Team Preview: Bishop McGuinness (Kernersville, North Carolina) Bishop McGuinness Catholic Kernersville, NC Divison: NCHSAA 1A Conference: Northwest 1A Conference Head Coach: Josh Thompson Twitter: @VillainsCoach Key Players 2018 PG Ryan Moon 2018 SG CJ Cappuccio 2019 PG/SG Johnny Pagano Newcomers 2018…
Team Preview: Bishop McGuinness (Kernersville, North Carolina)
Bishop McGuinness Catholic
Kernersville, NC
Divison: NCHSAA 1A
Conference: Northwest 1A Conference
Head Coach: Josh Thompson
Twitter: @VillainsCoach
Key Players
2018 PG Ryan Moon
2018 SG CJ Cappuccio
2019 PG/SG Johnny Pagano
Newcomers
2018 C Jake Babcock (6’6)
Schedule
Monday November 21- Salem Baptist (JV 630, Varsity 800)
Tuesday November 29- North Wilkes
Thursday December 1- Oak Level (JV 515, Varsity 800)
Friday December 2- @ West Forsyth
Tuesday December 6- @ Atkins*
Friday December 9- Walkertown*
Tuesday December 13- East Surry*
Friday December 16- @ WS Prep*
Monday December 19- @ Durham Fellowship Academy (JV 530, Varsity 700)
Tuesday December 20- @ Elkin
Monday December 27- Thursday December 30- St. Pius X Christmas Classic- Atlanta, GA (Varsity Only)
Tuesday January 3- Piedmont Classical (JV 530, Varsity 700)
Friday January 6- @ Mt Airy*
Saturday January 7- @ Chance Harman Classic v North Cross (VA)- Floyd, VA (Varsity Only)- 100 PM
Friday January 13- North Stokes*
Tuesday January 17- v Faith Christian (VA)- (JV 500, Varsity 800)
Friday January 20- Atkins*
Tuesday January 24- @ Walkertown*
Friday January 27- @ East Surry*
Tuesday January 31- WS Prep*
Friday February 3- Mt Airy*
Friday February 10- @ North Stokes
Key Games
The Villains played the 2nd toughest schedule in NCHSAA 1A last season, and will continue to play a monster schedule this year. Key games include…
December 2 @ West Forsyth
December 16 @ Winston Salem Prep
December 27-30 @ St Pius X (Atlanta) Chirstmas Classic vs St Pius X (GA) & St Xavier (Ohio)
January 7 @ Chance Harman Classic (VA) vs TBA
January 17 v Faith Christian (VA)- 7’2 C Liberty signee Brendan Newton
January 31 v Winston Salem Prep
Season Outlook
The Villains return 9 players from last seasons 15-13 squad that featured 7 sophomores and a freshman. Having a year under their belt should prove to be a springboard for another successful season as Bishop navigates the ultra-competitive Northwest 1A conference that has produced several D1 players over the last few seasons such as Clay Mounce (Mt Airy S, Furman University), Mike Hughes (WS Prep, Charleston Southern), Greg McClinton (WS Prep, Wake Forest). Bishop has finished in the top 4 of the league in each of the last 6 seasons and they look to challenge for the league title this year. The seasoned, but still young guards of Bishop (Moon, Cappuccio, Pagano) will lead the charge as versatile 6’6 big man Jake Babcock will anchor the middle but also step outside to shoot the 3. Early road tests at 4A West Forsyth and @ WS Prep will say a lot about this years McGuinness squad.
What Key Players Do Well
PG Ryan Moon played 17U AAU this season with the
NC Spartans
travel team and directed the team to 15 wins and a tournament championship during the July live period. The expereicne he gained playing a year up and running a talented team should help him as he will have plenty of weapons at his disposal this season. Moon is an excellent passer, and tough off the dribble, especially coming off the ball screen.
SG CJ Cappuccio set a school record for three pointers made as a sophomore for Bishop in 15-16. Cappuccio made 77 three pointers in only 25 games played last season, shooting at a 42% clip. After a successful summer on the AAU circuit and a season on the football field, Cappuccio’s added strength and confidence should bode well for the Villains, as well as his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.
C Jake Babcock is poised for a breakout season after anchoring the Villains in the post all summer. Babcock can score with his back to the basket, and take his 6’6 frame to the 3 point line and knock down the perimeter shot.
Recruiting News
Ryan Moon attended Brown University’s Elite Camp in August, and will attend Amherst College (MA) Elite Camp this weekend. Moon has interest from several D3 schools currently.