2016-2017 Team Preview: Jesuit
Jesuit Tigers 2015-16 record: 25-6 2016-17 prediction: 24-7 Outlook: Jesuit graduated three senior bigs (Ryan Fleming, Lee Green and Mike Sierra) and hard working senior point guard D.J. Snyder. They still have plenty of talent to work with as some…
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Continue ReadingJesuit Tigers
2015-16 record: 25-6
2016-17 prediction: 24-7
Outlook: Jesuit graduated three senior bigs (Ryan Fleming, Lee Green and Mike Sierra) and hard working senior point guard D.J. Snyder. They still have plenty of talent to work with as some new faces are coming into Neal Goldman’s system in his 30th season as the program’s head coach. Goldman always preaches defense first and that keeps the Tigers in games more often than not every year.
Projected Starters
G – Thierry Moliere (6’0″, Jr.)
G – Stevie Darst (6’2″, Sr.)
G – Tyson Dunn (6’3″, Sr.)
F – Lucas Uzdavenis (6’3″, Sr.)
F – Will Anderson (6’7″, Sr.)
Key reserves
G/F – Leonard Parker (6’2″, So.)
F – John Matthew Roberts (6’3″, Sr.)
G – Nick Weir (6’1″, Jr.)
Top games
at Hudson (Nov. 22) — season opener
v.s. Miami Belen (Dec. 3)
at Jefferson (Dec. 9)
vs. Tampa Catholic (Jan. 6)
vs. Robinson (Jan. 27)
at Berkeley Prep (Jan. 31)
at Tampa Catholic (Feb. 3)
A look ahead
Jesuit’s game is playing hard on both ends and keeping the game in its control. Last season, the Tigers averaged 57 points per game while allowing around 48 to their opponents. They’ve won five straight district titles for a reason and last season’s Class 5A state semifinal appearance was no fluke. Jesuit fell 55-54 to Jacksonville Bishop Kenny in a tight finish.
Darst and Dunn return as the lone starters back from a year ago while Moliere replaces Snyder at point guard and Uzdavenis and Anderson come in as the big men to open up games. Parker can come in and play guard or forward which will give them flexibility. Roberts is the top big man off the bench while Weir is going to emerge as a rotational shooter.
As long as they can stay healthy there is no reason Jesuit shouldn’t be able to repeat as district champions for a sixth consecutive year. Getting back to states won’t be easy, but as long Darst continues to play his all-around game and the new frontcourt can hold its own, the Tigers should find a way to make a deep postseason run. Having Dunn drain 3-pointers will be key as well as Moliere taking the next step.
Under Goldman’s command, Jesuit always battles to the end of every game. They may not be leading at the end of every first half, but the Tigers seem to claw their way back more often than not. It’s an old school mentality down in Tampa and it continues to work. This year shouldn’t be any different.