When Montini applied full-court pressure after it scored the game’s opening basket against Fenwick on Friday, it was actually a welcome sight for the Friars.
Fenwick capably handled the Broncos’ 1-2-2 zone pressure for the entire first quarter, mostly because of the personnel that was on the floor.
“We are a good ball-handling team, so we have seen a lot of pressure,” Fenwick coach Rick Malnati said. “We were not surprised that they pressed, and we play five guards so we better handle pressure.”
The Friars (11-3, 2-0) built a double-digit lead in the opening quarter and cruised to a 92-45 Chicago Catholic League victory in Lombard.
Montini (9-4, 1-3) hit five shots in the first quarter and a pair of free throws, providing several opportunities to set up its press. Fenwick had two turnovers in the quarter, but neither of them came against the Broncos’ full-court pressure.
“We want teams to press us,” Fenwick junior guard Billy Bruce said. “Because we know that we can score more and get really good shots in transition.
“We know that we can get early baskets. We should get layups and open 3s all the time.”
Jacob Keller, Jamal Nixon, A.J. Nixon, D.J. Steward and Bruce started against Montini, and are all listed as guards in the program.
The number of guards on the floor for Fenwick usually means that at least one player from the opposing team is not going to be able to stay in front of the dribbler.
“Unless they have five guards out on the floor, anyone can bring the ball up the court (for us) and break pressure,” A.J. Nixon said. “It is definitely an advantage because you have five guys that can dribble the ball under pressure, and it makes it much easier on everyone else.”
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There are also a few strategies Fenwick uses in practice to allow them to handle pressure during the games.
“Coach has us, on the opposite team, use six or seven guys on the floor at a time guarding the starting five to simulate the pressure and the franticness of the other team’s defense,” A.J. Nixon said. “We see harder pressure in practice.”
Another advantage of having so many ball-handlers on the floor is that it reduces — or eliminates — the time to make an outlet pass following a steal or defensive rebound.
“We like to play fast and we like to push it up,” said Bruce, who scored 10 points against Montini. “It is easy when someone gets a rebound; anyone can bring it up.”
Against Montini, Steward led all scorers with 17 points, while Keller finished with 12 points and Jamal Nixon had 11.
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press