5 Key Questions After Roselle Catholic vs. Linden
Roselle Catholic and Linden were ready to write another chapter of their rivalry in the Hearts 2 Hands Invitational. Roselle Catholic is one of the top three teams in New Jersey but they fell behind upset-minded Linden early. They were…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingRoselle Catholic and Linden were ready to write another chapter of their rivalry in the Hearts 2 Hands Invitational. Roselle Catholic is one of the top three teams in New Jersey but they fell behind upset-minded Linden early. They were able to use the three ball in the second quarter to grab a four point lead over the Lions heading into halftime.
In the second half, size and athleticism took over for Roselle Catholic. They outscored Linden 39-17 over the final two quarters to pick up the blowout win. Here are five questions to think about after watching this matchup.
How do you stop Cliff Omoyuri?
Omoyuri is arguably the best player in the state and is clearly the most dominant. He is a player who uses his 6’11 frame on both sides of the ball. Omoyuri blocked seven shots in this game and grabbed 10 rebounds. His length is a huge problem for any opponent who tries to score inside. Omoyuri scored 13 points in this one and threw down a rim rocking dunk over two defenders in the first quarter. He is a hard player to stop which is why he has offers from Kentucky, Memphis, Auburn, and UConn, among others. The only option in hopes of stopping Omoyuri is to send multiple defenders his way.
What is Linden’s ceiling?
Roselle Catholic has a clear ceiling. They are one of the favorites to win the Tournament of Champions at the end of the season. For Linden, it is not so clear. They are in a transition period this season. Linden picked up an impressive win over St. Thomas Aquinas in their previous game and they played Elizabeth right down to the wire. They are a talented team, especially from three-point range, but they seem to be one step behind in the conference. The UCC is one of the best conferences in the state and it is hard to keep up with the top dogs.
Is there a better backcourt than the Wilcher brothers?
The Wilcher brothers dominated this game. C.J. scored a game high 22 points while Simeon added 11. They combined for 33 of the Lions’ 67 points. C.J. is a complete player who is headed to Xavier next season. He is an elite shooter from the outside but also knows how to use his size to score down low. Simeon is one of the top freshman in the state. He displayed his athleticism in this game as he threw down three dunks. At 6’4, Simeon will be a sought after prospect throughout his high school career.
What is Linden missing?
Linden needs a true inside presence. Linden knocked down 10 three-pointers in this game. Nashawn Holmes and Steve Dormil each knocked down three in this one. They used the three ball to build a 10 point lead over Roselle Catholic but it quickly evaporated when they stopped falling. This was a classic case of living and dying by the three. If there is a presence inside, Linden would have not been as easy to guard. Being a guard heavy team made Linden one-dimensional throughout this game.
What level prospect is Corey Floyd Jr.?
Floyd is just a sophomore at Roselle Catholic but he is already a huge prospect. New Jersey is full of talent around high school basketball and Floyd is the next big thing. He already has offers from Auburn, UConn, Miami, Rutgers, and Temple. This list will grow significantly as Floyd progresses. Against Linden, Floyd finished with nine points, six rebounds, and five assists. He has a smooth jump shot and unlimited range. It will be interesting to see how Floyd grows throughout the season.