St. Michael the Archangel secures the win over Benedictine

<a href="//generic-entity?number=0">St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School</a> went on the road Saturday. They earned a hard-fought win over <a href="//generic-entity?number=1">Benedictine College Preparatory</a> in a game defined by pace. The match was characterized by physicality and downhill pressure.   Both teams played fast and aggressive. They constantly attacked gaps and looked to create paint touches. The teams finished at the rim in transition or sprayed the ball out for drive-and-kick threes. It wasn't a finesse game. It was bodies in the lane, hard closeouts, and second-chance battles. St. Michael ultimately separated itself with depth. Their rotation included multiple athletes. There were shooters and quality size across the floor. This made it difficult for Benedictine to sustain momentum.    Savage is one of those players whose impact is obvious the moment he steps on the floor. At 6'4 with length and athletic pop, he checks a lot of boxes for the next level. He's arguably one of the more versatile wings still flying under the radar in Virginia's 2026 class.   He plays with control but doesn't lack aggression. Savage consistently attacked off the dribble, especially in space, and looked comfortable finishing through contact in transition. Defensively, he competes with purpose — using his length to bother ball handlers and rotate into passing lanes. His jump shot continues to develop, and as that consistency grows, so will his stock. Programs looking to add size, versatility, and athleticism to the wing should have him circled heading into the spring.     McAfee's presence alone changes the game. At 6'8 with athleticism and timing, he's an immediate rim deterrent. He altered multiple shots around the basket and did a strong job walling off Benedictine's interior scoring attempts.   What makes him intriguing isn't just the size — it's the mobility. He runs the floor well. He is adept at tracking down rebounds outside his area. He also showed flashes of high IQ playmaking from the post. Offensively, he scored effectively inside and made smart reads when double-teams came. As his recruitment begins to gain traction this summer, he'll be a name that college staffs prioritize. True rim protectors with skill and feel are always in demand.     Kelly might not have stuffed the stat sheet, but his value was undeniable. He's the ultimate glue piece for this group. At 6'4 with a strong frame, he guards the opposing team's primary ball handler. He makes life difficult from baseline to baseline.   He plays with edge and toughness, setting the tone defensively. Kelly embraces the dirty work — deflections, physical closeouts, rebounding from the guard spot. Every winning team needs someone willing to do that consistently. His intangibles and defensive versatility will translate well at the next level, especially for programs that value two-way wings.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benedictine's Young Core Shows Promise</h2>   Despite the loss, Benedictine's underclassmen flashed legitimate upside.    Moore plays with maturity beyond his years. He's a physical, aggressive guard who looks comfortable with the ball in his hands. He moves to his spots with intention. He can score from multiple areas. He excels in the midrange, where he knocked down some tough shots.   He competes defensively and brings consistent energy every possession. When Benedictine needed a spark, Moore responded. His confidence, combined with his toughness, makes him a major building block for the program moving forward. Expect him to continue trending upward as he gains experience against high-level competition.     Pleasants continues to impress every time out. He plays under control and doesn't rush the game — rare for a young guard. He's an excellent shooter with clean mechanics and understands how to relocate into space.   Defensively, he uses his length to disrupt passing lanes and does a good job reading the floor. He runs the lanes hard in transition and consistently finds scoring windows within the flow of the offense. As Benedictine continues to test itself against physical competition, Pleasants' development is accelerating. He has the tools to become one of the top guards among private school programs in the coming seasons.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h2>   St. Michael had the upper hand Saturday night, leaning on experience, depth, and interior presence to secure the road win. Their combination of athletic wings and rim protection gives them real playoff potential as the season winds down.   Benedictine, while still young, is building something. The underclassmen are gaining valuable reps against experienced squads, and the growth is visible. With players like Moore and Pleasants leading the next wave, the future looks promising.   Two competitive programs. Plenty of next-level talent. And another reminder that high-level basketball in this league doesn't come easy on the road.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School went on the road Saturday. They earned a hard-fought win over Benedictine College Preparatory in a game defined by pace. The match was characterized by physicality and downhill pressure.