Festival Preview: Expectant McNamara Taking it ‘One Game at a Time’

Ron Bailey, Publisher

December 1, 2008 – Containing three seniors who’ve committed to Division I programs along with other experienced, skilled student athletes, Bishop McNamara (MD) has been saddled with expectations, both internally and from others. The team’s coach, Marty Keithline, has worked hard to focus his team.

“We have a lot of experience coming back” said Keithline recently, in his eighth year at McNamara, sixth as head coach. “But we haven’t won a game yet (their season starts this week)”.

Rashad Whack is guarding the ball, while Talib Zanna (42) patrols the lane in last year's Festival action.

But it’s undisputable the Mustangs are talented. First, there his 6’8” center/forward Talib Zanna, a senior center headed to Pittsburgh that can hit the mid-range jumper, rebound, block shots, and owns probably the nicest low post spin move in the D.C./Baltimore area.

Of course one can’t forget about the 6’4” sweet shooting two-man Rashad Whack, a senior who will play at George Mason next year, or North Carolina A&T-bound Lawrence Smith, also 6’4” and a senior, one that can really defend and attack the rim.

When you factor in other players like fourth year student Trask Ivey – a 6’2” utility man that provides both frontcourt and perimeter impact - and 6’0” junior point guard Marcus Pilgrim - a player that performs on both sides of the floor – it’s not hard to see why those in and out of the program believe McNamara will surpass last year’s 18-11 mark.

The Mustangs don’t have it easy though, as they play B’More’s Saint Frances in DTLR National High School Hoops Festival Presented by Nike competition. “We’re looking forward to it” said Keithline of the contest. “Saint Frances is a very good team”.

In addition to that and their Washington Catholic Athletic Conference slate – a conference that compares to any in the land – McNamara will be tested this year: The Mustangs play Baltimore’s Woodlawn in Caron Butler’s event plus travel to Charlotte, NC for the Bojangle’s Tournament in December, then have January tilts scheduled with Atlantic Shores (VA), St. Benedict’s (NJ) and fellow Festival participant North Catholic (PA).

The path is a tough one to travel, but McNamara is prepared. Keithline eschews that thinking, and will not let his crew look ahead.

“We’ve talked a lot about wining one game at a time” he said, of the mentality the Mustangs must possess.

Nevertheless, McNamara is likely poised for a great season, one in which the WCAC championship and high profile out-of-conference victories are within reach.