CHSAA Monday Showcase Game

<p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/050876D3-EE19-499E-ABC0-6BCAC774CAB7-crop-3961x2601-1621306559.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/050876D3-EE19-499E-ABC0-6BCAC774CAB7-crop-3961x2601-1621306559-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">Xaverian and Molloy high schools squared off in a game Monday with a playoff spot up for grabs in the Chsaa spring tournament at Stepinac High school. We were treated to tremendous individual talent plus teams who go all out on every possession. Two very well coached teams. Here are the top performers from this game.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Xaverian.   66      Molloy  60</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left;">We have written up the 2 guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="945523" first="Shawn" last="Fulcher"]  (pictured) and [player_tooltip player_id="1047657" first="Nick" last="Folk"] </strong>many times. Tonight once again we could do a whole report on them.   Both players seem to have the ball connected to their hands with the dribble they change speeds as well as anyone. They both have exceptional pull up games and explosive first steps. Step back, crossovers or splitting defenders leads to baskets for themselves or teammates. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048403" first="Jaden" last="Pena"] </strong>is the recipient of a lot of their drives. But Jaden can get his own. He showed good footwork and a nice spin move in the post. Defensively he can block shots and rebound on both ends of the floor. I was impressed mostly by his ability to clear the defensive glass and then lead the break and finish at the rim.  He is very capable of handling the ball in the open floor. <strong>Myles Province </strong>is a very strong powerful guard. With an explosive first step. Fearless going to the rim. A jump out of the gym player.  He was able to beat his defender and then get up over the rim protectors from Molloy and finish with a high touch off the glass. <strong>Matt Gonzalez </strong>was as solid as any player on the court. A very good shooter. Matt displayed a nice floater in the lane and also a pull up jumper. The ball comes out of his hand with ease and a good rotation. He has a uncanny ability to track the ball and then go get it. </p> <p style="text-align: left;"> <strong>Molloy’s</strong> sophomore guard <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1045684" first="Christian" last="Bliss"] </b>who has serious interest from <strong>St. Johns, Penn State, Hofstra </strong>and others is as smooth with the ball has anyone. He can weave his way to the basket and finish. Has deep range and a pull  up game. Excellent vision in both the half court and on the break. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048586" first="Kawar" last="Singh"] </strong>the 6”8 senior can score around the rim. He is a presence on the boards. Showed that he is capable of hitting the 15 foot baseline jumper and also the elbow jumper. He is able to deliver a bounce pass to the cutters from either the high or low post.<strong> John McCabe </strong>a junior guard can fill it up.  Looks to be one of the better shooters in the city. An excellent three point shooter. His release is fundamentally sound. He is strong getting in the lane off the bounce. One particular play saw him go  behind his back to a crossover and finish with a reverse layup in traffic.A newcomer to the varsity squad is sophomore <strong>Jayden James </strong>a long lanky versatile player.  Runs the floor really well. He was able to score in the open floor. Was instrumental in a 16- 5 run in the fourth quarter comeback. He has a willingness  to get to the rim. Caught the ball in traffic on the break and finished.  Very active on the boards. A player who we will watch carefully next year as he gains varsity experience .</p>