Kehler on Hoops: Roman Cath./George Scrimmage

Written by: Dell Jackson on November 29, 2021

Ed note: David Kehler (@david_kehler) provides us with a wrap on a high level scrimmage.

ROMAN CATHOLIC VS. GEORGE SCRIMMAGE

The view from here is that Roman Catholic, Lower Merion, and defending champion Reading are the preseason favorites to win the 2021-22 PIAA Class 6A state championship. On Saturday afternoon, Roman Catholic visited George’s terrific gym for a game conditions scrimmage and defeated the host 67-54. George is an emerging power in the non-PIAA Friends Schools League and has one of the tallest teams in the state, with front line starters who are 6′ 7″, 6′ 8″, and 6’9″. However, Roman’s outstanding team quickness and pressure defense was too much for George on Saturday afternoon.

The scrimmage opened with George taking an early lead, sparked by inside scoring by 6′ 8″ junior Kachi Nzeh. George led 14-11 at the end of the first quarter. Roman’s response was a variety of full court pressure defenses, and they opened the second quarter by scoring 20 consecutive points, taking advantage of repeated George turnovers. George’s strength on the boards and inside scoring enabled them to stay with Roman in the second half, but the outcome was never in doubt. The key statistic in the scrimmage was George’s 19 turnovers. Significantly, Roman’s tallest player, 6′ 7″ Matija Radunovic, was injured and did not play in the scrimmage.

A bit about George, since most llhoops readers are probably not familiar with the team. They are well-coached by former Rider U. assistant Ben Luber, and former Temple U. star Mike Vreeswyk is an assistant. A couple of George players have attracted major college interest, including Nzeh, who had 12 points and 9 rebounds in the scrimmage, and 6′ 4″ sophomore guard Christian Bliss, who notched 15 points and had 3 rebounds vs. Roman. Bliss is new to the team, having transferred from New York City Catholic league power Archbishop Molloy. Their other outstanding player is 6′ 9′ senior Gestin Liberis, who had 9 points and 8 rebounds against Roman.

Chris McNesby has returned as Roman’s coach this season after a five year break, and the team is brimming with talent. Particularly strong performers in Saturday’s scrimmage were quick, skilled 6′ 5″ senior Daniel Skillings (Cincinnati recruit), steady 6′ 3″ senior Khalil Farmer (Hofstra recruit), clever and strong point guard 6′ 1″ junior Xzayvier Brown, and superb defender 6′ sophomore Toby Ojukwu. As is characteristic, Roman is playing a championship schedule this season.

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