It’s a typical St. Thomas More team.
A couple of recognizable names surrounded by a bunch of players who no one really knows much about.
It’s all the type of team that Jere Quinn has made a living coaching.
Quinn’s most talented player isn’t up for debate. It’s 6-foot-8, 210-pound junior Devin Ebanks, a McDonald’s All-American caliber player who is extremely skilled for his size.
``It’s going to be good for Devin to go up against 18 and 19-year-old kids every day,” Quinn said. “These kids play with a sense of urgency.”
``Devin has a lot of ability and I have no complaints about his effort,” added Quinn. “Some have questioned his consistency, but my assessment is that he plays hard on the court all the time. If he wants to take it to the next step, he needs to put in additional time – and then the sky’s the limit.”
Ebanks may be more talented than the forward duo that departed (Antonio Pena and Edwin Ubiles), but Quinn is still cautious because of inexperience.
``We had a lot of maturity last year with two players who had been in the program for two years,” Quinn said. “And one player (Michael Quinn) who had been around the program his whole life.”
Look for the starting backcourt to consist of 6-foot-1 Marquis Jones, who didn’t qualify to play at Rhode Island a year ago and is back for another tour under Quinn, and former Our Savior New American (N.Y.) scoring guard Tyvon Williams.
``Our point guard, Marquis Jones, is a quiet leader and he knows what it takes to play at this level,” Quinn said.
Quinn will likely go with unknown 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward Jamarkus Holt at one spot up front. Holt is a hard-working Mississippi native who played in obscurity the last few years in Vero Beach, Fla.
``He’s a kid who is just learning how to play,” Quinn said of Holt. “But he’s got a lot of potential. His effort is high and that’ll take him a long way.”
The other spot is up for grabs and there are plenty of candidates depending on whether Quinn elects to go big or small.
Rutgers-bound 6-foot-3 guard Justin Sofman is what Scarlet Knights coach Fred Hill hopes is the next Mike Gansey. Sofman plays hard, can score from long range and also does a lot of the little things that don’t show up in the scoresheet.
Redmond Parker is a 6-foot-8 senior from California who should get plenty of playing time. Matt Morgan is a 6-foot-7 forward who has already committed to St. Bonaventure.
Guys like Steven Brown (6-6, 185), Dylan Drake (6-1, 170), Aaron Hall (6-3, 197), Ethan Robinson (6-7, 225), Lamont Stapleton (6-3, 255) and Drew Zito (6-0, 175) will also get a chance to contribute in Quinn’s system.