COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The St. Charles Cardinals jumped their record to 2-0 to start the season as they grinded out a 79-74 victory over CCL rival and defending league champion Bishop Ready (1-1, 0-1). 

Freshman forward Jared Frey (6-foot-4) put on one of the more dazzling performances you are likely to see from any freshman this year for the Cardinals scoring 28 points (hitting 9-10 from the field, along with six treys and hitting all four free throws).

Frey showed flashes of brilliance all night, doing a decent job on the boards and finding open men off the pick and roll, while playing solid defense on the backline of the Cardinals 2/3 zone. Joining in the strong freshman play was newcomer Derrick James who ended the game with 13 points. Both freshman contributed huge free throws to ice the game in the final minutes for the Cards.

This first quarter ended in a 21-13 advantage for St. Charles after the game had been tied 13-13 going into the final minutes of the opening period. A lay-up by 6’3” back-up Center Alex Lohiser, a trey by Frey and a buzzer-beating trey by guard Eli Burkey gave the Cards their eight-point lead.

The second quarter could have turned ugly early after a Burkey trey and a three-point play by junior center Victor Searls  (6-foot-7) jumped the Cardinals to a 27-18 lead. However, the Silver Knights got strong play from do-everything forward Darius Parham and guard C.J. White (off the bench) to pull the score to 27-26 with an 8-0 run.

The Cardinals got back on track with a put-back by Lohiser and two huge treys by the freshman guard James to jump to a 35-29 lead before a Jaishan Norris layup and free throw and then a put-back by Parham cut the lead to one-point 35-34 before Frey would hit a final trey giving St. Charles the 38-34 lead behind Frey’s nine points. Parham’s 10 points were high for Ready in the half.

The second half looked like it would be a war after Silver Knight guard Cade Dent hit a trey to pull the game to 40-38 in favor of St. Charles. That is when Frey went to work for his Cardinals, he hit a trey, a runner in the lane, a second  and third trey in the quarter to pull the Cards out to 57-45 third quarter lead on the 17-7 run that gave the home team some breathing room.

The final quarter started with a big lay-up by Searls who played well in the post for St. Charles. However, the death blows to the Silver Knights were dealt by the lefty Frey, who finished not one but two right-handed drives for three-point plays to jump the Cards lead to 70—57. The final minutes saw freshman Frey and James take turn making big free throws as St. Charles held on for the 79-74 win. The sophomore Parham would lead Ready with 19 points 11 rebounds and four assists.

Despite the defeat, the Silver Knights look solidly coached by veteran Tony Bisutti. Their offense and defense are already pretty much as strong as last season’s team which won the league.

Jared Frey (6'4 WG/WF / St. Charles / 2022) – Deep range on his lefty jumper and good handles and spin moves highlight this newcomer’s game. Has shown the ability to drive and finish in the lane with both hands, while being able to find the open man consistently. Star in the making here. Similarities: Reminds me of a bigger Jerry Dennis who starred for the Columbus St. Francis DeSales 1987 State Champion coached by the legendary Vince Chickerella.

Derrick James (5'9 PG / St. Charles / 2022): Came off the bench to hit three big treys and game-clinching free throws. Tight with the ball and clutch when the pressure is on. Similarities: James reminds me of Former Columbus East off-guard Darius White (2012) who recently finished as the all-time three-point shooter at Denison.

Darius Parham (6'3 WF / Bishop Ready / 2021) – Parham is perhaps the most experienced player for the Silver Knights. He also is their heart and soul. He is the best scorer and rebounder for the team and is asked to do a lot.  His pinned lay-up block on Burkey in the third quarter was the best defensive play by any player on the floor. Parham has shown more ball skills this season than he was asked to last year, which will lead to an increase in production all across the board for him. Keep an eye on Parham in the CCL for the next few years.

Victor Searls (6'7 C / St. Charles / 2020) – Searls is a load in the post. He demonstrates a nice little half-hook inside. No doubt will be a major factor for St. Charles all season. Needs to play himself into better shape and work on his spin moves in the paint, but has the potential to turn into a great outlet passer with his size, weight and strength in the post.  

Eli Burkey (5'10 G / St. Charles / 2020) – Burkey can drive and shoot outside and he is deceptively quick. He will not doubt have some breakout games for a balanced Cardinal attack.

Jaishan Norris (6'0 PG / Bishop Ready / 2019) – Norris continues to improves for the Silver Knights. He is strong with the ball and is a decent finisher in the lane where he does his best work. However, he needs to improve his jump shot and is a bit too quick to pull up long three-pointers when the offense gets stagnant.

The Silver Knights are going to be a better perimeter shooting team this season for sure behind the soft touches of guards Garrison Budd and Cade Dent who both have great releases and great height on their bombs.

Great game with an entertaining pace tonight. Please support your local teams!

On the Lighter Side:

Warm-ups are not like the old days: The St. Charles varsity warm-up music was unusual by High School hoops standards. Midway through the warm-ups the school played Jimi Hendrix classic rock anthem “All Along the Watchtower,” which was written by Bob Dylan. Hard to imagine that song being played in too many lay-up lines back in the day in the CCL. As one St. Charles parent said, “These are different times.”

Final infamous lyrics of song:

Outside in the cold distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
And the wind began to howl
*Business man there, drink my wine,
Come and take my herb.