Festival Preview: North Catholic’s Title Defense Starts Here

Ron Bailey, Publisher

December 2, 2008 – During the 2007-2008 season, North Catholic went 22-4, winning both the Philadelphia Catholic League and its post season tournament – a great accomplishment for the Falcon’s seventh year coach, Mike McCarron. But don’t expect a North Catholic team distracted by those and other accomplishments when they start their season in DTLR National High School Hoops Festival presented by Nike play. It’s about business for them.

“All of the guys are unproven” said McCarron of his team. “I don’t want them to get the wrong perception (of themselves)”.

Rakeem Christmas is getting major college recruiting attention.

McCarron then used 6’9” pivot man Rakeem Christmas to epitomize his point, noting “All of Rakeem’s recruitment is based on projection…He wants to be good and works hard, but right now, he’s not (good)”. Christmas, a sophomore, is being recruited, according to his coach, by “most of the top 20 school’s in the country”.

“He’s got great, great upside” continued McCarron. “He has excellent feet. He just has to work on his skill set. He has the potential to be a great player”.

McCarron is equally as frank and demanding concerning his other players, including a quintet of juniors: Rudy Redding, a 6’0” point guard, shooting guards Mike Terry and Jaleel Mack, 6’0” and 6’1” respectively, 6’3” forward Bobby Makor, and his frontcourt mate Josh O’Neal, who stands 6’4”.

In the estimation of North Catholic’s coach, all of his players are talented, yet must focus on becoming better in the game of round ball.

He also shared the Falcons are pleased to have been invited to play in this year’s Festival.

“They’re very excited” shared McCarron. “It’s always nice to play in a different arena, in a different part of the country”.

Increasing his team’s interest in the Festival is a predominately Philly-area centric schedule, one in which North Catholic only travels to West Virginia later in the season (though out-of-town team and festival participant McNamara is on tap in January).

Resultantly North Catholic is going to make the most of their Festival match up with Baltimore’s Walbrook, a talented team in their own right.

High profile players. Baltimore versus Philly bragging rights. Great coaches. Fans make sure you have your popcorn for this one.