By Christian Mordi - @mordi_thecomeup on Twitter / @thecomeupradio on IG
Team: St. Mary’s Elizabeth
Ranking: 19
Record Last season: 14-10, 5-3 in conference play
Key players: Ahmad St. Fleur, senior;Calistus Anyichie, junior
Potential emerging stars: Papie Roberts, sophomore;Deshawn Latham, sophomore;Casmir Ochiaka, junior
Team analysis: St.Mary’s Elizabeth is a strong program that has had trouble the past couple of years turning the corner. The 2016-2017 season should be their year.
While the team has lost two of their top scorers from last year in William Sessoms and Rick’Keem Mixson, the team has reloaded in a major way. The Union County school nabbed sensational sophomores Papie Roberts and Deshawn Latham from American History in a recent transfer. As a freshmen, Roberts was a force posting a solid stat line of17 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals per game. Latham showed great feel for the game as well averaging 15 points per gamein his first year.
The strength of this team should be in the frontcourt. On a nightly basis, St. Mary’s can roll out a frontline of 6’8 and 6’9. While there are many things you can teach, size isn’t one of them. Anyichie and Ochiaka may have been a bit overwhelmed at certain points last year, but a strong summer has put both in position to breakout.
St. Mary’s always plays a rigorous schedule and they are ready to produce this year in the big games. They have the size and solid guard play to compete with any team in the state. After the 30 day transfer period is up, they will be loaded. St. Mary’s has the potential to be the year's version of Mater Dei. If so, watch out!
Stat to know: Sophomore transfers Papie Roberts and Deshawn Latham were two of the best freshmen in the state last year. Roberts is on pace to score a tick under 2,000 points in his career.