Prep Profile - St. Thomas More
This is the type of team that St. Thomas More head coach Jere Quinn loves. While there may not be an abundance of high major talent on hand, there are lots of interchangeable parts and plenty of guys with length, high basketball I.Q.’s, and the ability to make shots from the perimeter. This is also a pretty scrappy group that works hard and seems intent to maximize their potential.
With such versatility, projecting a starting five is no easy task. But it also isn’t quite as important on this team because STM is known for playing ten guys and utilizing a deep bench.
6’9” big man Dan Jennings and 6’5” swingman Anell Alexis appear to be locks for the first five as well as the only members of the roster who are already committed. The big fella is headed to West Virginia and Alexis to Marist. Jennings will be asked to anchor the Chancellors on the interior and on the glass, while continuing to develop his offensive repertoire. Alexis looks poised to be the team’s most consistent scorer as he was putting points on the board in a variety of ways the day we watched.
While Carl Johnson may have the early lead at the point guard position, there is plenty of good competition with Sam Markle and Irving Fayman both proving viable options off the bench. Each has their strengths as Johnson plays with good speed and quickness while still staying under control. Markle is an old school type of pass-first, shoot-second floor general who distributes the ball and makes high percentage plays. Fayman is probably the best catch and shoot player out of the group who also boasts a solid feel for the game.
While there are good options at the point, there are lots of players who can fill in at the 2-4 spots. Abraham Millsap is the younger brother of Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap, and plays with the same energy and intensity that you would expect. Andrew Douby is a junior who also has NBA blood lines as his brother Quincy currently stars for the Sacramento Kings. Todd Fleming II is a scorer who is talented enough to start but could also serve as the second unit’s go to guy. Dylan Fugate is the team’s “Mr. Do It All”, Rob Harrigan the best spot up shooter, Harvey Pannell Jr. is a slashing scorer, and James Regan a versatile 6’6” forward.
While Jennings will be the man in the middle, there are a couple of other talented options on the frontline. 6’10” George Kipiani is a native of the Republic of Georgia who could end up playing a significant role before the season is over. 6’9” Andrew Davis is a skilled face-up big man who can stretch the defense to the three-point line.
When you put the pieces all together, this will be your typical St. Thomas More team – a group of skilled and intelligent basketball players who, under the tutelage of head coach Jere Quinn, will execute on the offensive end and be disciplined on the defensive end…in other words a team you won’t want to play come February.