Classification: VISAA Division 1Conference: Prep League Head Coach: Hamill Jones Last Season: 22-7; Lost to Cape Henry in the state semifinals; First trip to State Final Four in school history Key Losses: Fleet Wallace (8 ppg, 6 rpg; Cornell Lacrosse)…
Classification: VISAA Division 1
Conference: Prep League
Head Coach: Hamill Jones
Last Season: 22-7; Lost to Cape Henry in the state semifinals; First trip to State Final Four in school history
Key Losses: Fleet Wallace (8 ppg, 6 rpg; Cornell Lacrosse)
Key Returners: Nick Sherod (Richmond commit; 25 ppg, 9 rpg), Alex Petrie (17 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Ameer Bennett, Eric Thompson, Noah O’Neill, Justin Jasper, Ned Tazewell
Key Dates:
12/21-12/23 – RTD Tournament
12/28-12/30 – Henrico Holiday Tournament
1/5 @ – Trinity Episcopal
1/16 – Atlantic Shores (VA Slamfest)
1/22 – STAB
2/16 @ Benedictine
Following up a good season can be tough, particularly when it’s the best season in school history. That’s the challenge that the team at St. Christopher’s faces, as they come off of their first trip to the VISAA Division One Final Four in school history, but Head Coach Hamill Jones believes they have the pieces in place to repeat such an event.
“This is one of the this is one of the most talented and experiences teams that we have had at St. Christopher’s,” Jones said. “The team chemistry was really good last season, and that should be the case again this year.”
The success for this team, much like the last two seasons, begins with University of Richmond commit and senior wing Nick Sherod. One of the most prolific scorers in the state last season, Sherod averaged 25 points on 42% shooting from beyond the arc last season, and had his best performances in their biggest games, including a 42 point outburst against Bishop O’Connell in the state quarterfinals. The sharp shooter will certainly be a candidate for Gatorade State Player of the Year, and will be a key cog in their offensive game plan for another season.
Sherod’s backcourt mate, junior point guard Alex Petrie, will be the other key playmaker for the Saints. The 6’1 crafty guard exploded onto the scene with a huge sophomore season, including a 30 point game in their late season victory over John Marshall. He’s a dual threat point guard that can beat defenders off the bounce with shifty ball handling, and is a big time shooter off the dribble.
The x factors will be the role players, who will have to step up and take some of the pressure off of the two guards both in scoring and the other facets of the game. Returning post Ameer Bennet has grown to 6’8 and has developed in his skill set, and along with forward Noah O’Neill, will be leaned upon to bring some physicality to the Saints front line. Returning point guard Eric Thompson, despite only checking in around 5’5, is a pesky on ball defender and a terrific creator off the bounce who will take on some of the ball handling responsibilities.
The goals for St. Christopher are laid out plain and simple, but both the players and coaches know it won’t be easy.
“The players have their priorities in place, they want to have a great team and a great season,” Jones said. “However, we have an extremely challenging schedule that will test us.”
With one of the best backcourts in the Richmond area, it will be interesting to see how far the Saints can go after a great experience last season. You can see the Saints open up at the Rebel Invitational at Douglas Freeman December 1-4.