Festival Preview: Roman is Still Repin’ Philly

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 27, 2008 – Roman Catholic has long been a powerhouse in Philadelphia boy’s high school hoops, fielding tough, talented teams, essentially mirroring what City of Brotherly Love hoops is about. This year’s edition is no exception, so expect to see that ethos in DTLR National High School Hoops Festival Presented by Nike competition.

“That’s what I hope for” said Roman’s head coach, Chris McNesby when asked if his team would bring its Philly swag to bear against Paul VI (VA). “We have to, right off the bat”.

Leading the team down I-95 will be the player many in Philadelphia have judged the city’s best, 6’1”, Villanova-bound guard Maalik Wayns.

Maalik Wayns pulls up in USA U-18 Trials action this summer.

“Obviously he’s gifted with the ball” started McNesby on Wayns, one of the toughest players on the East Coast. “He has a great body that’ll get him to the basket. He’s a throwback Philly guard”.

Essentially, McNesby is saying Wayns does whatever needs to be done for a victory, including driving, passing, defending, shooting, and of course leading his team.

Long considered one of the best in the country, Maalik displayed all of those skills for USA Basketball’s Under-18 team this summer, where he was named the toughest player in the team’s two-week trials and training confab by HoyaReport.com.

He’s not alone on Roman’s squad: Of immediate note joining Wayns are Rakeem Brookins, a tough, competitive 5’10” junior combo guard that’s getting solid mid-major recruiting looks, along with 6’7” senior Koron Reed, an athletic power forward.

Of additional interest to Festival attendees should be Roman’s Paul VI tilt being their first game after last year’s 20-6 season, a campaign culminating in untimely Philadelphia Catholic League Tournament defeat – the school is prohibited by league rules from actually playing games until the first weekend in December.

A great player surrounded by good ones, all of whom back down from no one, are well coached and start a season in which they are motivated, mark Roman Catholic’s Festival participation. What more could observer’s ask for?