St. Christopher’s Pulls Away Late in 73–56 Win Over Collegiate

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Introduction </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Christopher's used a balanced attack and physical presence to secure a 73–56 win over Collegiate on January 23rd. While the final score suggests a comfortable victory, Collegiate competed hard early and executed a strong game plan before St. Chris' depth, rebounding, and shot-making created separation down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Collegiate Recap</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collegiate came out with energy and purpose, emphasizing team defense and ball pressure to disrupt St. Christopher's offensive flow. The Cougars did a good job helping on the backside and taking away easy post touches, forcing St. Chris to work through its sets. Offensively, they relied heavily on the poise and playmaking of Danny Mooney. They also depended on the physicality and versatility of Henry Broast. Both of these players kept Collegiate within striking distance for much of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Danny Mooney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Collegiate School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Rockit MHC ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a3c84cc2c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mooney continues to establish himself as the engine of this young Collegiate squad. The quick, high-IQ point guard controlled tempo. He consistently got into the paint. He created quality looks for both himself and his teammates. His change of pace stood out, allowing him to break down defenders and make smart reads under pressure. Mooney finished with 12 points. His impact went far beyond the stat line. He showed leadership, toughness, and confidence as the focal point of the offense. He's a guard to track closely as he continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Henry Broast","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Collegiate School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a3c84cc384"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Broast was the physical tone-setter for Collegiate, using his strength and athleticism to impact the game on both ends. He battled in the post defensively, scored through contact inside, and was active on the glass throughout the night. Broast finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds. He consistently made winning plays. This included securing rebounds and providing interior resistance against St. Chris's size. His bruising style and versatility make him a valuable piece for this program moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Christopher's Recap</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Christopher's leaned on its talented core of [player_tooltip player_id='2252300' first='Darius' last='Gray'], [player_tooltip player_id='2470566' first='Brady' last='Burnette'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2958182' first='Damari' last='Smith'] to wear down the Cougars. The Saints controlled the rebounding battle. They executed well out of their sets. They capitalized on open looks as the game progressed. Their combination of size, shooting, and athleticism proved difficult to contain, especially once they found rhythm offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252300"],"_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-697a3c84cc3e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray dominated the interior, imposing his will on the glass and around the rim. He consistently finished inside, protected the paint defensively, and controlled rebounds on both ends of the floor. Gray posted a monster stat line with 26 points and 16 rebounds, serving as the backbone of St. Christopher's physical edge. His presence in the paint was a major factor in the Saints pulling away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470566"],"_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-697a3c84cc430"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burnette once again showcased why he's regarded as one of the premier shooters in the region. He knocked down six three-pointers, spacing the floor and punishing any defensive lapse. Beyond the shooting, Burnette used his length to finish over smaller guards and disrupt passing lanes defensively. His ability to score at all three levels is impressive. He looks every bit the part of a high-level Division I prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2958182' first='Damari' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Chris","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697a3c84cc4c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith, a recent addition to the St. Christopher's roster, displayed maturity well beyond his years. The young point guard got downhill with ease, consistently attacked gaps, and played with impressive confidence and poise. He's a capable perimeter shooter. However, his playmaking stood out the most. He created opportunities for others and kept the offense flowing. Smith's versatility and feel for the game make him a matchup problem. Unsurprisingly, he's already attracting Division I attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Christopher's ultimately pulled away for a 73–56 victory. Collegiate showed plenty of promise with its effort, discipline, and young talent. The Cougars competed with toughness and togetherness and appear well-positioned for continued growth. St. Christopher's, meanwhile, reinforced its reputation as one of the area's most difficult matchups, blending physicality, elite shooting, and athleticism. These two teams will meet again at St. Christopher's on Friday, February 13th, at 6:00 PM in what should be another competitive matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->