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Jordan Ash, St. Joe's make it to state

lou v

lou v

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Aug 27, 2004
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Congrats to NU signee Jordan Ash and Westchester (Ill.) St. Joseph's for beating Chicago St. Patrick 39-38 to win their Supersectional and advance to state. Ash had just three points, but it was a doozy -- a 23-foot 3-pointer to end the third quarter. Believe it or not, this will be St. Joe's first trip downstate since 1999, when they claimed the state title.

Another note: No. 1 Simeon fell last night to Normal in a shocker.

Tribune story
 
It sounds like Ash will be a great addition to the team, but for those expecting him to step into the starting lineup as a freshmen, keep in mind that he scored 3 points in a high school playoff game on a banked 3-point shot. He may need some time.
 
I don't think we should judge anyone on the basis of a single game. But this should give pause to all of the people claiming Ash is the "volume scorer" we needed and wanting to bring Demps off the bench.
 
Yeah I watched Corey Maggettee score 2 points at New Trier as a senior against a 6'4" center who was tough as nails. I don't think we need to lose sleep about a stellar player not scoring a ton of points in a game against good competition.
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That was not the point of my post. It was really just to temper expectations for a freshmen competing with a fifth year senior for playing time. And the competition will be a wee bit tougher in the B1G. It may take him some time. Corey Maggettee was 6'6 and a freakish athlete. He averaged 10 points a game in his freshmen year. Ash is 6'2".
 
Derrick Rose had 0 points (it might have been 2 points) in the state championship game his senior year. Not a big deal whatsoever
 
Ash is way better than Scott Lindsay ever was in HS. If Lindsay can contribute at NU as a freshman, then Ash certainly can.
 
Ash named first team Associated Press All State. St. Joe's goes for the state championship tomorrow afternoon against Belleville Alltof.
 
Originally posted by corbi296:
Ash is way better than Scott Lindsay ever was in HS.
Click to expand...
Is that to some extent because Lindsey was injured as a senior?
 
Hey Corbi

I remember your comments from before Lindsey's senior year. Could you post a little more on what you saw with his development from high school to college? Did he become a different player...add new skills, etc.?

And have you seen Ash play in person? How does he compare to his teammates headed to Nebraska?
 
I didn't watch Lindsay play a lot this year but when I did watch I saw a little more focused player. A player with a little more defensive intensity and a little more willingness to use his length to go to the basket along with the same perimeter stroke he relied upon too extensively in HS. He still has a ways to go and probably would not have played for many other Big Ten programs but credit Collins for making him a contributor. As far as Ash is concerned, I think he is a better player than the Watson going to Nebraska. A good, solid all around player who probably will never be a star at NU but will be a contributor early. By the way, folks in the Chicago area can watch Ash and St. Joes play at 2pm this afternoon on comcast sports net in the 3A state finals game.
 
I was able to watch Ash play a couple of times on TV and when St. Joe's games were streamed. Ash was absolutely great in the first half of the State Championship game and owned the 1st quarter. 7pts, 7 assists and few rebounds at half. Add to that a great feel for the game and above average athleticism. No, he's not Jalen Brunson who won the 4A game despite his teammates. Ash's team has 3 D-1 players at least and the team they played today had a few as well. He will probably be asked to come in off the bench and spell both guard spots and he should be able to do that. Athletically he's a big upgrade over Soba. If he keeps working on his shooting, he should be a solid Big 10 player. I don't know if he'll ever develop into starter but it would not surprise given his current passing ability, willingness to pass the ball and overall athleticism. Starter or not, he should be a solid contributor to the improving roster.

If there is a volume scorer in this class it is Falzon who hit 8 threes in more than one game this season.
 
Ash's team St. Joseph's won the Illinois state championship in 3A which is the smaller school division than 4A. The team was loaded. I watched the tape of the second half and Ash appeared to be an athletic SG who defends well. He denied an alley-oop pass by simply outjumping the guy who the alley-oop was intended for. Appears to have quick hands and can create steals and takes the ball to the hoop. It was tough to see how many offensive skills (penetration or catch and shoot three point shooting) because PG Glynn Watson (no. 68 on ESPN's Top 100) who is committed to UNL rarely passed him the ball in good position to score. St. Joseph's also has a 6'10" C who NU, along with a ton of schools are going after. I see Ash as more of a backup behind Demps, Lindsey next season who could play a couple of minutes at backup PG if needed.
 
I appreciate Max's scouting report

Admittedly, I've never seen Ash play. However, a small red flag went up for me this weekend when the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association announced their All-State teams, and Ash was on the second team. Keep in mind the first team is made up of 16 members, not five.

Also, he is second team all-state for the 3A Class according to the Sun-Times. (http://highschoolcubenews.com/2015/03/19/sun-times-state-team/).

Granted, the all-state teams are not based on likely college success. However, I get the feeling these ratings are pretty consistent with Max's scouting report.

IBCA All-State Teams
 
Re: I appreciate Max's scouting report

They can't even spell his name correctly. He was on several All-State 1st teams. He looked really good to me in the one half I saw of the championship game. Very good athlete who could do it all. He had several steals and rebounds while I was watching and several assists also. Clearly one of the best athletes on the floor. The rejection of the alley-oop was impressive.

I was in complete agreement with Max and his scouting report up until he said he didn't know if Ash would ever develop into a starter. I don't know how anyone can watch Ash and not think he will eventually become a starter. He's a solid Big 10 talent and our recruiting will have to go through the roof for him to not eventually start IMO.
 
Re: I appreciate Max's scouting report

I think that the talent in Illinois is pretty decent this year.

Gaddis Rathel was not all state but he was good enough to letter at NU for four years and was a starter (the entire time?)?

Unfortunately he graduated with Isiah Thomas, Teddy Grubbs, Mike Williams, Terry Cummings, Bernard Randolph, Ray McCoy and a ton of other high D1 talent.

Yeah, I'm stuck in the 70's. So what?

It's meaningful to me that the Chicago Catholic League coaches voted Ash as the player of the year in his division. That is an award that says something.

The thing that got my attention in the championship game was that Pingatore had Ash rebounding free throws at the bottom of the key in the fourth quarter. And Ash was grabbing the key rebounds.

Glynn Watson looked good to me. Elevated and converted on a key drive. But Ash seemed more assertive, more of a leader i directing the team out of the huddle, etc.
 
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