Andrew James Lawson Invitational: Newman vs. Cushing Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, January 18th, the Andrew James Lawson Foundation held its annual basketball invitational at the TD Garden. Five boys games were played, two of which were MIAA matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/andrew-james-lawson-foundation-invitational-6-miaa-standouts/">Andrew James Lawson Foundation Invitational: 6 MIAA Standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five standouts from Newman School vs. Cushing Academy, the best game of the entire day. Though Cushing battled all game, Newman's depth and physicality was just too much for them to handle. They won 79-71 and remain one of the best prep school teams in the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are 5 standouts from the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696ec66c7a9ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Keefe is a total stud. The 6-foot-4 guard dominated Cushing from the three-point line yesterday; he hit shots off the dribble and off the catch, and it seemed like any time Newman needed a bucket, he came through. The senior also seems like a true leader—he commands the attention of his teammates and is constantly uplifting his guys and communicating with them about strategy. He's a coach on the floor. O'Keefe is committed to Princeton next season, and I simply can't see a world where he doesn't get minutes right away. His combination of size, athleticism, conditioning and skill is exactly what you're looking for in a combo-guard. Very bright future ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1440697"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696ec66c7aa20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Richmond is rock solid and has the look of a high major player. The 6-foot-8 forward brings incredible versatility to his team on both ends and is additive in every single way both offensively and defensively. He uses his size to defend bigger players and operate in the post, but he can also handle the rock, shoot from the outside, and defend quicker guards on the perimeter. His game is going to translate perfectly to the next level, and like O'Keefe, I would be absolutely shocked if he doesn't have a meaningful role right away. You just don't see 6-foot-8 forwards with his skill and toughness. Special player who's going to do EXACTLY what he does at Newman for Columbia next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2638999"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696ec66c7aa81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was my first time seeing Morillo play this season (he was injured to start the year), and he looks better than ever. The 6-foot-7 point-forward continues to dominate the game with his physicality and strength; he seems to constantly be getting stronger and more willing to burrow his way into the lane. He had some super impressive passes to cutters yesterday, too, and I was also wow'd by how his three-point shot looked, especially on the move and without much balance. If he can get his perimeter shot to be consistent, I genuinely think Morillo has what it takes to play on the TD Garden floor some day. Special feel and IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470818"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696ec66c7aae9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vick got Cushing off to an early lead with his incredible three-point shooting; he hit 5 threes in the first 11 minutes of the game, and it seemed like each one was increasingly difficult. He shot them coming off of screens and well beyond the high school three-point line (there were a bunch of NBA threes), but he didn't hunt bad ones even though he was feeling it. Vick stayed the course and took good shots all night. He also hit some big ones in the second half to keep Cushing in the game. If he can become even more adept at driving closeouts and making plays for his teammates once he does so, D1 schools at all levels should be in on him. I didn't know he could shoot like this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696669"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-696ec66c7ab43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I <a href="https://x.com/robbie_hodin/status/2008275854787223707?s=20">tweeted about O'Connell deserving a scholarship offer</a> about a week ago, and it finally happened for him shortly before Sunday's game. Against Newman, he showed that he has what it takes to play at that level. He defends with incredible physicality and toughness, and he's quite good at sliding laterally while using his hands. His help-side defense is also beautiful to watch. Offensively, O'Connell always surprises me with his ability to get into the lane and finish with contact despite being undersized for the combo-guard position. The kid is just a competitor and a winner who makes all the right plays and never gets tired. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->