Takeaways: Steward Fall League

<h2>Richard Sanders Makes Henrico Front Runner to Repeat</h2><div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Regardless of who they throw out on the floor, Vance Harmon’s Henrico team is always going to be a tough out. However, after a family tragedy sent 6’8 senior wing <u>Richard Sanders</u> to the two time reigning 5A champions from George Wythe, they shoot right to the front of the pack for the coveted repeat in the deepest district in the state.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">While they lost key pieces in <u>Ryan Pearson</u> and <u>Walter Williams</u>, who are now at the Naval Academy and Virginia State, respectively, the addition of Sanders makes them more versatile then ever. Because he excels at playing on the perimeter at 6’8, Sanders allows them to go big when they want to with 6’3 <u>De’Monte Buckingham</u> and 6’6 <u>Marco Suggs</u>, or they can sub in 5’8 <u>Timon Jones</u> and 6’0 <u>Jamal Newton</u> and play with five players who can all shoot it and all put it on the floor, without having to sacrifice size. They had success doing it last season with Williams, who at 6’5 was more explosive, but not as skilled as Sanders, and one would assume it could work yet again this season with the return of two key starters in Buckingham and senior point guard <u>Gus Rowland</u>.</span></div> <h2>Steward School With a Complete Makeover</h2><div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Last year, it was the <u>Chaise Johnson</u> show for Steward School, who struggled against bigger opponents. Monday night, Johnson put on a show again, raining three balls from deep and showing that despite his 5’9 frame, he’s athletic and not afraid to attack the rim against bigger defenders.</span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">What is interesting to see, however, is that Steward reloaded in a big way. Johnson was one of only two starters from last year’s team to start Monday, and that’s partially due to the fact that Highland Springs transfer and 2017 reclassified forward <u>Marvin Cannon</u> sat out as a precaution with a mildly rolled ankle. However, his new front court sidekick <u>Jordan Pointer</u>, a reclassified junior from Matoaca, put on an athletic display as well, finishing at the rim and swatting shots in the paint. While they both are around 6’4-6’5, the two forwards have impressive frames and explosive athletic ability, so they should be able to both protect the paint and get up and down the floor with Johnson when he wants to run. </span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Just a precaution to anyone who has Steward on their schedule this season, it will not be a cake walk like in times past.</span></div> <h2>Brett Buisson Puts on a Show for Godwin</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">In the best game of the evening, Mills Godwin held off Thomas Dale in a 72-67 thriller that saw Dale cut a 10 point lead with less than two minutes to go all the way to a one possession game. However, the real story was senior guard <u>Brett Buisson</u> for Godwin, who lit it up all game long from all over the court. There were no stats, but it’s easily feasible to say Buisson finished with over 30 points, and had to have hit at least six three-pointers. What made it even more impressive is that Dale knew that he would be taking the shots, would play pretty good defense, and Buisson would still find a way to score it. He showed off his intelligence and ability to get to his spot, and he’s able to create good shots for himself at all three levels. Expect him to score a lot of points for Godwin this year.</span></p> <h2>Hermitage Young Core Looks Promising</h2><p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">While Hermitage has struggled in the past, both in the wins column and keeping some of their most talented players, their core group of young guys has the future looking bright if they all stay together. Playing without senior leader and motor man <u>Robbie Osbourne</u> who plays volleyball, Hermitage ran through Tucker, leading by more than 20 points for most of the game. The trio of junior wing <u>Tim Coward</u>, sophomore point guard <u>JoJo Morris</u> and freshman forward <u>Torreaz Settles</u> showed great chemistry together, and Hermitage played with energy and passion from the tip. It will be interesting to see how the young guys develop together over the season, especially Settles who was a star on JV as just an eighth grader last year. New Head Coach Robert Rice has to be happy with the young talent he’ll get to work with.</span></p> <h2>Extra Notes</h2><div> </div> <div> <ul> <li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Senior point guard <u>Elijah Gregory</u> of Thomas Dale was better than advertised Monday night. Despite Buisson stealing the spotlight in the win, the 5’9 Gregory went right back at him, showing a shifty handle and the ability to hit it from deep off the dribble. He was hard to keep out of the lane, and was a big reason that Dale almost pulled off the late comeback.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Colleges that are looking for a late division one point guard need to consider <u>Gus Rowland</u> of Henrico as a serious candidate. The 5’10 guard is as skilled as they come, and he puts constant pressure on the defense with his ability to get in the lane. He dictates the flow of the offense, is a tenacious on ball defender, sees the floor well and has improved his jump shot a lot. While some question his motor, he’s a winner that rises to the occasion in big games and big match ups.</span></li> </ul> </div>