Marian’s Green a sight to be seen
Senior takes advantage of ‘carte blanche’ in leading Spartans past Benet in ESCC clash
In the postseason, coach Mike Taylor understands that Marian Catholic is going to need other players to produce points beyond Iowa recruit Ahron Ulis.
Joe Green was that guy Friday night.
The 6-foot senior guard scored a team-high 17 points to lead the host Spartans to a 54-46 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over Benet.
Green made 6 of 9 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers. His quickness, ballhandling skills and stellar defense were on full display for Marian (19-7, 6-1).
“Joe is the key,” Taylor said.“We need that type of scoring to go along with Ahron. He made some great passes. Joe did it at both ends of the floor.”
Ulis, a6-2senior guard, finished with 12 points and senior forward Yemi Elutilo added 11 points, including eight in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Senior forward Colin Crothers, a Johns Hopkins recruit, led Benet (17-7, 5-2) with 16 points.
Green knows the Spartans need a dependable scoring option after Ulis. He desperately wants to fill that role.
“I like to step up in big games like this,” Green said. “I know I’m capable of doing it. I just have to trust myself more.”
According to Taylor, only a lack of confidence is preventing Green from consistently fulfilling his vast potential.
“(Friday) has been how his year has gone,” Taylor said. “He’s been either really, really good or just another player on the floor.
“He know she has carte blanche and is going to play 32minutes. He doesn’t look to shoot enough. He’s not as confident as he should be.”
Green showed plenty of confidence driving to the basket. In the third quarter, he took a pass on the baseline and promptly tried to rip the backboard down via a dunk.
Although he was fouled, which prevented him from completing the dunk, the ball still found away to go in the basket.
It gave Marian a 42-37 lead. “I was trying to get the crowd into it and bring some energy,” Green said. “I was surprised the ball still went in.”
Elutilo wasn’t surprised either to see Green trying to throwdown a haymaker dunk.
“Not at all,” Elutilo said. “He’s the most athletic guy on the team. I could tell he was going to dunk by the look on his face.”
Green set up Elutilo with a nifty pass with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter for a 49-44 lead.
“He’s a really good passer,” Elutilo said. “I knew hewas going to find me with that pass.”
Green has been working on gaining confidence in his jump shot. He knows it would benefit the team tremendously.
“I’m trying,” he said. “I know I can get to the rim. I’m practicing my shooting more. I feel like it’s getting better. I need that confidence with the playoffs coming up.”