Good Gauge Provided by Bullis and St. John’s Scrimmage

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 29, 2006 – Yesterday evening, Bullis and St. John’s College High School scrimmaged at St. John’s in preparation for the upcoming season. By all indications, both should be teams to be reckoned with this season.

Bullis, an Interstate Athletic Conference school located in Potomac, MD, took the first two periods, while St. John’s – a long time Washington Catholic Athletic Association member based in Washington, D.C. - was victorious in the last three. St. John’s coach, Paul DeStefano, felt his team, “In the third quarter (and beyond), showed more aggressiveness and focus”, particularly on the defensive end.

According to him, the ability to stop opponents from scoring will be central to his team’s success, as DeStefano stated “If we are going to be good, we are going to have to defend”. Given that reality, the Cadets used this preseason competition to “work a lot of defense”.

His Bullis counterpart, Bruce Kelly was unhappy with that team’s “29 turnovers” – caused not only by the Cadet’s defense but the absence of their point guard also – but nonetheless felt the competition was invaluable. “It’s why you play against great coaches and great teams” he opined. “What you don’t do well, they will attack. “There is no way to simulate their pressure in practice…It can make you go out and play out of control”.

Bruce Kelly (kneeling), not only guided his team's players in strategy, but was seen physically showing them fundamentals as well.

Both coaches challenged their opponents by using multiple defenses, while also attacking offensively via running when available, and maintaining movement in the half court. If they can consistently play in that manner this season, opponents will be worse for it.

Selected, Brief Player Evals-

Isaiah Gore – (Bullis) – Kelly would label him “the mainstay of our team”. Athletic swing man who also filled in at point guard, Gore can shoot, drive, and defend. This sophomore dropped 11 points, and should be a key performer in the IAC this season.

Nick Melbourne (SJC) – As a sophomore swingman, Melbourne has the potential to be a rising player in the WCAC by not only complimenting Chris Wright offensively, but becoming a good defender as well. He would score 4 points, in addition to consistently showing why many in the know are praising his upside, as the young guy is athletic, and can both drive and shoot. The sky’s the limit for him.

St. John's Vlade Moldoveanu may be considered the Cadet's X-Factor: To advance in their league, he must play well.

Vlad Moldoveanu (SJC) – Active describes this 6’10”, George Mason-bound forward. Moldoveanu not only crashed the boards and shot jumpers, but filled lanes and ran out to meet shooters as well. If St. John’s is to win the WCAC title, Vlad will have to show his versatile game on a consistent basis: It looks like he’s up to the task, as his 16 points partly testify.

Nick Petkovich (Bullis) – Scored 13 points, and is expected to be a player of note this season, given his ability to play inside and out, on both sides of the floor. As a reserve last season Petkcovich didn’t play against the level of player St. John’s boasts, and as such his coach, Kelley, thinks this scrimmage was a great “confidence booster”.

Brett Stein (Bullis) – Junior shooting guard was forced into a lot of point guard action, and displayed the work he completed this summer in anticipation of playing lead guard in college. Scored 8 points in addition to distributing the rock. Has the ability to shoot either a traditional jump shot, or his favorite, a set-jumper – both while being rushed by defenders.

Chris Wright (SJC) - In short, he’s ready for the season. Showed his trademark offensive aggressiveness in both half and full court scenarios, but has also truly embraced his role as unquestioned team leader – both through his play and vocally. Wright, a senior guard capable of playing both backcourt positions, scored 26 points, and again proved he is one of the best players regardless of position and classification, in the D.C. area.