Benedictine Slows the Pace, Outlasts John Marshall 51–45

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wasn't pretty. It wasn't fast-paced. But it was high-level basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a physical, defensive showdown, Benedictine College Preparatory played at home. They secured a gritty 51–45 win over John Marshall High School. The game quickly resembled a chess match. Both teams were locked in defensively. They were committed to executing their game plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the final score sitting in the low 50s, there was no shortage of star power. John Marshall's [player_tooltip player_id='2353620' first='Troy' last='Tomlin'] excelled offensively. Benedictine's [player_tooltip player_id='2624544' first='Chris' last='Lamm'] controlled the tempo. He delivered when it mattered most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Benedictine: Discipline, Transition &amp; Team Basketball</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the opening tip, Benedictine made it clear what kind of game they wanted. They ran well in transition when opportunities presented themselves. More importantly, they shared the basketball. They executed as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cadets rebounded well on both ends, limiting second-chance opportunities and finishing possessions defensively. Their biggest emphasis? Limiting clean touches and easy looks for [player_tooltip player_id='2353620' first='Troy' last='Tomlin'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomlin still produced at a high level. However, Benedictine's commitment to showing bodies and contesting without fouling when possible disrupted his rhythm. Mixing coverages forced him into a volume night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the ball moved. Extra passes were made. The game plan was executed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And [player_tooltip player_id='2624544' first='Chris' last='Lamm'] was at the center of it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2624544"],"_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-6993e54ecf892"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>17 points</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>6-11 FG</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>5-7 FT</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>3 rebounds</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>5 assists</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2 steals</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lamm played poised and under control. He picked his spots efficiently, scoring inside the arc and getting to the line when needed. Beyond the numbers, his ability to organize the offense and make the right reads against pressure was crucial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He didn't force shots. He made plays. He defended. He competed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a game where possessions were limited and every mistake felt magnified, Lamm's decision-making stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">John Marshall: [player_tooltip player_id='2353620' first='Troy' last='Tomlin'] Puts on a Show</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2353620"],"_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-6993e54ecf92b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For John Marshall, everything runs through [player_tooltip player_id='2353620' first='Troy' last='Tomlin'] — and for good reason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomlin poured in&nbsp;39 points, including&nbsp;17 made free throws, constantly putting pressure on the rim and forcing contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He is the heartbeat of this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomlin is a legit Division I prospect and one of the premier shot makers in the state. He scores from all three levels, thrives in transition, and is extremely crafty with the ball in his hands. His change of pace is elite at the high school level. Defenders struggle to stay attached when he shifts gears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's tough to guard because he can:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Create space off the bounce</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Absorb contact and finish</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pull up confidently</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Get to the line at a high rate</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even on a night where Benedictine focused heavily on limiting his touches, Tomlin was made to work for everything. Yet, he still found a way to nearly carry his team across the finish line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's what elite players do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Supporting Cast Notes: Benedictine</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- 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":"Josh Moore","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Benedictine ","_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-6993e54ecfa21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Josh Moore&nbsp;also made his presence felt. He's a tough finisher who runs the floor extremely well and plays aggressively downhill. Moore rebounds bigger than his size and brings physicality on both ends. He's a good all-around player who competes every possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">But in the end, Benedictine's depth, discipline, and team-oriented execution proved to be the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Takeaway</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was playoff-style basketball in February.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benedictine executed their defensive game plan, rebounded at a high level, and played connected team basketball. John Marshall showed why they're dangerous. [player_tooltip player_id='2353620' first='Troy' last='Tomlin'] led the way as a dynamic three-level scorer. He is also a true D1 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cadets walk away with a 51–45 win. Both programs showed why they're built for meaningful games down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was about toughness, execution, and star power under pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->