St. Raymond High School 2019-20 Season Preview

By Robert Pena,

Defense will be one of the main focal points for the St Raymond Ravens in their attempt to get back to the CHSAA Championship. “We want to be a great defensive team. If we hold teams to 50 points per game, we will be happy. I know I’m putting pressure on our guys, but we want that pressure.” said head coach Jorge Lopez. “We want to get to championship Sunday and be one of the last two teams standing at Fordham University.”

“We are looking forward to the Hayes game because they are our rivals, and looking forward to playing Stepinac since they are one of the favorites in the City. Hayes beat us in the Achdiocese finals last year, and that is our motivation.”

The Ravens’ front court players are Luis Kortright, Gary Grant and Jermaine Wheeler. Kortright is a senior who was third team All League as a junior. He averaged 11.0 points and 4.0 assists per game. Grant is a widely heralded 6’6 forward senior and returning starter who averaged 20.0 points per contest last season. Wheeler a 6’4 senior was a key reserve and a big post defender last year, but could also see some time in the backcourt this year..

Malachi Smith is a junior point guard, and a returning starter who averaged 10.0 points per game and 5.0 assists. Reggie Hudson is a 6’0 senior guard averaged 5.0 and 3.0 steals per contests last season. Kedar Davis a 6’3 sophomore, will be a key new backcourt player. He played JV last year and “was the best player for them and could start for varsity,” said head coach Lopez. Dallas Dillard is a junior long ball sniper and will play a larger role this season.

With the overall goal being to play in the championship, the Ravens have key factors that they want to make a priority. ”Play at a high level and play every game with the desire to win.” In having that Championship game goal, “I don’t think it is over-confidence, because our guys put in the work in the offseason and losing in the Archidiocese championship has led to us working extremely hard.” said Lopez.

 

Malachi Smith has offers from the University of Dayton, University of Massachusetts, St. Peters, Manhattan Collge, Iona College, Stony Brook University, Robert Morris University. Gary Grant has offers from St. Peters and Robert Morris University. Luis Kortright has interests from the entire MAC conference and has offers from Manhattan College, Robert Morris University, Bryant University, St. Francis College, NY. Reggie Hudson is being looked at by Pace University, St.Thomas and Dominican College.