Versatile Paul VI Panthers are poised to pounce

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Young and talented, the Paul VI Panthers could make noise.

December 8, 2010 - Asked about his 2010-2011 team, Paul VI (VA) boys basketball coach Glenn Farello simply said "I'd like to see us continue to mature", as "We are still young but my top six are back from last year". But make no bones about it, though not greatly experienced, the Panthers are talented.

"Patrick Holloway, our leading scorer, is back" noted Farello, PVI's coach for four years now, of his team's scoring leader. "He's one of the best shooters in the country, hit 94 threes, and is the best shooter I've ever coached". Mid and high majors are all over this 6'1", 160 pound junior guard.

Sophomore swingman Stanford and Jamell Robinson (unrelated), standing 6'3", 180 pounds and 6'4", 200 pounds, respectively, are main cogs in teh Panther machine. "They just have immense talent" opined Farello of the pair. "(They are) Wings with so much versatility, with a bright future ahead of them. They are battle tested".

Stan Robinson (shooting) is a player that is always on attack mode.

Junior forward Coleman Johnson (6'6", 200 pounds) "has put in a lot of work" according to Farello, allowing him to lead Paul VI scoring in two early games. Chido Nweze, a 6'8", 220 pound junior developmental forward that's young-for-his class has also worked greatly to improve, leading Farello to laud "his work ethic and character".

Directing the attack are sophomore's Tillman Dunbar and Mike Cunningham. Of the former, Farello said "He has a great understanding of the game" along with a 3.8 GPA.

The team's lone senior, Asa Smith, is "by far our best defender" noted Farello. "I call him our Bruce Bowen and he is just such an important piece to what we do. He's kind of a throwback". Sophomore 6'9" big man Tim Higgins will also give minutes up front.

Summed Farello: "We have a very good team. Balanced across the board. Everyone can handle, pass, and score. Offensively we have understanding of how we want to play. You want some continuity. The've been through some battles".

This year, those tests of course include the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, a confab Farello believes "the best in the county, night in and night out". The Panthers travel to North Carolina for Christmas, competing in Charlotte's Prep All Stars tourney, and of course line up against Benedictine (VA) in NHSHF play. Of that tilt, Farello opined "What a great December matchup....It's going to be fun for us to see where we are and matchup with one of the best teams in the state, if not the best".

Schematically, the Panthers "like to run, we want to get out, get out in the open floor" according to Farello. "We enjoy an up-tempo team, to be in attack mode offensively and defensively.

"One of the things we sell all the kids on is playing defense. We reward you with that, with some freedom on the offensive end. Just be in attack mode".

Being able to go 10 deep if necessary and having confidence in reserves is a prerequisite for such play. Farello affirmed both, while also again adding "we have versatile players that play multiple positions".

The Panthers, though still young, are ready to pounce.