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ST. PATRICK’S OUTHUSTLES, OUTPLAYS ST. BEN’S

New Jersey showdown a blowout, 88-62

By Matt Whitfield

Coming in, this game was billed as an instant classic. Two top ten ranked teams, two top coaches, and two squads loaded with players that can easily take it to the next level and beyond. What transpired in the game was totally different. Total domination, total disruption defensively, and a total all out effort by one team while the other looked sluggish. St. Patrick’s simply flat out took it to St. Benedict’s and took it to them hard at the RAC last night before 4,000 basketball fans.

St. Benedict’s kept it fairly close in the first quarter as St. Patrick’s came out on strong with stifling defense and swift play from Kyrie Irving. In addition to his 10 points, Irving had several impressive plays this quarter including a dazzling lay-up attempt and two defensive steals. Tamir Jackson and Tavon Sledge, however cut the St. Patrick’s lead to one, 18-17 ,near the end of the quarter. Irving however got the ball right back and put his team back up three after flying down the court blowing by defenders and getting fouled in the paint. St. Patrick held a 21-17 lead going into the second quarter; however, anyone that was watching really felt this lead was more.

St. Patrick’s really blew up and put the game out of reach the second quarter. In addition to out scoring the Newark school 24-8, the Irish held the Texas bound duo of Myck Kobango and Tristan Thompson to just four points in this quarter.

Irving had a magical-looking bucket in at the 2:43 mark where despite having defenders all around him in the paint, the 6-foot-1 junior somehow out-maneuvered the lumbering defenders of St. Benedicts for the basket. Irving, again made two free throws right before the quarter expired putting his team up 45-25 at halftime.

At intermission the thought on people’s minds must not have been the second half, but rather what a battle it will be in a little over a week when St. Patrick’s takes on Oak Hill in the Primetime Shootout. The rest of the game was a wash as Tristan Thompson looked human, including on one play where he let Irving, a player 8 inches smaller, fake him out and get by him under the bucket for an easy layup. St. Patrick’s easily won this game by a final of 88-62. Irving and North Carolina-bound Dexter Strickland led the Celtics with 21 points each.

After the game both coaches were very impressed by the performance of St. Patrick’s.

“St. Pats played great. This is my most embarrassing performance we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said losing St. Benedict’s Coach Danny Hurley.

St. Patrick’s coach Kevin Boyle also was impressed with his team saying, “I feel were obviously as good as anybody, if not the best team when we have our whole team. [Early on] Dexter was injured early, when he was playing he was rusty he wasn’t Dexter, and Kyrie’s not there now you don’t have two all Americans.”

Within the next two weeks St. Patrick’s has a chance to show how good they truly are as they take on Pennsbury (Pennsylvania’s top ranked school) this Sunday, and power houses Lincoln and Oak Hill in back to back games the following Friday and Saturday in the Primetime Shootout.

Player notes:

Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s:
The superlatives were flowing from everyone in the RAC last night about Irving’s performance.

“Kyrie Irving, when it’s all said and done, he will arguably be as good as any guard who’s played in New Jersey,” St. Pat’s head coach Kevin Boyle said after the game. “Any guard. Ever. Ever. DaJuan Wagner, Bobby Hurley. You’re talking about a guy who’s a great shooter, a great finisher, he’s going to be as good as anybody who’s played in New Jersey.”

Son of former Boston University star Drederick Irving.

Adequate size for junior division one prospect. This PG has a great, sometimes dazzling handle, in which he is capable of blazing past multiple defenders. At times draws double or triple coverage and dishes it off to an open teammate for an easy basket. Also had two strips in the first quarter and countless heads up defensive plays that lead to points on the offensive end. Irving, who looked to be the games best player, was definitely the most impressive today. In addition to finishing with 21 points (15 of those by halftime and Irving hardly played in the 4th quarter) he was instrumental in holding Texas commit Myck Kabongo scoreless the first quarter.

It’s scary to say but this always battling/hustling junior should only get better as he is playing on arguably the most competitive squad in New Jersey; and will only become more battle tested in coming months.

Duke, Memphis, St. John’s, Villanova, Seton Hall, Rutgers, West Virginia, Virginia , Virginia Tech, Providence, Florida, Connecticut have all offered according to Irving.

Head coaches from Seton Hall and Rutgers made the trip and assistants from St. John’s and Connecticut also made their presence known.

Michael Gilchrist
Top five sophomore nationally. This Small Forward is on the skinny side, but a frame of a potential stud is there. Supreme on both sides of the floor. In charge of Tristan Thompson, and clearly got the best of him early on. Was responsible for Thompson only having 9 first half points. Despite his age Gilchrist knows exactly where to be and what to do on the court. The 6’7 baller can not only guard, but take it to anyone, more than holding his own. Only had two points offensively in first half, however superb defensive play on Thompson more than made up for that. Played sparingly second half. Finished with 4 pts.

Tavon Sledge
Blazing NFL combine type speed. PG has great handle and is capable of driving it in the paint against multiple, much bigger defenders. Despite being a sophomore Sledge is still very undersized. The fact however he is playing on a good program and that he has time on his side can only help him. Ended the game with 4 points.

Lamar Patterson
Has a college body already, however the brother of former Syracuse QB Perry Paterson was not overly noticeable early on. Had no points the first half and was even taken out for some time in because he failed to lock down St. Pats players in the paint. Played better defensively in the 2nd half, having two strips in the third quarter as he stuck it to St. Pat’s defenders. The 2009 Pittsburgh-commit finished with 5 points.

Mike Poole
Played sparingly early on. Has the height just needs to grow into his body. At times look lackadaisical then erupts instantaneously for a steal or drive to the basket. Didn’t always look totally comfortable on the court. Got most of his playing minutes in the fourth quarter when both teams’ starters were out.