Festival Preview: Wootten Likes His Knights To Be Tested

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 25, 2008 – “It’s a first class event. We’ll be tested early” said Bishop O’Connell (VA) head coach Joe Wootten, of his DTLR National High School Hoops Festival Presented by Nike match up with Kinston (NC). Moreover, meeting that school, led by UNC-bound Reggie Bullock, will prepare O’Connell for their next opponent, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference rival Gonzaga.

This season, as goes Kendall Marshall so go the O’Connell Knights. Having grown to around 6’4” according to Wootten, Marshall, has impressed his coach with becoming “much better off the dribble” as well as “starting to realize he can score in multiple ways”, as opposed to simply spotting up. That’s bad news for opponents facing Marshall - a junior guard who has declared North Carolina his future college home.

Starting at point guard is guard Devin Cole, a cerebral and tough player that makes others around him better. “He’s our leader right now” said Wootten of the 5’10” senior. “He makes open shots (also)”.

Larry Savage, who hails from Virginia's Eastern Shore, is a promising sophomore forward possessing jumping ability and aggressiveness.

Joining Cole and Marshall in the backcourt rotation are junior Zalmico Harmon, a pass first, defensive stopper who likes to get to the rim, and fellow third year man Maurice Williams, a combo guard that likes to pull up for open shots. Harmon is around 5’11”, while Williams is 6’1”.

A pair of sophomore transfers, 6’4” Larry Savage and 6’5” Jordan Burgess – an athletic rim rocker and skilled post guy respectively - will greatly aid O’Connell’s forward lineup, which centers upon Kevin “Jo Jo” Jones, a 6’4” senior banger destined to play collegiately at UMBC.

When you add junior center/forward Marcus Carmon, a 6’6” player who can hit mid-range shots and is unafraid of contact, along with 6’5” sophomore James Bourne, a guy that has grown in both skill set and basketball savvy, O’Connell’s 2008-2009 prospects are good.

Will the Knights meet or exceed last year’s 29-8 record and WCAC and Alhambra Catholic Invitational runner up status? It’s too early to tell presently, but rest assured they will be in the mix to do so.