Benedictine wins on the Road vs. Highland Springs

Monday night wasn't an easy environment, but Benedictine walked into Highland Springs and left with a big-time 59-55 road win. From the opening tip, the Cadets played like the aggressor. They attacked early. They got paint touches. They knocked down perimeter shots. Most importantly, they defended at a high level for four quarters.   What stood out most wasn't just the scoring. It was the defensive intensity. Benedictine made Highland Springs uncomfortable all night. Every catch was contested, every drive had help behind it, and clean looks were hard to come by. That edge defensively set the tone and never dipped.   Three players separated themselves as difference makers: [player_tooltip player_id='2624544' first='Chris' last='Lamm'] (6'0 PG), [player_tooltip player_id='2470604' first='Luke' last='Bergeron'] (6'0 CG), and [player_tooltip player_id='2175333' first='Mannie' last='Villegas'] (6'8 F).    Chris finished with 17 points and 3 assists   Lamm controlled this game the way you want your point guard to. He finished with 17 points and 3 assists, but the stat sheet doesn't fully capture his impact. He dictated tempo, picked his spots, and made sure Benedictine stayed organized when things got chippy.   What impressed me most was his leadership. Highland Springs made pushes at times. Lamm calmly settled his group down each time. He got them into their sets and delivered. He's tough to get past downhill, absorbs contact well, and finishes through bodies. He's the type of hard-nosed guard that translates to the college level.   He's going to have a big spring and summer in AAU, and college coaches should absolutely track him. He competes, he wins, and he plays the game the right way.     Luke was everywhere. When Lamm dealt with foul trouble, Bergeron stepped right into the primary ball-handling role and didn't blink. That says a lot about his confidence and feel for the game.   He's lightning quick with the ball, crafty in tight spaces, and has a scorer's mentality. Whether creating for himself or collapsing the defense to set up others, he made plays. Defensively, he was a pest — active hands, relentless pressure, and constant energy. He plays at 100 miles per hour and forces opposing guards to work every possession.   His motor and competitive edge were a major reason Benedictine came out on top.     The Emory & Henry commit didn't have it rolling early, but the second half was a different story. Mannie demanded the ball, established position on the block, and punished mismatches. He finished with a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) along with 3 blocks.   He was the anchor defensively. Highland Springs had to think twice about attacking the rim. He altered shots, cleaned up the glass, and brought physicality inside. Once he found his rhythm offensively, he was efficient finishing around the basket and playing through contact.   When he adds strength at the next level, he's going to be a problem. The tools are there — size, length, toughness, and a motor that doesn't shut off.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>   Benedictine only ran about seven guys, but they never looked fatigued or rattled. Even when the game got physical and emotional, they stayed composed and continued to compete. That speaks to culture and preparation.   The defensive intensity, leadership from the backcourt, and second-half dominance inside were the difference makers.   Benedictine didn't just win — they imposed their identity

Monday night wasn't an easy environment, but Benedictine walked into Highland Springs and left with a big-time 59-55 road win. From the opening tip, the Cadets played like the aggressor. They attacked early. They got paint touches. They knocked down perimeter shots. Most importantly, they defended at a high level for four quarters.