Festival Preview: McNamara’s Mustangs Ready to Run

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 16, 2007 – Bishop McNamara (MD) has long been a team that everyone respects for not only its athletes, but coaching and style of play. This season is no different.

Coached by Martin Keithline, the Mustangs plan to use a combination of fast break offense and stingy defense to overcome foes. The catalyst of both attacks is senior point guard Marc Hill, a 5’9”, three year starting dynamo, who will attend North Carolina A&T next season. Last season, Hill averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 assists per game last season.

On the wing, junior wingman Rashad Whack, a 6’3” sharpshooter also defends and selectively attacks the rim (made possible by impressive work this summer), and will be one of the better players in McNamara’s league – The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

Joining that tandem are juniors, 6’2” guard Trask Ivey and 6’9” center forward Talib Zanna. Ivey is a tough backcourt player capable of playing physically, while Zanna, who hails from Kanduna, Nigeria, is as his coach noted “very skilled and can handle the ball”.

Senior performers Montrel Walker and Lawrence Smith – a 6’7” forward and 6’4” swingman respectively - along with senior 6’3” small forward Duran Adams can all be expected to add sizeable contributions to Keithline’s rotation.

McNamara, 18-10 last year, plans to surpass their quarterfinal finish in last year’s WCAC tourney, in addition to once again play a challenging out of conference schedule. Fans can of course see them in National High School Hoops Festival action (Dec. 8th versus Laurel High School).

Keithline is happy his team has the opportunity to do so. “Absolutely” he exclaimed when asked if he is excited about the prospects of playing Laurel the confab presents. “Anytime you get a chance to play in an event like that you are excited. It will be a very tough game”.

Additonally, the Mustangs also compete against the likes of local D.C. powers Georgetown Prep (MD) and Ballou (DC), along with Miami Killian (FL). They will also participate in the Gonzaga DC Classic and Richmond Va’s Benedictine Capital City Classic Christmas Tournament.