Nike Super 6 @ Madison Square Garden

St. Patrick’s .vs. St. Raymond’s, Keys to Victory

St. Patrick Celtics:

The Celtics are on a roll right now and currently ranked as high as #5 in the nation. They are 9-1 with their lone blemish to a tough #9 ranked Yates (TX) team at a holiday tourney in Houston. Versus the Ravens the Celtics’ best bet is to establish the post with 6’8 senior forward and Kansas commit Quintrell Thomas. Thomas is the senior on the team but 6’3 junior guard Dexter Strickland is the player that makes the Celtics go. Strickland will need to be a floor general in this game and also score points, because the Raven guards can light up the score board in a hurry. The Celtics will also need to have a solid game out of freshman guard Kevin Boyle Jr., the coach’s son, who has played well for them so far this season. If this game turns into a track meet, the Celtics could end up leaving The World’s Most Famous Arena with an L.

St. Raymond Ravens:

After beginning the season unranked, the Ravens have put everyone on notice with their early season play which has catapulted them to #8 in the nation. They are led by 6’0 senior guard and West Virginia recruit Darryl “Truck” Bryant, a strong bodied player that is capable of having some big scoring games. The Ravens are a very talented team but lack one dominant inside presence to matchup with Thomas; however they do have enough mid-sized athletes to hopefully do it by committee. In order to get out of Madison Square Garden with the victory the Ravens with also need 6’3 junior G/F Omari Lawrence and junior 6’6 forward Kevin Parrom to dominate their respective matchups. They will also need to take the ball out of Strickland’s hand and force the freshman Boyle Jr. to be the primary decision maker for the Celtics.

Matchup to watch:

Darryl “Truck” Bryant and Omari Lawrence (St. Rays) .vs. Dexter Strickland and Kevin Boyle Jr. (St. Pats)