Compiled by Paul Gotham
Counting down to tipoff and previewing the incoming freshmen of the Atlantic 10 with a look at the first-year players of Saint Joseph’s Hawks. The Hawks finished 24-10 including 11-5 in A-10 play during 2013-14 and claimed the conference championship. Saint Jospeh’s lost to eventual national champion UConn in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Phil Martelli and his staff welcome four freshmen to campus: James Demery, Markell Lodge, Shavar Newkirk and Obi Romeo.
James Demery Fr. F 6-6, 186 Charlotte, NC/ Northside Christian Academy
Averaged 18.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game… All-Conference and All-County selection… Helped team to third straight NCISAA 2A title… Squad was ranked 18th nationally by MaxPreps… Averaged 16.8 points as a junior.
What they’re saying about James Demery – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Demery is a winner. He has won at every level and been the focal point of each team. He is a high-level perimeter defender. Offensively he is an explosive downhill type with a high IQ off the ball.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: He’s an athletic wing. Really gets to the rim. He is terrific in transition.He’s working on his outside shot. Mid-range shot is okay.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “This kid is a big-time shooter. He could be as good any three man in the league. It seems like there are a decent number of three men coming into the league. He’s kind of a two-three. His strength is that he can make shots. He can just score.”
Markell Lodge Fr. F 6-7, 203 Washington, NC/ Prominence Academy
Two-time team MVP… Averaged 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game… Earned two consecutive All-Conference honors… Played at Christian Faith Center Academy for his junior season and at Prominence Academy his senior year… Played for the 17-Under U.S. Adidas Nation team.
What they’re saying about Markell Lodge – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Lodge’s game is extremely loud. Offensively he is a short-corner type, who tries to tear the rim off every time up. He rebounds well with nothing finesse about what he does.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s an athletic four-man, very athletic. He gets off his feet quickly. He’ll remind St. Joe’s fans of Ronald Roberts. He’s not there yet, but the same type of player. He can score around the basket, block shots and rebound.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He is one of the better forwards coming into the league. He’s got good size and can handle and shoot some.”
Shavar Newkirk Fr. G 6-0, 170 New York, NY/ Cardinal Hayes
Named the N.Y. Daily News Bronx Player of the Year for the second time…Three-time All-City selection, earning First Team honors as a junior and senior… Played for the USA Select Team in the Under-18 international tournament in Germany in May 2014… Averaged 17.0 points, 7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game… Point guard who paced Cardinal Hayes to back-to-back appearances in the CHSAA intersectional semifinals and to team’s first Archdiocesan title in over 40 years… Squad posted school’s best record ever at 26-2… All-CHSAA First Team honoree for two straight years… Earned MSG All-Metro Honorable Mention… Three-year starter who helped team to a 75-14 record in his career… Scored over 1,000 career points… Played his freshman year at Rice High School.
What they’re saying about Shavar Newkirk – Ryan Lazo/ Hopewell News: “Think back over the years at the stable of guards head coach Phil Martelli has had during his time overseeing the Hawks. From Jameer Nelson to Langston Galloway, Martelli had one of the better guards in the Atlantic 10. He may have found another in Shavar Newkirk out of Cardinal Hayes in New York City. Newkirk is a flat-out winner on the court, keeping the Cardinals undefeated until February and earning player of the year honors while averaging 15 points per game. His leadership at the point guard position helped lead Cardinal Hayes to back-to-back CHSAA intersectional semifinals, an intangible Martelli will look to foster moving forward.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He’s a typical New York City point guard – very tough. Really gets into the lane where he scores or dishes. He has a decent mid-range game. Needs to work on his three-point shot.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He’s a slight-bodied but quick point guard who is a combination of things. He can shoot, go off the bounce and handle. He’s going to be pretty good for them.”
Obi Romeo Fr. F 6-10, 230 White Sulphur Springs, W.VA/ Greenbrier East
Averaged 13.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game for Greenbrier East High School… Also averaged 4.5 blocks and shot 60 percent from the field… Registered 12 blocks in one game… Came to the United States in 2011 from Anambra State, Nigeria.
What they’re saying about Obi Romeo – Jamie Shaw/ Phenom Hoop Report: “Length doesn’t begin to describe Romeo. A wingspan over 7’6″, he is a high level rebounder and rim protector.”
Allen Rubin/ Hoop Scoop: “He plays hard and goes after the ball when rebounding. He’s a good shot blocker.”
Steve Keller/ National Recruiting Report: “He’s a big body post who can be a center. He’s got good size with good strength. He has enough speed that he can be a factor for them. I don’t know how quickly he’ll be ready, but he should be able to get some action right away.”
Biographical information courtesy of Saint Joseph’s athletics.
Leave a Reply