Episcopal proves too much for SSSA

Ron Bailey, Publisher

The Maroon proves itself talented and ready for postseason play.

February 11, 2010 - Friday saw Episcopal dismantle St. Stephens St. Friday, 59-32. The road win lifted Episcopal to 19-2 overall, 9-2 in the Interstate Athletic Conference, as well as solidified the Maroon's top standing in that conference's tournament, which starts Tuesday. At least a share of the overall conference championship was secured in the process.

The win, one where Episcopal led comfortably 35-21 at intermission was never really question, and for good measure; St. Stephens/St. Agnes (10-12/3-7) was woefully undermanned, having lost starting guards Doug Chappell (sophomore) and Dexter Lindsey (senior) to a broken back and strained MCL respectively, while junior forward Phil Gugliemlmo is out with a collapsed lung.

Keithan Savage was simply on the controls.

The Saints' saving grace coming into the game was junior forward Justin Goldsborough, whose athletic ability, length and improving shooting skill make him formidable in any setting. Though he paced SSSA with 15 points, his team unfortunately didn't always get him the ball. Goldsborough also faced formidable defensive pressure from Episcopal's junior forward Arnaud Adala-Moto (12 points).

Goldsborough, responding to what reasons conspired for him not to receive the ball, as much as observers thought he should: "It was really a lot of those things; Adala-Moto was playing really good 'D', I had to post up and keep posting, our guards weren't really getting it through a lot. We had that problem because we didn't really have all of our guards - some of them are hurt".

Junior guard Kethan Savage was the game's most proficient scorer, finishing with 23 points. Throughout it was Savage who controlled the tempo, pushing the ball when necessary, pulling it out when called for. "It was definitely a fast paced game" said Savage of his team's effort. "We knew they were going to come out and try and speed the game up with some full court pressure and things. We just tried to play in our own space and dictate the tempo and everything".

Both team's regular seasons are completed, and of course will play in the IAC tournament. SSSA, fourth in the IAC, plays Tuesday, while Episcopal's perch upon the top of that league allows them to suit up Friday in semifinal action.

Recruiting Note:

Kethan Savage, a 6'2", 180 pound junior point guard is seeing his recruiting stock rise precipitously, as he identified "VCU, Fairfield, Duqusene" when asked what schools have offered him a scholarship. Central Florida is also interested, but has not offered, while James Madison covets him. Savage has also piqued the interest of high major schools, like DePaul.

Since arriving at Episcopal from Chantilly (VA) this year, it's apparent that Savage is becoming more of point guard, a transition fueled by greater lateral quickness, an assessment he agreed with.

Going forward, Keithan desires to exhibit "greater consistiency" in both finding teammates and "getting my offense".

Click here for his thoughts on development