  He has great footwork in the post and uses his size and width to his advantage really well.

Brewster Senior Nadir Tharpe is an interesting player.  Content to run the show, Tharpe sensed hi team needed some points late and scored 8-points in the last 6-minutes, but it was just not enough.  He doesn’t shoot much, but can get in the paint against anyone, makes good decisions and is a true point guard.

Underclassmen:

ND Prep Junior Ricardo Ledo was held to 14 points in the game and showed some signs of frustration.  Ledo was the focal point of the Brewster defense.  They trapped him off of pick and rolls all game and made him go to his off hand whenever possible.  He had several good looks that rimmed out when they were half way down and that added to his frustration.  Still, it hard to find a 6-foot 6 guard with his skill set.  With continued refining of that off hand, some maturity that comes with age and experience and additions to his offensive repertoire Ledo will be a special player at the next level.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:

St Thomas Moore (CT) 90, Notre Dame Prep (MA) 74

Recap:

St Thomas Moore controlled this game from the outset with a strong defensive game plan and efficient offense.  Early on, St Thomas Moore established they were going to use their motion offense to get a good look and often got wide-open ones.  Senior Damion Lee was impressive, and finished with a game high 25-points but the story was Junior Andre Drummond.  He patrolled the paint and neutralized Pittsburgh bound Khem Birch while controlling the glass and forcing ND Prep to a perimeter only game.  Meanwhile, St Thomas was pounding the ball down low all game to Drummond and Senior Adam Jones, who is heading to Fairfield University in the fall, all game.  Jones finished with 17-points and was a major factor in the paint all game.

Leading by 11 at the half, St Thomas Moore was in complete control it seemed, though everyone knew ND Prep had a run in them and it came early in the second half.  Down 14, ND went on an 8-0 run led by Todd Mayo and Ricardo Ledo.  A quick time-out slowed the run, and St Thomas regained their composure.  They forced the ball down low to Drummond and Jones and pushed their lead back to 11 at the 5-minute mark.  It was over except for the celebration at that point.  St Thomas hit free throws and played strong defense down the stretch to come away with a convincing over-time win.

These wins over Hargrave and Notre Dame Prep, coupled with the previous days win over Princeton Country Day; avenge three of their regular season losses.  A nice group of students made the trip from Oakdale, Connecticut and stormed the court when the horn sounded.  It was nice send off for the senior laden team.  Only Andre Drummond returns to this squad next season, though St Thomas doesn’t rebuild—they reload.

Stars:

St Thomas Moore Senior Adam Jones played a great tournament.  Often over shadowed by his more heralded teammates, Jones showed a great feel for playing offense in the post.  He displayed good footwork, the ability to finish with both hands and a good knack for making shots in close range. 

Underclassmen:

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