What a difference a dynamic, reliable post presence can make.
Sam Patterson’s emergence after a few years of not playing basketball during his time at Covenant has been a revelation for Monticello’s basketball team that has ripped off a seven-game winning streak. Patterson’s work on the boards and passing out of the post makes the Mustangs dangerous because of the trio of junior guards running the show for Monticello. Patterson’s presence opens the floor up for Jhalil Mosley, James Banks and Denzel Terry.
Terry was the main beneficiary against Western Friday, as he poured in 19 points for the Mustangs, but it seems all the Monticello guards have bought into the idea that Patterson’s involvement can change the entire equation.
Patterson is getting some solid help down low too from Connor Lilly, who’s a tough, hard-nosed rebounder. After Patterson and Mosley missed a lot of time in the first half and the Mustangs still held a narrow lead against Western, so first-year head coach Robert Shelton has to feel good about his depth too.
If the Mustangs can keep it rolling against Charlottesville, they’ll all be feeling really good with the JD tournament on the horizon.
Monroe finding similar form
High school hoops revolves around strong guard play, and Monroe certainly has that between Jordan Gentry, playing at full strength again, Gary Morris, Austin Batten and Lamar Nelson. But there’s no question that as good as that back court rotation has been – and lately, Morris has been nothing short of superb – there a few things more powerful than a pair of lengthy forwards that can draw fouls and rebound.
For the last two years, few big men in this area have shown they can pass through the press or dribble up court like Markel Faulkner. AT 6-foot-5, Faulkner’s rebounding skills and ability to finish underneath has been a staple of Dragons coach Mike Maynard’s offense, as inside play allows the corners of the floor to open up for the Monroe 3-point shooters like Gentry. But one forward’s presence does not make a team.
He’s not the tallest player on the court, but Markel Williams has developed into Monroe’s most athletic player since this team made the Region II semifinals as a Group AA school in 2009. Back then the Dragons cruised in large part to Mike Wims, now a forward at Lynchburg College. Williams, just like Faulkner, has strong ball handling skills. He elevates with the best of them, but more so than anything, he has a knack for slipping through defenders to get right in front of the basket to take high percentage shots almost exclusively.
During Friday’s big win over George Mason, Mustangs coach Chris Cappanola was watching Williams and Faulkner have their way, even with the defense packing it in the paint he called a timeout. He then lit into his players saying “they have not taken one real shot.” Gentry had hit a 3-pointer in the first half, and Morris another in the second half, but after that, the Dragons only points came from the paint, and from free throws, which are directly correlated.
With another force, 6-foot-5 forward Joe-Joe Krynitsky looking more comfortable after recovering from a broken ankle early in the year, Monroe now has a third real horse in it’s front court. The junior plays above the rim and has the ability to spell out Williams and/or Faulkner. That’s something this team needs going forward into the playoffs.
The bottom line for Monroe is that if their guards knock down the open threes, they’re going to roll. But with Williams and Faulkner and a great bench player in Krynitsky, the Dragons forwards are a security blanket for those off shooting nights. And there aren’t many Group A teams that are able to match up with that kind of inside-outside versatility.
Boys Top 5
1. Blue Ridge (12-5)
The Barons should be able to take care of business this week as they prepare for a battle with Miller next Tuesday. With the Barons, Mavericks and VES involved, the VIC tournament should be a showcase for some of the state’s best basketball.
2. Miller (15-5)
The Mavericks had a week off after pounding Evangel Christian 106-62 January 30, and they jump right back into the fray against Virginia Episcopal on the road Tuesday and Benedictine in Richmond Saturday. Solid road tests for the Mavericks as they gear up for the stretch run.
3. Fluvanna County (19-2)
The Flucos posted a 3-0 record last week, including a critical road win over Western Albemarle. Fluvanna gets a chance against Louisa in the final regular season game at the Shoebox, the school’s beloved gym, to lock up the JD regular season title.
4. Monticello (13-7)
There’s no doubt now who the hottest team in the area is. With a narrow victory over Western Albemarle, the Mustangs are now on a seven-game win streak dating back to mid-January. Now they’ll try and keep it going and secure second place in the JD against Charlottesville Tuesday before entering district tournament play.
5. William Monroe (17-6)
That win against George Mason says it all — when the Dragons are on their game, they’ve got a chance to be a factor in the state title race. Monroe will most likely have to take on the Mustangs again in a one-game district playoff game this week then jump into Bull Run tournament play.
On the cusp: Western Albemarle, Buckingham County
Girls Top 5
1. Miller (16-5)
Another split week for the Mavericks as they absolutely thumped Chatham Hall by 52 points to start the week, but fell to a really tough team in Thomasville Prep on the road in North Carolina. Still, despite two losses in two weeks, four players are averaging 8 points per game. That’s going to say a lot come playoff time.
2. William Monroe (12-7)
The Dragons fell in their regular season finale to first place George Mason, but could well get another crack at the Mustangs in the Bull Run tournament championship, and potentially again in the Region B tourney. Monroe does need to handle a little business before they get to either, but figuring out Mason is the next big hurdle for this team.
3. Monticello (11-9)
The Mustangs hold Louisa County to 28 points and Western Albemarle to 38, both leading to wins. Monticello has five straight JD wins in a row to its name, but faces a dangerous Charlottesville team Tuesday. The good news for the Mustangs is that second seed is all locked up for the tournament coming up.
4. St. Anne’s-Belfield (10-8)
Nice for the Saints to get back home, but they had their hands full with St. Catherine’s and a seriously talented Williamsburg Christian Academy, falling on both occasions, but they started the week off strong with a win over Middleburg on the road. Two home games await STAB to finish the regular season. Wins over Collegiate and St. Gertrude would send the Saints into the LIS tourney with confidence.
5. Western Albemarle (7-11)
The Warriors and Charlottesville are the real wild cards in the Jefferson District tournament coming up. Western’s won three of its last four games. Can Mady Baker and Sidney Fewell’s 3-point shooting put this team into position to knock off Monticello or Powhatan? They’ll have to bounce one or the other.
On the cusp: Goochland, Covenant
