The recently cemented BCL Player of the Year showed why he was deserving of such praise with his 26-point performance in helping MSJ to a quarterfinal win over Archbishop Spalding. The St. Joe’s commit adds to his long resume of big-time games when his team needed him most to hit contested, demoralizing shots that separates himself from the pack. The ultimate competitor and leader of this team, Ranson’s attack was done with precision as he drilled 11 of his 14 attempts from the field. Mount St. Joe will face No. 1 St. Frances in the semifinal matchup Thursday evening.

Ranson was coming off a 29-point win against Glenelg Country less than 15 hours before tipping off in this even against Gonzaga. He remained in rhythm and had a busy first half to build some momentum for what was to come in the second half for his team. The Gaels would end up defeating the WCAC program by 10 and as others stepped up in the second half while the attention of Gonzaga’s defense shifted towards Ranson, he still converted on a couple of buckets and used his gravity to open the floor for others. The St. Joe’s commit led with a game-high 21 points in the win, which makes for the fifth-straight victory for Pat Clatchey’s crew.

One thing that I tend to pay close attention to is how players prepare in warm-ups to see if how they’re approaching the 20 or so minutes before a game translates under the whistle. Every movement, every shot and every dribble-drive action that Ranson performs prior to the game is what takes playing during the game. The St. Joe’s pledge has ‘in the gym’ range to go with a silky smooth load-up on his jumper and things got started right away as he buried a three from the left wing. The Dragons’ defense reverted around staying glued to Ranson and running him off the three-point line. No worries for Ranson as he draw a foul on a three the ensuing possesion and then spent the rest of the first half attacking off the dribble on closeouts or in transition where he used his length to extend the ball toward the rim before opposing shot blockers could get a finger on it. Everything Ranson did looked fundamentally sound, effortless and smooth as he led the Gaels to another win with a game-high 29 points.

The shotmaking from the St. Joe’s pledge was nothing short of impressive. This game featured some most of the cold-blooded scorers that you’ll find in the Baltimore area this year and Ranson belongs at the top of that list. His range extends well beyond the arc and even with his defender anticipating him rising up for an attempt, it doesn’t alter Ranson’s mechanics or confidence. After the slow start, Ranson buried an NBA three from the left wing and looked to spearhead the Gaels attack from there as he’d go onto score a game-high 34 points. When he wasn’t teeing off from three, Ranson operated in the mid-post or along the baseline hitting what has become his patented fadeaway jumper that always seems to hit nothing but net on the makes. Ranson attacked off 1-to-2 dribbles and hit a flurry of pull-ups from 15-feet as well.

Among the primary contenders for league POY honors, Ranson boosted his resumé with a dynamic 26-point effort to steer the win. A natural scorer from all over the floor, he was able to create for himself at a moment’s notice, playing efficient out of actions both on and off the ball to create space for himself on the perimeter. Aside from his self-creation, Ranson used his length, quickness and instincts to create extra possessions and put himself in position for scrap points. The St. Joe’s commit plays with a spring in his step that helps to overcome a lack of strength. He projects as a potential immediate impact piece in the A10 with significant upside left to tap into if his body takes a jump.

Ranson enters the season in a strong position to make a run for BCL and MIAA POY. He netted a game-high 23 points in the win earlier this week and was the offensive catalyst his team was desperately looking for in the second quarter to gain enough momentum and take control of the game heading into halftime. Many of his first half buckets came in transition after turnovers in a half court defensive setting or as a result of quick shots from Concordia. The St. Joe’s commit threw down a couple dunks on the night, hit a few of his patented fallaway three-pointers to demoralize his matchup, and frequented the charity stripe in the final two frame as he got to the cup and forced the ref’s whistle.