Summer League – Jesuit 90, Mountainside 68: Top Performers

<p>Metro summer league action is in full force and one team that has been racking up wins has been Mountainside. The program entering its second full year of varsity competition got a true litmus test of itself on Thursday night as they hosted defending 6A champions Jesuit. The game was close early all the way until halftime, but the Crusaders went on a run and never looked back on their way to a 90-68 victory.</p> <p>A few key players from both teams did not play, notably <strong>Matthew Levis</strong> (injury), <strong>Liam Ruttledge</strong> and <strong>Dupre Gaston</strong> for Jesuit and <strong>Nzube Mekkam</strong> (injury) for Mountainside. Here are some player notes from the game.</p> <p><strong>Roy Bunn (2021 Jesuit)</strong> - Bunn put together the most complete game we've seen out of him this off-season. The 5-foot-9 point guard was in complete control of the offense, balancing his own offense with that of setting things up for others. He was quick off the dribble, utilizing the drive and kick as well as hitting guys cutting to the basket for open layups. He made great decisions in transitions and finished a number of baskets himself at the hoop. On the night he finished with 12 points and at least eight assists that we counted.</p> <p><strong>Joe Lairson (2021 Jesuit)</strong> - Lairson was the top scorer on the night for both teams, as the 6-foot-3 rising junior finished the night with 23 points. He was the main benefactor from the kickouts from teammates such as Bunn and Brittingham, as he got to open spots on the wing and the baseline and knocked down the catch-and-shoot jumpers. Lairson has range out past the three-point line - he sank three threes - and can also create off the dribble a little. Lairson lacks strength to really finish inside but his ability to knock down shots will be greatly utilized in the Crusader system.</p> <p><strong>Michael Brittingham (2021 Jesuit)</strong> - With Levis and Ruttledge out, Brittingham stepped into the starting lineup and along with Bunn, they make a one-two punch that's hard to match in terms of quickness. The 5-foot-11 point guard was shifty with his dribble, getting to the cup or creating space to knock down some pull-up jumpers. He was very active on defense, playing the passing lanes which led to steals and easy fastbreak points. Brittingham finished with 17 points.</p> <p><strong>Dezman Baker (2022 Mountainside)</strong> - One of the bright spots for Mountainside was the play of Baker, who started last year as a freshman but may step into a larger role in 2019-20. The 6-foot-3 wing is long and athletic, and really showed the ability to get to the basket against Jesuit's defense. Once around the rim, Baker was able to utilize his length to score over and around opponents and he was able to utilize that aspect of his body as well on the defensive end. He finished with 13 points.</p> <p><strong>Andrew Ingalls (2020 Mountainside)</strong> - Another bright spot for Mountainside was the consistent play of Ingalls, who at 6-foot-7 may have been the biggest player on the floor but he played up to his size. He hit the boards hard on both ends (finishing with at least 10) and while he missed a few easy ones, was fairly automatic from down inside, ending up with 13 points. Ingalls didn't get a ton of touches off of plays, but made good use of them when he had them.</p> <p><strong>James Lang (2021 Jesuit)</strong> - Lang is a bit of a little guy at 5-foot-9, but he's a crafty ball-handler and scorer who snuck his way into finishing with 12 points. He can knock down the catch-and-shoot jumper but also create a little off the dribble to get to the basket or hit from mid-range. Lang fit into the system well and took advantages of opportunities when he received them.</p> <p><strong>Connor McClean (2020 Mountainside)</strong> - McClean transferred from Southridge where he started for the Skyhawks on last year's playoff team. The 6-foot-5 rising senior has a good combination of size and athleticism and will clearly be a key guy for the Mustangs this year, although he struggled at times on Thursday night. He was able to get to the basket often but missed a number of layups that could have been converted. Still he ended up finishing with 9 points.</p> <p><strong>Charlie Pickard (2021 Jesuit)</strong> - Jesuit will largely be size challenged so the Crusaders will be looking to work in some of the guys they do have with height into the rotation. Pickard checks in at 6-foot-6, 220-pounds and he definitely has the muscle to help out on the boards and on defense. While he didn't score a point, he set screens and played his role - things that will earn him minutes this upcoming season.</p>