Local players in the NCAA Tournament
HERE IS A list of players from Public, Catholic and Inter-Ac schools whose teams are competing in the NCAA Tournament:
HERE IS A list of players from Public, Catholic and Inter-Ac schools whose teams are competing in the NCAA Tournament:
Cameron Ayers, Bucknell
6-5, G, Junior
Germantown Academy
Contributed nine points, six rebounds and three assists as the Bison topped Lafayette, 64-56, for the Patriot crown. Boasts a great assists-to-turnover ratio (67-31) and is hitting 39 percent of his treys; his scoring average (12.5) is No. 2 on the team. Has retained spidery qualities while adding strength. Twice earned second team All-City honors. Dad Randy coached Sixers. Brother Ryan starred at Notre Dame.
Taylor Bessick, James Madison
6-9, F, Freshman
Frankford
Is averaging 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 11.5 minutes mostly off the bench. His 16 blocks rank third on the squad. Classic late bloomer. Though quite thin, he could run/jump well and showed promise as a senior for Frankford's AAAA City Champs in 2011. Made great progress during a prep-school season at Rise Academy.
Tony Chennault, Villanova
6-2, G, Junior
Ss. Neumann-Goretti
Has appeared in all 33 games for the Wildcats, and is averaging 18.5 minutes and 3.6 points. Adds aggressiveness and energy. Played as a freshman and sophomore at Wake Forest and was granted a hardship waiver to gain immediate eligibility at Villanova. City Player of the Year in 2010 (as was his father, Anthony, for Frankford in 1981).
Tyreek Duren, La Salle
6-foot, G, Junior
Ss. Neumann-Goretti
His 34.3 minutes per game rank first among the Explorers and he's second in scoring (15.0), assists (3.3) and steals (1.8). Has become quite the perceptive, yet determined, floor leader. Formed an impressive partnership with Chennault in N-G's backcourt for Catholic League champs in 2009 and '10. First team All-City as a senior.
Tyrone Garland, La Salle
6-1, G, Junior
John Bartram
Owns the third-best scoring average on the team (12.9) though he ranks fifth in minutes played. Did not make his season debut until mid-December as a transfer from Virginia Tech. Born scorer with relentless approach. "Braidheart" poured in 2,198 career points at Bartram, at the time the No. 3 total in city history. Twice earned first team All-City honors.
Savon Goodman, UNLV
6-6, F, Freshman
Constitution
Is playing 9.3 minutes a game as a key sub and his averages for points/rebounds are 3.8 and 2.4, respectively. Shooting 48 percent from the floor. The very definition of skywalker. After transferring from Academy of the New Church, last year he led the Generals to the overall Pub title along with the Class A state crown. First team
All-City selection.
Andrew 'Scootie' Randall,
Temple, 6-6, G-F, Senior
Communications Tech
Ranks second among the Owls in minutes (34.7), points (11.8), total rebounds (6.1) and even offensive boards (2.1) after missing the 2011-12 season due to injury. Smooth and confident with an inner fire. Paced Comm Tech to the 2008 Pub crown and was named the City Player of the Year.
Jerrell Wright, La Salle
6-8, F, Sophomore
Murrell Dobbins Tech
This lefty is shooting an impressive 55 percent en route to a 10.3 scoring average and his rebounds norm (6.9) is first on the squad. Also has notched 30 blocks. Foul trouble, in part, has limited him to 23 minutes per game. Strong and burly. City Player of the Year in 2011.
Notes
Syracuse sophomore F Rakeem Christmas played at North Catholic through his sophomore year, then transferred to Academy of the New Church . . . La Salle senior G Ramon Galloway played at Freire Charter through his sophomore year, then finished his high school years in Florida.
