Basketball: PVI, Spirit, Wildwood Cath. tri-scrimmage

By Phil Anastasia

Paul VI, the No. 1 team in The Inquirer preseason rankings, hosted No. 4 Holy Spirit and No. 13 Wildwood Catholic in a tri-scrimmage on Tuesday night.

Some observations:

-- First, both PVI and WC were short-handed. PVI was missing senior Jay Howard and WC was missing Ed McWade, both with ankle sprains. Both are top players.

-- PVI and HS both handled WC in the first 10-minute sessions. But again, WC was missing McWade, its leading scorer, and the Crusaders don't have the depth of the other two teams.

-- PVI and HS played to a 17-17 tie in the first 10-minute session between the two teams.

-- PVI senior forward Matt Risse, who recently committed to James Madison as a preferred walk-on, looked in good form. Risse was rebounding in traffic and stepping out and burying jumpers.

-- PVI senior swingman DeVahnte Mosley was making plays all over the floor, at both ends. He's a versatile, valuable player for the Eagles.

-- PVI showed an effective full-court trap against HS, rallying from a 5-point deficit behind Mosley and senior guard Ivan Robinson.

-- WC senior guard Jordan Robertson looked terrific. He was getting to the basket, making step-back jumpers, playing with great confidence. He's legit. D-2 University of Sciences and Holy Family were there scouting him, and others, but the 6-foot-3 athlete might be drawing D-1 offers if he continues to play at that level.

-- WC senior center Clint Freeman showed good hands and feet for a big man. He made his free throws, too.

-- HS senior forward Junior Saintel (pictured) could be on the verge of a big season. He runs the floor, finishes and operates well in traffic. The 6-7 athlete has offers from Central Connecticut and UMBC but has been involved with Florida International, Central Florida, Robert Morris and Drexel.

-- HS junior guard John Middleton looked good, too. He can handle and finish.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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