Festival Preview: Trio to Lead Towson Catholic

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 30, 2007 – Last year, Towson Catholic (MD) had two players graduate and accept scholarships to two of the most competitive college hoops conferences in American, the Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference. Truly a substantial loss, one that suburban Baltimore-based institution is presently grappling with.

We’ll be good” said the team’s coach, Josh Pratt, before adding “But we’ll be better late”.

That’s not to say the squad is not dangerous now, but standards are high at Towson Catholic, and this year’s team must learn and excel at their new roles.

A younger Brandon Greene

A trio of main pieces, seem to be in place. Leading the team is 6’0’ Larry Bastfield, a senior, floor leading point guard who will play in college at Toledo next year. Down low, 6’6” junior forward Brandon Greene, a player capable of doing many things well and has received much mid-major college attention, will be a force. Not to be forgotten is 6’5” junior Leshon Edwards, whose ability to run the floor and play defense have attracted scouts from both high and mid-major schools.

“They are kind of like my Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen” opined Pratt, who in saying so illustrated the importance of Bastfield, Greene, and Edwards to Towson Catholic.

They may have to play like that crew from the Boston Celtics, if the school is to successfully survive their schedule, a slate Pratt dubbed “crazy”. Preceding the December 9th match up with DeMatha Catholic (MD) in National High School Hoops Festival action, are game’s with New York City’s Rice, and Fort Washington, MD’s National Christian – both powerhouse teams. Later, Pratt and his charges compete in the Gonzaga Classic (DC), Bay Ball Classic (DE), battle Philly’s Neumann-Goretti in the City of Brotherly love, and of course there is Baltimore Catholic League play.

Regarding facing DeMatha in the Festival, Pratt is excited, as he believes the experience will do nothing but further allow his team to improve. “Anytime you have a chance to play DeMatha, it’s great” opined Towson’s coach. “Mike Jones (DeMatha’s coach) is doing a great job, and they have good players”.

“Everybody thinks we are in the rebuilding stage” he continued, “but I don’t so. We’ll be very competitive”.

Sounds like Towson could be a team most will not like to play, sooner or later.