Talent on Display in Montrose – St. Johns Catholic Prep Tilt

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Lopsided score can lead to talent mis-jugdgement

February 12, 2009 – At first glance a high school final score of 75-41 generally denotes a game in which the victor was talent laden, while the defeated was virtually sans of players desired by colleges. While frequently the case, don’t take that assumption to the bank, as Montrose Christian’s (MD) defeat of St. Johns Catholic Prep (MD) disproves it. (Note: according to published information, Montrose is 18-1 while St. Johns Catholic Prep is 6-5)

Moph Yarou (white) is guarded by Grandy Glaze.

Sure the Mustangs led by 33-20 at halftime, having dominated the paint via senior frontcourt player and future Villanova Wildcat ‘Moph’ Yarou (11 points). And there is no doubt a pair of swingmen, junior Terrance Ross and senior Dominic Milburn dropped 20 and 12 points respectively. That doesn’t speak to the other talented student-athletes donning Montrose’s Green and White.

But don’t get it twisted, St. Johns’ has coveted players. Just look at sophomore forward Glandy Glaze, who posted, drove and stick backed to 18 points. Or junior point man Cedrick Johnson (7 points). The guy possibly the most collegiate scholarship interest, JR Ferguson, did not score a point, though he did play Yarou physically – football is his true focus.

Following are brief evaluations of players on both squads. The exclusion of any athlete is not meant as a slight to that individual; time and space considerations dictated brevity.

Expect more on other student athletes later. You know how i95Ballerz.com does.

Montrose Christian

Moph Yarou – A Benin, West Africa national, Yarou should be well suited for the Big East, given his 6’9”, 255 pound frame (and he’s lost weight), good mid-range jumper, and penchant for banging.

Super frosh, Justin Anderson provided 14 points.

Terrance Ross – Hailing from Portland, OR, Ross is a classic, 6’7” swingman in that he can slash to the hoop in addition to hit jumpers past the three point arch. As Montrose’s coach, Stu Vetter has previously noted, “All the schools are on him”. A member of Team Jones, Ross may be forced to find another off-season travel team, as NBA swingman Fred Jones indicated to this writer previously he’s unsure if he will be committed to financing his namesake organization this year.

Justin Anderson – Only a freshman, Anderson established his top schools as “Texas, UNC, and Louisville”; the Cardinals have offered, while Texas is his favorite. Of course a slew of others are interested in this 6’6” athletic shooter. To say the world could be his oyster is unncessary– just seeing him play that’s obvious. Boo Williams is his AAU home.

St. Johns Catholic Prep

Grandy Glaze – Hailing from Canada, Glaze, 6’6” and 230 pounds, can mix it up inside, and has steadily increased his face up/attack skills. A sophomore, Grandy has received interest from Big East, ACC, A-10, and SEC schools. From a local perspective, both Georgetown and Maryland have displayed recruiting effort towards him. Team Takeover’s Canadian affiliate, coached by Mike George, is where he’ll ply his craft during travel team play.

Cedrick Johnson helped lead Snow Hill to a Maryland State title last year.

Cedrick Johnson – A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Johnson has worked tirelessly on his jump shot and off hand (right), to round into a solid Division I lead guard. Standing 5’9” and weighing close to 150 pounds, his stature has not deterred the likes of “MD, NC State, Loyola, James Madison and the Naval Academy” according to him in expressing various levels of interest. Johnson will sport Team Baltimore Nike Elite - coached by Bubb Carrington and Darrell Corbett - silks this spring/summer.

JR. Ferguson – As a 6’4 ½” defensive end, Ferguson, a junior, has received offers from, according to his father, Ego, “the whole ACC” (excluding Virginia), Tennessee, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, LSU and others; the count is presently at 31. There is no wonder schools are all over him for football, giving Ferguson’s good foot speed, lateral movement, quickness, strength, and aggressiveness (just ask Yarou, who he banged with for most of the night; Ferguson was able to keep the likely All-American in some semblance of check).