Prep Profiles - St. Thomas More
“Championship, championship, championship” Devin Ebanks responded when asked what he was hoping to accomplish during the upcoming season. The emerging superstar who committed to Indiana earlier this summer, now appears completely focused on leading his St. Thomas More team to the NEPSAC crown, and he has a shot of getting it done.
What was most impressive about Ebanks today was not just his maturation on the court, but also his maturation as a leader of this team. Not only did he lead by example with his consistent work ethic throughout the afternoon but he also has assumed the role of a vocal leader as well.
If that weren’t enough his game on the floor has also expanded. While he certainly has maintained the same athleticism and ability to get to the rim that made him such a highly sought after recruit, he has also much improved his three-point stroke, his ability to move without the ball, and his mid-range game.
Ebanks will clearly be the focal point of the STM attack but he will also have a talented supporting cast around him. The frontcourt will likely feature 6’8” Branden Doughty and 6’7” TJ Robinson who graduated from Kolbe Cathedral in Connecticut last season. Quasim Pugh transfers from Worcester Academy and will likely be given the reigns to the team while the other guard spot appears to be up for grabs.
Doughty and Robinson should provide a versatile interior tandem as both are superior athletes and can score in close range to the rim or when facing the hoop on the perimeter. Pugh was particularly impressive today as he pushes the ball like a jet from baseline to baseline, sees the floor exceptionally well, and was even knocking down some perimeter shots.
The battle for the fifth starting spot is likely to come down to Eric Waterford and Doran Mitchell, both of whom played well today. Waterford is a combo guard from California who is an exceptional three-point shooter while Mitchell is a graduate of Berlin High School in Connecticut who flat out knows how to score the ball.
Perhaps the most important name on the St. Thomas More roster (with all due respect to Devin Ebanks) is Head Coach Jere Quinn. Quinn is entering his thirtieth year as the school’s head coach and is widely considered one of the top high school/prep coaches in the country. For years now he has been able to win at a high percentage with rosters that often have less talent then his competitors.
This year’s roster appears to be an excellent fit for their coach. While the starting five has enough talent to compete with any team in the conference, the bench will be full of hard-working role players who should thrive in Coach Quinn’s system while having every opportunity to earn a college scholarship.
Luke Barrett, James Wilson, and Irving Fayman will provide depth in the backcourt while Zack Kinsley, Efimera Mokedi, and Anthony Panebianco will do the same in the frontcourt.
All in all this is a team that has a little bit of everything: an experienced and first rate head coach in Jere Quinn; a superstar who can take and make big shots in Devin Ebanks; a handful of other especially talented players to fill out the top five; and a group of hard working and tough role players to provide quality minutes off the bench.
College Notes:
• Quasim Pugh says the College of Charleston is at the top of his list. The talented point guard recently returned from an unofficial visit to the school that is said to have gone very well.
• T.J. Robinson has scholarship offers from New Mexico State, Houston, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. He is also hearing from a group of high majors including St. John’s, Seton Hall, and Memphis.