Jefferson 79, Jesuit 75: Top Performers
The season has kicked off and Jefferson is the prohibitive favorite to win it all in 6A. But if Friday night was any indication, nothing is going to be handed over easily to the Democrats. Jesuit came to play at…
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Continue ReadingThe season has kicked off and Jefferson is the prohibitive favorite to win it all in 6A. But if Friday night was any indication, nothing is going to be handed over easily to the Democrats. Jesuit came to play at Jefferson and the Crusaders went toe-to-toe with the Demos until a late rally led by senior guard Marcus Tsohonis helped lead his team to victory, 79-75.
“It was a tough game against a very tough and worthy opponent,” said Jefferson head coach Pat Strickland. “It’s good to come out with the ‘W’ but we definitely have to improve. We’ll get back in the lab and work it out.”
The game was tight from the outset but Jesuit – behind seniors Justin Bieker and Aidan Williams – started to build some momentum and with a little over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, had staked themselves a shocking ten-point lead. But after a timeout was called, Tsohonis rallied the troops. Doing some scoring himself but also creating for others, the Demos came back and pulled things out.
“We had some time so we just needed to come together, play some defense, and get in transition and get some layups,” Tsohonis said. “It was heart.”
Team Scoring
Jesuit 18 19 19 19 – 75
Jefferson 19 20 16 24 – 79
Individual Scoring
Jesuit: Justin Bieker 21, Matthew Levis 13, Aidan Williams 13, Connor Kollas 10, Braden Rice 9, Will Sheaffer 6, Roy Bunn 3, Josh Fourde 0.
Jefferson: Marcus Tshohonis 20, Kamron Robinson 19, Nate Rawlins-Kibonge 11, Keylin Vance 11, Rayven Turner 9, Trevon Richmond 7, Jalen Brown 2, Jonathon Nchekwube 0, Will Taylor 0.
The Prospects
Marcus Tsohonis (2019 Jefferson) – Stats: 20 pts, 2 reb, 9 ast, 5-14 fg, 3-8 3pt, 7-7 ft. Tsohonis was the MVP of the game. He didn’t have the greatest shooting numbers but he made critical buckets when they were needed and when Jefferson was down eight in the fourth, it was Tsohonis that put the team on his back. The Washington signee didn’t necessarily take the shots but made strong drives to the basket and found teammates – in particular Kamron Robinson – for easy buckets. Tsohonis was 4-for-4 from the line down the stretch.
Justin Bieker (2019 Jesuit) – Stats: 21 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 7-15 fg, 3-7 3pt, 4-4 ft. Bieker had a little bit of a slow start but really kicked it up in the second half, especially late where he canned a couple of open threes. The senior attacked the basket when it was given to him and used his lengthiness to get a couple of buckets near the hoop. The lefty has a bit of a herky-jerky style which makes him hard for defenders to predict where he’s going.
Kamron Robinson (2021 Jefferson) – Stats: 19 pts, 11 reb, 8-8 fg, 3-4 ft. Robinson had about an efficient game as you can have and converted everything that was thrown his way. He found himself in the right position at the right time where he used his soft hands to catch the entry passes and making the quick turn to put in the easy layins. The sophomore was also dominant on the defensive boards in his first ever varsity game.
Aidan Williams (2019 Jesuit) – Stats: 13 pts, 3 reb, 5-11 fg, 3-7 3pt. Williams is known for his three-point shooting and it appeared that Jefferson planned for that as he didn’t get a ton of open looks. In fact, a couple of the threes that the senior did hit were on some of his own dribble and step-back moves. Since he didn’t find himself open for many threes, Williams also converted a couple of mid-range shots.
Keylin Vance (2019 Jefferson) – Stats: 11 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 4-9 fg, 2-6 3pt, 1-1 ft. Vance didn’t get the start but certainly provided a spark off of the bench, in particular in the second half. The last six points from the senior came at critical junctures of the game – his contested three capped Jefferson’s comeback from eight down at 70, and then his traditional three-point play provided the game’s final margin.
Matthew Levis (2020 Jesuit) – Stats: 13 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 5-14 fg, 2-6 3pt, 1-2 ft. Levis played with a high motor all game long. The junior guard wasn’t afraid to create his own offense and after struggling to find his long range jumper in the first half, canned a couple in the second. At this early juncture it seems that point guard for the Crusaders will be handled by committee, but given his ability to create it wouldn’t be surprising to see Levis take on more of that role.
Nate Rawlins-Kibonge (2021 Jefferson) – Stats: 11 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk, 4-6 fg, 3-5 ft. Rawlins-Kibonge was extremely effective during the time he was in the game; the 6-foot-7 sophomore was saddled with foul trouble especially in the second half. But when he was playing, he was near unstoppable around the basket and on the boards. Rawlins-Kibonge tallied two blocked shots, one of which where he used his length to chase down a perimeter shooter and tip his three-point attempt. The key this season will be for him to effectively tone down his aggression to avoid foul trouble yet still be an alpha dog type.
Connor Kollas (2020 Jesuit) – Stats: 10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 3-8 ft,2-7 3pt, 2-2 ft. This was the first time we’ve seen Kollas and he was a pleasant surprise – especially in the first half where he scored eight points. At 6-foot-3, the junior has some size on the wing and he wasn’t afraid to mix it up with Jefferson’s big guys on defense. Offensively, he seemed to find a way to get open and like practically everyone else on Jesuit’s team, Kollas showed good ability to knock down the three. He will no doubt be a key contributor off the bench this year.
Rayven Turner (2021 Jefferson) – Stats: 9 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 4-6 fg 1-1 3pt, 0-2 ft. Turner made efficient use of his time off of the bench. He was able to create off the dribble and knock down his only three-point attempt from the corner. At 6-foot-5 with emerging perimeter skills, it seems like he’s a bit of a wildcard off the bench to use for head coach Pat Strickland.
Roy Bunn (2021 Jesuit) – Stats: 3 pts, 1 ast, 0-1 fg, 3-4 ft. Bunn didn’t put up big numbers but seemed to provide a spark for the Crusaders whenever he was in the game. At 5-foot-8 he may be small but the sophomore is extremely quick with the dribble. This was his very first varsity game, so it would not be surprising to see his role increase as the year goes along.
Trevon Richmond (2019 Jefferson) – Stats: 7 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl, 1-3 fg, 0-1 3pt, 5-7 ft. Richmond didn’t put up the gaudiest stats necessarily but the 6-foot senior does what he always seems to do – do the little things on the basketball floor that helped win ballgames. A couple of his rebounds were of the type where he came from nowhere to make the grab, and both came in critical times in the second half when the Demos needed to retain possession. He was also clutch with 3-for-4 FT shooting down the stretch.