The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Bengals have pieces in place
Part I of a four-part series analyzing the top contenders to make a run to Columbus in each division. First from D-II, Benedictine, which opens its postseason at home against Ravenna on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
Benedictine enters the postseason after a 17-win campaign that wouldn’t point to adversity in the Bengals’ season. Leading scorer Marlon Moore missed four games early in the season, and secondleading scorer Chris Jefferson suffered an injury late in the year.
The Bengals finished second in the NCL Blue at 7-3 behind Akron Hoban, and earned the top seed in the Stow District. The Bengals, now at full strength, are primed to make a run through the district and regional rounds after they advanced to a regional final last year.
Why Benedictine can make state
Many coaches tout bench depth, then play seven or players in their rotation. When Coach Rob Stircula talks about the Bengals’ bench going 11-deep, he’s not blowing smoke.
Moore and Jefferson, who’s expected to be healthy after an injury late in the season, anchor the starting lineup.
What the 5-foot-9 Ronnie James may lack in stature, he more than makes up for in lockdown defense. Jamari Patterson scored 11 points per game off a bench which includes Davin Zeigler and Devon Fox — sophomores who would start for many other teams. Sixfoot-3 Landon Robinson, 6-foot-7 Jonathon Stallworth and 6-foot-5 Mario Caywood provide added heft or verticality around Moore in the paint.
Moore is possibly the most powerful player in the area. The 6-foot-5 forward scored 15 points per game with a skill set that allows him to finish quickly with force on the inside. He also shot 37 percent from the 3-point line. Add in Jefferson, a fellow first team all-NCL choice, and the Bengals have a one-two punch of players at a caliber of which many teams would love to have just one.
What holds Benedictine back
Very little. The Bengals are deep at all spots, skilled athletic, quick and big. Any team that beats Benedictine must simply have more than the Bengals, and that’s a short list. The quality of teams to beat Benedictine — Hoban, St. Edward and St. Ignatius — provide a case in such a point.
Simply put, Benedictine doesn’t have a tragic flaw, and the Bengals aren’t going to beat themselves.
X-factor(s)
Zeigler and Fox combined to score 16 points per game off the bench and either one is capable of putting up a big game. Opposing defenses will hone in on Moore and Jefferson, which is when the lanky 6-foot-1 skilled sophomores make them pay — especially in transition.
Biggest roadblock
A potential (and likely) rematch with St. VincentSt. Mary lies in wait for the Bengals if they advance to a regional final. At the district level, 3-seed Cleveland Central Catholic has the athleticism and size necessary to keep pace. A matchup in the post between Moore and the Ironmen’s Miryne Thomas, one of few players capable of impacting a game as Moore does, would be must-watch.
Opposing coach’s take
“They have all the tools to make a deep playoff run. They have the ability to come at you in waves. Very deep team. They truly have 10-11 guys that can and will contribute. Great size and athleticism. Being so deep, they are able to mix lineup around to cause matchup problems for their opponents.”